Summary

• Our Partner Network team is responsible for the scoping, selection, relationship building, and ongoing stewardship of civil society and non-governmental organisations that partner with Blue Ventures globally. Partnership is at the core of Blue Ventures’ strategy to seek out and support community-focused organisations by providing funding and technical assistance that can catalyse, expand, and sustain partners’ work in establishing community-based fisheries management and locally managed marine areas.
• The Partner Network team at Blue Ventures fosters relationships with civil society and non-governmental organisations, identifying potential partners and establishing long-term agreements for support. We prioritise network building, facilitating knowledge sharing, and strengthening organisational capacities to promote community-centred coastal fisheries reform.
• We are hiring a Partnership Coordinator for Kenya to expand our network and enhance our impact. This role involves developing partnership strategies, fostering collaboration, and ensuring successful partnership initiatives. Based in Kenya and frequently travelling, the ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and knowledgeable about rural communities and small-scale fisheries in Kenya. Experience in community-based conservation and development is essential. Alignment with Blue Ventures’ core values and mission is crucial.
• The successful candidate will excel in a dynamic environment, working independently and collaboratively to address complex challenges effectively.

Responsibilities

Leadership:

• Foster a positive, creative, and productive work environment.
• Promote a high-performance culture, continuous improvement, and commitment to quality.
• Provide timely and relevant information to colleagues for strategy and planning.
• Uphold BV’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable communities and ensuring equity, fairness, and respect for diversity.

Partnerships Delivery and Management:

• Cultivate relationships with community-focused organisations to promote local marine management.
• Identify and pursue partnership opportunities at national and sub-national levels.
• Assist in scoping plans, due diligence, and readiness assessments for new partners.

Collaborate with the Head of Partner Network for East Africa to: 

• Support local partners and communities in fisheries management and governance.
• Ensure effective use of the Frontline Community Fund.
• Confirm adequate technical support for partnerships.
• Implement monitoring processes to track partnership progress using standard metrics.

Work with the Global Partner Engagement team to:

• Conduct periodic partner reviews to inform strategy.
• Address challenges and share best practices.
• Establish a community of practice with regional and global teams for knowledge sharing and learning exchanges.
• Contribute to grants and funding development to advance the global strategy.

Communications:

• Stay informed about new developments within the region’s Partner Network team.
• Collaborate with the Head of Partner Network for timely, high-quality reporting to donors and international partners.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in marine science, environmental science/conservation, natural resources management, rural/community development, sustainable development or relevant proven practical experience in relevant fields.
• Eligibility to live and work in Kenya, respectively.
• At least 7 years of demonstrable practical experience working in Marine natural resource management and community-led conservation and management.
• Commitment to a community-based approach to conservation in Kenya and demonstrable practical experience working in community-based conservation and development in Kenya.
• Experience developing and nurturing community-based and multi-sectoral partnerships, including with communities, fisheries authorities, and civil society.
• Proven experience in project planning and management, budget preparation and management and preparation of technical and budget reports.
• Excellent networking, relationship-building and conflict mediation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills, and ability to convey complex messages clearly in presentations, meetings and written form, and to connect with people of all levels and cultural backgrounds.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• High level of organisation, flexibility, ability to work in a team, work well under pressure, and successfully manage multiple deadlines and competing demands.
• Able to adapt to and navigate through diverse and dynamic environments, be open to change, embrace new ideas and adjust based on feedback.
• Ability to understand and relate to the challenges and aspirations of local communities, fostering trust and constructive engagement.
• Demonstrate a collaborative working style. Effectively work with multidisciplinary and cross-functional, global, regional, and country teams and build strong relationships with external partners and stakeholders to foster trust and demonstrate commitment.
• Champion Blue Ventures’ mission and values passionately inspire and motivate teams, direct reports and partners towards a shared vision of restoring ocean life, empowering communities, and driving positive change in fisheries management and marine conservation.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, Google Apps, and social media tools (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google Plus).

We would also love to see

• Experience working with communities where BVC works and has interest and knowledge of regional and national contexts.
• Experience of small-scale fisheries, marine conservation or rural development sectors, working with institutional partners within the conservation and development sectors.
• Competency in language of the countries of the region e.g. Swahili, etc

You will be a great fit if

• You are committed to Blue Ventures’ mission and values, as evidenced by your high personal and professional integrity, humility, and humanity.
• You demonstrate a strong bias for action and comfort with the uncertainty; you are motivated to move forward, make decisions, and finalise details quickly once information is available.
• You’ve shown a willingness and ability to challenge the status quo creatively and productively.
• You have an analytical mindset and orientation toward measurement, outcomes, continuous improvement, and learning. You value data-driven and consultative decision-making in others and yourself.
• You think critically and highly value offering and receiving constructive feedback and criticism.
• You’re a natural relationship builder and have a proven ability to work collaboratively with others in a complex organisation. You demonstrate professional curiosity, team-building, and facilitation skills. You enjoy collaboration and are genuinely interested in learning from and developing others.
• You’re a people person who takes pride and pleasure in developing talent and creating safe, happy, productive and engaging workplace cultures and environments for staff at all levels and from varied backgrounds. You crave building teams, finding talent, nurturing relationships, and tackling challenging people-related issues.
• You are a passionate professional combining strong leadership skills, patience, and a humble approach.
• You can engage people’s energies, hearts and minds in service of a mission. You use exemplary interpersonal skills to establish relationships of trust and influence.
• You’re detail-oriented and compliance-minded; you enjoy dotting i’s and crossing t’s.
• You demonstrate excellent organisational skills and ability to marshall resources and continually improve systems and processes.
• You show self-motivation, flexibility, and the ability to work and thrive in a fast-paced, energetic, entrepreneurial environment.
• You’re trustworthy in managing sensitive situations and information; you are discrete, professional, and possess excellent judgement.
• You are comfortable with a playfully professional workplace culture.