Vacancy: Agroforestry Extension Worker Karamoja (closed)

17th December 2023, Moroto – Karamoja Conservation Zones and USAID/Uganda Biodiversity for Resilience Activity under Kara-Tunga Arts and Tours (Kara-Tunga) is recruiting an Agroforestry Extension Worker to work in the Northern Karamoja sub-region of Uganda. Knowledge and experience working on similar projects and collaborating with community members in the field of agroforestry are highly recommended.

Position title: Agroforestry Extension Worker
Duty Station: Karenga or Kaabong
Contract: 12 months, wherefrom 3 months probation.
Reports to: Area Manager
Responsibility: Identify and register farmer groups, establish tree nurseries, and supervise and monitor group activities.
Key relationship: Area Manager, Project participants
Working hours: Monday to Friday from 8.30 am-5.00 pm. Saturdays from 8.30 am-12.00 pm.

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

• Identify register groups, and spots for Nursery hub establishment, supervise and monitor group activities and ensure farmer contracts are signed.
• Mobilize the groups for training in nursery activities and training farmers in nursery establishment, tree planting, and charcoal production. technologies and best practices in crop production.
• Supervise mobilization labour for woodlot establishment in demo plots and personally ensure its success.
• Guide farmers in woodlot establishment, ensure maintenance of existing woodlots monitor the survival rate of the trees planted including pruning for timber or other trees and supervise distribution of assorted tree species.
• Generate beneficiary lists in the community including suitable candidates for the internship program, recruit community coordinators and provide accountability to area coordinator and finance manager.
• Preparing and submitting daily updates using established M&E tools, writing activity reports and weekly updates using the designated tools.
• Coordinate with local government leaders to ensure good relationships with the Company as well as jointly conduct environmental sensitizations.
• Registration of nurseries, and trees on M&E software.

Requirements

• Minimum of a Uganda Certificate of Education.
• Knowledge of nursery bed establishment, tree planting, charcoal production technologies and best practices in crop production.
• 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 January 2023.

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: January 2024
Contract duration: 3 months probation. Thereafter 1 year contract.
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 22nd of December 2023. Only Successful candidates will be contacted.