Field Operations Senior Manager

THE ROLE

The Field Operations Senior Manager will support the Director of Field Programs supervise, plan, develop, implement, and evaluate all aspects of Trees for the Future’s (TREES) Kenya field programs. The Field Operations Senior Manager is a key Program leader responsible for the operational success of the Lake Victoria Watershed Agroforestry Carbon Project using TREES Forest Garden Approach. This position reports to the Director of Field Programs and is based in Kisumu with extensive travel between the counties of Kisumu, Homa Bay, Migori and Siaya.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Program Implementation and Management

• Oversee the implementation of all country field programs, including project management, staff supervision, compliance with donor requirements, effective communication, resource management, and coordination to ensure timely program execution.
• Be responsible for the successful implementation and management of the Forest Garden Approach.
• Facilitate the identification, planning, and rollout of new TREES projects, including identifying new strategic locations and partners to develop initiatives in coordination with the Director of Field Programs.
• Monitor all projects to ensure they meet milestones, goals, scope, timeline, and budget, providing timely feedback to the Director of Field Programs.
• Communicate regularly and visit projects to ensure project effectiveness, identify farmers’ needs and requirements, and coordinate procurement preparation for all programs.

Budgeting, Procurement and Resource Management

• Coordinate the preparation of country program budgets, outline resource requirements and utilization, and present them to the Director of Field Programs for approval.
• Identify procurement needs for programs and work closely with the senior accountant to ensure timely procurement of items related to field country programs.

Training Technical Support and Capacity Building

• Work closely with the Training Department to enhance staff and partner capacity, establish training centers, and strengthen existing training and seed center.
• Ensure technical staff are trained in project methodologies, responsibilities, monitoring and evaluation, and expectations.
• Work closely with the seed bank to ensure high-quality tree seed collection, quality checks, germination tests, seed consolidation, and distribution to projects in a timely manner.
• Provide technical support and leadership to partners and communities implementing TREES’ partnership programs, ensuring compliance with standards, reporting, and timely delivery of activities.

Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

• Work closely with the ME&L coordinator and HQ Director to establish monitoring and evaluation schedules, training frameworks, and coordinate field data collection and MEL reports.
• Supervise the collation and review of all reporting data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
• Ensure technical staff, partners, and MEL data are properly collected and submitted to HQ through relevant systems and channels.

Partnerships and External Relations

• Under the guidance of the Director of Field Programs (DFP), establish and maintain positive relationships with relevant government offices, key stakeholders, and TREES partners at all levels in alignment with organizational goals and priorities.
• Attend and participate in relevant meetings, task forces, consortiums, and conferences relevant to TREES’ mission and objectives with the DFP’s concurrence.

Staff Supervision and Team Management

• Supervise all staff directly under the role as outlined in the organizational structure.
• Work with Program Managers and the HR team to hire qualified technical staff to establish and manage projects as needed.
• Work with the Human Resource Team to ensure a positive work environment, fostering growth and development for all employees while adhering to the TREES Employee Handbook.
• Ensure that staff adhere to organizational values and work respectfully with colleagues, partners, and farmers.

Reporting and Administrative Responsibilities

• Submit all programmatic reporting requirements to the DFP in a timely manner.
• With support from the DFP, ensure that TREES country program activities, processes, and staff adhere to both local laws and organizational policies.
• Plan and organize workshops, travel, conferences, meetings, and other ad-hoc events in coordination with the DFP.
• Manage field program contractual work and oversee the implementation of consultancies and specialized assignments within project scope, in liaison with the DFP.

WHO YOU ARE 

• An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission. You are passionate about improving livelihoods through agroforestry, ensuring that field programs drive real impact for farmers, communities, and the environment. 
• A strategic and empathetic leader. You foster a supportive and inclusive work environment, mentoring and empowering teams to deliver high-quality results. 
• Technically proficient in agroforestry and climate resilience. You have a deep understanding of sustainable agriculture, carbon offset projects, and farmer adaptation strategies. 
• An effective trainer and capacity builder. You are experienced in developing staff and partner skills, ensuring teams have the technical knowledge to implement programs successfully. 
• A data-driven decision-maker. You leverage monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks to track program impact, improve performance, and ensure accurate reporting. 
• A proactive and solutions-oriented problem solver. You anticipate challenges, adapt to evolving needs, and implement innovative solutions to drive continuous improvement. 
• A skilled relationship builder. You establish and maintain strong partnerships with government agencies, donors, and local communities to advance program goals. 
• An effective communicator in cross-cultural settings. You bring excellent verbal and written communication skills, tailoring your approach to resonate across diverse audiences. 

REQUIREMENTS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Agriculture, Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Studies, or a related field  
• At least six (6) years of full-time experience in a relevant field, that involved managing large teams across multiple regions, overseeing projects, budgets, and human capital, as well as engaging with various government entities and regulating authorities, NGOs, and local community representatives.  
• Fluency in both spoken and written English and/or Swahili, with proficiency in local languages.