Reforestation Project Manager

Key Responsibilities:

A. Strategic Project Planning & Implementation

• Conduct field assessments to evaluate site suitability, degradation levels, and restoration needs and coordinate with stakeholders to map/zone, and prioritize restoration by area.
• Develop the overall project startup plan and budget, and convert these into clear, phased workplans for restoration and long-term management.
• Translate plans into coordinated operational workflows, ensuring people, resources, and stakeholders are aligned for site preparation, planting, and maintenance.
• Support and strengthen the CFA nursery to ensure a reliable supply of quality indigenous seedlings through improved propagation and wilding practices.

B. Community & Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as liaison between community, government agencies, and other key stakeholders, providing guidance on planning, technical aspects, and approvals for all activities.
• Support CFA in developing their vision, strengthening leadership structures, clarifying roles, and planning PFMP activities that follow the sequence of the reforestation efforts.

C. Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Monitor and evaluate project activities, tracking key metrics such as tree planting progress, survival and mortality rates, species diversity, seedling supply, costs, and overall management performance.
• Establish GIS or map-based tracking systems for planted blocks, user sections, and maintenance cycles.
• Produce regular progress reports (quick updates, monthly and quarterly reports) to guide decision-making.

D. Capacity Building & Sustainability

• Plan, coordinate, and deliver essential training programs to the CFA both internally or with external advisors covering forest management topics such as nursery operations, vegetative propagation, planting and maintenance, governance, and related practices.
• Promote community-led conservation practices, including cost-sharing models, to reduce reliance on external  funding for basic forest management duties.
• Support development of sustainable, income-generating initiatives (e.g., beekeeping) to fund forest management activities.
• Support the development of CFA leadership capacity, fostering effective local decision-making, sustainable forest management, and long-term benefit sharing.

E. Risk Management & Protection

• Lead the development and implementation of strategies to mitigate threats to tree survival, including livestock grazing, fire, human disturbance, and theft.
• In liaison with the CFA and KFS, oversee protection measures such as fencing, volunteer patrols, and/or community-based surveillance systems.
• Ensure environmental and social safeguards are integrated into all risk management and protection activities. Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Agroecology, or related field (Master’s an added advantage).
• At least 5 years of field experience in forest restoration, community forestry, or landscape management.
• Demonstrated experience working with CFAs, KFS, or other community-led conservation structures. ● Strong project management, budgeting, and reporting skills.
• Experience with nursery management, indigenous tree species, and restoration ecology.
• GIS skills or ability to use mapping tools is an added advantage.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili; knowledge of local languages is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders. 

Key Competencies

• Strong leadership and community facilitation
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work with local governance structures
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills
• High integrity and transparency
• Practical, hands-on field management
• Ability to inspire community ownership and sustainability

Application Guidelines

Please submit your cover letter, CV, and a 1-2 minute video, introducing yourself and briefly describing why you  are a strong fit for this role to postbox@sofdi.com. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.