Leader, Africa’s Food Future Initiative – Senior Conservation Job Opportunity at WWF (Kenya, 2026)

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is offering an exceptional senior-level career opportunity for experienced professionals in sustainability, agriculture, and conservation. The Leader, Africa’s Food Future Initiative (AFFI) position, based in Nairobi, Kenya, represents a strategic leadership role aimed at transforming Africa’s food systems toward sustainability, resilience, and environmental integrity.

This opportunity is ideal for seasoned professionals seeking to contribute to high-impact environmental initiatives while working at the intersection of agriculture, climate change, biodiversity conservation, and international development.

 About Africa’s Food Future Initiative (AFFI)

The Africa’s Food Future Initiative (AFFI) is a flagship program under WWF’s broader Roadmap 2030, which seeks to build a future where food systems are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially inclusive.

With increasing pressure on natural ecosystems due to unsustainable agricultural practices and rising food demand, AFFI focuses on developing nature-positive agriculture models that can be scaled across the continent.

By 2030, AFFI aims to:

• Establish sustainable and productive food systems across key African landscapes
• Strengthen resilience among smallholder farming communities
• Promote biodiversity conservation while ensuring food security
• Build inclusive and fair agricultural value chains

 Key Geographic Focus Areas

The initiative is anchored in three high-biodiversity landscapes:

• Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA)
• Southern Kenya–Northern Tanzania (SOKNOT)
• The Congo Basin (specific focal landscape to be determined)

These regions are critical for biodiversity conservation and are central to WWF’s strategy for sustainable land and food system transformation.

 Role Overview: Strategic Leadership for Sustainable Food Systems

As the Leader of AFFI, you will guide WWF country offices in delivering impactful programs that align with global sustainability targets. This includes driving innovation, fostering partnerships, and ensuring the successful implementation of nature-positive agricultural systems.

You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across countries, influencing policies, mobilizing funding, and representing WWF in high-level forums across Africa.

 Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Programme Delivery

• Lead implementation of AFFI across priority landscapes
• Align national strategies with WWF’s global Food and Agriculture roadmap
• Promote nature-positive agricultural transformation

Partnerships & Collaboration

• Work with governments, NGOs, private sector actors, and donors
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across regions

Policy & Advocacy

• Provide intellectual leadership on sustainable agriculture policies
• Influence regional and global policy frameworks

Resource Mobilization

• Lead fundraising efforts and track funding streams
• Support innovative financing mechanisms, including blended finance

Technical Support & Capacity Building

• Guide country offices on agroecology, land-use planning, and value chains
• Strengthen institutional capacity and safeguard policies

Communication & Representation

• Represent WWF in high-level regional events
• Collaborate with communications teams for outreach and visibility

 Required Qualifications and Experience

To be competitive for this role, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Minimum 10 years of professional experience, including 5 years in senior management roles
• Master’s degree (or higher) in:
  • Agriculture
  • International Development
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Biodiversity Conservation
  • Business Administration or related fields
• Strong expertise in:
  • Sustainable agriculture or agroecology
  • Land-use planning
  • Agricultural value chains
• Demonstrated experience in:
  • Project and programme management
  • Working within global organizations
  • Engaging donors, governments, and private sector leaders
• Excellent communication skills in English (French is an advantage)

 Key Skills and Competencies

• Strategic thinking and leadership
• High-level negotiation and diplomacy
• Proposal writing, budgeting, and financial management
• Ability to work across multicultural and virtual teams
• Passion for conservation and social impact

 Working Environment and Collaboration

The selected candidate will work closely with:

• WWF Country Directors and Conservation Managers
• Global Food & Agriculture Practice teams
• Regional programme leaders
• External stakeholders including governments, NGOs, investors, and academic institutions

This role requires a high level of coordination across multiple countries and stakeholders, making it both challenging and highly impactful.

 Location

• Nairobi, Kenya (WWF-Kenya Office)

 Application Deadline

15 May 2026

Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

 Why This Opportunity Matters

This role is more than just a job—it is a chance to shape the future of food systems in Africa. By leading AFFI, you will directly contribute to building sustainable agricultural models that protect ecosystems, empower communities, and address climate challenges.

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