Program Director

Program Director role in Kenya to lead a landscape restoration and carbon initiative in the Greater Naimina Enkiyio Forest Region.

What it offers

• Senior leadership position providing strategic and technical oversight across landscape restoration, community engagement, governance, and carbon project development.
• Opportunity to guide the project from early-stage design through implementation and investment readiness.
• Focus on measurable environmental, social, and commercial outcomes that strengthen biodiversity, improve livelihoods, and advance sustainable landscape management in Kenya.

Who can apply

• Advanced degree (Master's or higher) in forestry, environmental management, natural resource management, sustainable development, environmental science, or a closely related field.
• At least 6 years of progressively responsible experience leading complex, multi-year conservation, landscape restoration, natural resource management, or carbon project initiatives.
• Experience contributing to the design, implementation, or management of nature-based carbon projects (e.g., ARR, FLR, REDD+).
• Experience coordinating multiple implementation partners, government stakeholders, donors, and technical collaborators within complex project environments.
• Experience in Kenya or East Africa is strongly preferred.

What you'll do

• Lead the planning and execution of the Olokeri landscape project, ensuring mission alignment, high impact, locally-informed strategies, and proactive risk management.
• Lead the full project lifecycle, ensuring quality, compliance with relevant Kenyan regulations and internationally recognized carbon standards, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing team, mentoring staff and promoting a culture of excellence.
• Build, coordinate, and strengthen relationships across implementation, technical, funding, and strategic partners.
• Support donor, investor, and carbon market engagement by communicating project progress and strategic priorities.
• Oversee community engagement and FPIC processes, ensuring inclusive participation and respect for local rights.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation systems generate high-quality data for decision-making and reporting.
• Manage project and field operation budgets, ensuring sound financial stewardship.
• Support the transition of the project from philanthropic funding toward long-term carbon finance.

How to apply

• Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
• Submit your application through the Eden Reforestation Projects careers portal.

Good to know

• Position classification: Full-time.
• Location: Hybrid, with time split between the Entasekera field office (Narok County) and a Kenya home-based office.
• Employment type: Full-time, Kenya-based role. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Kenya. Visa/work permit sponsorship may be considered for candidates with specialized skills, subject to business need and applicable immigration requirements.
• Strong working knowledge of international carbon standards and frameworks (e.g., Equitable Earth, Verra VCS, Gold Standard) is required.
• Experience contributing to or interpreting carbon financial models is highly desired.