Community Forester Job Vacancy at New Forests Company

Community Forester Job Vacancy at New Forests Company

Job role: Community Forester

The New Forests Company is a sustainable, socially responsible forestry and timber products business with plantations in Uganda and Tanzania. See more at www.newforests.earth.

Purpose of the position:

Contribute to the realization of NFC’s Shared Value strategy by:

• Provide commercial-level Forestry planning, training, co-ordination, and management of the CSR led community forestry program in close collaboration with the Community
• Development Officers (CDOs) responsible for each plantation/pole plant
• Establish quality forestry (and agroforestry) practices with high survival rates amongst
• Out-grower trees to maximize their revenues and secure NFC long term timber supply chain
• Accurate and timely data capture and reporting of community forestry program

Key Result Areas and accountabilities:

• Sourcing high quality seedling inputs for the Out-grower program, in co-ordination with the CSR team regarding species preferences
• Lead and train the CSR CDOs and Community Liaison Officers (CLOs) in accurate GPS mapping and forestry data collection to ensure accurate data is inputted into the Micro- Forest app.
• Lead the silviculture practices of the Out-grower program, including planning, spacing, land preparation, trainings, seedling distribution, post planting verification, enumeration, thinning and harvesting.
• The community trained practices are to be compliant with FSC, for ease of future group scheme certification
• Be proactive in supporting the CSR team and Community Tree grower Associations with resolving planting or tree related challenges
• Co-ordinate visits to NFC plantations, research trials and processing facilities as part of the community knowledge building
• Ensure all relevant NFC IMS procedures and prescriptions are followed
• Co-ordinate with NFC Forestry department regarding NFC quality standards, to ensure mature Out-grower timber complies with NFC sourcing criteria
• Incorporate agroforestry, fruit trees, inter-cropping, and other climate-smart best practices in the Out-grower program to help maximize their land use potential and build climate resilience.
• Develop and/or update silviculture, agroforestry, and risk management training cards to support effective knowledge transfer to communities
• Health and safety issues and problems are effectively investigated, managed, and reported on.
• A positive attitude towards health and safety is developed, managed, and maintained across all areas. An environment of continuous, but appropriate, health and safety improvement are developed.
• Activities are coordinated with other functions and departments and are undertaken in a collegiate manner.
• New and improved methods or initiatives are evaluated, documented, costed, recommended and, where authorized, implemented.
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Skills, Knowledge & Competencies required to perform this role:

• Demonstrate knowledge of commercial level forestry
• Experience in or willingness to learn and apply agroforestry practices
• Demonstrable experience with and interest in working with Communities
• Ability to follow standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Respect NFC’s safety rules and other policies
• Good communication skills – verbal and written
• Ability to plan all activities, and execute the operations
• Ability to produce timely reports in agreed format
• Demonstrable ability to work with mobile software apps, such as Smallholdr, Katam and others

Qualifications

Essential:

• A relevant degree in Forestry
• Years of experience required to perform this role
• At least 3 years’ work relevant experience

Desired Start Date: 20th October 2025

How to apply

if you are interested, please send your application letter & CV to [email protected] and [email protected] not later than 25th Sept 2025.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.\

“NFC is an equal opportunity employer, and female candidates are encouraged to apply”