Project Design Officer
African Wildlife FoundationNairobi, Nairobi County, Kenya
Posted March 27, 2026
Full Time
About the Company
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), founded in 1961 during the African independence movement, partners with African governments and communities to safeguard the continent’s wildlife and wild lands. AWF specializes in large‑landscape conservation, integrating land‑use planning, education, capacity building, and conservation‑enterprise development to protect critical habitats while improving local livelihoods. By training conservation professionals, sponsoring graduate studies, and conducting applied research, AWF has become a leading catalyst for sustainable development across Africa. Its unique blend of on‑the‑ground action, academic partnership, and enterprise‑based solutions distinguishes it as a pioneer in conservation and community resilience.
Job Description
The Project Design Officer (PDO) leads the design and development of high-quality, compelling funding proposals to a range of donor audiences by translating programmatic inputs into strategic and well-written proposals.
Requirements
- Reputable master's degree in relevant field: including conservation, natural resource management, project design, rural/international development, economics, political science or similar.
- Minimum of 3 years' experience to develop and design technical and cost proposals with high-quality logical framework and results chains and a successful track record of securing significant funding from donors, preferably in the field of conservation or environmental management in Africa.
- Good understanding of different donor environments, African governments' development agendas, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the Global Biodiversity Framework as well as of issues faced by AWF in delivering its mission across Africa.
- Well-developed emotional intelligence including self-awareness, self-motivation, self-regulation, and empathy.
- Fluency in English speaking and writing as well as an ability to produce high quality technical documents, including the ability to shift writing style and purpose to be appealing and persuasive to the designated target audience is essential.
- MUST demonstrate strong attention to detail to ensure the accuracy and quality of program proposals/concepts and budgets as well as the ability to identify and correct errors or discrepancies.
- High degree of responsibility and accountability for tasks, projects, assignments, and commitments including meeting strict deadlines.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a wide group of colleagues and partners, including proactive sharing of information and reporting.
- Proven ability to work independently, and effectively and collaboratively in cross-functional and remote teams.
Benefits
- Generous Paid Time Off
- 401k Matching
- Retirement Plan
- Visa Sponsorship
- Four Day Work Week
- Generous Parental Leave
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Relocation Assistance
