Vacancy: Forest Program Officer

BACKGROUND:

WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Tanzania is seeking for a competent and motivated Forest Program Officer (FPO) to be in-charge and Forest Program representative for all forest management activities within the Ruvuma landscape and provide technical support to other WWF priority landscapes when a need arises to be based in Kilwa, Tanzania.

Specific Duties:

• Take a lead in the process of describing and delineating the agreed forest landscape boundaries, and assess issues related to forest gaps, connectivity, and buffer development functions
• Assess and identify forest activities in the landscape plans followed by identification of strategic development interventions to initiate and support Village Land Use plans, establishment of school tree nurseries and creation of Village Land Forest Reserves (VLFRs).
• Lead the process to develop a participatory Forest Work Plan with collaborating Civil Society Organisations, Communities and District Local Authorities.
• Facilitate implementation processes of agreed Conservation plans with key indicator baselines completed and new area Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) scores completed and constantly monitored and reported.
• Supports participating villages to develop Community Based Forest Enterprises and application of developed CBFM financial manuals
• Support the Forest Landscape Restoration work and projects in WWF priority landscapes in the process to implement the MoU between TFS and WWF and national AFR100 pledge to restore 5.2 million ha of degraded and deforested land by 2030
• As appropriate, manage and facilitate partnerships with local CSOs working with the Forest Program in the targeted landscapes
• Work with the TCO M&E Team as Forest Program Liaison Officer to develop Landscapes and Forest Program work plans, budgets and M&E plans and carry out indicator data updating as required
• Support In-service training courses developed and implemented at all levels within both forestry and associated sectors and within NGOs and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in priority forest landscapes.
• Undertakes any other assignment as assigned from time to time by the Forest Program Coordinator and WTL Lead.
• Lead on innovation component of forest related interventions including commercialization of NTFPs

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Relevant university degree, at least a BSc. in Forest science or related natural resources, a MSc in Natural Sciences or Forest Landscape Restoration may be an added advantage. Minimum of 5 years working experience at grass root level in forest related projects particularly in facilitating Participatory Forest Management, Village Land Use Planning, Biodiversity surveys and supporting income generating activities. Excellent interpersonal skills, good communication and team management spirit and willingness to work in the field and travel to remote areas within the region. Knowledge in use of computer software packages for word-processing, databases and spreadsheets, internet: Ability to write project reports following different donor’s requirements. Excellent knowledge and use of English and Swahili language.