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Appropriate Technology Officer

Organization: Community Forests Pemba

Location: Zanzibar City, Unguja, Zanzibar Tanzania

Community Forests Pemba (CFP) is a Tanzanian non-governmental organization founded and headquartered on Pemba Island, Zanzibar which has been working with local partners and its international sister organization, Community Forests International (Community Forests), since 2008 to advance shared goals of social, economic, and ecological prosperity. Together we have planted over 3 million trees, innovated several new climate-smart community enterprises, and demonstrated that the best solutions come directly from the people who need them most.

Community Forests and CFP are collaborating with a variety of stakeholders to implement the Global Affairs Canada Funded ‘Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation Project (ZanzAdapt)” Project. The project will improve gender equality and nature-based climate adaptation capacity in vulnerable coastal communities on Pemba and Unguja Islands, Zanzibar. Project outputs will primarily benefit women and their households and communities through regenerative livelihood actions that increase ecological, social, and economic resilience to climate change.

Job Summary

The Appropriate Technology Officer will play a crucial role in supporting women access materials, training, and coaching to support agroforestry and mangrove conservation livelihoods. They will work closely with expert field staff to support women-led, nature-based enterprise efforts by improving access of beneficiaries to appropriate physical resources and technologies, training, and technical backstopping. In addition to supporting women individually, the Appropriate Technology Officer will work in service of community groups and producer networks to support the planning, development, and oversee refurbishment and construction of post-harvest and value-addition facilities. Based full-time on Unguja Island, Zanzibar, the Appropriate Technology Officer will join a dynamic team of local and international staff to implement the Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation (ZanzAdapt) project funded by Global Affairs Canada. The project aims to improve gender equality and nature-based climate adaptation capacity in vulnerable coastal communities on Pemba and Unguja Islands, Zanzibar.

Responsibilities

Gender-Responsive Physical Resource & Appropriate Technology Activities

  • Work collaboratively to accomplish various goals of Community Forests Pemba and the ZanzAdapt project under the direction of the ZanzADAPT Unguja Zone Operations Manager, ZanzADAPT Operations Director, and other management staff.
  • Work closely with management, operations and field staff and target beneficiaries to support planning, procurement, delivery and proper use of appropriate technologies and physical resources provided to beneficiaries to support their climate-adaptive agroforestry and mangrove forest livelihood activities.
  • Conduct needs & opportunities assessment for refurbishment and/or enhancement of cooperative post-harvest and value-addition facilities and undertake implementation plans & budgets for facilities in close collaboration with CFP management.
  • Oversee new construction and facility improvements to cooperative post-harvest and value-addition centers in close collaboration with CFP management.
  • Report directly to the CFP Executive Director and CFP Senior Financial Manager on issues related to procurement and physical resources.
  • Work as a key liaison between field staff and management, especially with the CFP Senior Financial Manager, to identify and evaluate physical resources (e.g. agroforestry materials) that field staff want to procure and provide to beneficiaries. Furthermore, provide careful evaluation of the quality and appropriateness of procured materials as well as follow up support to beneficiaries to ensure physical resources are used and maintained properly.
  • Work closely with the ZanzAdapt Monitoring & Evaluation department on issues of field follow up and evaluation regarding physical resources and appropriate technology distribution and use including data collection and reporting.
  • Participate fully in gender equality training and other professional development opportunities including skill building in climate-adaptive agroforestry as well as participatory gender justice strategies for the ZanzAdapt project and CFP in general.
  • Serve as an active member on various CFP task forces to further the overall goals of ZanzAdapt and other organization priorities as needed, even when it extends beyond your normal job description.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

  • Conduct pre-training baseline surveys with participants and continuous post-training participatory monitoring & evaluation of activities with participants and incorporate learnings into project refinements.
  • Develop activity concept notes and accompanying budgets needed to implement activities in line with activity development and procurement protocols on monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
  • Document and promote success stories in alignment with ZanzAdapt media gap analysis and strategy.
  • Develop and execute monthly and quarterly work plans in conjunction with other field staff and management.
  • Maintain activity tracking and develop quarterly reports on key program indicators, activity progress, and detailed lists of beneficiaries and groups engaged.

Key Performance Indicators

  • 4 cooperative post-harvest and value-addition facilities built or refurbished.
  • > 20% total agroforestry beneficiaries reporting improved access to appropriate post-harvest processing equipment or facilities.
  •  + 500 agroforestry beneficiaries provided with new access to gender-responsive physical resources or facilities for the implementation of climate-adaptive agroforestry occupations. 
  • Provide 1500 mangrove forest beneficiaries with access to gender-responsive physical resources and/or land governance rights for the implementation of nature-based climate solutions with biodiversity co-benefits by the end of the project
  • +80% of total mangrove forest beneficiaries (all women) are provided with physical resources

Experience

  • At least 3 years of demonstrated professional experience in working with local stakeholder and government engagement and community training.
  • Relevant degree(s) and/or certificates in agriculture, community development, project management, or related field.
  • Experience in designing and implementing community-based initiatives.
  • Experience in procurement
  • Experience in project management, especially related to construction
  • Familiarity with robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
  • Experience working with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and community members, and contractors
  • Experience working with gender-responsive approaches and understanding of women’s roles in natural resource management.
  • Experience working with coastal Islamic cultures and traditions.

Core Competencies

  • Collaboration – Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport and maintain relationships with diverse stakeholders to interpret the ideas, information, and needs of others.
  • Team Work – Working together in friendly way to achieve organization and project overall goals and objectives
  • Facilitation – Strong facilitation skills, with the ability to organize, lead, and motivate groups, deliver effective training, and foster collaboration and cooperation between multiple parties.
  • Communication – Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to effectively communicate with diverse stakeholders with clear and accurate language.
  • Problem-solving – The capacity to identify challenges, develop creative solutions, and make informed decisions.
  • Attention to Detail – A keen eye for accuracy, ensuring that data is accurate, well-considered, and complete.
  • Accountability – Holds self and others accountable for all decisions and interpersonal relationships while following through on commitments and focusing on those activities that have the greatest positive impact.

Technical Skills

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite and other relevant software for data analysis and reporting.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili
  • Familiarity with online collaboration tools like Google workspace and Zoom
  • Technical expertise in horticulture, engineering, gender-equity approaches, and/or mangrove ecosystem restoration and conservation is an asset.

Application Details

Community Forests Pemba is seeking to fill one (1) full-time permanent position. The successful candidate will be stationed at CFP’s office in Mombasa, Zanzibar City, Unguja. The position will be remunerated based on 40 hours per week with 28 days paid vacation and organization health benefits. Compensation will be determined based on the candidate’s experience and level. Periodic travel will be required between offices. Occasional travel outside these working areas may also be required. Project-related travel and necessary equipment will be provided by the project.

Please email your resume and a cover letter with the subject line “Appropriate Technology Officer” to jobs@forestsinternational.org. The deadline for application submission is January 1st 2026 at midnight EAT. This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is hired. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.