The Leader of Africa’s Food Future Initiative (AFFI) provides leadership and support to WWF Country Offices to implement the AFFI by transitioning food and agriculture systems to nature-positive in selected priority landscapes. This role ensures alignment between Country Strategic Plans, the Food and Agriculture Practice Strategy, and the Roadmap 2030 by partnering with multi-disciplinary teams and identifying innovative approaches to food systems in Africa.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and support to WWF Country Offices to implement the AFFI, transitioning food and agriculture systems to nature positive in selected priority landscapes.
- Partner with multi-disciplinary teams consisting of WWF staff, national partners, consultants, and/or contractors to analyze and adopt innovative approaches to food systems in Africa.
- Provide intellectual and strategic leadership to identify and promote policies to support nature-positive production at the global, regional, and national levels.
- Identify and support country offices to access innovative finance solutions for the transition to nature-positive agriculture.
- Provide appropriate high-level representation for activities with governments, the private sector, and NGOs to develop and implement AFFI actions.
- Provide technical assistance and guidance to Country Office staff in AFFI priority landscapes.
- Build the capacity of staff working on AFFI in WWF’s country offices and institutionalize safeguards and social policies related to AFFI work.
- Work closely with WWF communications staff on outreach activities that support initiative delivery.
- Lead fundraising and fund tracking efforts for the AFFI, in collaboration with WWF-Kenya resource mobilization staff, Food Practice core team, and relevant WWF National and Country Offices.
- Contribute to information sharing and documentation of experiences through the Food Practice ACAIs.
- Attend and represent the Practice in high-level events when requested by leadership.
Required Education and Experience
- Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including at least 5 years working in a senior management position.
- Master’s degree or higher in agriculture, international development, business administration, natural resources management, biodiversity conservation, or other relevant discipline(s).
- Technical proficiency in the field of sustainable agriculture or agroecological approaches, land-use planning and management, and sustainable agricultural value chains.
- Excellent written and oral skills in English; French is an added advantage.
- Demonstrated project management experience.
- Experience working in a large, complex, global organizational network.
- Proven experience engaging with donors, corporate, and government actors at the highest levels.
- Excellent understanding of social and environmental risk-based approaches to managing projects and programs.
- Experience with financing mechanisms for transitioning to nature-positive agriculture, including blended finance and bankable projects.
Required Skills and Abilities
- Ability to coordinate and manage processes and projects without direct supervisory responsibility.
- Excellent skills in writing proposals, reports, presentations, budgeting, and financial management.
- Excellent negotiation, diplomacy, and lobbying skills.
- Demonstrated passion for conservation and social issues.
- Ability to work in multicultural settings and effectively in virtual teams.
How to Apply
Qualified and interested individuals are invited to apply to talentrecruit@wwfkenya.org with the subject line: Leader, Africa’s Food Future Initiative. Submit your CV and cover letter as a single PDF document, beginning with the cover letter. Applications close on 15th May 2026.
