Country Director- Kenya @Trees for the Future, Kisumu

THE ROLE

Based in Kisumu, the Country Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational oversight, and programmatic impact of TREES’ Kenya Program. This role ensures the effective implementation and growth of TREES’ Forest Garden and carbon programs, expanding from 18,000 to 85,000 farmers over the next five years.

The Country Director will oversee all aspects of the program, including financial management, human resources, compliance, and stakeholder engagement. As the organization’s legal representative in Kenya, the Country Director will ensure adherence to national regulations and organizational policies while maintaining the highest standards of integrity.

In addition, the Country Director will lead and develop a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement. The role also requires strong external communication skills, engaging with government agencies, donors, and partners to advance TREES’ mission and ensure long-term program success.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Country Director is accountable for the success of all aspects of TREES’ Kenya operation, ensuring alignment with global policies and benefiting from central support in Finance, HR, Development/ Communications, Programs, and MEL. Major duties include:

Strategic Leadership and Management

• Develop and refine TREES’ strategy in Kenya to maximize impact, visibility, and opportunities for growth.
• Recruit, inspire, and oversee a strong leadership team across key functions, ensuring programmatic and operational excellence.
• Lead the complex implementation and scale-up of TREES’ agroforestry carbon program, growing from 18,000 to 85,000 smallholder farmers over the next five years.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and ensure compliance with the Adaptive Management Plan, proactively updating it to enhance project resilience.
• Champion TREES’ mission and values, fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and performance.

Programmatic Excellence

• Drive the successful implementation of the Forest Garden Approach, ensuring high adoption rates, sustained impact, and alignment with global best practices.
• Oversee the execution of TREES’ carbon programs, ensuring compliance with rigorous international validation and verification standards such as VERRA VCS.
• Apply carbon standards to all aspects of the program, including farmer mobilization, baselining, documentation, contract execution, and verification processes.
• Maintain strong relationships with the Kenya Carbon Directorate, ensuring continued compliance with the Climate Change Act for project approval and carbon credit issuance.
• Lead the development of a Permanence Plan to ensure project sustainability for the next 40 years, incorporating farmer market access, ecosystem and biodiversity credits, and sustainable timber harvesting.

Financial and Administrative Oversight

• Oversee annual budget development, ensuring financial integrity, efficiency, and compliance with donor and organizational policies.
• Ensure strict adherence to procurement, accounting, and reporting standards, maintaining audit-ready financial records at all times.
• Develop a strong administrative backbone, ensuring excellence in HR, logistics, and operations to support a growing team and program portfolio.
• Engage with investors through monthly calls, due diligence visits, and audits, proactively addressing concerns and presenting mitigation strategies.

External Representation and Partnership Development

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with government agencies, NGOs, technical partners, and funding entities.
• Represent TREES at conferences, policy forums, and public engagements, positioning the organization as a leader in agroforestry and sustainable land use.
• Collaborate with TREES’ global fundraising and communications teams to expand funding sources and enhance brand visibility.

Regional and Global Contributions

• Engage with fellow Country Directors and central leadership, sharing insights and best practices to enhance TREES’ global impact.
• Lead or contribute to cross-country initiatives, strategy development, and special projects.

WHO YOU ARE

• An enthusiastic advocate for TREES’ mission. You are passionate about improving livelihoods through agroforestry, ensuring that field programs drive real impact for farmers, communities, and the environment.
• Farmer-focused leader. You thrive in the field, working alongside farmers and technicians to improve the farmer experience. Hands-on and strategic, you tackle challenges, strengthen programs, and ensure farmer needs shape every decision.
• A strategic and empathetic people manager. You foster a supportive and inclusive work environment, mentoring and empowering teams to deliver high-quality results.
• A champion of programmatic excellence. You have experience leading agricultural, environmental, or community development initiatives, ensuring high-quality results.
• An expert in operations and finance. You bring deep experience in budgeting, financial management, HR administration, and compliance.
• A skilled communicator and relationship builder. You engage effectively with diverse audiences, from farming communities to high-level policymakers and donors.
• A model of integrity. You lead with honesty, accountability, and transparency, setting the standard for ethical decision-making. You build trust with farmers, partners, and teams, ensuring that every action aligns with TREES’ mission and values.

ROLE REQUIREMENTS

• Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s in agriculture, business, development, environmental science, or a related field.
• 7-10 years of experience in senior leadership roles managing large-scale agricultural or rural development programs.
• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in agroforestry, sustainable agriculture, or value chain development.
• Full fluency in English and Swahili, with exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proven ability to lead high-performing teams and manage multi-million-dollar budgets with integrity.
• Willingness to travel regularly in rural Kenya and internationally as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND BENEFITS

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

We offer a multicultural, collegial work environment with a competitive salary, comprehensive medical insurance, workers’ compensation, and substantial paid time off, including annual leave and sick leave.

APPLY

If this opportunity speaks to you, please apply through this link – https://shortlist.thriveapp.ly/job/14.