Reference number: 2517
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.

Overview

The Program Manager, Communities and Action oversee the GLFx and GLF Youth global teams to ensure the successful design, planning and delivery of community-led programs and activities toward the achievement of donors’ deliverables and broad long-term GLF objectives. The Program Manager, Communities and Action will provide strategic direction and oversight to ensure the expansion, delivery, and visibility of the GLFx and Youth teams while ensuring broader alignment across GLF teams, existing and new grant proposals, goals and strategy as well as the broader CIFOR-ICRAF.

The Program Manager, Communities and Action will play a critical role in providing oversight particularly in the strategic development and growth of the GLFx initiative and relevant programs, 50+ GLFx Chapters, annual 5+ Restoration Stewards and the alumni network, targeted to enabling local actors across the regions of Latin America and the Caribbeans, Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and Europe. Considering the ambitious objectives of the GLFx innovation and its strengthening stage, the Program Manager will ensure internal alignment on key strategic questions, both within the GLFx team and across the wider organization and innovations, with the objective of identifying clear processes and approaches for further program growth and development. At the same time, the Program Manager will provide guidance on strategic partnerships and collaborations, develop proposals, manage budgets, and manage donors and key stakeholders' relationships for improving GLF’s global role in accelerating action on the ground. The Program Manager will also oversee the GLF youth program, ensuring its continuous growth and evolution, partnership with the Youth in Landscapes Initiative’s 4 leading organizations (a youth network over 1 million), and global leading role in meaningful youth engagement.

Duties and responsibilities

Strategic development:

• Define and align a scaling strategy, program documents, reporting processes, and implementation procedures with GLFx, Youth teams, and coordinators, resolving any conceptual or operational conflicts
• Resolve conflicts in program theories, procedures, and regulations to enable smooth implementation.
• Develop short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to expand GLF’s action on the ground in Latin America Country (LAC), Africa, and Asia-Pacific, ensuring teams meet donor deliverables and GLF strategic goals while remaining attractive to new donors.
• Ensure GLFx and Youth programs are fully integrated across GLF channels, events, activities, and regional priorities, optimizing synergies, resources, and collaboration with Communications, Events, Regional Coordinators, and the Global Program Manager.
• Guide GLFx and Youth Coordinators in maintaining relevance and value for Chapters and Restoration Stewards in 30+ countries and the 1M+ youth network, supporting innovation from capacity-building to fundraising.

Partnership and growth:

• Develop funding strategies with GLF management team, to secure long-term support for GLFx and Youth programs, aligned with other GLF workstreams and CIFOR-ICRAF priorities.
• Lead proposal development and fundraising efforts, and maintain strong relationships with donors and partners to ensure visibility and continued support.
• Strengthen collaboration with CIFOR-ICRAF, Charter Members, and global initiatives such as the Rio Conventions to reinforce GLFx and Youth networks.

Internal alignment and processes:

• In coordination with the GLF Global Program Manager, co-develop scopes, work plans, budgets, and timelines for new initiatives with donors and cross-functional teams.
• Align GLFx and Youth team activities with the overall GLF strategy, especially flagship programs such as Landscape Leadership Workshops, Action Summits, Exchanges, and Voices of the Landscapes.
• Manage a ~€1.5M annual budget and guide GLFx and Youth Coordinators in meaningful, objective-based budget planning.
• Recruit and manage global GLFx and Youth team members, fostering a creative, positive, and high-performing environment with regular feedback.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Advanced degree with at least 5 year of experience, preferably in disciplines that are relevant to one or more of the GLF themes and sustainable development goals;
• Ability to produce high quality written content;
• Good understanding of international development and/or environment policy processes;
• Proven experience in planning, implementing and evaluating complex projects;
• Proven experience in managing a global team and an annual budget over EUR 500,000;
• Proven experience in working in participatory and bottom-up processes, including in youth or community-led program development
• Proven experience in supporting networks and communities growth;
• Fluency in English is essential.
• Fluency in Spanish and/or French is an asset.

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 1 (one) year, 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 Nairobi, Kenya.

To learn more about CIFOR-ICRAF, please visit our websites at: https://www.cifor.org and www.worldagroforestry.org
CIFOR-ICRAF promotes Gender Diversity – Applications from women professionals are encouraged.
CIFOR-ICRAF is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity.

Application process

The application deadline is 17 Jan 2026
We will acknowledge all applications, but will contact only short-listed candidates.