This position is based in Kisumu and requires regular travel between Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kiambu counties.
Who We Are
At Trees for the Future (TREES), we train farmers in sustainable land use so that they can build vibrant regional economies, thriving food systems, and a healthier planet. As a global leader in agroforestry training for over 30 years, TREES provides hands-on education and support, encouraging farmers in developing countries to work with nature, not against it.
Our signature methodology, the Forest Garden Approach, helps farmers transform their land with thousands of trees and dozens of crops, creating new possibilities for themselves, and their communities. By embracing sustainable land practices, farmers are reclaiming their agency, breaking the cycles of climate change and generational poverty, and rebuilding our food systems from the ground up. Learn more at trees.org.
About the Opportunity
The Director of Field Programs (DFP) will supervise, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate all aspects of Trees for the Future’s (TREES) Kenya field programs and report to the Kenya Country Director based in Nairobi. The position is based in Kisumu but requires extensive travel between Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Kiambu counties.
In this role, you will…
Project Responsibilities
- Oversee implementation of all Country field programs including project management, staff supervision, compliance with donor requirements, effective communication management of resources and coordination, and ensure timely implementation of field programs.
- Be responsible for successfully implementing and managing a Forest Garden Project approach in achieving carbon offsets, farmer adaptation, and the multiple benefits derived from the Forest Gardens.
- Coordinates the preparation of Country program budgets, presents to the Country Director and seeks concurrence for approval, and advises the Country Director on resource requirements for programs and resource utilization.
- Manage all field program contractual works and oversees the implementation of consultancies and specialized assignments within the project scope and in liaison and concurrence with the Country Director.
- Responsible for providing technical support and leadership to partners and communities implementing the TREES partnership program. This includes ensuring compliance with TREES standards, reporting, identifying new modalities/opportunities, and ensuring timely delivery of activities.
- Facilitates the identification and roll-out of new TREES projects including Identification of new strategic locations and partners to develop new project initiatives and advising the Country Director on potential expansion areas and partnerships.
- Works closely with the Training Coordinator and Country trainers and HQ Deputy Director of Training to continue to enhance the capacity of staff and partners, establish the training centers and strengthen existing training and seed centers.
- Works closely with MEL Coordinator and HQ Director to establish M&E schedules and training frameworks and coordinates all field data collection and MEL reports.
- Communicates and regularly visits projects to ensure projects affect farmers, identify farmers’ needs and, farm requirements, and coordinates preparation of procurement needs for all programs
- Monitors all projects to ensure they meet milestones and goals as per their scope, timeline, and budget and provides timely feedback to the Country Director
- Works with Regional Program Coordinators and HR Specialists to hire qualified Technicians to establish and manage projects as needed, ensure that technicians are properly trained on project methodologies, responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation, and expectations.
- Identifies procurement needs of the programs and works closely with the senior accountant to ensure procurement of all items related to the field country programs.
- Conveys and embodies TREES values and works respectfully with all staff, partners, and farmers.
- Supervise Human Resource Specialists to ensure the creation of a good work environment, which allows every employee to have an equal opportunity for growth and development and to give their best output in their positions while also adhering to the TREES Employee Handbook.
- Supervise all direct staff listed above.
Partnership Responsibilities
- Establishes and maintains positive relationships with relevant government offices and TREES partners at all levels in accordance with TREES goals and priorities.
- Attends and participates in relevant meetings, task forces, consortiums, and conferences relevant to TREES’ mission and objectives.
Reporting Responsibilities
- Works with ME&L Coordinator to ensure that both technician and partner M&E data is being properly collected and submitted to HQ through M&E systems and other relevant channels.
- Collates and reviews all reporting data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
- Submits all programmatic reporting requirements to the Country Director in a timely manner.
Administrative Responsibilities
- Ensures that TREES country program activities, processes, and staff adhere to both local laws and organizational policies.
- Plans and organizes workshops, travel, conferences, meetings, and other ad-hoc events among others.
You’ll be a great fit if you have…
The applicant must meet the following minimum professional qualifications to be considered for the position:
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related area.
- A Bachelor’s degree in any of the above courses or a related field.
- At least Ten years in a full-time relevant position which included: Managing a large team across multiple regions; Project, budget, and staff management in agroforestry, agriculture, or natural resource management; Interfacing and networking with government, international and local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community representatives.
The ideal candidate will also possess the following personal attributes:
- Strong belief in TREES’ Mission
- Focused, disciplined, and innovative.
- Patient and extremely flexible as TREES is growing and changing quickly.
- Effective at multi-tasking and works well in a demanding environment.
- Excellent communication skills, particularly in cross-cultural environments with IT knowledge.
- Good interpersonal skills management skills with respect for the staff at all levels Willingness to keep flexible work hours.
Terms of Employment
The term of employment in this position is one (1) year renewable (with a probationary period of three (3) months) subject to the availability of funds.
Ready to Join our Team?
We’re thrilled that you want to change the world with us. Click here to apply.
TREES is an equal opportunity employer.
Due to the high volume of inquiries that TREES receives, we thank all candidates for their interest yet only those who are selected for an interview will be contacted.