Reports to: Program Director
Department: Programs
Position classification: Full-time
Location: Lumuma, Kilosa District / Mbuga, Mpwapwa District (Rubeho Mountains Project Area)
Employment type: LOCAL NATIONALS ONLY employment is through Compassionate Carbon Tanzania (Tanzanian-registered affiliate of Eden: People+Planet)

COMPANY INFORMATION
Compassionate Carbon Tanzania Ltd is a mission-driven organization launched by Compassionate Carbon LLC and Eden: People+Planet (Eden). Specializing in developing and implementing landscape-scale forest carbon projects through Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) and Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+), we collaborate with local communities to restore landscapes, create jobs, protect ecosystems, and mitigate climate change. 

Our projects integrate nature-based solutions to help meet global emissions targets while ensuring community ownership and long-term sustainability. The Rubeho Mountains Carbon Project, a significant initiative in Tanzania, focuses on native forest restoration and community-based conservation efforts.

POSITION SUMMARY
The Forest Protection Manager leads frontline forest protection for the Rubeho Mountains Carbon Project, safeguarding community forests and adjacent reserves. The role ensures effective patrol systems, proactive fire management, and team readiness. Working to support Village Land Authorities, Tanzania Forest Services (TFS), and local government, the Manager strengthens systems to maintain coverage, deter illegal activity, and enable rapid response. The role leads field staff and community forest guards, builds strong community partnerships, and uses data and performance metrics to continuously improve protection outcomes. This is a hands-on leadership position requiring strong execution and a commitment to community-led conservation.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Forest Patrol + Protection Operations: Lead and oversee patrol systems across project sites, ensuring consistent coverage of community and government forests. Establish patrol schedules, routes, and protocols to maximize effectiveness and reduce predictability. Provide oversight and capacity support to village councils and VNRCs management of forest guards; ensure timely detection and response to illegal activities. Adjust patrol strategies to focus on high-risk areas or seasons, using risk assessments, local intelligence, and incident trends. 
• Fire Prevention + Response: Develop and implement fire management plans covering prevention campaigns, preparedness, detection, and response. Support community sensitization on fire prevention and use practices. Establish fire breaks, fuel management practices, and early warning systems. Lead fire response teams, conduct drills, and coordinate suppression efforts with local authorities. Monitor fire risk conditions, maintain emergency plans, ensure safety protocols are strictly followed, and conduct post-incident reviews.
• Training + Capacity Building: Design and deliver training for VNRCs, forest guards, on monitoring, fire management, safety, reporting, and first aid. Ensure ongoing competency through refresher trainings, field drills, and mentorship, facilitating cross-community learning and knowledge exchange. Evaluate training effectiveness and adapt methods to address gaps. 
• Equipment + Resource Management: Manage procurement, distribution, and budgeting of patrol and firefighting equipment. Ensure teams are equipped for safe and effective operations. Support VNRCs with oversight of equipment maintenance, inventory control, and accountability systems.
• Monitoring, Data, + Reporting: Implement data collection systems for patrols, incidents, and fire events. Ensure accurate, timely field reporting and maintain centralized data systems. Track KPIs (e.g., patrol coverage, incidents, response times) and use insights to improve strategy. Align reporting with MRV and project requirements.
• Community + Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate with Village Councils, VNRCs, TFS, and other authorities on forest protection. Align activities with Village Land Use Plans, forest management plans and agreements, and national regulations. Liaise with law enforcement on serious incidents. Support community engagement and provide input to FPIC and conservation processes.
• Project Planning + Integration: Contribute to annual planning and budgeting for patrols, training, and fire management. Identify gaps and recommend improvements to protection systems. Ensure alignment with project goals, carbon standards, and national policies.
• Safety Oversight: Build a strong culture of safety and accountability by enforcing safety protocols and ensuring compliance with organizational regulatory standards; conduct regular safety briefings and promote consistent use of personal protective equipment.
• Team Leadership: provide leadership and mentorship to any direct-report field staff or volunteers, fostering a collaborative, high-performance team environment. Set clear performance objectives (e.g. patrol coverage, incident reduction) and monitor results, addressing performance issues in a timely manner. 
• Other duties as assigned

EDUCATION + EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 (preferably 7 or more) years of experience in forest conservation, protected area management, or community-based natural resource management. 
• Proven experience managing forest patrol or fire management operations. 
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with community forest governance structures (e.g. VNRCs or similar community forest guard programs) and government forestry/wildlife authorities. 
• Experience working with community-based conservation or enforcement initiatives is an advantage. 
• Familiarity with FLR, REDD+, and forest carbon projects, and with Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) systems for carbon or conservation outcomes, is an asset. 

SKILLS + ABILITIES

• Models the Ethos in all professional interactions, demonstrating a commitment to the organization's values, vision, and conduct standards. 
• In-depth knowledge of forest protection and law enforcement techniques, including effective patrol strategies, fire prevention/suppression, and relevant forestry regulations. Ability to apply these skills in a community-based setting.
• Technical knowledge of forest protection systems, fire management, and participatory land-use planning. 
• Strong leadership and operational management skills, with a proven ability to lead field teams, coordinate multi-stakeholder efforts, and take initiative in remote field conditions. Capable of making informed decisions independently in dynamic field situations.
• Excellent planning and organizational abilities to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines, with attention to detail in documentation and follow-up.
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset, able to interpret patrol and incident data to adapt strategies and resolve challenges effectively.
• Skilled in written and verbal communication with diverse stakeholders, including communities, officials, and NGOs. Experienced in facilitation, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Proficiency in standard office software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint). Experience with stakeholder databases or GIS/mapping tools for land use planning a plus. 
• Basic understanding of carbon projects or climate change mitigation an advantage.
• Fluency in Kiswahili and English is required; knowledge of local languages spoken in the Kilosa/Mpwapwa Districts is an asset. 

WORK CONDITIONS

• Work Environment: The role combines office and field tasks in rural villages and agricultural areas. Fieldwork involves exposure to varied weather conditions, interactions with local communities, and traversing uneven terrain for assessments. Office facilities include a desk, computer, and internet, while field amenities are basic.
• Work Schedule: The standard workweek is 40 hours, aligned with local office hours. Flexibility is required to accommodate community meetings, training sessions, or emergency incidents during early mornings, evenings, or weekends as needed.
• Physical Requirements: Must maintain good physical condition for regular field activities, including walking long distances in rough terrain, standing for extended periods, and carrying equipment or gear (often 10–20 kg). Tolerance of varying climates and remote conditions is necessary (with or without reasonable accommodation). These requirements will be met with or without reasonable accommodation, CCTZ is committed to providing necessary support to enable all individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.
• Travel: Significant domestic travel to rural project sites, often requiring challenging logistics and occasional overnight field stays. May require infrequent international travel for meetings or workshops.
• Safety + Special Conditions: Strict adherence to all organizational safety protocols and environmental/social safeguards is expected, ensuring that forest protection activities are conducted responsibly and ethically. Candidates must have legal authorization to live and work in Tanzania; Compassionate Carbon is unable to sponsor work visas for this position.

Disclaimer: This document outlines primary duties but may not cover all responsibilities or conditions. Compassionate Carbon may assign extra tasks or modify roles for business needs or employee accommodation, per applicable law.  

Compassionate Carbon is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a team representing a variety of backgrounds, viewpoints, and skills. Candidate selection is based on technical qualifications and position requirements; employment will not commence until applicable background and reference checks are completed. 

Safeguarding: Compassionate Carbon holds strict safeguarding principles and does not tolerate behaviors that harm others, including sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, and other injustices. Employees are expected to abide by company policies. 

Compensation: Compensation will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Compassionate Carbon provides a competitive benefits package including annual leave, health insurance, and contributions to statutory funds.