FreshJobs
Head of the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience at Natural State
Job Description
Role summary
We are seeking a visionary and experienced leader and entrepreneur to serve as the Head of Centre for the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience. This pivotal role will guide the establishment and long-term growth of the Centre, overseeing strategic development, partnerships, operational management, and training programmes. This role offers a unique opportunity to lead a pioneering institution that will shape the future of nature restoration across Africa. The ideal candidate will drive the Centre’s aim to become a leader and role model in equitable nature restoration training and leadership in Africa.
Key Responsibilities
Centre Development & Operations: Oversee the Centre’s development, ensuring it is operational by Q4 2025, including construction, governance and policies, team recruitment, IT setup, and day-to-day management.
Strategic Leadership & Income Generation: Develop and implement the Centre’s long-term strategy and sustainable business model, securing diverse income streams including philanthropic funding for bursaries and scholarships.
Team Leadership: Lead the Centre’s team, ensuring effective recruitment, performance management, and creating a motivated, high-performing team.
Programme & Curriculum Development: Design and implement world-class training programmes in collaboration with internal and global partners, focusing on scalable, practical solutions for nature restoration.
Participant Admissions and Management: Oversee design and operations of participant admissions process, including the bursary fund, ensuring diversity, inclusion, and positive participant experiences from recruitment to programme completion.
Specialist hubs: Oversee the design and implementation of a Rangelands Restoration Hub and Community Hub on site and ensure close collaboration with surrounding communities for shared learning, knowledge exchange, and collaboration.
Governance & Reporting: Ensure compliance with governance frameworks, report regularly to the Centre’s Senior Board, Subcommittee, and NATURAL STATE team, and manage workplans, M&E, and budgets effectively.
Required Qualifications & Experience
Minimum Bachelor’s degree required.
Proven experience in successfully setting up and operating new education institutions or other capacity building-related non-profits or social enterprises.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in education settings and / or long-term capacity building programmes. Adult teaching experience is an advantage.
Minimum of 10 years of leadership in education settings and / or long-term capacity building programmes. Adult teaching experience is an advantage.
Strong background in strategic planning, partnership development, and income generation.
Strong entrepreneurial tendency with experience in business model/plan development.
Demonstrated experience in engaging with diverse local, national, and international partners.
A desire to see inclusive, diverse, and equitable education and capacity building results.
A passion for nature restoration/conservation and education/capacity building.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and guide a diverse team and partner group.
Fluency in English both written and spoken required, and knowledge of local languages, cultures and ecosystems are a bonus.
Strong skills in the use of Microsoft Apps (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
Valid driver’s license.
Compensation
A competitive salary will be offered, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
In addition, Natural State offers a total of 33 days holiday per year (including annual leave and public holidays) and additional office closure days in December, a pension scheme and medical cover.