The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) is a non-profit, scientific institution that conducts research on the most pressing challenges of forest and landscape management around the world. Using a global, multidisciplinary approach, we aim to improve human well-being, protect the environment, and increase equity. To do so, we conduct innovative research, develop partners’ capacity, and actively engage in dialogue with all stakeholders to inform policies and practices that affect forests and people. CIFOR is a CGIAR Research Center, and leads the CGIAR Research Program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA). Our headquarters are in Bogor, Indonesia, with offices in Nairobi, Kenya; Yaounde, Cameroon

Overview

The Project Officer for the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) to be based in Nairobi, Africa, will be responsible for supporting the Regional Coordinator with engaging stakeholders and contributing to fundraising efforts while collaborating with the other GLF innovation leads in coordinating and implementing GLF initiatives and activities within the African region.

Duties and responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Identify and build relationships with key stakeholders including government agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector entities, and local communities working with the Regional Coordinator and the Partnerships team.
• Support the organization of stakeholder consultations, workshops, and events to promote collaboration on landscape-related challenges.

Fundraising:

• Play a supportive active role in fundraising efforts by identifying potential funding sources and assisting in drafting grant proposals and cultivating donor relationships in Africa in collaborating with the Regional Coordinator, Partnerships team and the Global team.
• Support collaboration between the partnerships team and the innovation leads to ensure alignment between project objectives and donor priorities for projects implemented in Africa.

Partnership Development:

• Work with the Regional Coordinator to identify and explore potential collaboration opportunities with organizations, institutions, and initiatives aligned with GLF’s goals in Africa.

Project Planning and Coordination:

• Work closely with the Regional Coordinator Africa and innovation leads to develop comprehensive project plans and strategies for GLF initiatives in Africa.
• Ensure seamless coordination of project activities, timelines, and resources to achieve project objectives.
• Regularly monitor project progress, identifying and addressing potential bottlenecks or issues.

Event Management:

• Contribute to the planning and execution of GLF events, conferences, and webinars within Africa.

Knowledge Management:

• Working with the knowledge team contribute to the establishment and upkeep of a knowledge repository focused on landscape restoration, conservation, and sustainable development in Africa.
• Curate and disseminate resources, research findings, and best practices across the GLF network in Africa.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist the Regional coordinator, Innovation leads and the Monitoring and evaluation officer in designing and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks for projects, assessing their impact and outcomes in Africa.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports highlighting project achievements, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelors in environmental science, natural resource management, sustainable development, or a related field.
• Proven experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, event management, fundraising, and working within a team.
• Deep understanding of landscape-related challenges and opportunities in Africa.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration in a diverse and interdisciplinary team.
• Proficiency in English (knowledge of additional languages, particularly French and Kiswahili, is advantageous).
• Familiarity with landscape-related initiatives, organizations, and networks in Africa.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Bachelors in environmental science, natural resource management, sustainable development, or a related field.
• Proven experience in project coordination, stakeholder engagement, event management, fundraising, and working within a team.

Terms and conditions

• •This is a full-time consultancy position.
• The period of the consultancy is expected to be October 2023 – March 2024, with the possibility for extension.
• Work location: Hybrid and preferably in Nairobi, Kenya (EAT time zone)