The Training Programme Manager & Lead Instructor plays a critical role in ensuring the success of the Centre’s learning programmes. These programmes provide accessible and inclusive onsite and online vocational learning for nature restoration professionals and custodians. It has a focus on practical and applied training, designed for employability and real-world performance.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced, strategic, creative, and learner-focused instructional leader to shape how training is delivered at the African Centre for Nature Restoration & Resilience (ACNRR). As Lead Instructor, you will lead a small team of instructors to oversee in-person, online, and blended training delivery, ensuring each course is grounded in real-world application. You will also align delivery with ACNRR’s unique learning environment, making full use of our facilities and surrounding landscapes—and mentor a team of instructors and work closely with partners and technical experts to deliver locally-grounded curricula that drive real-world change. This is a unique opportunity to deliver transformational vocational education that empowers restoration leaders across Africa.

Key Responsibilities

Delivery Design & Instructional Leadership

Translate core best practice and training content into engaging, inclusive, learner and context-specific delivery formats that reflect adult learning principles and real-world application.

Design and continuously improve experiential, interactive, and practice-oriented learning formats to support applied learning, using ACNRR’s facilities, and surrounding landscape., and in close collaboration with ACNRR team members.

Serve as lead instructor for in-person, online, and blended training cohorts, modelling inclusive, participatory, and applied teaching methods.

Ensure all training delivery is interactive, applied, and grounded in real contexts.

Locally relevant Curriculum Design

Work in partnership with the Indigenous and Community Solutions Hub Lead to identify key capacity needs among community nature custodian organisations and coordinate, co-create, and co-deliver training, mentoring, and peer exchange opportunities.

Instructor Team Development

Recruit and oversee a diverse, gender inclusive, knowledgeable, and learner-centred team of instructors for the ACNRR.

Onboard, and mentor a diverse group of instructors from across the region.

Build a culture of excellence, peer learning, and continuous improvement within the instructors' team.

Coordinate instructor delivery across in-person and online offerings, ensuring consistency with ACNRR values and standards.

Training Implementation & Operations

Create annual training calendars and lead the day-to-day implementation of training delivery, including scheduling, resource planning, logistics, and learner support.

Align training delivery with the ACNRR annual calendar, physical infrastructure, and regional travel plans.

Serve as the key liaison between the content development team and the training delivery team to ensure smooth rollout and feedback loops.

Partnerships & Influence

Build partnerships with local organisations, custodians, and practitioners to co-deliver field-based components.

Lead and coordinate training contributions from guest instructors, expert panels, and community knowledge holders.

Work with the Director and Head to develop a network of accredited satellite learning providers across the continent.

Support the Head as required to represent the ACNRR in regional forums, advocating for IPLC-led restoration and funding and education equity.

Collaborate with funding partners, civil society, research institutions, and governments to amplify community voices and strengthen support systems for community-based restoration leadership.

Programme Management

Manage the day-to-day operations of the training programme, including planning, budgets, schedules, and logistics.

Develop and implement systems for learner feedback, quality assurance, and continuous improvement.

Monitoring, Evaluation, & Reporting

Form part of the Centre’s MEL unit to develop an evaluation framework to track learning outcomes and real-world impact.

Collect and analyse feedback on delivery quality and learner progress to support evidence-based improvement in learner experience and instructional and content effectiveness.

Produce and contribute to high-quality reports, briefs, and communications that showcase the activities and impact of the ACNRR.

Contribute to funding partner reports, case studies, and communications.

Fundraising & Donor Engagement

Support the ACNRR leadership team to develop a sustainable funding strategy for the Hub’s long-term growth.

Build and maintain strong relationships with donors and funding partners, ensuring alignment with the Hub’s strategy and values.

Contribute to the development of compelling funding proposals, concept notes, and presentations for institutional donors, foundations, and other funders.

Contribute to the delivery of timely, accurate, and transparent grant reporting, including narrative and financial updates.

Essential Requirements

At least 10 years’ experience in designing and delivering learning programmes, preferably youth and/or adult audiences in communities and vocational rather than academic contexts.

Spoken and written fluency in English, Kiswahili. Knowledge of other Kenyan languages is an added advantage.

Deep understanding of competency-based education and vocational qualifications and how they apply to training delivery.

Strong programme management, coordination, and team leadership experience.

Background in conservation, natural resource management, regenerative agriculture, organisational or enterprise development, or related field.

Demonstrated commitment to learner-centred, gender and socially inclusive, and experiential education, with experience supporting diverse learners—including those with limited formal education.

Proven ability to build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders across sectors and geographies.

Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.

Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a dynamic environment.

Proficiency with MS Office tools (e.g. Word, Excel) and general digital literacy for learning and collaboration platforms.

Willingness to be based in Laikipia North onsite at the ACNRR and travel regionally.

Desirable Requirements

Understanding of the policy and funding landscape for vocational training programmes.

Experience training local or Indigenous organisations and practitioners.

Knowledge of online learning platforms and blended learning models.

Experience designing or delivering train-the-trainer programmes.

Fluency in French a bonus.