Program Coordinator Global Drylands and Livelihoods Initiative

Nairobi

Organization: CIFOR - Center for International Forestry Research
Location: Nairobi
Grade: Mid level - Mid level
Occupational Groups:
- Project and Programme Management
- Food Security, Livestock and Livelihoods
- Managerial positions
- Natural Resource Management
Closing Date: 2025-10-12

Reference number: 100108
Job status: In-progress
Job category: Global Position
Duty station: Nairobi, Kenya
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CIFOR-ICRAF
The Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) and World Agroforestry (ICRAF) envision a more equitable world where trees in all landscapes, from drylands to the humid tropics, enhance the environment and well-being for all. CIFOR and ICRAF are non-profit science institutions that build and apply evidence to today’s most pressing challenges, including energy insecurity and the climate and biodiversity crises. Over a combined total of 65 years, we have built vast knowledge on forests and trees outside of forests in agricultural landscapes (agroforestry). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we seek to improve lives and to protect and restore ecosystems. Our work focuses on innovative research, partnering for impact, and engaging with stakeholders on policies and practices to benefit people and the planet. Founded in 1993 and 1978, CIFOR and ICRAF are members of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food secure future dedicated to reducing poverty, enhancing food and nutrition security, and improving natural resources.

CIFOR-ICRAF is looking for a

Program Coordinator Global Drylands and Livelihoods Initiative

Overview

Drylands are among the most important landscapes on Earth. They face real challenges - scarce water, degraded soils, rising climate extremes - yet they provide nearly half of the world’s food, store vast carbon, and are home to one in three people. Far from barren, drylands are landscapes of resilience, innovation and rich cultural heritage. They are places of untapped economic potential, where investment in sustainable land use can generate new business opportunities and strengthen local and global economies. Through Thrivelands – the Global Drylands and Livelihoods Initiative, we are leading a bold global effort to turn these landscapes into engines of resilience and opportunity. By restoring degraded land, strengthening local economies, and catalyzing policy and finance shifts, we aim to ensure that communities not only adapt, but thrive. We are looking for a Programme Coordinator to sit at the heart of this initiative, someone who is not only organized and detail-oriented, but also excited to connect people, ideas and solutions across sectors and geographies. As Programme Coordinator, you will: •Turn big ideas into action: design and drive workplans that translate strategy into results across regions and partners. •Keep the engine running: coordinate teams, track progress, and make sure deliverables, budgets, and timelines stay on course. •Connect people and ideas: bridge between scientists, policymakers, communities, and investors to create a shared vision of thriving landscapes. •Build trust with partners: shape relationships with governments, donors, NGOs, and grassroots leaders to ensure momentum and shared ownership. •Fuel learning and creativity: facilitate reflection processes, distill lessons, and ensure insights flow back into strategy and action. •Elevate voices that matter: help surface stories and evidence from landscapes and local partners so they can shape global agendas. •Shape global conversations: contribute to policy briefs and synthesis products that influence debates on peace, subsidy reform, nature finance, and resilience. •Spot opportunities: support fundraising and partnerships that unlock finance and expand impact.

Duties and responsibilities

Programme Development, Coordination and Delivery

Support the Program Lead in designing, coordinating, and adapting programme components, objectives and outputs.
Manage and update an overarching workplan and lead cross-team coordination across regions.
Translate strategy into implementable action plans with clear roles, sequencing and delivery timelines.
Facilitate workstream integration and run regular internal team meetings to track progress and foster ownership of deliverables
Support workstream leads in translating high-level objectives into actionable work plans and deliverables.
Support the development and dissemination of learning and knowledge products, including synthesis briefs, reports, and partner case studies.

Strategic Planning, Monitoring & Learning

Monitor delivery progress and prepare internal tracking systems, KPIs and briefing materials.
Coordinate annual and quarterly work planning processes across all outputs in close collaboration with Programme Lead.
Support adaptive learning across the programme including internal reflection, after-action reviews, and documentation of lessons learned in close collaboration with the M&E Officer and our Quality 4 Impact Team.
Ensure cross-team coherence between strategic plans and documentation across knowledge generation, advocacy, and field implementation.
Align internal planning cycles with donor reporting timelines and strategic milestones.
Lead preparation of documentation including annual narrative reporting and Steering Committee Documentation and minutes.

Budgeting and Financial Oversight

Monitor programme budget and lead regular budget tracking, in close collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF Finance staff and the Admin Officer.
Facilitate semi-annual budgeting processes for the overall programme in close coordination with Programme Lead.
Preparing for engagement of audit reviews and quality assurance procedures.
Assist in identifying new resource mobilization opportunities with the Programme Lead and key partners.

Strategic Partner Management and Donor Reporting.

Lead Thrivelands’ stakeholder mapping and relationship management with government bodies, DFIs, donors, NGOs and private-sector allies to secure technical, in-kind and financial support and stewarding ongoing engagement.
Draft and manage LOAs, subcontracts, and scopes of work with implementing partners.
Identify and assess new and non-traditional implementation partners with strong local roots or unique scaling potential, evaluating their strategic fit, credibility, and alignment with Program objectives.
Coordinate partner deliverables, timelines, and check-ins.
Ensure partner reporting aligns with log frame outputs, internal progress tracking tools and donor expectations.
Support strategic convenings, outreach activities, and learning exchanges with implementing partners.

Requirements

A strong academic foundation -a Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, agriculture, development, humanitarian studies, economics or a similar field.
At least 4 years of experience in programme or project coordination in a non-profit, development, or private sector context.
Proven ability to manage work plans, complex project timelines and deliverables across distributed teams.
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to managing competing priorities.
High attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Comfort with remote collaboration, project management and communication tools.
Additional language skills (French, Spanish, Swahili, Portuguese) a plus.

Education, knowledge and experience

•A strong academic foundation -a Master’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, agriculture, development, humanitarian studies, economics or a similar field.
•At least 4 years of experience in programme or project coordination in a non-profit, development, or private sector context.

Terms and conditions

•This is a Globally Recruited Staff (GRS) position. CIFOR-ICRAF offers competitive remuneration in USD, commensurate with skills and experience.
•The appointment will be for two (2) year period, inclusive of a six-month probationary period, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance, continued relevance of the position and available resources.
•The duty station will be in Kenya, Nairobi.

Application process

The application deadline is 12 Oct 2025
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.

We do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.

Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify.
Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

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