Key Skills

Job Description

Built by Nature is a non-profit organisation with a mission to lead a global transformation of the built environment by accelerating the responsible use of timber and biobased materials, for the benefit of climate, nature, and people. As our work in East Africa deepens, we are seeking an exceptional East Africa Programme Lead to help develop partnerships to strengthen the transition to timber and biobased construction across the region. As East Africa Programme Lead, you will: Serve as Built by Nature's primary representative in East Africa, building trusted relationships with partners, funders, policymakers, industry actors, and civil society organisations. Lead the development and refinement of Built by Nature's regional strategy and programme. Strengthen the East African ecosystem for timber and biobased construction through partnership-building, field development, and collaborative initiatives. Support strategic grant-making, programme delivery, learning, and adaptive management across a portfolio of regional activities. Ensure East African perspectives, learning, and priorities shape Built by Nature's global strategy, programmes, communications, and policy engagement. Who You Are An experienced programme-design, partnership-building, or initiative-development expert with 7-10 years of relevant experience in civil society and/or sustainability field in East Africa, ideally in Kenya, Uganda and/or Tanzania. Experienced in working across multiple stakeholders and building strong collaborative relationships. Comfortable navigating complexity and driving change through systems-thinking, field-building, or industry transition approaches. A strategic thinker who can connect local opportunities to broader systems change objectives while remaining hands-on and adaptable. Passionate about equity, partnership, learning, localisation, and inclusive ways of working. Fluent in English and eligible to work in Kenya. Why Join Us? Play a pivotal role in shaping Built by Nature's presence and impact in East Africa. Help accelerate a locally-led transition to timber and biobased construction across the region. Collaborate with an international network of partners, funders, policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders. Join a highly collaborative, mission-driven organisation committed to shared and collective impact, learning, and professional development. What we offer A passionate, international team dedicated to positive climate and nature impact. Remote working (open for discussion to explore working spaces in Nairobi) Flexible working arrangements. Support for home‑office setup. 25 days of annual leave (FTE). Competitive non‑profit salary, pension contribution, health insurance €1,000 annual personal development budget. Apply now and help build a future where the built environment works in harmony with nature. The role is based in Kenya, with remote working and regular engagement in Nairobi. Please submit your CV and a Letter of Motivation outlining your suitability for the role. If you choose to use AI in preparing your Letter, please indicate briefly how you used it. We are interested in your own thinking, reasoning and perspective. The role involves regular travel across East Africa and occasional international travel beyond the region. Explore the full job description here: https://builtbn.org/about/#careers Built by Nature is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and encourages applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, including those who have been historically underrepresented or marginalised. Please submit no later than 8th December 2026. We will be reviewing applications on a rolling basis and may reach out to candidates sooner.

Core Responsibilities

Represent Built by Nature across East Africa and build trusted relationships with partners, funders, policymakers, industry actors, and civil society organisations. Develop the regional strategy and programme, strengthen the timber and biobased construction ecosystem, support grant-making and programme delivery, and ensure regional perspectives inform global work.

Requirements

Candidates should have 7–10 years of relevant experience in programme design, partnership building, or initiative development within East African civil society or sustainability, ideally in Kenya, Uganda, or Tanzania. They should be fluent in English, eligible to work in Kenya, and experienced in stakeholder collaboration, systems thinking, and adaptable, inclusive approaches to change.

Benefits

• Flexible Working Arrangements
• Home-Office Setup Support
• Annual Leave
• Pension Contribution
• Health Insurance
• Personal Development Budget