Information Technology (IT) Manager

About Trees for the Future

Trees for the Future (TREES) is an international agroforestry nonprofit that has spent more than 30 years helping farming families improve livelihoods, restore land, and build more resilient food and economic systems. Using its Forest Garden Approach, TREES supports farmers as they plant trees, diversify crops, and regenerate ecosystems. The organization works in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and has helped plant over 400 million trees to date.

This role is part of TREES' effort to establish its first dedicated internal IT function. The Information Technology (IT) Manager will help shape the function from the ground up and ensure staff have secure, reliable, and practical technology support.

Role Overview

This is a highly hands-on position centered on enabling employees to work effectively. The IT Manager will lead daily IT operations across staff support, Microsoft 365 administration, identity and access management, cybersecurity, device oversight, software licensing, and vendor coordination. The role is intended to build the systems, standards, and practices needed for a growing global organization.

Reporting to the Vice President of People & Culture, the role will work closely with People Operations, managed service providers, and external technical advisors. It will also support major initiatives such as the Rippling IT rollout, SharePoint governance, AI governance, and day-to-day guidance for in-country IT Coordinators as TREES expands in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Key Responsibilities

Staff Support

• Act as the main point of contact for internal IT help, offering fast, approachable, and jargon-free support.
• Handle first-line troubleshooting, triage incoming issues, and escalate to vendors or specialists when needed.

Microsoft 365 and Collaboration

• Manage and govern the Microsoft 365 environment, including account and license setup and removal during onboarding and offboarding.
• Lead SharePoint governance by reviewing the current setup, creating an information structure, defining access rules, and preparing guidance so staff can use shared files more effectively.
• Drive stronger adoption of Microsoft 365 tools through communications, change support, and self-service materials for a globally distributed workforce.

Vendors and Systems

• Own relationships with IT vendors, including the managed service provider and Rippling IT.
• Direct MSP work, manage escalations, assess contract value, and ensure services meet organizational needs.
• Lead the Rippling IT implementation targeted for August 2026, including technical validation, handoff coordination, and staff change management.
• Oversee software licensing by role and location, and advise leadership on renewals and new investments with cost awareness in mind.

Identity, Access, and Security

• Manage identity and access processes such as provisioning, deprovisioning, role-based access control, single sign-on, multifactor authentication, and application access governance.
• Ensure onboarding and offboarding workflows are secure, well documented, and automated wherever possible.
• Support improvements to security posture with the MSP’s security operations team, own security awareness training, and maintain internal cybersecurity documentation.

IT Strategy and Planning

• Maintain and deliver an IT Improvement Plan that sequences priorities such as Rippling IT rollout, SharePoint governance, and infrastructure stabilization.
• Help shape and roll out AI policy and governance, assess tools that may benefit staff, and support responsible and effective AI adoption.
• Work with program and data teams to ensure staff have the right systems, integrations, and technical support to operate effectively with data.

Team Leadership

• Provide day-to-day direction and dotted-line support to in-country IT Coordinators across TREES' operating countries.
• Set expectations, help build capability, and promote consistent IT standards across locations.

What TREES Is Looking For

• A genuine connection to TREES' mission and a belief that technology can accelerate impact.
• A dependable IT partner who communicates clearly, follows through, and focuses on user experience.
• A builder mindset, comfortable creating structure in a developing environment and working as the sole IT specialist when needed.
• Strong practical experience with Microsoft 365, including SharePoint, Teams, Exchange Online, and Entra ID.
• Proven ability to manage vendors such as MSPs and hold them accountable for delivery and service quality.
• Clear communication skills with the ability to explain technical issues to non-technical colleagues across different regions and time zones.

Role Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience in IT management, IT operations, or infrastructure/systems work, preferably in a nonprofit or distributed organization.
• Practical, hands-on administration of Microsoft 365.
• Experience leading an MSP relationship, including escalation management and vendor accountability.
• Good working knowledge of identity and access management, including SSO, MFA, RBAC, and the user lifecycle.
• Strong communication ability and a track record of making technology easy to understand for non-technical users.
• Experience with Rippling IT or a similar HRIS-linked IT service platform is strongly preferred.
• Experience supporting a globally distributed workforce, especially in settings with infrastructure limitations; Africa experience is a meaningful advantage.
• Previous experience as the only dedicated IT employee in an organization is an added plus.

Work Environment and Benefits

TREES describes itself as a people-first organization and offers a multicultural, collaborative workplace with a strong focus on staff development and mission-driven work. The position is fully remote, though some working time must overlap with global time zones.

Benefits include a competitive salary based on experience, comprehensive medical insurance, workers’ compensation, and substantial paid time off.

Application Instructions

Applicants should submit a cover letter explaining their interest in TREES' mission and fit for the role, along with a CV or resume, both as PDF files, by July 21, 2026. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Equal Opportunity Statement

TREES is an equal-opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status. The organization also values a wide range of skill sets and personal, cultural, and national backgrounds.