Job position

Agroforestry Extension Manager(m/f/d)*

Nairobi, Kenya

Preferred start date: As soon as possible

Job Location: Nairobi with frequent visit to Makueni County

Application deadline: We expect your offer before 15th May 2023

We are Unique! Efficient, integrative, professional as a leading international consulting firm for sustainable management of natural resources. Our focus is on forestry, agriculture, and climate action, including digital solutions for innovative project-monitoring approaches. Unique land use GmbH is based in Freiburg, in the southwest of Germany and we are also present in Paraguay, Vietnam, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia and Kyrgyzstan.

About this Role

Smallholder farm families in Kenya are faced with several challenges: extreme poverty, deforestation, and climate change. Considering the climate crisis, any effort to tackle these challenges must be both pro-environment and pro-farmer by recognizing the challenges smallholders face, and their vital role as stewards of the land. With the right approach, incentives, and tools, mass numbers of smallholders can be mobilized to reverse the trends of poverty and land degradation. To address this acute challenge, the Makueni Agroforestry Carbon Project (MACP) is supporting smallholder farmers on 40,000 ha in Lower Eastern Kenya (Makueni County) to adopt Agroforestry and other Sustainable Agricultural Land Management (SALM) practices which are expected to improve their livelihoods through income-generating activities and linking them to markets. The carbon revenues from the project will be invested in extension services to support the adoption of Agroforestry and other SALM practices. The extension will be implemented by local NGOs working with registered farmer groups. Unique land use is responsible for the project implementation including carbon monitoring and supervising the implementation of quality extension services through local NGOs. As the Agroforestry Extension Manager, you will coordinate our agroforestry work and launch and oversee additional initiatives to positively improve rural families and the environment. For these tasks, a small, dedicated management team including an agroforestry extension officer, carbon accounting officer, safeguard expert and a financial officer will be recruited.

Job Description

Develop and Oversee the Successful Implementation of the Project

You will be responsible for ensuring quality tree seedlings are raised (mainly Croton, Melia, and Dalbergia), planted, and grow to generate farm income and sequester carbon.
You will align existing extension practices by contracted implementation partners to meet the impact and reporting requirements of the carbon standard and the investor requirements.
You will set up and implement the reporting system using a digital platform, including mobile Apps for data collection and a web dashboard linked to a cloud database for carbon monitoring and reporting.
Youwill enforce adoption of sustainable farming and agroforestry practices and project-related environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards as defined in the IFC safeguard standards.
You will prepare the performance report for each contracted implementer based on KPIs as recorded and verified Management Information System (e.g., SALM adoption and climate risk-adjusted yield response).

Build Vision and Coordinate Operations

You will establish close partnership with implementing partners and assure their timely implementation of agreed extension services.
You will establish operational procedures as outlined in the management plan.
You will be responsible of the extension results and the establishment of efficient operational procedures.
You will manage staff including agroforestry extension officer, carbon accounting officer, safeguard expert and a financial officer.

Lead Engagement and Build Relationships to Accelerate Scale and Impact

You will facilitate interaction between implementing partner and other service provider (including financial service provider and commodity off-taker) to enable market access.
You will report to the carbon buyer.
You will channel the carbon revenues to the extension provider on a performance basis.
You will develop and implement a performance-based system to remunerate extension providers for SALM impacts achieved.
You will represent the company in investor meetings with potential carbon off-taker.
You will prepare annual reports including impact reports for the advisory board, representing extension providers, farmer associations, and other key regional stakeholders.

Requirements

Experience in Agroforestry and climate-smart agriculture

Demonstrated results working in agroforestry and other SALM practices.
Passion for sustainable development and scaling ideas to enhance rural livelihoods and the environment in partnership with private sector.

External Relationship and Management Skills

Great collaborator and team member who can engage with different people, from rural farmers to high-level executives.
Experience managing high-level team members and coordinating complex and scalable investments.

A leader with a Track Record of Success

Experience launching new investments or building successful partnerships.
Strong leadership skills and respect as a manager among rural extension providers and farmer associations.
Experience using data to make decisions.
Comfortable working in a dynamic and fluid work context.
Experience working with budgets.
Track record as an entrepreneur or manager at an NGO

Others

At least 7 years of experience in agricultural extension and as a manager of a social enterprise or an NGO engaged in rural development and agricultural extension in Kenya, ideally in Lower Eastern Kenya (Ukambani).
Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agri-business, agricultural economics, agricultural extension, or a related subject. Master’s or PhD degree preferred.
Comfortable travelling within the region up to 80% of the time
Language: Fluency in English, Swahili and Kamba.

What we offer

Guidance and support from colleagues during onboarding and beyond.
A dynamic and innovative work environment with a high degree of autonomy.
A flat hierarchy-based culture infused with a collaborative spirit.
We have a strong culture of constant learning, and we invest in developing our people as this is apurpose-driven company that fully utilizes your skills and offers opportunities to develop.
This being a small but dedicated start-up team with a secured revenue stream, you’ll have the opportunity to shape a growing organization and build a rewarding long-term career.

Applications

Would you like to turn our vision „Transforming land use towards an inclusive and sustainable future for all“ into reality?

Please send your CV and motivation letter to

CV (not more than 5 pages)
Motivation letter (2 pages)
Expected remuneration.

Application deadline: We expect your offer before 15th May 2023

Only short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews.

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*(m/f/d) is a statement for equal inclusion / diversity in Germany and means “Male / Female / Diverse”. In German:(m/w/d): we believe that diversity is a strength, and we are committed to creating a workplace that is inclusive, respectful, and welcoming to all individuals. We are proud to employ people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions, and identities. We value the unique perspectives and experiences that our diverse team brings to our organization, and we believe that it makes us stronger, more innovative, and more effective in serving our customers and communities.