Africa Policy Fellow

POSITION SUMMARY

Conservation International (CI) believes that getting the right rules and incentives in place, the right policy framework, is essential to achieving our mission to “empower societies to responsibly and sustainably care for nature, our global biodiversity, for the well-being of humanity”. Policies to harness the immediate potential of natural climate solutions (NCS are essential to addressing global climate change and this position will have a heavy focus on informing such policies in the region). At the same time, ambitious global policies on how we manage biodiversity and the high seas will be developed over the next few years and the countries of the Africa Region will be an important voice in how they are formulated and implemented.

The Africa Policy Fellow will have the opportunity to be a part of CI’s International Policy team while being embedded in CI’s Africa Field Division, with a regional headquarters in Nairobi. They will also be a part of CI’s Technical Fellowship program, which hosts conservation Fellows who work to create dynamic and unconventional approaches to address barriers to sustainability and contribute to a shift in how nature is valued and protected. With 2-year contracts, the Fellows are able to expand the breadth of their skills, gain valuable experience in their fields, and find innovative solutions together with CI ​program staff and local partners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with CI country programs in the region, and building on CI’s existing policy recommendations, design and implement strategies to influence the design of national climate policies in support of CI’s objectives, including NDCs and REDD+ nesting policies in key countries.
• In collaboration with the CI country program in the region, and building on CI’s existing policy recommendations, design and implement strategies to influence the design of policy frameworks to facilitate demand for natural climate solutions (NCS) through a domestic carbon market.
• In collaboration with CI country programs in the region, and building on CI’s existing policy recommendations, design and implement strategies to influence the design of domestic policies to incentivize and support restoration efforts in key countries.
• In collaboration with CI country programs, and building on CI’s existing policy recommendations, design and implement strategies to influence their governments’ positions on key elements of globally important policy formulation including negotiations on new biodiversity goals and international climate policy. As appropriate, support collaboration with external partners to create shared policy inputs for national governments related to these policy priorities.
• In collaboration with Africa Oceans lead, develop a strategy for policy engagement in the region to support ocean outcomes.
• In collaboration with the GDSA team, support natural capital accounting and linked NDCs and NBSAPs via the GDSA.
• Act as liaison between Africa Field Division and the Global Policy and Government Affairs team.

PEOPLE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

The Africa Policy Fellow will not manage staff but may direct the work of vendors or interns. They will not have the authority to allocate resources or approve budget expenditures.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, or any other location in Africa where CI has an office.
• Normal office environment with up to 50% local, regional, and international travel for high-level meetings and field site visits.
• Availability to deal with pressing business, emergencies, and unanticipated crises or opportunities that may arise related to CI’s institutional needs or management, including outside of normal office hours.
• Ability to work extended hours to meet deadlines.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, international affairs, or a related field.
• 7 or more years experience in developing and managing non-profit public policy initiatives, particularly in Africa.
• Solid understanding of government processes in Africa and the overall Africa policy engagement environment.
• Proven ability to engage a variety of external partners and stakeholders in governments, bilateral and multilateral institutions, development organizations, and NGOs.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex information to a diverse audience.
• Strong organization, project management, and prioritization skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Excellent time management skills and ability to adapt in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills in English, including effective presentation and negotiation skills with experience synthesizing complex topics for non-technical audiences.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Proven ability to work in a culturally diverse environment.

Preferred

• Fluency in French, Spanish, Portuguese, or any other major language important in Africa is a plus.