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Job Title:   Project Officer, Ecosystem Health

Organisation: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)

Duty Station:  Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Project Manager

About the Company:

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is one of the largest independent conservation organizations in the world. We are an international NGO committed to environmental protection active in almost 100 countries. WWF has a growing conservation Programme in the Republic of Uganda. WWF Uganda Country Office (WWF UCO) works with central and local government agencies, private sector, civil society organizations (CSOs) and the local communities to implement its various conservation programmes on Energy and Climate, Forestry and Wildlife, and Freshwater in Uganda.

Job Summary:   The Project Officer, Ecosystem Health will contribute to the implementation of the One Health project according to agreed objectives and time scale. She/he will work towards sustaining existing partnerships with the project partners and with local partners composed of civil society actors, the private sector and the government at the relevant administrative levels. She/he will draft terms of reference, follows work plans and implements the project activities, supervise external consultants, follow the progress of project partners and monitor expenses. The Project Officer will work with the Project Manager for project related relations with public institutions, communications and administration related tasks.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:   In this regard, the Project Officer Ecosystems Health will:

• Work with the project team to implement project activities as per the work plan.
• Support beneficiary groups in developing quarterly/monthly and weekly work plans.
• Support capacity strengthening and awareness raising about the project among beneficiary communities
• Ensure that WWF UCO implementing partners mainstream the WWF social policies on gender, human rights, inclusion of indigenous peoples, and poverty in their programmes.
• Support preparation, development and implementation of One Health (OH) plans with participation of all stakeholders.
• Carry out training of local work teams/groups/individual communities and farmers for adoption of conservation and OH initiatives such as sustainable forest, wildlife and water management standards, measures and practices.
• Participate in developing and implementation of training designs and modules, activity work plans and organize training programs from time to time in relation to the project implementation. Organize training sessions and exchange learning visits for farmers, counterparts and community members.
• Supervise the Planting of the trees by farmers while giving technical advisory service, plus post planting management.
• Ensure that project implementation is in line with the existing ESSF guidelines and standards.
• Assist the programme units in enrolment of beneficiaries to participate in project initiatives.
• Conduct baseline assessment on environmental parameters for OH monitoring including forestry, wildlife and water resources.
• Act as “ambassadors of conservation” within the local communities by advocating for conservation of Biodiversity, Forest, Wildlife and water resources.
• Provide a communication channel between the project and interest groups including Forest, Wildlife and Water resource user groups, local governments.
• Advise beneficiaries on appropriate OH measures.
• Offer support during the distribution of conservation materials to beneficiaries and maintain accurate records during supply, delivery and the entire distribution chain.
• Participate in providing training and awareness to focal points and communities on the project.
• Support the project to carry out accurate data gathering, processing, participate in timely analysis and reporting using standard scientific developed templates, tools, processes and systems.
• Write activity reports detailing activities conducted and submit reports to the programme staff periodically.
• Identify negative environmental impacts created by the project and propose appropriate mitigation measures in line with Landscape Mitigation Framework.
• Prepare appropriate, situational, monthly, quarterly progress reports on the project, in collaboration with local governments, Civil Society Organizations, local communities and project partners.
• Maintain and regularly update activity files and reports in the office
• Ensure timely accountability of activity funds.
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Water Resources Management, Ecology, Conservation Biology, Social and Entrepreneur Forestry, Agriculture, or a related field is required.
• Candidates must have strong technical knowledge of freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and water governance issues, with the ability to articulate the interlinkages between these components and the One Health concept.
• At least three years of experience implementing forest, wildlife, agroecology, and water conservation initiatives in the field is essential.
• The role requires a good understanding of people-centered conservation initiatives and experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, local governments, NGOs, and community groups.
• Candidates should be familiar with working alongside key national and local stakeholders, such as the Uganda Wildlife Authority, National Environment Management Authority, and Ministry of Water and Environment.
• Fluency in English (both written and oral) is required, with the ability to communicate effectively with local communities (knowledge of local languages is an advantage).
• Proficiency in standard office software, familiarity with GIS and remote sensing tools for spatial analysis and mapping, and skills in qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis are desirable.
• Experience working with international NGOs, government agencies, or research institutions is highly valued.
• Adherence to WWF’s values—Courage, Integrity, Respect, and Collaboration—is mandatory.

How to Apply:

Email an application cover letter, Curriculum Vitae and contact details of three (3) referees plus copies of academic qualifications (sent as one PDF document) clearly indicating “the job title” in the subject line to: recruitment@wwfuganda.org

Deadline: 18th January 2025

NB: Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply. Kindly note that due to the large volumes of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. WWF is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to having a diverse workforce

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