Field Extensionist at Friends of Lake Tanganyika (FOLT)

Friends of Lake Tanganyika (FOLT) is a non-governmental organization established in 2012 and registered under the Tanzanian Non-Governmental Organization Act No.24, 2022, with registration No: 00NGO/008484. FOLT is headquartered in Katumbi Village in Uvinza District, Kigoma Region. FOLT’s mission is to end extreme poverty, hunger and environmental degradation across the Lake Tanganyika Basin by providing local communities access to equitable use of natural resources and how to sustainably manage those resources. FOLT envisions a sound Lake Tanganyika basin where people and nature thrive together.

The Mahale Mountains Agroforestry Project

FOLT, in partnership with the Belgian NGO WeForest, is planning to implement the 5-year Mahale Mountains Agroforestry Project. The project’s main goal is to reduce pressure on natural forests and improve the living conditions of smallholder farmers in Uvinza District in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem (GME) through the establishment of agroforestry systems on 2,500 smallholders hectares from 2024 to 2029.

The objectives are as follows:

Objective 1: Agroforestry Systems: To establish agroforestry systems and other tree crops with smallholder farmers to decrease pressure on natural forests by increasing farm productivity and tree cover in the landscape.

Objective 2: Livelihoods: To increase and sustain production of food, fodder and fuelwood for household consumption and potentially support the development of top agricultural value chains.

Objective 3: Environmental Education: To sensitize project communities on climate change and forest and landscape restoration to conserve natural resources such as fishing and chimpanzee habitat; as well as build interest and commitment in participating in the agroforestry project activities.

Responsibilities

Core duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Implement all agroforestry intervention and environmental education activities within project villages
• Identify, organize and coordinate farmer groups in project villages
• Organize and conduct training workshops for farmer groups directly or in partnership with other organizations
• Assist in the development of locally-appropriate training materials in English and Swahili
• Assist in M&E processes and conduct surveys and other monitoring activities as needed
• Assist in value chain development for selected cash crops
• Assist in processing administrative requests/documents
• Assist in procurement of all items for the program and tree nursery
• Assist in producing quality deliverables on time

Required Attributes

• Focused, disciplined and determined
• Self-motivated
• Structured and analytic mindset
• Innovative and collaborative
• Patient and flexible, particularly in cross-cultural environments
• Work well under tight deadlines
• Good interpersonal skills
• Commitment to the mission and vision of both FOLT and WeForest

Required Qualifications

• Diploma in agroforestry, agriculture, forestry, rural development or related field
• A minimum of two years’ relevant work experience with smallholder agroforestry, preferably in Tanzania
• Excellent project skills and experience with work plans, M&E, training, and reporting
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work with stakeholders from different backgrounds: local communities, technical and non-technical and international partners
• Fluent in English and Swahili (speaking and writing)
• In possession of a driving license and experience with driving motorbikes and vehicles
• Able to relocate and flexible in terms of work hours and living conditions
• Must be a citizen of Tanzania

Terms & Conditions

Start date: 1st March 2024

Location: Katumbi Village, Uvinza District

Contract type: One-year renewable contract with a 6-month probation period

Position: Full-time

Hours: On average 8 hours per day Monday – Friday (daily hours will vary)

Supervisor: Project Manager

Package: Remuneration based on experience

Application Procedure
Deadline: applications will be accepted up until the position is filled.

Submit to: FOLT Executive Secretary: [email protected]

Documents:

• Cover letter detailing your interest and experience
• Curriculum Vitae (including phone/ email contact information)
• Four relevant referees (3 from former employers)

Applicants failing to deliver the above documents will not be considered.

Due to the anticipated number of applicants, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We thank you in advance for your interest.