Tree Planting Support Officer- Government jobs, Uganda

Job Title: Tree Planting Support Officer
Location: Project Implementation Unit-Kampala
Reports to: Tree plant Sub-Component Manager (TPSC)

Under direct supervision of the Tree Planting Sub-Component Manager (TPSC), the Officer will be reporting to the TPSC Manager and work closely with the District Forest Officers (DFOs) in project districts and project sub-counties involved in the implementation of the Forestry Component. He/she will help the TPSC Manager in supervising and coordinating the activities of the Sub-county Forest Technical Officers (SFTO). The Officer will also work closely with partnership institutions involved in the implementation of the Project.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
General Tasks;
* Mentor technical Officers at sub county level in the preparation of work plans and implementation plans for the TPSC.
* Provide technical support to SFTOs on the establishment and Management of forest plantations. He /she will also promote the sharing of technical information with sub-county forest officers to enhance their effectiveness and efficien¬cy in the utilization of project resources.
* Advise on improvement of the technical content of guidelines and training materials to be used by SFTOs in the implementation of project activ¬ities,
* Assist the TPSC Manager.pf with preparation of performance contracts for SFTO and with monitoring the performance of SFTO.
* Supervise and monitor SFTO in the establishment and management of tree nurseries
*Provide guidelines for the establishment and management of tree seed stands.
Specific Tasks
*Provision of extension support
* Train SFTO and forest rangers in identified knowledge gaps
*prepare technical information, leaflets and manuals aspects of nursery establishment, tree planting and management to be used by the sub county forest technical officers
* Advise SFTO on support being provided to the farmer groups and individuals.
*Ensure the integration of the biodiversity conservation and sustainable land utilization in the TPSC activities.
* Monitor extension support to farmer groups and the individual involved in tree planting.

Support for Tree Planting
Supervise and guide SFTO in the implementation of the following activities:

• Seed collection, Nursery establishment and management, plantation establishment and management.
• Guide farmers on the establishment of on--farm demonstration plots,
• Guide SFTOs and Forest rangers in preparation of nursery work plans and budgets
• Monitor the training of farmer groups and individuals in record keeping and simple accounting
• Monitor disease and pest out brakes in forest plantations in the districts and advise the farm¬ers on mitigation measures.
• Advise districts, and sub-counties on the dangers from dry season fires arid help stake holders to construct fire control measures.
• Advise SFTOs on the integration- of non-timber forest products-e.g. beekeeping'(apiary), mush¬room growing etc

Outputs and Reporting:
• Field reports on project progress in the districts including output status and documentations 0n lessons learnt. (Technical accountability)
• Reports on the production of sensitization materials that takes into account the strengths and weaknesses of stakeholders and the opportunities provided by the project.
• Field training reports that aim at enhancing the performance of SFTO.
• Guidelines on preparation of Nursery work plans.
• Field reports on Seedling production from sub-county nurseries.
• Field reports on plantation establishment, tending and management
• Field reports on establishment of Tree Seed Stands.
• Field monitoring reports on performance of SFTOs.

Person Specifications
• A B.Sc. degree in forestry/ natural resources management or related disciplines from a recognized university.

Technical Experience;
• At least three years experience in planning and implementing forestry projects or sustainable natural resources management projects.
• Three years experience in capacity building/ mentoring for improved natural resource management projects.
• Have an updated knowledge of technical aspects of forestry conservation, as well as extensive and updated knowledge of forestry extension services and participatory tree-planting approaches at both theoretical and practical levels
• At-least 3 years professional experience on forest plantation establishment and integrated for¬est management.

General Qualifications:
• Experience of working in output-based assignments is required.
• Proven coordinating, networking and multidisciplinary team work skills.
• Team building skills.
• Good command of written and spoken English.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent report writing skills
• Proficiency in the use of computer applications/software programs.

Duration: 12 months with a possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance.
Reporting: The successful candidates are expected to report immediately.
Apply for this job

The Ministry of Water and Environment now invites competent individuals to indicate their interest in the above positions. Only short listed candidates shall' be contacted for more information and be invited for interviews. The applicants must provide information indicating their professional capability and experi¬ence to perform the above assignments and when they can be available. Successful candidates will be offered attractive consolidated packages. If you are interested, please send in an expression of interest and a typed CV by close of business, 4.00 pm on the 14th September 2010 with copies (NOT ORIGI¬NALS) of testimonials and certificates.

THE PERMANENT SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF WATER AND ENVIRONMENT
KAMPALA, UGANDA

For the attention of:
The Head, Procurement and Disposal Unit
Ministry of Water and Environment
PortBell Road, Luzira
Room 128
P.O.BOX 20026,
Kampala, Uganda.