Central Tree Nursery Coordinator

About Trees for the Future

Trees for the Future (TREES) is a long-standing organization dedicated to empowering farmers to restore degraded lands, enhance livelihoods, and build resilient food systems through regenerative agroforestry methods. With over three decades of impact, TREES has planted more than 400 million trees across Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, collaborating with farming communities to drive meaningful environmental and economic progress. In Uganda, TREES serves thousands of households in the Lake Victoria Watershed by promoting landscape restoration and ecosystem health improvements.

Role Overview

The Central Tree Nursery (CTN) Coordinator takes lead responsibility for establishing, managing, and continuously improving nursery operations within the designated region. Reporting to the Training Coordinator, this role offers strategic and technical guidance to ensure high-quality seedling production, adherence to standards, efficient inventory control, and timely distribution. The CTN Coordinator interfaces with multiple teams including Training Officers and Seed Bank Officers to strengthen nursery practices and support agroforestry adoption.

Core Duties

• Direct the setup and efficient management of Central Tree Nurseries to meet production and quality benchmarks.
• Provide leadership and expert oversight to optimize seedling production processes, quality control, and operational innovations.
• Manage, mentor, and assess the nursery team comprising Nursery Attendants and Grafting Technicians, partnering with Human Resources for recruitment and onboarding.
• Formulate and execute regional nursery production plans aligned with organizational goals and planting cycles.
• Oversee propagation, grafting, inventory, and distribution of diverse, quality seedlings, monitoring their field success to enhance outcomes.
• Create and refine Standard Operating Procedures, technical manuals, and quality assurance frameworks supporting standardized nursery operations.
• Enhance seed sourcing and propagation systems ensuring genetic quality, traceability, and sustainability of planting materials.
• Collaborate with program personnel, farmers, and government entities to boost nursery establishment and climate-smart agroforestry knowledge.
• Lead resource planning, procurement, and maintenance of nursery infrastructure while adhering to organizational policies.
• Manage budgets, track expenditures and production records, and prepare comprehensive reports to guide decisions.
• Ensure strict compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality standards across all nursery activities.
• Promote innovative practices, partnerships, and continual growth in nursery production technologies for resilience and sustainability.

Candidate Profile

• A strong passion for forestry, biodiversity conservation, and creating a lasting positive environmental impact.
• Ability to juggle multiple tasks with precision and deliver consistently high-quality results.
• Critical thinker who seeks continuous improvement and solves challenges proactively.
• Collaborative team player who values integrity, respect, and accountability.
• Self-motivated, takes initiative, and adapts well to dynamic and demanding field conditions.
• Flexible and committed to the mission and principles of Trees for the Future.

Educational and Experience Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Forestry, Agroforestry, Plant Sciences, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Conservation Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in seed systems, forestry, tree nursery management, agroforestry, forest restoration, or similar fields.
• Supervisory experience with field assistants or casual staff is beneficial.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and digital data management, alongside strong communication, organizational, and report writing abilities.
• Capability to work independently and handle multiple field operations effectively.
• Valid motorcycle license or willingness to obtain one.
• Fluent in English with knowledge of local languages preferred.

Desirable Technical Expertise

• Skills in tropical tree nursery set-up, including propagation, grafting, seedling production, and pest/disease management.
• Knowledge of indigenous and fruit tree species, advanced propagation methods, and climate-smart agroforestry.
• Experience in production planning, seedling inventory control, and distribution logistics.
• Strong abilities in team supervision, technical training, performance management, and farmer capacity development.
• Understanding of seed sourcing and handling for quality nursery outputs.
• Familiarity with data tracking, monitoring, and reporting using Microsoft Office tools, especially Excel.

Work Environment and Benefits

TREES fosters an inclusive and multicultural workplace focused on collaboration, professional growth, and innovation. Employees receive competitive pay, comprehensive health insurance, workers’ compensation, and generous paid leave policies, including sick and annual leave.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a cover letter expressing their enthusiasm for TREES’ mission and the role, accompanied by a resume, both as PDFs. Applications are reviewed continuously until the deadline on August 17, 2026. TREES supports equal opportunity employment and values diversity across all identities and backgrounds.