John Watkin Email & Phone Number

Florida, United States

Florida, United States

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, United States

St.-Maur-Des-Fossés, Île-De-France, France

The role of CEO involves setting and refining the strategic direction and execution of SCF’s program worldwide for the period 2020-2023 and beyond. This strategic framework and workplan translates into: • Leading and overseeing all SCF staff, headquarter and field operations;• Establishing strong relationships with government officials, local partners, funders, conservation organizations, and networks;• Engaging and coordinating the Board of Directors to determine SCF’s future direction;• Building and culturing key relationships with crucial funding sources, key donors, and working partners;• Articulating SCF’s vision and mission, supporting momentum by the staff and board for achieving significant outcomes;• Representing the organization with a diverse range of audiences and empower the same fluency in others.

Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia.

Implement the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity program funded by KFW Bank to improve the conservation status of the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia.

Oakland Park, Fl

Set the strategy and designed and executed the formation of EcoFundi, a new consulting group that combines innovative approaches with pragmatic experience and an in-depth knowledge of the environmental and philanthropic sectors. Core responsibilities include strategic planning, implementing and executing the plan for domestic and international growth, and creating methods of accountability to ensure customer satisfaction and oversight of global marketing strategies to drive leads to customers and ensure alignment with overall mission. EcoFundi assists with the strategic development of programs and projects globally to achieve sound conservation and development objectives. Potential financial resources and sources of leveraging funding are identified. Monitoring and evaluation data feed into adaptive management to improve the overall success. Specialties include collaborative program development, consensus building, and workshop facilitation. Clients encompass multilateral and bilateral donors, foundations with established environmental programs, high-net-worth individuals, extractive industries, and nongovernmental and civil society organizations.

Chicago

Responsible for the Great Lakes of Africa grant portfolio totalling $34 million, encompassing eleven countries in East and Central Africa seeking to ensure the long-term sustainable development of five adjacent watersheds including Lake Victoria, Upper Nile, Lake Tanganyika, Lake Malawi/Nyasa, and Turkana/Omo in the face of emerging threats. In conjunction with grantees, prepared the grant applications for consideration and ensuring compliance with the Foundation’s policies and procedures. Worked as an integral member of the Conservation and Sustainable Development team in developing and refining the program focus and direction.

Arlington

Managed the grant portfolios in East Africa, Madagascar, Polynesia-Micronesia and Mediterranean hotspots totalling US$30 million. These funds were implemented as a cohesive suite of projects integrating civil society in biodiversity conservation and development. Assisted with the review and refinement of applications and contracting negotiations including legal and financial risk assessments. Spearheaded the development of the investment strategy for the Eastern Afromontane hotspot as well as securing additional funds to support this process. Grantees’ achievements and lessons learned were publicised through the communications network. Managing the portfolio required significant networking and diplomatic skills to effect conservation action on the ground.

Provided logistical, administrative and communication support to projects in Garamba and Virunga National Parks and the Okapi Wildlife Reserve in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo to ensure the smooth running of the conservation project activities. Enhanced communication between the field projects and other parties including the Institut pour la Conservation de la Nature and UNESCO. Provided technical support for the analysis of aerial sample counts of wildlife, ecological and law enforcement monitoring of these protected areas.

Compiled data on conservation investment in the Eastern Arc Mountains and Coastal Forests of Kenya by all sectors. Organised and facilitated a participatory workshop of 55 representatives from relevant institutions in Kenya and Tanzania to discuss the draft document and plan the most appropriate thematic approach. Prepared the full proceedings of the workshop that helped define the most relevant niche for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Funds investment in the hotspot.

Nairobi, Kenya

Developed and maintained a network of community based organisations engaged in natural resource management and conservation in East Africa. Organised and staged the East African regional ecotourism conference and published the conclusions from the conference in the IIED publication Evolution of Ecotourism. Secured additional funds from the Ford Foundation

Monitored the condition and behaviour of the 20 gorillas under the care of the project in preparation for their translocation and release into the wild. This involved extensive negotiations with the local communities to mitigate negative perceptions and assess opportunities. Developed and staged an environmental education exhibit in at the French Cultural Center, Brazzaville. Created and kept up-to-date an accounting system for the project. Maintained communication with the Ministry of Eaux et Forêt. Restructured and managed the administration and personnel management of the project.

Implemented the, "Plant for a Healthy Future" project in conjunction with traditional medical practitioners to investigate which species of medicinal plants were threatened by over exploitation and developed mechanisms to counteract threats.

Organised and staged a series of workshops that assessed attitudes towards community conservation and natural resource management across East Africa from the communities' perspective. These insights assisted in defining solutions and plotting the way forward for future community based conservation approaches.

Nairobi, Kenya

M. Sc., Advanced Ecology

B.Sc. Honours Applied, Biology

Education record