WHO WE ARE

At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. We’ve worked all around the world and are currently active in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. TREES has planted over 400 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet.

In Uganda, we are transforming landscapes and livelihoods across the Lake Victoria Watershed in the Eastern Region. With over 60 staff working on the ground, we collaborate with more than 7,000 farmers to implement the Forest Garden Approach. This initiative, in partnership with Catona Climate, is pending a Carbon Market verification, allowing farmers to benefit from carbon financing while restoring their land.

THE ROLE

The Project Officer (PO) will be responsible for coordinating the execution of all the technical aspects of the project by empowering farmers to improve their farming practices within Lake Victoria Watershed. The Project Officer will champion the adoption of Forest Garden model in farmlands and oversee the successful implementation of the Agroforestry Carbon Project standards which will involve farmer recruitment, contracting and developing Capacity of small holder farmers to ensure quality and effective Project implementation. The Project Officer will report to the Program Manager. S/He will supervise Assistant Project Officers assigned and manage a group of 500-550 farmers.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate and sensitize stakeholders, identify and document potential areas for project expansion.
• Mobilize Farmers, organize farmers into groups and consultatively identify Lead Farmers for participation in the Project in accordance with TREES guidelines.
• Manage all farmer training, extension and M&E activities in accordance with the training and M&E program of activities.
• Sensitize farmers about the Lake Victoria Agroforestry Carbon Project, the critical requirements and standards of the project and ensure Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and that farmers are able to willingly join the project and sign carbon contracts easily.
• Organize and execute farmer training events pursuant to TREES training program design and training framework.
• Sensitize lead farmers and other stakeholders on the contents of the farmer carbon contracts, engage Lead Farmers to have all Carbon contracts signed by individual farmers and regularly report on the progress.
• Collaborate with the Program Officer to develop project work plans for all participating farmers on a weekly basis.
• Update and maintain farmer tree planting records and other M&E data through TREES Taroworks App.
• Communicate with Lead Farmers and participating farmers regularly to organize and accomplish training and extension activities on a timely manner.
• Mentor participant farmers and Lead Farmers, through training and provide technical backstopping and follow up activities to ensure implementation of Forest Gardens to the required standards.
• Ensure timely data collection and report submission, including the weekly project officer Reporting Spreadsheet to Assistant Project Officers on all program activities, per TREES reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain financial documentation and submit financial reports per TREES reporting requirements and deadlines to the Program Manager.
• Assist with the development and/or translation of locally appropriate training materials.
• Share lessons learned learnt with counterparts in Uganda to contribute to a culture of learning and cooperation.
• Supervise Assistant Project Officers and take responsibility of all Project related activities and reporting.

WHO YOU ARE

An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission and values. You are passionate about improving livelihoods through agroforestry. You center farmers in every decision, ensuring projects drive real impact for communities and the environment.

A problem solver who owns your work - You overcome obstacles in your work by identifying them, adapting to new information, and proactively devising solutions. You take action and hold yourself accountable based on set goals.

Adaptive to new working environments – You are able to quickly adapt to new working environment sometimes in difficult terrains and passion for working with small holder farmers and be able to be stationed at the appropriate Project base for the duration of the Project.

Self-driven – Able to plan and execute tasks without close supervision. Motivated by results.

Good planning and analytical skills – You will need to make independent judgement and structure your plan to fit into flexible farmer programs.

Team Player – You will be one in a team each contributing to the overall goal.

REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution in the field of General Agriculture, Horticulture, Agroforestry, Environmental Science, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Management, Forestry or any other related qualification.
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in Agroforestry, climate-smart, Sustainable and regenerative Agriculture is an added advantage.
• Demonstrated communication and training facilitation skills.
• Working proficiency in MS applications, especially Word, Excel and Power Point and ability to navigate smartphone applications.
• A valid motorcycle riding license with experience in riding both on and off-road and a history of safe motorcycle operation.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and preferably the local language(s) preferred, Luganda, Lusoga and Lumasaba of the project implementation.
• Ability and interest to study, understand, apply, and continuously learn about all aspects of Forest Gardens
• A strong belief in a positive culture, in alignment with our core values

• Coordinate and sensitize stakeholders, identify and document potential areas for project expansion.
• Mobilize Farmers, organize farmers into groups and consultatively identify Lead Farmers for participation in the Project in accordance with TREES guidelines.
• Manage all farmer training, extension and M&E activities in accordance with the training and M&E program of activities.
• Sensitize farmers about the Lake Victoria Agroforestry Carbon Project, the critical requirements and standards of the project and ensure Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) and that farmers are able to willingly join the project and sign carbon contracts easily.
• Organize and execute farmer training events pursuant to TREES training program design and training framework.
• Sensitize lead farmers and other stakeholders on the contents of the farmer carbon contracts, engage Lead Farmers to have all Carbon contracts signed by individual farmers and regularly report on the progress.
• Collaborate with the Program Officer to develop project work plans for all participating farmers on a weekly basis.
• Update and maintain farmer tree planting records and other M&E data through TREES Taroworks App.
• Communicate with Lead Farmers and participating farmers regularly to organize and accomplish training and extension activities on a timely manner.
• Mentor participant farmers and Lead Farmers, through training and provide technical backstopping and follow up activities to ensure implementation of Forest Gardens to the required standards.
• Ensure timely data collection and report submission, including the weekly project officer Reporting Spreadsheet to Assistant Project Officers on all program activities, per TREES reporting requirements and deadlines.
• Maintain financial documentation and submit financial reports per TREES reporting requirements and deadlines to the Program Manager.
• Assist with the development and/or translation of locally appropriate training materials.
• Share lessons learned learnt with counterparts in Uganda to contribute to a culture of learning and cooperation.
• Supervise Assistant Project Officers and take responsibility of all Project related activities and reporting.

• Demonstrated communication and training facilitation skills.
• Working proficiency in MS applications, especially Word, Excel and Power Point and ability to navigate smartphone applications.
• A valid motorcycle riding license with experience in riding both on and off-road and a history of safe motorcycle operation.
• Fluency in spoken and written English and preferably the local language(s) preferred, Luganda, Lusoga and Lumasaba of the project implementation.
• Ability and interest to study, understand, apply, and continuously learn about all aspects of Forest Gardens
• Good planning and analytical skills

• Possession of a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution in the field of General Agriculture, Horticulture, Agroforestry, Environmental Science, Agribusiness Management, Agricultural Economics, Natural Resource Management, Forestry or any other related qualification.
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in Agroforestry, climate-smart, Sustainable and regenerative Agriculture is an added advantage.
• A strong belief in a positive culture, in alignment with our core values