Field Extension Officer
Reports to: Programme Coordinator, Sustainable Livelihoods
Technical guidance from: Sustainable Livelihoods Manager
Department: Compassionate Carbon Tanzania, Sustainable Livelihoods
Position Classification: Full-time
Location: Assigned program village or project area within the Rubeho Mountains Carbon Project
Employment type: Full-time
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 Field Extension Officer brings Compassionate Carbon Tanzania’s sustainable livelihood activities directly to farmers and communities, translating approved technical approaches into practical, farm-level support. Reporting to the Sustainable Livelihood Program Coordinator, the Officer provides farmer training, demonstrations, regular farm visits, and follow-up to support adoption of Climate-Smart Agriculture practices, with an initial focus on Conservation Agriculture. As a frontline representative of the program, the Officer works closely with farmers, Lead Farmers, community stakeholders, and government extension personnel while monitoring field progress, maintaining accurate records, and communicating implementation challenges and feedback.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
- Farmer Extension + Technical Support: Deliver practical training and farm-level support on approved Climate-Smart Agriculture and Conservation Agriculture practices, including minimum soil disturbance, permanent soil cover, crop diversification and rotation, soil fertility management, and soil and water conservation. Conduct regular farm visits, support farmers and Lead Farmers throughout the production cycle, and assist with approved Agroforestry, Quality Declared Seed, seed security, and other livelihood activities as introduced.
- Farmer Training + Demonstration: Mobilize participating farmers and support Farmer Groups and program learning structures. Facilitate Farmer Field Schools, demonstration plots, practical training sessions, farmer exchanges, field days, and other community learning activities. Work with Lead Farmers to strengthen farmer-to-farmer learning and translate approved technical recommendations into clear, practical guidance.
- Field Monitoring + Documentation: Monitor farmer participation, training attendance, adoption of promoted practices, crop performance, implementation challenges, and other agreed indicators. Collect and verify accurate field information using approved paper-based or digital tools; maintain complete records; and submit timely field updates and reports to the Sustainable Livelihood Program Coordinator.
- Community + Stakeholder Engagement: Maintain regular field-level communication with farmers, Lead Farmers, Farmer Groups, village governments, community leaders, and government agricultural extension personnel. Coordinate local field activities, promote meaningful participation, document community feedback, and promptly report technical, operational, environmental, safeguarding, or community-level concerns through established channels.
- Field Planning + Program Support: Prepare and implement weekly and monthly field activity plans in coordination with the Sustainable Livelihood Program Coordinator. Participate in required technical training and support program assessments, monitoring exercises, learning events, evaluations, and partner or donor field visits.
EDUCATION + WORK EXPERIENCE
- Diploma or bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Agronomy, Horticulture, Agroforestry, Agricultural Extension, Rural Development, or a closely related field.
- Practical experience in agricultural extension, farmer training, community mobilization, crop production, or smallholder livelihood programs.
- Good understanding of smallholder farming systems and common production constraints.
- Working knowledge of Climate-Smart Agriculture and Conservation Agriculture principles.
- Experience facilitating practical and participatory farmer training through Farmer Field Schools, demonstration plots, Farmer Groups, farm-level coaching, or similar approaches.
- Experience collecting accurate field information, maintaining organized records, and preparing clear activity reports.
- Previous experience implementing Conservation Agriculture, Agroforestry, Quality Declared Seed, seed production, community seed systems, or seed-quality activities is an advantage.
- Experience using KoboCollect, ODK, or similar digital data-collection platforms is an advantage.
- Ability to ride a motorcycle and possession of an appropriate valid driving license is an advantage.
SKILLS + ABILITIES
- Models the Ethos in all professional interactions, demonstrating a commitment to the organization’s values, vision, and conduct standards.
- Agricultural Extension: Able to explain and demonstrate approved agricultural practices clearly and practically to farmers and provide reliable follow-up in the field.
- Farmer Training + Facilitation: Strong participatory training, facilitation, and community-mobilization skills, with the ability to work respectfully with farmers and community-based groups.
- Field Monitoring + Documentation: Strong attention to detail and the ability to collect accurate information, maintain organized records, document observations and feedback, and submit timely reports.
- Communication + Collaboration: Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with farmers, Lead Farmers, community leaders, government extension personnel, and project colleagues.
- Technology: Comfortable using smartphones or tablets for routine program work and digital data collection.
- Language: Able to communicate effectively in Kiswahili; knowledge of languages commonly used within the project area is an advantage.
- Field Readiness: Able to work independently within approved plans, travel regularly, and spend substantial time in rural communities and farmers’ fields.
WORK CONDITIONS
- Work Environment: The position is primarily field-based, with regular work in rural communities, farms, Farmer Field Schools, demonstration plots, and other project sites. Work may involve basic facilities and exposure to heat, rain, dust, and varied terrain.
- Work schedule: Full-time, with standard working hours and occasional flexibility for early mornings, evenings, or weekends based on farmer availability, training schedules, agricultural cycles, and field activities.
- Physical Requirements: Moderate physical fitness is required for frequent fieldwork, including walking on uneven terrain, standing for extended periods during training and demonstrations, and carrying routine training or field materials. Administrative duties include record keeping, digital data entry, and preparation of reports.
- Travel: Frequent local travel within assigned program villages and project areas is required and may involve difficult road conditions. Occasional overnight travel may be required for program activities or training.
- Safety + Special Conditions: Adherence to all applicable safety protocols and alignment of activities with established environmental and social safeguards. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position; only Tanzanian nationals will be considered.
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.