Job at African Forest Forum: Programme Officer

The African Forest Forum (AFF) is an association of individuals who share the pursuit and commitment to the sustainable management, use and conservation of the forest and tree resources of Africa for the betterment of the socio-economic wellbeing of its people and for the stability and improvement of its environment.

The purpose of AFF is to provide a platform and create an enabling environment for independent and objective analysis, advocacy and advice on all relevant policy and technical issues pertaining to achieving sustainable management, use and conservation of Africa’s forest and tree resources as part of efforts to reduce poverty, protect the environment and promote economic and social development.

The position

The African Forest Forum is recruiting for the position of a Programme Officer to be based at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya, reporting directly to the Executive Secretary.

Duties and responsibilities
Provide leadership in some AFF activities
In collaboration with the Senior Programmes Officer and the Executive Secretary, prepare key position papers for the AFF
In collaboration with the Senior Programmes Officer and the Executive Secretary, monitor and report progress on AFF activities.
Organise AFF workshops, seminars and meetings.
Prepare reports (technical and otherwise) of workshops, seminars and other project meetings.
Facilitate/support participants to workshops, meetings and other project gatherings to meet the goals of such meetings.
Work closely with the Senior Programmes Officer to disseminate widely the outcomes of AFF projects/activities.
In collaboration with the Senior Programmes Officer, establish and maintain the AFF database.
In collaboration with the Senior Programmes Officer, prepare publicity material for the AFF, including the AFF Newsletter
Identify relevant information for and update the AFF website
Assist the Executive Secretary on any other duties and responsibilities (financial, administrative or technical) as may be directed.

Minimum qualifications and skills
Masters degree in forestry, environment or natural resources management plus a minimum of 5 years of post masters experience; or Ph D degree plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant post-PhD experience;
Must have the capacity and experience in leadership, management and forest science;
Must be a good team player;
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English or French and working knowledge of the other.

Terms of offer

AFF and ICRAF are equal opportunity employers and offer a collegial and gender-sensitive working environment. The position is on international terms and offers an attractive package.

The appointment will be for an initial period of two years, beginning April/May 2009, with potential for extension subject to performance and availability of resources.

Applicants are invited to send a cover letter illustrating their suitability for the above position against the listed qualifications, competencies, skills together witha detailed curriculum vitae, including names and addresses of three referees.

All correspondence should be addressed to the

Human Resources Unit,

World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF),

P.O. Box 30677,

Nairobi, Kenya

OR via email: icrafhru @ cgiar.org.

Applications will be considered until 15th April 2009 and should indicate “Application for a Programme Officer” on their application letters and email submissions.

Only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.