Careers at
NATURAL STATE

A career at NATURAL STATE means working hard to catalyse large-scale restoration globally by revolutionising impact monitoring, developing new financial mechanisms and supporting local leaders. Our team of diverse people, ideas and skills help us achieve our impact goals and values.

Who We Are

Our goal at the NATURAL STATE research centre is to develop technology and financial systems that will catalyse large-scale restoration globally as well as help train future leaders for this sector. In the short term we are revolutionising impact monitoring for carbon, biodiversity and human-wellbeing, so that the success or failure of restoration efforts can be clearly defined. We are using this technology to help test a broad range of innovative financing mechanisms that aim to support large-scale restoration, sequester carbon, and provide benefits to local communities.

About Our Team

NATURAL STATE's mission is brought to life every day by our talented team of individuals with unique perspectives and a deep passion for the natural world.

A career with us means working hard together to achieve our goals. From species diversity studies at the NATURAL STATE research centre, located at the base of Mt. Kenya, to analysing data to help trigger investment in the nature economy.

NATURAL STATES staff are lifelong learners, continually developing new approaches and new skills. We fail fast and learn fast with a “lean impact” approach. NATURAL STATE provides skill development opportunities through all career stages, and we do this in an inclusive and respectful environment. We pride ourselves at NATURAL STATE for our passion, dedication, and diverse backgrounds.

Values

NATURAL STATE aims to remain a small, focused, high impact organisation with clearly articulated and regularly monitored deliverables.

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The Team

NATURAL STATE is a global team spread across many countries. Most of our staff are native to the countries in which they work.

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Annual Report

There has never been a greater opportunity or a more important time to restore the natural world. Check out our 2023 Annual Report.

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Research Center

The NATURAL STATE Research Centre is located at the base of Mt. Kenya within close proximity of open savannah, shrubland, dense forest, and wetlands.

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Open Opportunities

OPEN OPPORTUNITIES

Comms Assistant

Request for a Proposal: Job Evaluation Consultancy Services

Introduction and Project Background

RFQ Reference No.: NATURAL STATE-HR-C&R-002

Date of Issue:16th December 2025

Closing Date: 16th January 2025

Organisation: NATURAL STATE

Project Title: Development of an Integrated Global Job Architecture, Compensation & Performance Framework

Location: NATURAL STATE Nanyuki P.O Box 2065-10400 (Engagement to support global staff in Kenya, USA, UK, and South Africa).

1. Organisation Background & Project Rationale

NATURAL STATE is a mission-driven organization dedicated to catalysing nature restoration across Africa and the globe to tackle the interconnected biodiversity and climate challenges through technology, finance and community leadership. Our ultimate goal is to foster a sustainable, nature-based economy. With a growing global team of approximately 60 staff across multiple jurisdictions, we are at a pivotal stage of growth.

For more information, please visit www.naturalstate.org.

To support our continued growth and operational needs, we are seeking a qualified consultant to perform two critical, integrated functions:

Conduct a comprehensive job evaluation and compensation review for all roles, ensuring internal equity and external competitiveness across our primary locations (Kenya and USA).
Design and implement a practical performance management framework that aligns individual contributions with organizational goals, supports professional development, and informs fair compensation decisions.

This project will establish a formal, transparent, and scalable foundation for role definition, pay, and performance, replacing our current informal practices with a consistent system that supports talent retention and organizational clarity.

2. Project Objectives

The successful consultant will deliver a tailored solution to help NATURAL STATE achieve the following core objectives:

Establish Internal Equity & External Competitiveness: Create a fair, transparent, and market-informed global compensation structure.

Clarify Roles & Career Pathways: Develop a clear job architecture that defines roles, levels, and progression opportunities for all staff.

Integrate Performance & Impact: Design a simple, practical performance management framework that links individual goals and behaviours (including collaboration and innovation) to organizational success, development, and rewards.

Ensure a Scalable Foundation: Build systems and policies that are fit for a dynamic start-up environment yet robust enough to support future growth.

Ensure Compliance: Adhere to relevant labour laws and best practices in our primary operating countries (Kenya and USA).

3. Scope of Work (SOW)

The consultant is expected to deliver the following interconnected workstreams:

3.1 Job Analysis & Global Job Architecture

Conduct a comprehensive analysis of all current roles.

Develop a unified, equitable job grade structure that consistently evaluates and groups all roles across all locations based on objective factors (e.g., complexity, accountability, impact).

Deliverable: A documented job architecture with defined grade levels and criteria.

3.2 Compensation Philosophy & Market Benchmarking

Facilitate workshops to develop a written Compensation & Reward Philosophy statement.

Conduct competitive salary benchmarking for benchmark roles, utilizing relevant NGO/technology/sector data for Kenya and the USA as primary markets.

Deliverable: A compensation philosophy document and a market analysis report.

3.3 Equitable Salary Structure & Policy Development

Design a proposed salary structure (ranges/bands) aligned with the new job architecture and market data.

Draft a comprehensive and practical Compensation Policy covering salary administration, adjustments, promotions, and anomaly management.

Deliverable: Proposed salary ranges and a draft Compensation Policy.

3.4 Organizational Structure Review

Review the current organizational chart and reporting lines.

Provide recommendations to align the formal structure with the new job architecture and strategic goals.

Deliverable: An optimized organizational structure proposal.

3.5 Performance Management Framework Design

Design a simple, scalable Performance Management Framework (process, not software)

The framework must include a defined cycle (e.g., goal setting, check-ins, year-end review), guidance for evaluating both objectives and core competencies, and a clear link to development and compensation.

Deliverable: A complete Performance Management Framework document with process maps, role guidelines, and sample templates.

3.6 Implementation Planning & Change Management Support

Develop a phased implementation and communication plan for rolling out the new frameworks to leadership, managers, and staff.

Provide recommendations for ongoing system maintenance.

Deliverable: An implementation roadmap and change management strategy.

4. Submission Requirements & Proposal Format

Interested consultants/firms must submit a proposal that includes the following sections:

4.1. Company Profile & Relevant Experience

Brief overview of your firm and its approach/philosophy.

Three (3) client references for similar projects, preferably with global NGOs or mission-driven start-ups.

Demonstrated experience working in Kenya and the USA markets.

4.2. Proposed Methodology, Approach & Project Plan

Detailed description of your methodology for each workstream in the SOW.

A clear, realistic project work plan and timeline (with a proposed start date of February 2026).

Explanation of how you will ensure stakeholder engagement, manage change, and deliver a tailored (not generic) solution.

4.3. Project Team

CVs of the core team members (max 2 pages each).

Project Lead: Provide a detailed CV highlighting relevant qualifications, certifications, and years of specific experience in compensation, job evaluation, and performance framework design.

4.4. Financial Proposal

A detailed cost breakdown in USD, including all professional fees, taxes, and any anticipated expenses. Please structure costs against the key deliverables or project phases.

5. Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals shall be evaluated against the following weighted criteria: