Position Title:             Community Based Extension Workers (02 positions).

Reports to:                  Project Officers

Location:                    Terego and Yumbe, Uganda.

Contract Type:          Temporary.

About ECO

Ecological Christian Organization (ECO) is a national, non-partisan, Non-Governmental Organization legally registered in Uganda under registration (number S.5914/5509). The head offices are located on Plot 2140, Old Kira Road, Bukoto Kampala-Uganda. The organization aims to improve the quality of life and sustainable livelihoods of the vulnerable groups in Uganda while building a sustainable future. Find out more at www.ecouganda.org

About the Project

The Ecological Christian Organisation (ECO) working in collaboration with the Uganda Biodiversity Fund (UBF), Nature Uganda (NU) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is implementing a 4-year European Union funded project titled ‘Restoring and Conserving degraded fragile ecosystems for improved Community Livelihoods among the Refugee and Host Communities of West Nile Region and the mid-Albertine Rift.’ The project aims to improve livelihoods and ecosystems resilience to impacts of refugees and climate change in refugee hosting landscapes in the above-mentioned areas. ECO is implementing its component of the project in the districts of Terego and Yumbe in West Nile where its undertaking interventions on: Agro-forestry/Sustainable Land Management, climate smart agriculture, woodlot establishment, capacity building of project stakeholders, and restoration of woodlands in pursuit of the overall objective. This project requires the necessary support in terms of relevant personnel who will expedite and facilitate its smooth implementation.

Job Summary: Community-Based Extension Workers (CBEWs) will work under the supervision of the Project Officer, agronomist and other technical staff within ECO to provide environmental, forestry, Climate Change and agricultural related extension services to project beneficiaries in the communities; bridge the communication gap between ECO and the farmers in areas with poor mobile network and ensure effective on-site implementation of project activities.

The CBEWs will be based in their respective districts of the Project area as listed below:

1. Yumbe District (01 Vacancy), covering Drajini and Kuru Sub-counties.
2. Terego District (01 Vacancy), covering Odupi, Omugo, Uriama and Bileafe Sub-counties.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Community-Based Extension Workers (CBEWs) will implement community-based monitoring programs in consultation with the Project Officers. Specifically, the CBEWs will;

1. Act as a community liaison between ECO and frontline communities.
2. Collect relevant and up-to-date data on project implementation in liaison with the Project Officer.
3. Undertake community awareness and sensitization meetings, promote local-level woodland restoration and tree planting activities.
4. Work with the Project Officer to identify sites and map them for woodland restoration and afforestation or woodlot establishment.
5. Support establishment of demonstrations on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA), Agroforestry and other Sustainable Land Management practices where other community members can strategically learn.
6. Follow up the performance of established demonstrations on project interventions.
7. Support in training of participants and other interested persons in project interventions.
8. Conduct routine checks on project activities for data collection.
9. Represent ECO whenever called upon at various community meetings and other stakeholder involvements such as technical planning meetings at the sub-county level, community meetings, and any other functions.
10. Organize meetings to share experiences and potential issues with Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA), Agroforestry and Sustainable Land Management practices in the assigned locations.
11. Provide a timely, monthly written report of the undertaken activities to the Project Officers.
12. Keep and have safe custody of all-field items and documents allocated to him/her.
13. Perform any other official duties assigned by the supervisor from time to time.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

1. The ideal candidates for these job placements should hold at least a minimum of a certificate or diploma in Agricultural Extension, Forestry or Conservation, natural resource governance and other related disciplines.
2. Knowledge and experience in NGO and community works, and or working with a government agency/ or district authorities.
3. Basic knowledge in the use of computers or smartphones, and other data collections tools.

Personal Attributes

1. Ability to work in a multicultural diverse environment and under pressure.
2. Demonstrated ability to adhere to strict confidentiality involving internal/ external information.
3. Ability to plan, manage and follow through assignments and communicate at all levels of the organization in a timely and professional manner.
4. Fluent and excellent verbal and written proficiency in English and at least one local language widely used in project area i.e., Lugbara, Aringa, Kiswahili and Ma’di.
5. Clear knowledge of the named Sub- Counties and District.

How to apply

The deadline for submission is Tuesday 28^th February, 2023 at 5:00 pm Ugandan time.

Interested candidates should email a cover letter, curriculum vitae in English (we entertain even handwritten ones) and scan/photo of diplomas/certificates to info@ecouganda.org and copy to prossy.tibulya@ecouganda.org, stating the position title in the subject line of the email as “Community-Based Extension Workers (CBEWs) + District of your Origin)        OR

Hand-deliver it to ECO-Arua Office in Arua city to the attention of Ronald Anguonzi the project agronomist west Nile.

N.B: All applications should include at least a reference from Village LC 1, III or S/C chief and or academic mentor.

ECO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.