Forester – Clonal Nursery, Seedling Nursery & Plantation Establishment

Location: Nakaseke District, Uganda

Reports To: MD or Equivalent

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Forester will be responsible for the planning, establishment, and management of a commercial eucalyptus clonal nursery, a conventional tree seedling nursery, and the development of commercial forest plantations in Nakaseke District. The role requires strong technical expertise in forestry nursery operations, vegetative propagation, plantation establishment, silvicultural management, and team leadership to ensure the production of high-quality planting materials and the successful establishment of productive forest plantations. The successful candidate will oversee all forestry operations from nursery establishment through plantation development and early stand management, while ensuring compliance with environmental, health, safety, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design, establish, and manage commercial eucalyptus clonal nurseries and conventional forestry seedling nurseries to produce high-quality planting stock.

2. Develop, implement, and monitor forest management plans aligned with organizational objectives and sustainable forestry practices.

3. Plan, coordinate, and supervise all silvicultural activities, including site preparation, planting, weeding, pruning, pest and disease management, and stand maintenance.

4. Lead plantation establishment activities and ensure adherence to technical specifications and operational standards.

5. Prepare annual forestry operational plans, work schedules, and budgets, and monitor expenditures to ensure efficient utilization of resources.

6. Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate nursery and plantation staff, promoting a culture of safety, productivity, and continuous improvement.

7. Monitor nursery and plantation performance through data collection, reporting, and operational assessments.

8. Ensure compliance with Uganda’s forestry regulations, environmental standards, and occupational health and safety requirements.

9. Promote sustainable forest management practices and environmental stewardship across all operations.

10. Collaborate with management and stakeholders to achieve production, quality, and plantation development targets.

Qualifications and Experience

● Bachelor’s degree in forestry, Natural Resource Management, Agroforestry, or a related field.

● Additional training or certification in nursery management, clonal propagation, forestry plantation, or silviculture will be an added advantage.

● Minimum of five (5) years of practical experience in commercial forestry operations, including nursery establishment and management, plantation establishment, and plantation management.

● Demonstrated experience in eucalyptus clonal propagation and nursery production systems.

● Proven ability to manage large field teams and coordinate forestry operations effectively.

● Strong planning, budgeting, reporting, and project management skills.

● Good knowledge of forestry regulations, environmental compliance requirements, and best forestry practices in East Africa.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a hands-on forestry professional with demonstrated expertise in eucalyptus clonal propagation, nursery management, and plantation establishment.

They should possess the technical and leadership skills required to build forestry operations from the ground up, manage multidisciplinary field teams, and deliver high-quality planting material and productive commercial plantations.

Experience working in East African forestry environments and a strong commitment to sustainable forest management will be highly valued.