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 Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda, 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 Kenya, we are transforming landscapes and livelihoods across the Lake Victoria Watershed in three key regions. With over 160 staff working on the ground, we collaborate with more than 20,000 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/lvcarbon. 

THE ROLE  

The Field Operations Manager (FOM) will support the implementation of Trees for the Future’s Forest Garden Approach (FGA) by providing operational oversight, technical guidance, and team coordination across project areas in Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisumu. The FOM works closely with Project Managers, Project Officers, Assistant Project Officers, Interns and Lead Farmers to ensure quality, timely, and impactful program execution aligned with TREES' mission and Investor expectations. The Field Operations Manager will be based in HomaBay and report to the Senior Field Operations Manager.

RESPONSIBILITIES  

Operations and Compliance 

• Input Distribution & Accountability: Ensure timely input delivery to farmers through cluster-based plans, mobile tracking tools, verified sign-offs, weekly alignment with work plans, and dashboards that monitor usage versus distribution. 
• TREES Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Adherence: Ensure consistent and high-quality field operations by integrating TREES SOPs into staff training and capacity building, conducting systematic compliance audits using tailored tools, analyzing adherence trends through site-level dashboards, and executing corrective actions with clear timelines to address any procedural gaps or deviations. 
• Procurement Planning & Logistics: Work with the procurement team to forecast input needs, manage a centralized requisition and delivery calendar, vet suppliers for reliability, align deliveries with field schedules, and evaluate vendor performance through feedback systems. 

Program Implementation and Field Oversight 

• Review weekly and monthly work plans, ensuring they reflect seasonal priorities and numeric targets (e.g. tree planting counts, plot preparation milestones). 
• Conduct routine site visits to assess adherence to protocols and offer in-field coaching. 
• Troubleshoot operational challenges and elevate critical issues to senior leadership when necessary. 
• Coordinate with Project Managers, Field Officers, and Lead Farmers in identifying gaps and providing technical support.  
• Facilitate cross-learning forums to share best practices and challenges within field teams. 
• Ensure clear documentation and tracking of farmer outreach, training sessions, follow-ups, and any other project-related activities. 
• Support Field Officers in managing lead farmer networks effectively, strengthening peer-to-peer learning and farmer engagement. 
• Conduct quarterly reviews of field activities to identify underperforming areas or missed targets. 
• Offer tailored training and materials to address knowledge or skill gaps among field staff. 
• Lead mid-season assessments to recalibrate work plans based on weather shifts, germination rates, or farmer participation levels. 
• Document recurring issues and feed insights into strategic planning and process improvement loops.  

Align Field Activities with Project and Investor Goals 

• Translate high-level project KPIs and investor expectations into actionable field targets. 
• Ensure timely reporting on carbon sequestration metrics, tree survival rates, and farmer engagement indicators. 
• Provide monthly summaries that map field progress to strategic milestones, aiding in transparent donor updates. 
• Flag deviations early and recommend corrective actions that maintain alignment with program outcomes.  

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting 

• Track performance indicators and success stories by maintaining dashboards that reflect key indicators like tree survival rate, carbon yield, farmer adoption rate, and training coverage. 
• Ensure field teams consistently update numeric metrics to feed into centralized tracking systems. 
• Identify high-performing sites or individuals and document success stories for internal learning and external visibility, alongside the Marketing and Communications Team. 
• Compile weekly to annual reports by generating structured weekly summaries that highlight progress against site-level targets, flagging gaps, and corrective actions. 
• Coordinate across departments and various teams (Programs, MEL, Carbon, Technical, Training, Field and Communications) to ensure alignment and consistency in data collection, reporting formats and delivery timelines. 
• Train field officers on best practices in data gathering, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. 
• Conduct data audits periodically to validate field submissions and correct discrepancies. 
• Facilitate quarterly learning reviews that use data insights to adjust training modules, field targets, and operational protocols.  

Team Management and Capacity Building 

• Mentor field staff and Lead Farmers by providing one-on-one and group mentorship sessions focused on technical agroforestry skills, leadership development, and communication strategies. 
• Foster a growth-oriented culture by offering constructive feedback, celebrating performance, and guiding professional development plans. 
• Support Lead Farmers in becoming community change agents through tailored capacity-building initiatives and continued coaching. 
• Create peer exchange opportunities across project sites to encourage shared learning, collaboration, and innovation. 
• Facilitate planning and reflection meetings by conducting structured planning sessions with field teams to align seasonal activities, numeric targets, and implementation timelines. 
• Encourage participatory dialogue and inclusive decision-making to strengthen team ownership and local relevance. 
• Liaise with the training department in conducting Training of Trainers (ToT) sessions for Field Officers to cascade technical knowledge effectively and systematically monitor post-training implementation to evaluate knowledge uptake, skill application, and overall farmer satisfaction. 
• Continuously refine training content based on seasonal shifts, community needs, and adaptive learning insights.  

Stakeholder Engagement and Representation 

• Ensure community engagement and buy-in by leading participatory community sensitization campaigns that demystify program goals and foster enthusiasm around Forest Garden and carbon benefits. 
• Engage farmer groups and local leaders in site selection, seasonal planning, and feedback loops to strengthen co-ownership. 
• Monitor community perceptions and adoption trends through periodic assessments and informal dialogues. 
• Design inclusive engagement strategies that consider gender dynamics, youth participation, and marginalized groups. 
• Cultivate trust-based relationships with local government officials, extension officers, community leaders, and relevant institutions. 
• Establish collaborative linkages with research bodies, local NGOs, and county technical working groups to enhance synergies and reduce duplication. 
• Address stakeholder feedback proactively and incorporate relevant insights into operational adjustments or advocacy messaging. 
• Provide technical updates and field-level insights that align TREES' interventions with county environmental and agricultural strategies. 
• Track county-level resolutions and ensure TREES field operations respond to emerging priorities or regulatory changes.  

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 mission-driven agroforestry professional. You are passionate about prioritizing the needs of farmers in every decision, ensuring that projects lead to tangible benefits for communities and the environment. 
• A field operations guru. You are skilled in program implementation and field oversight, with the ability to supervise and support the day-to-day implementation of TREES’ Forest Garden Approach. 
• A data-driven leader. You are proficient in monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, adept at tracking performance indicators, compiling reports, and supporting data collection for adaptive learning. 
• You are a team manager extraordinaire. You’re experienced in team management and capacity building, capable of mentoring field staff and lead farmers, facilitating meetings, and providing training to enhance skills. 
• You are a natural relationship builder. You’re effective in stakeholder engagement and representation, with the ability to represent TREES in various forums, build strong relationships with local stakeholders, and ensure community engagement and support.  

REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Agroforestry, Environmental Science, or related field.  
• Minimum 5 years in field projects, 2 in a supervisory role. Experience in agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, and donor reporting.  
• Knowledge and context of working in Migori, Homa Bay, and Kisumu. 
• Strong leadership, coordination, and organization skills.  
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.  
• Proficient in MS Office and digital tools.  
• Fluent in English and Kiswahili; local languages are a plus.  
• Willingness to travel extensively and work in rural areas. 

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 July 25th, 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 national, 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.