Deputy Project Manager

Project Name: Nairobi Reservoir Reclamation Project

Website: NAIROBI RESERVOIR RECLAMATION PROJECT | Ecologists Without Borders (ecowb.org)

Project Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Volunteer Type: Remote

Time commitment: ~4-8h/week, duration minimum of 3 months

Number of positions available: 1

Primary tasks:

• Working with project staff and partners in the U.S. and Kenya, assist in the development and initial execution of the project
• Coordinate with ETCO and other partners, supporters, and community groups as appropriate
• Develop strategies and participate in public outreach and education related to the project and the broader challenges of climate change, pollution, and ecological restoration
• Oversee project logistics and track and report on project accomplishments and expenses
• Help raise awareness and funding for the project
• Report on a regular basis to the Project Director

Overview: 

Ecologists Without Borders (EcoWB) is seeking a Deputy Project Manager to assist the Kenya Projects team with work in Kibera, Kenya. This is a remote (work from home) volunteer assignment intended to provide project direction and coordination related to EcoWB’s cooperative Nairobi Reservoir Reclamation Project, a joint undertaking of EcoWB and local community-based NGO Empower the Community (ETCO), along with other partners including Power Engineers and the Nairobi Rivers Commission. The Nairobi Reservoir is a degraded waterbody that is fed by several tributaries of the Ngong River in the informal settlement of Kibera. The reclamation project seeks to clean up the reservoir and its tributaries, install structures to prevent further waste accumulation, and develop a program of regular maintenance and beneficial uses of the reservoir.

The volunteer will be expected to work closely with the Project Manager and other EcoWB volunteers, contractors, and partners in planning and implementing the reclamation project. The role requires the volunteer to begin immediately and be available on a part-time basis (approximately 4-8 hours per week) for a minimum of 3 months, which is expected to encompass the on-going planning and initial implementation stages of the project. This role has the potential to involve travel and short-term assignments in Kenya, in which case travel and living expenses would be provided. The position will be filled as soon as a person with the desired qualifications is found. An offer to extend the work assignment can be expected if the initial phase of the project goes well. 

Project background:

EcoWB signed an MOU with ETCO in 2023 to work together on a project to address the environmental and health challenges posed by the accumulation of sedimentation and solid waste being deposited in the tributaries of the Ngong River and carried into the Nairobi Reservoir in the Kibera settlement of Nairobi. The objective of this collaborative project is to work with local residents, the Kenya government, and other interested organizations to design and implement a systematic clean-up and on-going program of waste management and ecosystem restoration that will benefit the residents of Kibera. During the past year, EcoWB and ETCO, with support from U.S. based Power Engineers, have participated in several clean-up and awareness-raising events, and have established ETCO as a leader in the broader government initiative focused on cleaning up the Nairobi rivers. As we enter the design phase of the project, we are seeking additional project leadership to keep the project moving forward.

Desired qualifications:

• Strong desire to donate time and energy on behalf of EcoWB’s mission
• College degree or equivalent experience in a natural resources-related field
• Project management experience
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, and Excel)
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn
• Strong communication skills and the ability to adapt to and work with different audiences
• Availability for meetings (remotely) outside of normal business hours 

Desired Project results:

• Establish formal relationships with other organizations who can assist and support this effort
• Develop a design for an effective waste catchment structure and construct a functional prototype
• Develop and organize a system of waste management with local government and residents

To apply please email your resume/CV and a brief statement on why you are interested in the position to: stuart.buchanan & cleve.steward.