Chief Conservation Officer

Role Overview

This position leads the conservation and community-development arms of a large, privately managed wildlife conservancy in Kenya. Day to day, the role balances strategic oversight of ecological programmes with direct accountability for security operations, research partnerships, and the wellbeing of flagship species such as black rhino and chimpanzee. The Chief Conservation Officer ensures that every intervention — from anti-poaching patrols to community livelihood projects — is aligned with the organisation’s long-term 2030 and 2050 visions, and that progress is measurable, fundable, and defensible to donors and regulators.

Key Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the conservancy’s conservation strategy, translating biodiversity, habitat restoration, and climate-resilience goals into operational plans that are reviewed and adapted as ecological conditions shift.
• Direct wildlife health and species recovery programmes, including black rhino protection, chimpanzee care, breeding and translocation initiatives, habitat enrichment, and any reintroduction work agreed with partners.
• Lead the research agenda by coordinating with external institutions, embedding conservation technologies into ecosystem monitoring, and ensuring data drives management decisions and operational efficiency.
• Own the community engagement strategy: building trust with local residents, integrating conservation with livelihoods and education, and reducing human-wildlife conflict through fencing, awareness, and alternative income projects.
• Supervise the planning, budgeting, delivery, and evaluation of community development projects, ensuring they meet deadlines, stay on budget, and align with the conservancy’s wider objectives.
• Secure funding for conservation and community work by collaborating with fundraising teams to craft donor proposals, maintain transparent reporting, and explore innovative financing mechanisms.
• Oversee all wildlife security and anti-poaching operations, ensuring ranger units are well trained, properly equipped, and effectively coordinated with law enforcement and community informants.
• Build, mentor, and manage multidisciplinary teams across conservation and community development, fostering continuous learning, accountability, and a collaborative culture while monitoring impact against KPIs for internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field; a PhD is an added advantage.
• At least twelve years of conservation management experience, with a minimum of five years in a senior leadership role.
• Demonstrable track record in biodiversity protection, community-based conservation, and anti-poaching strategy, ideally with specialised training in wildlife management or ecological research.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including proficiency with conservation technologies, GIS or data analysis tools, and monitoring frameworks.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management abilities, with experience liaising between government agencies, NGOs, international research bodies, and community representatives.
• Genuine passion for conservation and a clear commitment to the mission of protecting wildlife alongside supporting local communities.