How to apply for Africa Director

About Re:wild

Re:wild is a conservation force multiplier founded by renowned scientists and Leonardo DiCaprio, with a singular focus on protecting and restoring the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate, biodiversity, and human wellbeing crises. What sets Re:wild apart is its partnership-based model that directly supports Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and emerging conservation leaders, making it a dynamic and impactful place to work for those passionate about grassroots-driven, scalable conservation.

About the role

The Africa Director will lead Re:wild's work across Africa, evolving and delivering a strategy to scale conservation impact in biodiversity hotspots and high biodiversity wilderness areas. This role involves overseeing a program of work focused on habitats, species, and local partners, while collaborating closely with Re:wild's other regional and thematic leads, as well as executive leadership, to ensure synergies across all programmatic efforts. It's a high-impact position for an experienced conservation leader who thrives in a partnership-driven, remote-work environment.

A typical day

A typical day might involve virtual meetings with Re:wild's Africa team and partners to review project progress, strategize on upcoming initiatives, and troubleshoot challenges. You could also spend time reviewing proposals, engaging with donors, or preparing for an upcoming trip to visit a project site. Collaboration with other programmatic leads and executive leadership is frequent, ensuring alignment with Re:wild's global priorities.

Who Re:wild is looking for

• Extensive experience (10+ years) in conservation program management in Africa, with a strong track record of working with local organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and government agencies.
• Deep understanding of biodiversity conservation issues in African hotspots and wilderness areas, including species protection, habitat restoration, and community-based natural resource management.
• Proven ability to develop and implement large-scale conservation strategies, manage diverse teams remotely, and foster partnerships across sectors.
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, partnership-based approaches and experience in fundraising, donor relations, and representing an organization at high-level forums.

Tips for this application

• Highlight your experience working across multiple African countries and with diverse stakeholders, including local NGOs, communities, and governments, as Re:wild's model is deeply partnership-oriented.
• Emphasize any past success in scaling conservation programs or initiatives, particularly in biodiversity hotspots, as the role focuses on evolving and delivering a strategy to scale Re:wild's work.
• Show familiarity with Re:wild's unique approach—mention specific projects or partnerships they have in Africa and how your background aligns with their mission to protect and restore the wild.
• Demonstrate your ability to work remotely and lead a distributed team, as this is a remote full-time position with likely travel across the continent.
• Use the cover letter to articulate your vision for Re:wild's Africa strategy, including how you would collaborate with existing partners and leverage Re:wild's global network.

What to cover in your cover letter

In your cover letter, focus on: (1) your direct experience in African conservation and partnership-building, (2) your strategic vision for scaling impact in biodiversity hotspots, (3) your ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders, and (4) your passion for Re:wild's mission and how you would contribute to their unique force-multiplier model.

Research before applying

• Explore Re:wild's current projects and partners in Africa to understand their existing footprint and strategic priorities.
• Research the biodiversity hotspots and high biodiversity wilderness areas in Africa that Re:wild focuses on, and identify key threats and opportunities.
• Learn about Re:wild's founding scientists and leadership team to understand their conservation philosophy and approach.
• Review Re:wild's annual reports or impact stories to grasp their partnership-based model and how they measure success.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

• How would you approach developing and implementing a strategy to scale Re:wild's work in Africa, particularly in biodiversity hotspots?
• Describe your experience working with Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conservation, and how you ensure their leadership in projects.
• Can you share an example of a successful partnership you built with a local organization or government agency in Africa, and how you managed challenges?
• How do you prioritize and balance conservation efforts across multiple countries and diverse ecosystems?
• What is your approach to fundraising and resource mobilization for large-scale conservation programs in Africa?

Common mistakes to avoid

• Avoid generic statements about conservation passion without concrete examples of African conservation achievements and partnerships.
• Do not overlook the importance of local partnerships—Re:wild's model is built on supporting local organizations and communities, so any hint of top-down approaches could be a red flag.
• Steer clear of focusing solely on global conservation experience without demonstrating specific knowledge of African contexts, cultures, and challenges.