Job Title: Appropriate Technology Officer

Location

Unguja Island, Zanzibar (based full-time)

Project Background

The Appropriate Technology Officer will join a dynamic team of local and international staff implementing the Zanzibar Women’s Leadership in Adaptation (ZanzAdapt) project, funded by Global Affairs Canada. The project aims to strengthen gender equality and nature-based climate adaptation capacity in vulnerable coastal communities on Pemba and Unguja Islands, Zanzibar.

Position Summary

The Appropriate Technology Officer plays a critical role in supporting women’s access to materials, training, coaching, and appropriate technologies that enable climate-adaptive agroforestry and mangrove conservation livelihoods. The role focuses on improving access to gender-responsive physical resources and overseeing the planning, refurbishment, and construction of post-harvest and value-addition facilities. The Officer works closely with expert field staff, management, and community groups to support women-led, nature-based enterprise development.

Key Responsibilities

1. Gender-Responsive Physical Resources & Appropriate Technology

• Work collaboratively under the direction of the ZanzAdapt Unguja Zone Operations Manager, ZanzAdapt Operations Director, and other management staff to achieve project objectives.
• Coordinate closely with management, operations, field staff, and beneficiaries to support planning, procurement, delivery, and appropriate use of technologies and physical resources for climate-adaptive agroforestry and mangrove livelihoods.
• Conduct needs and opportunities assessments for refurbishment or enhancement of cooperative post-harvest and value-addition facilities.
• Develop implementation plans and budgets for facility refurbishment and enhancement in collaboration with Community Forests Pemba (CFP) management.
• Oversee new construction and facility improvements for cooperative post-harvest and value-addition centers.

2. Project Management & Coordination

• Report directly to the CFP Executive Director and CFP Senior Financial Manager on procurement and physical resource matters.
• Serve as a key liaison between field staff and management, particularly the CFP Senior Financial Manager, to identify, assess, and evaluate physical resources for procurement.
• Ensure procured materials are of appropriate quality and suitability, and provide follow-up support to beneficiaries to ensure proper use and maintenance.
• Participate actively in CFP task forces and contribute to broader organizational priorities as required.

3. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Work closely with the ZanzAdapt Monitoring & Evaluation team on follow-up, evaluation, data collection, and reporting related to physical resources and appropriate technology use.
• Conduct baseline surveys prior to training activities and ongoing participatory monitoring and evaluation with beneficiaries.
• Integrate learning outcomes into project refinements and implementation improvements.
• Maintain detailed activity tracking and prepare quarterly reports on progress, indicators, and beneficiary engagement.

4. Planning, Reporting, and Communications

• Develop monthly, quarterly, and annual work plans in coordination with field staff and management.
• Prepare activity concept notes and corresponding budgets in line with organizational procurement and activity development protocols.
• Document and promote success stories aligned with the ZanzAdapt media strategy and gap analysis.

5. Capacity Building & Gender Equality

• Participate fully in gender equality training, professional development opportunities, and skills-building initiatives related to climate-adaptive agroforestry and participatory gender justice strategies.
• Promote gender-responsive approaches across all aspects of project implementation.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Four (4) cooperative post-harvest and value-addition facilities built or refurbished.
• More than 20% of agroforestry beneficiaries reporting improved access to appropriate post-harvest processing equipment or facilities.
• At least 500 agroforestry beneficiaries provided with new access to gender-responsive physical resources or facilities.
• 1,500 mangrove forest beneficiaries provided with access to gender-responsive physical resources and/or land governance rights for nature-based climate solutions.
• Over 80% of mangrove forest beneficiaries (all women) provided with physical resources.

Note: At least 80% of total beneficiaries must identify as women.

Qualifications & Abilities

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in community training, local stakeholder engagement, and government coordination.
• Demonstrated experience in community-based project design and implementation.
• Experience in procurement and construction-related project management.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Experience working with NGOs, government officials, contractors, and community members.
• Experience applying gender-responsive approaches and understanding women’s roles in natural resource management.
• Experience working within coastal Islamic cultural contexts.

Education

• Relevant degree and/or certification in agriculture, community development, project management, or a related field.

Core Competencies

• Collaboration: Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build effective working relationships.
• Teamwork: Ability to work cooperatively to achieve organizational and project objectives.
• Facilitation: Proven ability to organize, lead, and motivate groups and deliver effective training.
• Communication: Clear, accurate written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders.
• Problem Solving: Ability to identify challenges and develop practical, informed solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy, completeness, and quality.
• Accountability: Demonstrates responsibility, follow-through, and integrity in all tasks.

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and relevant data analysis and reporting tools.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Swahili.
• Familiarity with online collaboration platforms such as Google Workspace and Zoom.
• Technical expertise in horticulture, engineering, gender-equity approaches, and/or mangrove ecosystem restoration is an asset.

Compensation & Benefits

• Full-time permanent position (40 hours per week).
• 28 days of paid annual leave.
• Organizational health benefits.
• Compensation commensurate with experience and qualifications.
• Project-related travel and necessary equipment provided.

Duty Station & Travel

• Based at CFP’s office in Mombasa, Zanzibar City, Unguja.
• Periodic travel between offices and occasional travel outside the working areas as required.

Application Process

Interested candidates should submit a resume and cover letter with the subject line “Appropriate Technology Officer” to:

jobs@forestsinternational.org

Application Deadline: January 1st at midnight (EAT). The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.