WHO WE ARE

Trees for the Future (TREES) is an international NGO that partners with smallholder farmers to restore their land and increase their prosperity. Currently operating in five countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal and Mali), TREES provides technical assistance to help farmers establish and manage agroforestry systems. These methods enable farmers to diversify their enterprises, boost food security, increase income, and enhance biodiversity.

Our signature “Forest Garden Approach” has helped more than 65,000 farmers create thriving Forest Gardens on their land. This model is intensive, requiring trained, mobile teams who deliver ongoing farmer support, extension services, and market development. Of our 350 staff members, the majority are based in our countries of operation. The successful candidate will join a small, mostly remote central office of about 20 staff.

TREES is poised for significant growth, driven by strong interest from donors and investors in the organization’s proven project outcomes. Building on our established agroforestry work, we are now expanding into the Voluntary Carbon Markets, alongside continued support from business partners, individuals, and institutions. Our model is unique in both helping farmers adapt to the escalating impacts of climate change and enabling them to be directly compensated for their role in removing carbon dioxide. We anticipate this expansion will begin in 2026, with the potential to substantially increase TREES’ reach and impact over the next five years.

THE ROLE

The Vice President of Programs leads all aspects of TREES’ project implementation, ensuring generational excellence in the farms developed by our partner farmers. Building on our proven agroforestry model, the VP will deepen and advance our approach to help farmers and their communities achieve higher incomes, greater food security, and increased biodiversity. This role will inspire and guide the execution and continual evolution of the model across current countries, and, where authorized, spearhead TREES’ expansion into new geographies. Reporting to the CEO, the VP will supervise Country Directors, the Technical Director, and the Program Management Lead. This position requires regular travel to East and West Africa.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Team Leadership and Strategy

• Develop and oversee a high performing team of country and supportive technical directors to sustain the highest quality delivery of TREES’ services to partner farmers.
• Identify and undertake effective measures to cost-effectively expand TREES Programs while maintaining program excellence.
• Foster a vibrant, safe, and inclusive culture that champions respect, merit-based growth, and zero tolerance for discrimination, while strengthening learning, development, and talent growth, in partnership with the VP of HR.
• Contribute proactively as a member of the TREES’ Senior Leadership Team; Report quarterly to the TREES Board on Program Activities.

Forest Garden Model Implementation and Development

• Oversee the effective planning and implementation of the core Forest Garden training methodology, timely provision of needed materials such as high-quality seed, necessary tools, grafted trees and all extension staff equipment and requirements.
• Strengthen market-led approaches to farmer recruitment, farm production, farmer business group formation and operation, access to finance as well as improved access to improved input and output markets.
• Collaborate closely with the Carbon and Climate Unit to scope, sequence and integrate seamlessly the full suite of carbon-aligned requirements across all country operations.
• Ensure the consolidation, documentation, dissemination and timely updates of Forest Garden protocols, standards and standard operating procedures
• In collaboration with TREES’ Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Department, oversee periodic monitoring and evaluation activities and ensure results inform regular course correction, validate projected outcomes and provide effective carbon monitoring.

Program and Operational Excellence

• Lead annual and long-term program and financial planning for thriving country offices and program support functions.
• Ensure high quality staffing of all country functions with a strong farmer focus, to include excellence in day-to-day operations and the continuous improvement of all aspects of farmer mobilization, documentation, training and capacity enhancement.
• Identify and integrate new technical approaches, technologies and innovations into existing field operations.
• Facilitate strong learning connections across country teams and with colleagues in Central Office.
• Ensure effective management of all financial resources and non-financial assets in country operations, demanding and supporting at all times a strong control environment in close partnership with the CFO and internal auditing partners.
• Track the full cost associated with supporting a farm family in each country and identify and promote actions for improved cost efficiency.
• Ensure timely and accurate fulfillment of all donor programmatic and financial reporting requirements.

Representation, New Business and Expansion

• Collaborate closely with the VP of Climate & Carbon and the VP of Development to engage major investors and donors to finance geographic expansion within TREES’ current country footprint and in promising new countries.
• Deploy program resources to undertake development of Carbon Project Design Documents and other major funding proposals and concepts.
• Represent TREES with key local and global stakeholders at conferences and other convenings to support the growth and reputation of the organization.
• Engage as a core brand ambassador for the TREES organization leading by example with adherence to TREES brand principles and enhancing brand credibility at program and country levels.

WHO YOU ARE

• Experienced senior leader with 15+ years in progressively responsible roles leading multi-country programs in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in market-led agriculture, climate, or environmental sectors engaging smallholder farmers and rural communities.
• Seasoned agricultural development specialist with a proven record of delivering measurable benefits to large numbers of smallholder farmers through transformative, market-led approaches that drive farm-level change and connect farmers to viable markets.
• Operational mastermind skilled in managing large, complex programs and diverse teams across multiple countries within a global NGO, with a strong track record in overseeing substantial budgets, ensuring operational excellence, and scaling impact.
• Transformative team motivator who builds trust, empowers others, and drives high performance, with deep expertise in achieving transformation through market-led approaches at scale.
• Financially astute, with experience managing significant budgets and implementing strong operational controls.
• Exceptional communicator, adept in writing, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement, with the ability to listen and adapt to new evidence.
• Analytical and decisive, making timely, inclusive, and well-supported decisions.
• Fundraising-capable, with a track record of securing and maintaining partnerships with bilateral, multilateral, and commercial funders.
• Action-oriented, delivering results with excellence and a farmer-first mindset.
• Knowledgeable about carbon markets or eager to apply expertise to this emerging opportunity for smallholder inclusion.

ROLE REQUIRMENTS

• 15 years of experience in agriculture, rural development or value chain programming in Sub-Saharan Africa with a strong component of market-led analysis and facilitation
• Bachelor’s Degree; Preferred MBA, Master’s in Economics, Agricultural discipline or related specialty
• 5+ years oversight of leaders in multiple countries or major regions
• Ability to travel regularly to various regions on the African continent and globally
• Fluency in spoken and written French a significant plus

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS

TREES is an International Organization that strives to be the best home for leaders wanting to make an impact for the farmers we serve. We believe the diversity of our teamcontributes to excellence. TREES values collaboration and teamwork that fosters strong engagement, innovation and professional growth.

We offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, 403(b) retirement plan, short-term and long disability, AD&D life insurance, and substantial paid time off, including annual leave, personal days, and sick leave.

APPLY

If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply with 1) a cover letter that explains why TREES’ work excites you and why this role is a fit for you, and 2) your resume. Ensure both documents are shared as a PDF. Applications submitted by September 5^th, 2025, will be prioritized.

COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION & EQUITY

Trees for the Future is an equal-opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, or other characteristics or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

We embrace and value diverse skill sets and backgrounds. We are a community of leaders who are proud to represent many different national, racial, ethnic, socio-economic, religious, gender, and other identities. Our diversity as a community is our strength, driving our ability to be empathetic, visionary, and effective leaders.

Due to the high volume of applications received, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.