Extension Officer – Trans Mara West, Kenya | The Green Belt Movement

Extension Officer – Trans Mara West, Kenya | The Green Belt Movement

Organization Summary
The Green Belt Movement (GBM) is a renowned non-governmental organization established in Kenya in 1977 by Nobel laureate Professor Wangari Maathai. GBM is dedicated to environmental conservation, empowering rural women and communities through environmental education. The organization focuses on promoting climate change mitigation activities across Kenya, creating livelihood safety nets for households. Our work emphasizes environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and the overall well-being of the community.

Position Summary
We are seeking a committed and skilled Extension Officer to implement GBM’s project(s) in Trans Mara West, with a strong focus on environmental conservation and climate resilience. This role is crucial in supporting GBM’s mission to mobilize local communities towards sustainable land management practices. The Extension Officer will engage with communities, train tree nursery groups, and monitor project progress to ensure the effective delivery of GBM’s environmental initiatives.

Job Title: Extension Officer
Location: Trans Mara West, Kenya
Number of Positions: 1
Organization: The Green Belt Movement
Application Deadline: 25th September 2024

Key Responsibilities

As an Extension Officer, your role will encompass the following responsibilities:

Promote Sustainable Land Management

• Implement sustainable land management practices and climate-resilient production techniques on both farms and riparian reserves.
• Support the development and review of training materials related to food security, livelihoods, and resilience initiatives.

Capacity Building and Community Mobilization

• Design effective capacity-building methodologies to ensure the sustainability of project interventions.
• Mobilize rural communities in Trans Mara West to form tree nursery groups and participate in tree planting activities that align with GBM’s project goals.
• Plan and conduct training sessions for tree nursery groups on nursery management and seedling production techniques.

Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) Support

• Provide technical support for the successful implementation of Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) activities.
• Monitor and track the progress of tree nurseries, households, and planted sites to ensure proper follow-up and mapping of project outcomes.

Empowering Women and Gender Mainstreaming

• Ensure that gender empowerment and women’s inclusion are central to all project activities, helping to build more resilient and inclusive communities.

Climate Smart Agriculture and Sustainable Practices

• Train groups and farmers on FMNR, climate-smart agriculture, sustainable energy options, and soil and water conservation techniques.
• Monitor and support the effective utilization of budgeted resources to achieve the desired outcomes for each project.

Progress Monitoring and Reporting

• Provide monthly progress reports on project implementation. Reports will include unique video and photo stories to highlight key milestones.
• Attend weekly and monthly planning meetings to align with organizational objectives.

Additional Duties

• Perform any other duties as delegated to support the broader objectives of GBM’s environmental conservation projects.

Qualifications and Skills

Educational Qualifications

• A Degree in Natural Resource Management, Community Development, or a related field.
• A diploma with at least five years of relevant experience in environmental conservation or community development programs may be considered.

Experience Requirements

• A minimum of three years of experience in implementing environmental and development-related programs.
• Proven expertise in gender mainstreaming and social inclusion is a distinct advantage.

Skills and Competencies

• In-depth knowledge of various systems of extension or fieldwork delivery.
• Demonstrated ability to engage local communities, partners, and government authorities.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills for effective team collaboration.
• Ability to ride a motorbike is an added advantage, given the nature of the fieldwork.

Communication Skills

• Proficiency in both English and Swahili, with strong oral and written communication abilities.
• Familiarity with the Maa language will be highly considered, especially for candidates from Narok County.

Technical Skills

• Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required for documentation and reporting.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and CV in one document to jobs@greenbeltmovement.org by 25th September 2024. Please ensure that the subject line reads “Extension Officer Application”. Note that you do not need to attach copies of certificates. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Green Belt Movement is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, or disability. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not charge any application or recruitment fees.

TELEGRAM CHANNEL

If you are passionate about environmental conservation and want to be part of an organization making a difference, this is your chance. Apply today to join our team in Trans Mara West, and help drive impactful sustainability initiatives in Kenya.

About the Green Belt Movement

Founded in 1977 by Professor Wangari Maathai, the Green Belt Movement (GBM) is one of Kenya’s leading environmental conservation organizations. Through community mobilization, capacity building, and environmental education, GBM has planted over 51 million trees across Kenya, empowering communities and supporting climate change mitigation efforts. Our projects focus on sustainable development, and we actively work to strengthen women’s empowerment and gender inclusion across all our initiatives.

Spread the Word

Help us reach passionate candidates by sharing this opportunity with your network. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact on the environment and the livelihoods of communities in Kenya.