Agroforestry Technical Advisor

Job description

WeForest

WeForest is an international non-profit organization dedicated to restoring forests and landscapes for climate, people, and the planet. With projects in Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi, Senegal, and Zambia, WeForest brings together a diverse team with a wide range of cultural and technical backgrounds. This diversity is a key strength, and fostering mutual respect and collaboration across different perspectives is essential to our mission. We promote scientifically grounded solutions that not only enhance carbon sequestration but also support water availability, biodiversity conservation, and rural livelihoods, ensuring sustainable and impactful ecosystem restoration.

Job purpose

The Agroforestry Technical Advisor will play a key role in ensuring the success and long-term sustainability of WeForest’s agroforestry interventions across multiple projects. Currently, 11 out of 18 active WeForest projects* include an agroforestry component; the advisor will help strengthen and consolidate these interventions. She/He will apply strong analytical skills and a flexible, context-driven approach to develop and refine agroforestry strategies that align with best practices while addressing project-specific challenges.

As part of the Global Support Team, the Technical Advisor will primarily focus on the Miombo Belt Regeneration Program (Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi), supporting project teams in designing, implementing, and improving agroforestry systems. Additionally, She/He will contribute to ensuring consistency in tools, processes, and technical approaches for agroforestry interventions across WeForest’s broader portfolio.

This role requires close collaboration with other Technical Advisors (Forestry, Livelihoods, M&E) and Country and Global Teams to strategically integrate agroforestry into WeForest’s forest and landscape restoration approach. The advisor will foster cross-learning, facilitate alignment between field implementation and WeForest’s global vision, and ultimately contribute to quality assurance across projects.

*The main Agroforestry System types adopted across these projects include cash crops/ fruit / timber species combined with multipurpose agroforestry trees aimed at improving soil fertility (eg. N-fixing), provision of fuelwood and.or fodder etc. All agroforestry systems are aimed at integrating conservation agriculture and climate-smart agriculture best practices.

Main Responsibilities

Technical Support: Oversee agroforestry implementation across the Miombo Belt Regeneration Program, identifying and addressing conceptual or execution gaps.
Adaptation of Best Practices: Apply technical expertise flexibly, ensuring that best practices are effectively tailored to on-the-ground realities.
Project Guidance & Facilitation: Lead and support inclusive discussions, fostering collaboration while empowering local project teams with structured feedback and clear follow-up guidance.
Broad Agroforestry Vision: Maintain a comprehensive understanding of agroforestry systems across WeForest projects by reviewing and.or elaborating reference documentation, methodologies, and processes. Ensure consistency and cross-learning through regular updates and knowledge sharing with other technical advisors.
Process & Standardization: Contribute to the development and refinement of tools, protocols, and methodologies to enhance consistency and effectiveness across projects.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Work with the MEL team to refine and evaluate logframe indicators, review project reports, and analyze the key results and impacts of agroforestry interventions.

This role requires an advisor who is both strategic and pragmatic, capable of providing expert guidance while fostering a supportive and empowering work environment.

Skills & Qualifications (Technical & Educational Background)

Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) in tropical agroforestry, agriculture, or forestry.
Minimum of five years of relevant experience working with rural smallholder farmers in tropical Africa (preferable Miombo woodlands).
Experience working with international organizations.
Fluent in English (spoken and written).
Desirable: Other regional languages from project landscapes (eg. Bemba, Kiswahili,Chichewa/Nyanja etc.)

All academic and professional certificates should be certified by the Zambia Qualification Authority (ZAQA)

A valid practicing certificate from a relevant professional body

Key Competencies & Skills (Technical & Soft Skills)

Analytical & Problem-Solving: Strong ability to assess agroforestry implementation and develop context-specific solutions.
Adaptability: Capacity to tailor best practices to diverse project realities, balancing technical rigor with practical feasibility.
Facilitation & Communication: Excellent skills in fostering a non-hierarchical, collaborative, and multicultural environment.
Leadership & Teamwork: Hands-on approach with the flexibility to lead when needed while ensuring teams retain ownership.
Project Oversight: Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, providing structured support while respecting local decision-making.
Reporting & Documentation: Strong ability to synthesize technical insights into clear and concise reports, ensuring accurate project tracking and knowledge dissemination.

Desirable:

Experience with budgets, work plans, MEL frameworks, logframes, training, presentations.
Knowledge of key agroforestry species in the Miombo forest belt or the capacity to identify the best species based on local project context.
Good understanding of risks related to IAS (Invasive Alien Species).
A productivity-focused vision for agroforestry, aimed at designing systems that are economically sustainable and provide short-term benefits for smallholder farmers – thereby fostering a positive perception of agroforestry and keeping farmers motivated to continue applying best management practices.

Supervision and Reporting Lines

The Agroforestry Technical Advisor will report to the Global Lead Technical Advisor. They will also work in close coordination with WeForest project teams, including Project Managers, Technical Advisors, and the MEL staff, ensuring alignment on technical aspects. Regular dialogue with WeForest project teams will be essential for maintaining a strong connection between global technical guidance and field implementation.

Terms & Conditions

–       Contract type: (WeForest Zambia) one year renewable to a multiyear contract based on performance

– Start date: ideally in June

– Location: Zambia (preferably in Lusaka or Ndola) with regular travels (approx 33 % working time) to visit agroforestry projects in Zambia (Copperbelt and Muchinga Provinces), Malawi (Southern Region) and Tanzania (Kigoma and Mara Regions).

*Current WeForest projects are located in Copperbelt Province (Zambia), Mulanje & Phalombe Districts (Malawi), and Kigoma & Mara Regions, Tanzania.

– Dedication: Full time

– Package: competitive package for a small NGO, with remuneration based on experience.

Application Procedure

Please send applications to recruitment.zambia@weforest.org with your CV, a motivation letter (maximum one page), and three recent references by 20th May, 2025.
Ensure the job title is mentioned in the subject of the email, and indicate where you saw the job post.
In your motivation letter, we encourage you to share what makes you interested in working with WeForest and how your experience aligns with the role.
Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. We thank you in advance for your interest.