WeForest  is a fast growing international non-profit organization with headquarters in Belgium. We develop reforestation projects to combat global warming and extreme poverty. Our mission is to conserve and restore the ecological integrity of forests and landscapes by engaging communities to implement and deliver lasting solutions for climate, nature and people.

In Ethiopia, WeForest is engaged in large-scale Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) programs in Northern Ethiopia (Amhara and Tigray regions). Through our intervention, we contribute to the country’s Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy and Growth Transformation Plan. Partnerships with research institutes and universities are promoted across our interventions.

Ethiopia Program

WeForest is active in Ethiopia since 2016. The main aim of the projects are to improve ecosystem wellbeing and to benefit local community enabling more productive and resilient landscapes. In general, the overall program comprises with three main components: (i) ecological restoration and conservation of degraded forests and soils, (ii) livelihood improvement of local community, and (iii) capacity building, research, knowledge dissemination and scaling up best practices. Furthermore, the project focuses on gender equity and establishing strong linkages among governmental, non-governmental and private stakeholders. WeForest Ethiopia with its partners restored since 2016 more than 11,000 ha degraded lands and engaged over 7,000 households in sustainable income generating businesses.

Our activities are growing and WeForest is now looking for a talented Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) Advisor to achieve by 2030 the ambitious plan to restore up to 65,000 ha degraded forest and landscapes and to engage over 40,000 households in sustainable income earning businesses.

Role

The Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) Advisor will work under the supervision of WeForest Ethiopia Country Director and in close cooperation with WeForest’s partners. He will provide technical support related to forest governance, forest management, land resources assessment, forest and degraded communal land restoration, livelihoods and monitoring and evaluation. The candidate will also contribute to identify and develop new FLR projects.

Responsibilities include:

Partnership support – in close cooperation with WeForest partners

• Support efficient and effective communication between WeForest and current and potential partners
• Assist partner organizations in project planning, budgeting, monitoring and evaluating for FLR activities
• Contribute to project progress and technical reports on FLR activities (both for land restoration and livelihood development programs )
• Assist partners in liaising with local, district and regional authorities and in engaging with forest-dependent communities
• Represent WeForest in meetings and events as needed

Technical FLR support

• Conduct ecological resources assessments and socioeconomic surveys (vegetation, soil, water, livelihood, and other social surveys)
• Supervise the management of the nurseries and quality of seedlings production
• Coordinate the planning of FLR activities and supervise their implementation
• Support the development and adoption of Forest Management Plan and local forest bylaws
• Provide technical training and support to experts, development agents, nurseries workers and community members involved in FLR activities (e.g. agroforestry and livelihood, forest management, GIS and remote sensing, irrigation and water management, soil and water conservation etc…)
• Develop and disseminate FLR best practices (e.g. assisted natural regeneration, social forestry, soil and water conservation, resources assessment technics and monitoring and evaluation, agroforestry and other livelihood activities)
• Support the development of business plans for best and selective livelihood interventions to target areas of the project

Programme development

• Support the identification and design of new FLR projects in Ethiopia

Vacancy type: External

Start date: As soon as possible

Duration of Contract: One year, with potential to extend subject to performance

Probation Period: 3 months

Salary: Competitive package for a small NGO, based on prior experience

Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia with significant travel in rural areas

Working hours: Full-time, working Monday through Saturday morning, up to a maximum of 44 hours per week. Hours will vary depending on project needs and flexibility is essential.

Reporting to: Country Director, Ethiopia

Job Requirements

Essential:

• At last M.Sc. or equivalent experience in forest management, agroforestry, Natural Resources Management and related fields
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience in FLR or watershed management projects, in designing, management, implementation, and technical advisory position
• Successful track record in new project identification and development
• Excellent communication and reporting skills in English (both speaking and writing)
• Familiarity with project M&E frameworks, tools and protocols
• Good moderation, facilitation and training skills
• Ability to use and understand GIS and other basic natural resources monitoring software
• Flexible in terms of traveling and living conditions
• Good team player

Desirable:

• Track record with gender-sensitive participatory, governance and inclusion approaches
• Track record in grant applications
• Track record in writing scientific articles
• Track record in donor report writing