Community forestry Trainer/ Forestry Field Technician 1 Male, 1 Female

The Organization for Relief Development (ORD) is a national non-governmental organization established in 2010 and registered with the Ministry of Economy of Afghanistan. With more than 16 years of experience, ORD has successfully implemented over 113 humanitarian and development projects across all 34 provinces of Afghanistan in partnership with UN agencies, international donors, and development organizations.

ORD is committed to promoting sustainable livelihoods, social inclusion, resilience, and economic empowerment for vulnerable communities, particularly women, youth, and marginalized groups.

1. Community Forestry and NRM Training

• Conduct practical and participatory training sessions for community members, FMCs, and beneficiaries on forestry and natural resource management.
• Deliver training on tree planting, nursery management, site preparation, plantation techniques, tree care, protection, and maintenance.
• Provide practical orientation on ANR, enrichment planting, and sustainable forest management practices.
• Support community awareness on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable use of natural resources.
• Adapt training approaches and materials to local literacy, cultural, and gender considerations.

2. Forestry Site Preparation and Plantation Support

• Support identification and verification of suitable plantation sites in coordination with the Forestry/NRM Specialist and communities.
• Assist with site preparation, including pit digging, soil conditioning, trenching, and micro-catchment development.
• Provide technical guidance to communities on proper planting methods, spacing, species selection, and initial tree care.
• Supervise community/Cash-for-Work workers during plantation activities and ensure work is implemented according to technical specifications.
• Support the use of suitable climate-resilient and locally appropriate tree species.

3. Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR)

• Support identification and establishment of suitable ANR sites.
• Train communities on ANR techniques, including protection of natural regeneration and management of competing vegetation.
• Support enrichment planting where required.
• Monitor ANR sites and report progress, challenges, and required corrective actions.

4. Rangeland Rehabilitation and Management

• Support implementation of rangeland reseeding, and other rehabilitation activities.
• Provide practical training on sustainable grazing, rotational grazing, rangeland protection, and vegetation management.
• Assist communities in establishing and maintaining rangeland protection measures.
• Monitor vegetation recovery, grazing practices, and condition of rehabilitation sites.
• Support integration of rangeland rehabilitation with relevant livelihood and fodder-production activities.

5. Forestry Management Committee (FMC) Strengthening

• Support the establishment, strengthening, and effective functioning of FMCs.
• Facilitate training for FMC members on community forestry, resource protection, governance, monitoring, and conflict-sensitive natural resource management.
• Support FMCs to develop community responsibilities and arrangements for protection and maintenance of restoration sites.
• Encourage meaningful participation of women and vulnerable community members in appropriate forestry and NRM activities.

6. Soil and Water Conservation Support

• Provide field-level technical support for soil and water conservation measures such as trenches, bunds, and micro-catchments.
• Ensure conservation measures are implemented according to approved technical designs and site conditions.
• Promote moisture conservation and erosion-control practices within forestry and rangeland restoration sites.
• Monitor completed works and identify maintenance requirements.

7. Field Monitoring and Survival Tracking

• Conduct regular field visits to monitor plantation, ANR, rangeland, and soil and water conservation activities.
• Monitor tree survival, growth, protection, and maintenance at established plantation sites.
• Maintain field records of planted trees, restoration sites, community participation, and rehabilitation activities.
• Identify poor-performing sites and recommend replacement planting, additional protection, or other corrective measures.
• Collect GPS coordinates, photographs, attendance records, and other required field evidence where applicable.

8. Community Mobilization and Participation

• Work with community structures and mobilization teams to ensure active community participation in forestry and NRM activities.
• Conduct awareness sessions on project objectives, beneficiary responsibilities, environmental protection, and sustainability.
• Support transparent and inclusive participation in community-based restoration activities.
• Coordinate with community leaders and FMCs to address field-level challenges and maintain community ownership.

9. Gender and Social Inclusion

• Facilitate the participation of women, vulnerable groups, youth, and other marginalized community members in forestry and NRM training and activities.
• For the female position, lead or support engagement and training with women in culturally appropriate settings.
• Ensure training schedules, locations, and approaches are appropriate and accessible to intended participants.
• Monitor participation and provide feedback on barriers affecting women's and vulnerable groups' engagement.

10. Technical Quality Assurance

• Ensure forestry and rangeland activities comply with approved technical plans, specifications, and implementation procedures.
• Check the quality of seedlings, planting activities, site preparation, protection measures, reseeding, and restoration works.
• Immediately report technical problems, environmental concerns, or implementation deviations to the Forestry/NRM Specialist.
• Support corrective actions and follow-up on identified issues.

11. Documentation and Reporting

• Prepare regular field activity reports and contribute to project progress and milestone reports.
• Maintain training attendance sheets, field monitoring checklists, GPS records, photographs, and other supporting documentation.
• Document challenges, lessons learned, good practices, and success stories from community forestry and NRM activities.
• Provide timely field information to the Forestry/NRM Specialist and M&E/Reporting Officer.

Expected Deliverables

• Community forestry and NRM training sessions successfully delivered with complete attendance and training documentation.
• FMC capacity-building and strengthening activities supported and documented.
• Plantation and ANR activities technically supported and regularly monitored.
• Rangeland reseeding, exclosure, and rehabilitation activities supported and documented.
• Soil and water conservation activities monitored for quality and functionality.
• Plantation survival and restoration-site monitoring records maintained.
• GPS-tagged field records and photographic evidence collected where required.
• Regular field monitoring and activity reports submitted.
• Technical issues and corrective actions identified and followed up.
• Contributions provided to milestone, completion, and final project reports.
• Community participation and gender-inclusive engagement documented.

Education

• Minimum Bachelor's degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, Rural Development, or a related discipline.
• Additional training or certification in forestry, NRM, ecosystem restoration, rangeland management, or community-based natural resource management is an advantage.

Professional Experience

• At least 3 years of relevant professional experience in agriculture, forestry, natural resource management, rural development, or related fields, consistent with the CFP requirement.
• Demonstrated experience in community-based forestry, plantation, ANR, rangeland management, environmental restoration, or similar field activities is preferred.
• Practical experience in community training, facilitation, and capacity building.
• Experience working with community institutions, FMCs, farmer groups, or other community-based organizations is an advantage.
• Experience in field monitoring, data collection, documentation, and reporting.

Technical & Computer Skills

• Good knowledge of basic forestry, plantation, tree establishment, ANR, rangeland rehabilitation, and soil and water conservation practices.
• Ability to conduct practical field demonstrations and community-based training.
• Ability to use smartphones and digital data-collection tools for field monitoring.
• Basic knowledge of GPS/GIS applications is an advantage.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to prepare clear field reports and maintain accurate records.

Languages

• Fluency in Pashto and Dari is required.
• Basic or working knowledge of English is an advantage; the CFP requires key personnel to be able to prepare concise and analytical reports in English.

Core Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Good facilitation and community training skills.
• Ability to work effectively with rural and diverse communities.
• Gender-sensitive and culturally appropriate approach.
• Strong teamwork and coordination skills.
• Ability to work in remote and challenging field environments.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Flexible, proactive, and responsive to changing field conditions.
• Commitment to environmental sustainability, community ownership, and quality implementation.

Subject: Community Forestry Trainer / Forestry Field Technician – ORD-AF-26-04

Interested candidates are requested to submit their CV and Cover Letter through the email address provided below. The email subject line should be: Vacancy Number.
Recruitment will be based on project approval 
Only candidates who are residents of Badakhshan Province are eligible to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for the next step of the recruitment process.

Recruitment will be based on project approval and approved staffing requirements. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a written test, interview, and competency-based assessment.

Complaints: Please report any concerns through the official ORD Complaint System.

Email/Application: jobs@ord.org.af