Forestry Extension Officer
WorldFish, Malawi

About WorldFish

WorldFish is a leading international research organization working to transform aquatic food systems to reduce hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. It collaborates with international, regional, and national partners to co-develop and deliver scientific innovations, evidence for policy, and knowledge to enable equitable and inclusive impact for millions who depend on fish for their livelihoods. As a member of CGIAR, WorldFish contributes to building a food- and nutrition-secure future and restoring natural resources. Headquartered in Penang, Malaysia, with country offices across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, WorldFish strives to create resilient and inclusive food systems for shared prosperity. For more information, visit: www.worldfishcenter.org

About the Position

The Project aims to increase the productivity and income of, and access to markets by small-scale food producers, especially women, engaged in the integrated aquaculture-agriculture system (IAAS) comprising fish, crops, livestock, and agroforestry sub-systems to combat food insecurity. The approach of the Project is focused on two aspects: (i) the development of small-scale and low-cost aquaculture-agriculture production systems that are economically viable, gender-inclusive and environment friendly and can be easily replicated and scaled up by small-scale producers, especially women, and (ii) strengthening the role of small-scale producers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the value chains, especially women-led investments. Reduction of food loss along the production chain will be a key feature by addressing harvest loss between the beginning and completion of harvesting, loss between harvest and processing, between processing and retail, and loss between retail and consumption. The key outcomes are: (i) increased adoption of diversified climate-resilient and gender-sensitive technologies across the aquaculture value chain such as the integrated aquaculture-agriculture system, agroforestry and other climate-smart agricultural technologies that limit emissions of greenhouse gases from food production; (ii) improved forest cover in fishery communities that sequester carbon through reforestation and protects and restores biodiversity; (iii) increased organization of smallholder farmers with strong input and output market linkages between smallholder farmers and private sector actors (cooperatives and SMEs) in the aquaculture value chain; and (iv) increased knowledge among farmers on managing climate change.

Under the Senior Scientist's and Country Scientist's overall guidance, the incumbent will support the project to engage with communities on reforestation, forest regeneration and management.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist communities in defining their forestry-related opportunities and challenges and design possible solutions and approaches to addressing the challenges.
• Assist in exploring how natural, human, and institutional resources in the community can be developed to bring about rural development through tree planting.
• Work with communities to develop forest resources management plants to maximise long-term benefits to the communities.
• Provide technical advice to communities on tree planting, nursery management, community forestry regeneration and woodlot management.
• Identify and integrate indigenous knowledge in collaboration with communities on agro-forestry-related activities.
• Assist in developing and implementing strategies to create mass awareness and assess general opinion or reaction to issues related to rural afforestation and forest management issues.
• Assist communities in developing community forestry management approaches, including devising efficient harvesting systems.
• Provide technical advice to communities, and SMEs on propagation, culture of forest trees and methods of improving stock.
• Work with communities to develop and implement management procedures to cope with the effects of fires, floods, droughts, soil erosion, insect pests and diseases on trees and forests.
• Documenting lessons learnt.

Requirements

The Person

This section includes the minimum requirements for the job as required.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Forestry, Ecology, Geography, Environmental Science or a related field. An equivalent higher education and/or experience in rural development is a plus OR a Diploma in Forestry and Environmental Science with a minimum of two years' experience in social forestry.

• Ability to think clearly and analytically, set priorities, meet deadlines, solve problems and make timely decisions.

• Strong research methods skills.

• Teamwork within and across the organization with deep respect for others

Job Rewards and Benefits