WHO WE ARE 

At Trees for the Future (TREES), we believe farmers have the power to transform the world. For over 30 years, we’ve been a global leader in agroforestry training, partnering with farming families to build vibrant economies, sustainable food systems, and thriving ecosystems. Through our signature Forest Garden Approach—a proven nature-based solution—farmers restore their land, plant thousands of trees, and grow diverse crops, breaking cycles of climate change and generational poverty. By reclaiming their agency, farmers are creating new possibilities for their families, communities, and the environment. Active in Uganda, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Kenya, TREES has planted over 350 million trees to date. Joining our passionate, collaborative team means empowering farmers to lead lasting change for people and the planet.  

In Uganda, we are transforming landscapes and livelihoods across the Lake Victoria Watershed in the Eastern Region. With over 62 staff working on the ground, we collaborate with more than 7,000 farmers to implement the Forest Garden Approach. This initiative, in partnership with Catona Climate, is pending a Carbon Market verification, allowing farmers to benefit from carbon financing while restoring their land.  

Learn more at trees.org/LV carbon 

THE ROLE 

The GIS Analyst will support TREES’ Uganda Program by ensuring the accuracy and integrity of spatial data critical to the Forest Garden Projects. The role will be responsible for cleaning field data polygons, fixing invalid geometry, and correcting topological errors to meet the project design document, validation, verification, and reporting requirements of VERRA’s Verified Carbon Units (VCU) and CCB (Community Climate Biodiversity) Standards. The successful individual will be a detail-oriented and skilled GIS professional who ensures that polygon data is high-quality, accurate, and ready for carbon and biodiversity certification. The GIS Analyst reports to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Coordinator. 

RESPONSIBILITIES 

VM-0047 and Dynamic Baselining 

• Lead GIS preparations for VM-0047 compliance, including aligning geospatial data collection, analysis, and reporting processes with the methodology’s technical requirements. 
• Develop and manage spatial data workflows that support dynamic baseline development, including stratification of project areas, land cover classification, and generation of historical reference data using satellite imagery and remote sensing tools. 
• Support carbon quantification efforts by producing high-quality maps and geospatial datasets needed for baseline scenario modeling, leakage assessments, and monitoring of forest cover change. 
• Coordinate with internal teams and external consultants to ensure GIS data quality and documentation meets third-party verification and validation standards under VM-0047. 
• Design and implement GIS-based tools and dashboards that track geospatial performance indicators for the TREES Forest Garden Program and facilitate real-time decision-making. 
• Train MEL, field, and program staff on GIS protocols related to carbon project implementation, including area delineation, sampling design, and GPS/GIS data collection best practices. 

Polygon Data Cleaning and Quality Assurance 

• Conduct quality checks on approximately 7,000 polygons using Google Earth Pro and ArcGIS Pro. 
• Assess polygon sizes to ensure they fall within the specified range (0.25 - 1.50 hectares). 
• Review polygon shapes to align with boundaries depicted on the best available maps, correcting irregular shapes such as kinks and slivers. 
• Verify that polygons do not overlay water bodies, forests, or protected areas. 
• Perform topology checks to ensure no overlapping polygons and correct spatial relationships. 
• Confirm accurate placement of polygons in their rightful locations based on base maps. 
• Note the presence of homesteads within polygons and adjust as necessary. 
• Adjust polygons with over 10% tree cover to exclude trees or move the Forest Garden to suitable areas. 

Data Tracking and Reporting 

• Use Microsoft Excel to log all inspected polygons, their status, and necessary actions. 
• Report issues using structured formats including completion confirmation, status indicators (e.g., OK, need editing, need retaking), and additional comments. 
• Track follow-up actions within Excel, maintaining a centralized record of all revisions and resolutions. 
• Recalculate project areas to reflect accurate polygon data post-editing. 

Follow-up and Resolution 

• Collaborate with the Programs Team at HQ and the Ugandan MEL Team for follow-up procedures. 
• Make edits using ArcGIS Pro to ensure precision and accuracy. 
• Participate in team meetings and progress assessments to ensure alignment on targets. 

Adherence to Timelines 

• Work towards the target completion date with flexibility for adjustments as needed. 
• Ensure the finalized polygon dataset is delivered by the specified deadline. 

WHO YOU ARE   

• An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission and values. You are passionate about improving livelihoods through agroforestry. You center farmers in every decision, ensuring projects drive real impact for communities and the environment. 
• A technical authority in GIS: You are an expert in geospatial data management, leveraging tools like ArcGIS Pro and Google Earth Pro for advanced spatial analysis, workflow automation, and remote sensing applications. 
• Compliance-focused quality control: Your keen eye for detail ensures every dataset, from dynamic baselines to polygon quality checks, meets rigorous third-party verification standards. 
• A track record of innovative solutions: You don't just follow procedures; you build them. You have experience developing custom GIS tools and dashboards that improve program performance and facilitate data-driven decisions. 
• A collaborative educator: You possess a talent for training and empowering field and program staff on technical GIS protocols, fostering a culture of data quality and best practices. 
• A strong collaborator: You excel at coordinating with diverse teams and external consultants, effectively communicating technical information to ensure project alignment and success. 

REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in GIS, geography, environmental science, or a related field. 
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in GIS data collection, management, analysis, and reporting. 
• Proficiency in GIS software, particularly ArcGIS Pro and Google Earth Pro. 
• Experience implementing quality assurance and control for GIS field data collection. 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to identify and correct data errors. 
• Effective communication skills for reporting issues and collaborating with diverse project teams. 

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 

Employment in this position will be a one (1) year renewable contract (with three months’ probation period) subject to availability of funds and continued existence of the position.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS 

TREES is an International Organization that strives to be the best home for staff wanting to make an impact on the farmers we serve. We believe that the diversity of our staff contributes to excellence. TREES values collaboration and teamwork that fosters increased engagement and innovation for professional growth.   

We offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with a competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, workers' compensation, and substantial paid time off, including annual leave and sick leave.  

APPLY  

If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply with 1) a cover letter that explains why TREES’ work excites you and why this role is a fit for you, and 2) your resume by September 29^th, 2025. Ensure both documents are shared as PDF or Word documents. We review applications on a rolling basis.   

Trees for the Future is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or other characteristics or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.   

We embrace and value diverse skill sets and backgrounds. We are a community of leaders who are proud to represent many different nationals, racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religious, gender, and other identities. Our diversity as a community is our strength, driving our ability to be empathetic, visionary, and effective leaders.  

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.