Position: Forest Monitoring Officer
Location: Mwatate, Taita Taveta County
Shortlisting and Interview: On rolling basis
Contract Duration: One year renewable depending on performance and availability of funds
1. About Us
At Apalis Nature Limited, we are committed to creating a thriving and resilient natural environment across Kenya. Our mission is to advance climate and biodiversity action through innovative, nature-based solutions that contribute to global sustainability. We work in close partnership with local communities, government bodies, and a wide range of stakeholders to protect endangered species, restore vital habitats, and support sustainable livelihoods. Through collaboration and innovation, we strive to make a lasting positive impact on both people and the planet.
2. About the Role
Apalis Nature Ltd is seeking to hire a Forestry Monitoring Officer to lead the effective implementation and strategic oversight of project activities focused on reducing and removing carbon emissions through nature-based solutions. This role is critical in ensuring the integrity, impact, and scalability of our forestry initiatives by applying robust monitoring systems, data-driven insights, and adaptive management approaches.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
- Monitoring and reporting; designing and overseeing monitoring systems and protocols to track changes in forest and soil carbon stocks and emissions including collecting data on forest cover and biomass using remote sensing, field surveys and other techniques.
- Ensure that project activities comply with relevant standard, methodologies and guidelines for carbon project implementation.
- Coordinate with independent verifiers to verify and validate emission reductions achieved by the project.
- Engage with local communities and other stakeholders to gather input, share information and build consensus around project objectives and activities.
- In liaison with stakeholders, identify potential risks to the project area, carbon sequestration efforts, project monitoring activities such as data inaccuracies, technical challenges or changes in project scope or objectives and develop and implement strategies to mitigate the risks.
- Use monitoring data to inform and advise project management decision aimed at improving project effectiveness and maximizing carbon benefits.
- Maintain detailed records of project monitoring activities and data collection protocols including preparing regular progress reports for project implementation.
- Monitor the health and condition of soil and other vegetation in the project area.
- Use remote sensing, satellite imagery or ground-based methods to measure and estimate soil carbon stocks and track changes in landcover including degradation trends.
- Incorporate innovative approaches to improve monitoring accuracy and efficiency while maintaining detailed records of all monitoring activities and results.
- Ensure that project activities comply with relevant national laws and regulations.
- Provide education and training on sustainable forest, soil management and carbon sequestration practices to communities within the project area.
- Develop project area maps.
- Establish and manage monitoring sample plots for soil and vegetation. monitoring
- Train and coordinate field monitoring assistants on data collection in line with the Standard Operating Procedures.
- Stay informed about new technologies and best practices in forestry and carbon monitoring.
- Perform any other tasks assigned by the Project Manager/Management.
This role is critical in ensuring the integrity, impact, and scalability of our forestry initiatives by applying robust monitoring systems, data-driven insights, and adaptive management approaches.
The Role – Forest Monitoring Officer
4. Academic Qualification
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, GIS or any other relevant course with at least 3 years’ experience in Carbon Offset projects, Nature Based Solutions, Forest Management or similar fields.
5. Skills and Competencies
- Forest Ecology: Knowledge of forest ecosystems, tree species and ecological processes.
- GIS and Data Analysis: Proficiency in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), remote sensing and data analysis tools.
- Carbon Accounting: Knowledge in the process of measuring and tracking greenhouse gas emissions from forest and grassland.
- Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly, concisely, and professionally across various audiences and formats
- Project Management: Ability to plan and execute forest management projects.
- Strong analytical mapping and data management skills.
- Practical knowledge of carbon project methodologies and standards
Apalis Nature Ltd is an equal opportunity employer.
6. Application process
Interested candidates should send their cover letter stating their salary expectations, CV (demonstrating their qualifications, competency, and experience in the job applied for), professional certificates, and their availability to info@apalisnature.org with the subject FORESTRY MONITORING OFFICER.
