Director of Field Programs

Trees for the Future (TREES) utilizes the Forest Garden Approach to address global challenges and constantly seeks ways to increase its impact by working closely with farmers. The Director of Field Programs (DFP) is responsible for supervising, planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating all aspects of Trees for the Future’s (TREES) Kenya field programs. This position is based in Kisumu but requires extensive travel between the counties of Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori, and Siaya. The DFP reports directly to the Country Director, Kenya.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Oversee implementation of all country field programs, including project management, staff supervision, customer service, and ensuring compliance with carbon methodology and investor requirements.
• Be responsible for the successful implementation and management of a Forest Garden Project approach in achieving carbon offsets, farmer adaptation, and the multiple benefits derived from the Forest Gardens.
• Coordinate the preparation of Country program budgets, present them to the Country Director, and seek concurrence for approval and advice from the Country Director on resource requirements for programs and resource utilization.
• Manage all field program contractual works and oversee the implementation of consultancies and specialized assignments within project scope, in liaison and concurrence with the Country Director.
• Facilitate the identification, planning, and mobilization of new TREES projects, including the identification of new strategic locations for expansion.
• Work closely with Country and County Trainers to enhance staff and Lead Farmers' capacity and strengthen the existing training program.
• Oversee the management of the programs’ seed banks and Central Fruit Tree Nurseries (CTNs), including Project Managers, correct documentation of seed and fruit seedling needs, and strengthen the seed bank and CTN inventory management and farmer distribution processes.
• Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team to establish M&E schedules and training frameworks and coordinate all field data collection and MEL reports.
• Communicate and regularly visit projects to ensure project effectiveness, identify farmers' needs and farm requirements, and coordinate the preparation of procurement needs for all programs.
• Work with the Director of Operations and HR team to hire qualified field staff to establish and manage projects as needed, ensuring that Project Officers are properly trained on project methodologies, responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation, and expectations.
• Identify procurement needs of the programs and work closely with the senior accountant to ensure procurement of all items related to the field country programs.

Partnership Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain positive relationships with relevant government offices and TREES partners at all levels in accordance with TREES' goals and priorities.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings, task forces, consortiums, and conferences relevant to TREES’ mission and objectives.

Reporting Responsibilities

• Work with the MEL team to ensure that monitoring data and carbon verification data are being properly collected and submitted to HQ through MEL systems and other relevant channels.
• Collate and review all reporting data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Submit all programmatic reporting requirements to the Country Director in a timely manner.

Administrative Responsibilities

• Ensure that TREES country program activities, processes, and staff adhere to both local laws and organizational policies.
• Plan and organize workshops, travel, conferences, meetings, and other ad-hoc events among others.

Candidate Profile ("Who You Are")

TREES seeks candidates who embody the following characteristics:

• Enthusiastic Advocate: Passionate about TREES’ mission and values. You center farmers in every decision, ensuring projects drive real impact for communities and the environment.
• Mission-Driven Agroforestry Professional: You are passionate about prioritizing the needs of small holder farmers in every decision.
• Experienced Carbon Project Manager: You have successfully translated carbon methodology requirements, program design, and investor needs into practical, on-the-ground actions and achieved positive outcomes.
• Operational Mastermind: You are skilled in managing large, complex programs and diverse teams across multiple counties with a strong track record of operational excellence, and scaling impact.
• Field Operations Guru: Your expertise in program implementation, field oversight, and supervising supports the day-to-day implementation of the TREES Forest Garden Approach.
• Data-Driven Leader: You are proficient in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, skilled at tracking performance indicators, compiling reports, and supporting data collection for adaptive learning.
• Team Manager Extraordinaire: You are an intentional motivator who builds trust, empowers others, and drives high performance, with deep expertise in achieving transformation through impactful programs.
• Natural Relationship Builder: Effective in stakeholder engagement and representation, capable of representing TREES in various forums, building strong relationships with local stakeholders, and ensuring community engagement and support.

Requirements

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, environmental science or related area.
• A Bachelor’s degree in any of the above courses or a related field.
• At least Ten years in a full-time relevant position which included:
  • Managing a large team across multiple regions;
  • Project, budget and staff management in agroforestry, agriculture or natural resource management;
  • Interfacing and networking with government, international and local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and community representatives.
• Experience in implementing carbon projects is a huge plus.