Cluster Forestry Officer _ at VITA Ethiopia

Job Purpose

Vita is implementing a new program aimed at the sustainable use of natural resources, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from household cooking systems, and improving the livelihoods and health of target communities. This will be achieved by eliminating the use of traditional three-stone stoves (Sost Gulicha) and promoting the adoption of fuel-efficient cook stoves through a new Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach.

Additionally, the project seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by focusing on afforestation and reforestation on communal and privately owned lands.

The Junior Forestry Officer will support the Senior Forestry Officer in planning, implementing, and managing forestry and agroforestry initiatives within targeted Kebeles, working in collaboration with government officials, community members, and other stakeholders to enhance forest coverage, improve land use, and promote sustainable development practices in the Gamo and Gofa Zones of Southern Ethiopia.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collect and analyze data on land use patterns, forest coverage, agro-ecological conditions, and socio-economic factors from relevant sectors at the woreda and Kebele levels.
• Identify and document communal and private lands suitable for forestry interventions.
• Assess the status of government nurseries and prepare plans for the necessary materials and inputs for seedling production.
• Gather data on tree species grown in the intervention Kebeles, compile a list of preferred tree species considering community preferences, and submit it to the Senior Forestry Officer.
• Develop and follow a day-to-day implementation schedule for forestry activities.
• Collaborate with woreda and Kebele technical teams and administrative bodies to execute, monitor, and report on forestry activities.
• Work closely with the CLTS team to align forestry initiatives with CLTS-triggering events.
• Develop backup plans for community mobilization in Kebeles where triggering has occurred.
• Identify gaps in nursery equipment, seeds, and labor demand based on the agro-ecology of the intervention Kebeles.
• Train nursery workers and agricultural experts at the woreda and Kebele levels on technical and management aspects of seedling production and plantation.
• Facilitate agreements and recruitment of nursery workers, ensuring efficient seedling production and management.
• Provide technical guidance to Kebele agricultural experts and nursery workers to ensure high-quality seedling production.
• Facilitate performance-based payments for nursery workers as per agreements.
• Raise awareness among the forest community and private planters regarding communal bylaws and tree planting agreements with the project and government actors.
• Mobilize the community and private farmers for the timely preparation of compost and planting pits to enhance seedling survival.
• Organize and lead campaigns for tree planting in each intervention Kebele, ensuring adherence to the plantation schedule.
• Educate and build the capacity of communal forest management committees on their roles in overseeing communal plantations and their ongoing management.
• Demarcate communal and private plantation areas, recording GPS coordinates in collaboration with Kebele officials and woreda agricultural experts.
• Prepare plantation plot maps using GPS coordinates, Google Earth, satellite imagery, and related technologies for forest monitoring and evaluation.
• Provide necessary reports and data as required for MRV and data management systems.
• Collect, compile, and submit data from nursery activities, including beneficiary lists for seedlings and trees planted.
• Gather and document information in various formats, including multimedia.
• Monitor and measure the development of planted trees (height, girth, canopy) and submit findings to the Senior Forestry Officer.
• Participate in periodic performance evaluations and prepare the required documentation.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual reports in the required format and submit them to the Senior Forestry Officer within the specified timeframe.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Senior Forestry Officer and respective project officials.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry/General Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, or a related field.

Experience:

• • At least two years of experience in forest development and management, nursery establishments for quality seedling production, and related tasks.
  • Proven field experience in rural areas of the Gamo Zone.
  • Experience working with both governmental and non-governmental organizations is an advantage.