Vacancy: Agroforestry Extension Worker

13th November 2024, Moroto – Karamoja Conservation Zones and USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience Activity under Kara-Tunga Arts and Tours (Kara-Tunga) is recruiting an Agroforestry Extension Workers to work in the Northern Districts of the Karamoja sub-region. Knowledge and experience working in a similar role, with farmer groups in the field of agroforestry is obligatory.

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Position title: Agroforestry Extension Worker
Duty Station: Karenga or Kaabong
Contract: 12 months, wherefrom 3 months probation. Renewable for additional 12 months based on performance.
Reports to: District Coordinator
Responsibility: Identify, register and motivate farmers, establish tree nurseries and drip irrigation systems for vegetable farming, supervise and coach the farmers activities and conduct hands-on trainings.
Key relationships: District Coordinator, Farmers
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am-5.00 pm. Saturdays from 8.30 am-12.00 pm.
Deadline for application: 30th of November 2024

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Company background

Kara-Tunga is a Ugandan not-for-profit organization which aims at fostering peace, prosperity and conservation of natural and cultural resources through eco-tourism development in Uganda’s northeastern Karamoja sub-region. Kara-Tunga is funded through tourism activities (conservation levies as part of accommodation packages, community development fees linked to excursions, etc.), grants from donors and donations from well-wishers. Kara-Tunga partners with organized community groups will support programs focusing on education, conservation and promotion of livelihoods.

Project background

The Karamoja sub-region in Uganda is rapidly developing and, as a result at risk of deforestation and land degradation because of mining, agricultural expansion and charcoal and firewood production. The sub-region needs effective conservation and reforestation interventions. The Central Forest Reserves, Wildlife Reserves and National Parks, specifically, have been identified as restoration hotspots. The Karamoja Conservation Zones initiative of Kara-Tunga attends to this potential by developing and scaling a model for ‘buffer zones’ at the borders of these areas, where reforestation and conservation efforts take place. As well as support of Community Conservation Enterprises like Ecotourism, Beekeeping and Agroforestry.

With the support of USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience Activity (B4R), Kara-Tunga can expand its efforts to Northern Karamoja. Kara-Tunga is establishing a network of Conservation Campsites in Karenga and Kaabong District under the B4R activity. In addition to these so-called Eco Camps, it is also piloting Agroforestry, Bee-Keeping and Hydroponics projects in the Kidepo Landscape. These projects are aimed at the creation of alternative income for the community to stop deforestation and poaching.

Job Summary

The extension worker’s role will be supervising the extension workers while in their communities, training community-based extension workers is vital; it motivates the community to collaborate with Kara-Tunga and Kijani as the extension workers are derived from the community.

Any community worker is expected to know the local language (Ngakarimojong), and should have excellent knowledge of the locality, an impeccable and reliable standing among the community and knowledge about the local traditions and governing system.

Extension workers will be in charge of coordinating the tree nursery attendants and casual labourers, monitoring, conducting meetings and making reports about the project’s work. should be aware of the requirements and dynamics of local people to ensure project programs are based upon the local felt needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach and monitor farmer group activities.
• Mobilize the groups for training in nursery activities and training farmers in tree nursery establishment, tree planting, tree growth management. As well as installation and management of drip irrigation system for vegetable farming.
• Guide farmers in planting of trees and crops in agroforestry systems which favour the farmers. Ensure maintenance of agroforestry gardens, monitor the survival rate of the trees planted and supervise distribution of assorted tree species.
• Generate participants lists in the community and recruit lead farmers and provide accountability to district coordinator.
• Preparing and submitting daily activity updates using organisation M&E tools.
• Coordinate with local government leaders to ensure good relationships with the organisation as well as jointly conduct environmental conservation sensitisation activities.
• Registration of nurseries, and trees growing on organisation M&E tools.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Uganda Certificate of Education.
• Minimum of a Diploma in a related field (Agroforestry, Forestry, Agronomy)
• Verbal skills in NgaKarimojong. Written and Verbal Skills in English.
• Knowledge and experience in of nursery bed establishment, tree planting and best practices in intercropping (agroforestry models)
• The ability to work, cooperate with the community and work on your own with minimum supervision.
• You should be good in verbal and good in written communication, time manager, ability to prioritize work attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Attractive personality. He/she should be able to attract people easily and hence should be polite so that all people can come to him/her without hesitation
• Availability from December 2024.

Benefits

• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• Chance to work with a dedicated and passionate team.
• Opportunity to make a real impact on the lives of farmers and their families.

Expectations

Starting date: December 2024
Contract duration: 12 months, wherefrom 3 months probation. Renewable for additional 12 months based on performance.
Place of work: Karenga and Kaabong District.

Non-Discrimination

Kara-Tunga Foundation does not and shall not discriminate based on race, colour, religion(creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status or sexual orientation in any of its activities or operations. These activities include but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors and vendors.

Consenting

You consent to the company processing your data by applying for this position, the information could be saved for future use in the event of another opening.

How to apply

Only full applications will be received and only the successful candidates will get notified. A full application includes the following documents: Application/motivational letter, CV, (academic) qualifications, and recommendation letters or references with contact details. Send this all together in one email and use the job title as the email subject to: projects@kara-tunga.com.

Deadlines

Receiving of Applications will close by the 30th of November 2024. Only Successful candidates will be contacted.