Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management Officer

JOB TITLE: Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management Officer

REPORTS TO: Project Coordinator

STAFF REPORTING TO POSTHOLDER: None

LOCATION: Metu with frequent travel to intervention woredas

DURATION: May 2025 to April 2029

Contract duration: Annual contract with extension based on the successful performance

Type of vacancy: Internal and external

 

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The position contributes to the implementation of the “Ecosystem-based Solutions for Biodiversity Conservation and Resilient Livelihoods” (ECOR) project, which seeks to strengthen the conservation of forests, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and agricultural landscapes while enhancing the resilience and livelihoods of local communities. It supports the translation of project objectives into field-level actions, ensuring that ecosystem-based approaches are effectively integrated with sustainable livelihood strategies. In this role, the position holder leads the planning, implementation, and technical oversight of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management interventions. This responsibility includes guiding participatory forest management (PFM) initiatives, facilitating the restoration of wetlands and rangelands, and promoting ecosystem-based practices that balance conservation priorities with community needs. He/she also ensures that interventions are technically sound, context-specific, and aligned with broader environmental and development frameworks.

KEY TASKS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Implement project activities at the field office

• Work with the project coordinator and community development facilitators of the ECOR project in the Metu field office to achieve the project outputs/outcomes.
• Facilitate the selection of project intervention sites and beneficiaries of the ECOR project in collaboration with government stakeholders and implementing partners and project staff.
• Participate in the preparation of an integrated plan and detailed activities to be implemented in the project, following a holistic development approach.
• Implement the ECOR project as per the detailed plan with the required quality, time, and budget
• Ensure adequate consultation and participation of Woreda and village/community level stakeholders, ensuring active participation of women
• Participate in the assessments, studies, surveys, monitoring, review and evaluation activities at the community level
• Facilitate field visits, experience sharing visits at the community level
• Support to identify training needs, prepare training materials, and deliver training, business plan development and other services to CBOs and unions
• Ensure adequate consultation and participation of Woreda and village/community level stakeholders, ensuring active participation of women
• With the support of the Country technical team, provide expertise and advice for community institutions/Organizations on gender mainstreaming in the project scheme
• Facilitate stakeholders meetings, dialogues among others, and discuss modalities within CBOs/PFMCs/PRMCs/ women and youth enterprises
• Prepare monthly progress reports and update the implementation of the ECOR project activities on time

Technical Implementation

• Lead the planning, coordination, and on-the-ground implementation of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration interventions across diverse ecosystems, including forests, wetlands, rangelands, and wildlife habitats, ensuring alignment with ecological principles and project objectives.
• Provide technical support for the establishment, strengthening, and operationalization of Participatory Forest Management Cooperatives (PFMCs) and other community-based institutions, including developing governance structures, bylaws, and sustainable management plans.
• Facilitate the restoration of degraded ecosystems through the application of nature-based solutions such as assisted natural regeneration, enrichment planting, soil and water conservation measures, and integrated watershed management approaches tailored to local ecological conditions.
• Promote and support the adoption of sustainable land-use practices that align with integrated landscape management principles, balancing conservation objectives with livelihood needs and enhancing ecosystem resilience.

Community Engagement and Capacity Building

• Design and deliver training programs and awareness-raising activities for local communities, cooperatives, and local leaders on sustainable natural resource management, climate-smart practices, and ecosystem restoration techniques.
• Strengthen community-based governance systems, including Participatory Forest Management (PFM) groups, watershed committees, and wetland user groups, by enhancing institutional capacity, accountability, and participatory decision-making processes.
• Promote inclusive participation by actively engaging women, youth, and marginalized groups in conservation activities, ensuring equitable access to resources, benefits, and leadership opportunities within community institutions.

Biodiversity Conservation

• Support the protection and sustainable management of key species and critical habitats, with particular attention to threatened and IUCN-listed species within designated conservation areas such as biosphere reserves.
• Establish and implement biodiversity monitoring systems, including data collection protocols and indicators, to track ecosystem health and inform adaptive conservation planning and management decisions.
• Promote and implement human–wildlife conflict mitigation strategies, including community awareness, early warning systems, and locally appropriate interventions to reduce risks and enhance coexistence.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Work closely with relevant government institutions, including forestry, environment, and agriculture offices, as well as development partners such as Ethiopian Coffee and Forest Forum, to ensure coordinated and effective program implementation.
• Facilitate multi-stakeholder platforms and coordination mechanisms to strengthen collaboration among partners and ensure alignment with national and international frameworks, including Climate-Resilient Green Economy (CRGE), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and biodiversity strategies.

Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning

• Systematically collect, analyze, and report data on biodiversity conservation outcomes, ecosystem restoration progress, and project performance using standardized monitoring tools and indicators.
• Contribute to the design and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems, supporting evidence-based decision-making and adaptive management.
• Document and disseminate best practices, success stories, and lessons learned to inform scaling-up efforts, knowledge sharing, and continuous program improvement.

 

Safeguarding & Code of Conduct Responsibilities:

• Comply with and uphold Farm Africa’s Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and related policies at all times.
• Treat all individuals and communities with dignity, respect, and fairness, promoting a safe and inclusive working environment.
• Ensure that personal and professional conduct does not put beneficiaries, colleagues, or partners at risk of harm or abuse.
• Recognize and report any safeguarding concerns, suspicions, or incidents in accordance with Farm Africa’s safeguarding and reporting procedures.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with beneficiaries, community members, and colleagues.
• Ensure that communications, images, and information about beneficiaries are used responsibly and with informed consent.
• Support the organization’s commitment to preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and any form of discrimination.
• Participate in safeguarding training and awareness activities as required.
• Contribute to creating and maintaining a safe working environment for all staff

These essential functions are not to be interpreted as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job-related duties as required. All work responsibilities are subject to performance goals and/or targets.

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential	Desirable
BSc /MSc degree or above in one or more of the following disciplines: Forestry, Ecology, Environmental Science, natural resource management, biodiversity, watershed management, and any related disciplines	Practical experiences in the implementation of participatory forest management, integrated landscape management
Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in biodiversity conservation or NRM projects	Experience working with NGOs and government institutions in Ethiopia is an asset.
Proven experience in participatory forest management and community-based conservation.
Strong understanding of ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and landscape approaches.

Our Values

Investing in smallholder farming is the number one way to combat poverty in rural Africa. Farm Africa is a leading NGO specialising in growing agriculture, protecting the environment and developing businesses in rural Africa.

• EXPERT: Expertise and insightful evidence-based solutions are at the heart of everything Farm Africa does.
• GROUNDED: Our teams and partners work closely with local communities, engaging them in every level of decision-making.
• IMPACTFUL: We deliver long lasting change for farmers, their families, and the environments they live in.
• BOLD: We model innovative approaches and are not afraid to challenge strategies that are failing.