Careers & Opportunities

The Chimpanzee Trust (CT), in partnership with the Uganda Biodiversity Trust Fund (UBF) and TotalEnergies, is implementing a landscape restoration project in the Budongo-Mukihani-Kasongoire corridor. The project titled ‘‘Restoration of Mukihani-Budongo and Kasongoire Forest Corridors’’ is focused on Securing Communal Lands, Restoration and Avoided Degradation for Sustainable Livelihoods.

Following the recent stakeholder initiation meeting, the project intends to stabilize and formalize existing community forest patches that currently lack land titles or formal registration, thereby securing the corridor's ecological integrity. This assignment is aimed at ensuring participatory formalization, mapping, and management of Community Forests (CFs).

The primary objective is to transition from informal forest occupancy to formal legal recognition of 2 Community Forests (CFs) or Communal Land Associations (CLAs) under Section 17 of the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003).

Specific Objectives:

• Formalization: Secure legal status for 2 identified existing CFs that currently lack titles.
• Participatory Community Forest Mapping: Identify boundaries of the community forest to simplify community management and government oversight.
• HWC Mitigation: Integrate Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) mitigation strategies (signage, awareness, and land-use planning) into all CF management plans.
• Capacity Building: Train community facilitators in community forest management practices.

The consultant will work closely with the District Forest Services (DFS) and the Chimpanzee Trust team to execute the following:

• Prioritization & Status Audit: Conduct a feasibility and legal status audit of the 2 priority CFs identified in the recent stakeholders’ meeting to determine specific gaps in registration/titling.
• Community Forest Participatory Mapping: Facilitate community-led boundary identification of these existing CFs. Ensure boundaries are defined as corridors to maximize ecological connectivity.
• Legal Formalization: Guide community land associations through the process of reviving Community Forests and submitting formal applications to the District Council.
• Management Planning: Draft localized Forest Management Plans (FMPs) that explicitly include: "Do’s and Don’ts" bylaws; HWC mitigation measures (e.g., siting of water points, buffer zone management); and Agroforestry integration plans (boundary planting, fruit tree integration).

• CF Status Report: A concise report detailing the legal and land-title status of the 2 identified CFs, with a recommended roadmap for formalizing each.
• Participatory Mapping and Boundary Reports: A detailed report indicating community-verified boundaries of the selected CFs.
• Draft Forest Management Plans: Formal management plans for 2 high-priority CF sites. Include a list of strategic locations for signage and proof of design for HWC warning posters.
• CF Registration Documents: All necessary paperwork submitted for formal declaration of chosen CFs.

Duration: The consultancy is for a period of 1 month.

Reporting & Coordination: The Consultant will report directly to the Conservation Programs Manager and coordinate closely with the Conservation Officer. The Consultant will provide weekly progress updates regarding legal filings and community meetings.

Academic Qualifications:

• Minimum Master’s degree in Forestry, Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Geographical Sciences, Environmental Law, or related field.

Technical Expertise:

• Proven experience in Uganda’s Community Forest declaration and Communal Land Association formation processes.
• Strong familiarity with the National Forestry and Tree Planting Act (2003).
• Demonstrable experience using Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools to resolve land disputes.

Operational Context:

• Practical understanding of the Budongo-Albertine landscape and connectivity corridor and the socio-economic drivers of forest degradation.

Please submit your bid applications highlighting your understanding of the terms of reference, timeframe, CV, and costing, among others.

• Deadline: Submissions must be received by 5:00 pm on 20th August 2026.
• Email to: mveronica@chimpanzeetrust.org with dabowe@chimpanzeetrust.org in copy.
• Notice: Only successful bidders will be contacted. Chimpanzee Trust reserves the right to communicate, award, and/or cancel this procurement process.

The Chimpanzee Sanctuary and Wildlife Conservation Trust (Chimpanzee Trust) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term care of orphaned and confiscated chimpanzees in Uganda. We manage the Ngamba Island Chimpanzee Sanctuary, a 100-acre forested island on Lake Victoria, providing a safe haven for over 50 chimpanzees. Beyond the sanctuary, Chimpanzee Trust is committed to wider wildlife conservation efforts, community engagement, and environmental education. Ngamba Island is a unique and vital tourism destination, offering visitors an unforgettable opportunity to connect with chimpanzees in a near-natural environment while supporting critical conservation work.

We are seeking a dynamic, creative, and self-driven Reservations Officer who puts the customer at the heart of everything they do. In this role, the Officer will take full ownership of our reservations, bookings, and digital booking engine, while accurately tracking visitor analytics and reporting. The mission of this role will be to ensure seamless, safe, and top-tier operations, delivering a well-managed booking journey and an unforgettable guest experience.

• Bachelor's degree in Tourism, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field from a recognized institution.
• Any tourism related professional training is an added advantage.
• Sound knowledge of the tourism industry, including visitor services, tour operations, and guest experience at wildlife/conservation destinations.
• At least 2–3 years' experience in reservations, bookings, or front-office operations in tourism or hospitality (desirable).

• Excellent computer skills MS Office (especially Excel for reporting), email, and readiness to learn the Trust's booking engine.
• Strong numeracy and attention to detail for reporting, reconciliation, and cash handling.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Strong customer-service orientation and conflict-resolution skills.
• Organized, able to multitask under pressure during peak seasons.
• Honest and reliable handles money, records, and purchases with integrity.
• Willing to travel to Ngamba Island regularly (by boat).

Chimpanzee Trust, in partnership with TotalEnergies and Uganda Biodiversity Trust Fund (UBF), is implementing the project "Securing Communal Lands, Restoration and Avoided Degradation for Sustainable Livelihoods" to restore 100 hectares of degraded land connecting Budongo, Mukihani, and Kasongoire Forest Reserves.

With GIS corridor mapping completed, implementation has transitioned to community activities including beekeeping, agroforestry, and community conservation funds.

This baseline survey will establish socio-ecological benchmark indicators to track corridor recovery, measure livelihood program impact, evaluate forest dependence, and guide data-driven adaptive management.

• Collect gender-disaggregated data on monthly household income levels, reliance on forest resources (timber and charcoal), and current energy usage/cooking technology adoption.
• Evaluate the maturity and financial literacy of Communal Land Associations (CLAs), Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), farmer groups, and local environmental committees.
• Document and map all active local institutions and governance structures within the operational landscape.
• Review existing restoration practices (ANR, FMNR, Agroforestry) and establish a standardized reporting framework to define land-use categories and prevent double-counting of hectares.
• Document dominant indigenous tree species, invasive flora presence, primate corridor movement indicators, bird/pollinator dispersal patterns, and anthropogenic barriers.
• Identify Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) hotspots and document community-led coping mechanisms (e.g. chili-grease fences, beehive fencing).

• Comprehensive Work Plan: Detailed methodology, sampling strategy, field data collection tools (questionnaires and interview guides), and survey timeline.
• Quantitative Datasets: Raw and cleaned datasets in Excel/CSV format, coded and organized for accessibility and reproducibility.
• Final Synthesis Report: Concise report (max 14 pages) including Executive Summary, gender-disaggregated benchmark indicator table, income/energy/institutional/HWC analysis, restoration framework review, and data-driven recommendations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Geographical Sciences, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science, or related field.
• Master’s degree in Forestry, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Law, Business Administration, or related field.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing rapid assessment methodologies in natural resources or agriculture.
• Proficiency in mobile data collection tools and managing large quantitative datasets.
• Proven experience conducting baseline studies integrating ecological indicators with socio-economic household data.
• Strong command of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) techniques with rural communities.
• Experience in facilitating conflict resolution regarding rural land tenure and communal management structures.
• Proficiency in local languages of the Bunyoro region is an added advantage.
• Ability to synthesize complex ecological and socio-economic data into high-impact reporting.

• Interested applicants should submit a technical and financial proposal by 5:00 pm on 12th August 2026.
• Proposal requirements: Clear understanding of ecological connectivity goals, proposed methodology, timeframe aligned with constraints, and detailed budget breakdown.
• Submissions must be emailed to mveronica@chimpanzeetrust.org with dabowe@chimpanzeetrust.org in copy.

• Management of all Chimpanzee Trust's conservation programs.
• Mobilize Resources for the Conservation Program through grant writing, fundraising, and presentations.
• Create and maintain partnerships with Stakeholders, donors, Government MDA's, and CSO's to support operations.
• Manage and oversee the Field Office and the Field Team, community monitors, volunteers, researchers, and consultants undertaking fieldwork.
• Implement the operational, administrative, and financial working procedures of the Conservation Programs, ensuring full donor compliance.
• Prepare contractual arrangements for subcontracting for all executing partners.
• Prepare half-yearly consolidated technical and financial progress reports.
• Prepare annual PIR (Projects Implementation Reviews).
• Coordinate and update the M&E framework and ensure adequate implementation.
• Develop a communication reports strategy, technical articles, papers, and scientific publications.
• Present project results at key regional and global forums.
• Any other duties that may be assigned.

• Proven and substantial professional experience of not less than five (5) years in similar roles.
• Be able to manage teams of diverse dynamics.
• Comprehend fundraising concepts and follow through with donor requirements.
• Understand wildlife ecology.
• Show capacity and evidence of having secured and managed large grants (over $500,000).
• Well conversant with the use of analytical software.
• Conversant with community Participatory Rural Appraisal approaches to community problem-solving.
• Conversant with grant processes and donor specifications.
• Excellent report writing and communication skills (ability to write articles and papers).
• A basic understanding of project cycle management approaches.
• Knowledge of key aspects of development work considering cross-cutting themes (Gender, environment).
• Skills in training/facilitation of community development processes, organization, and networking (CBOs, governments, NGOs).
• Skills and experience in planning, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• High-level integrity and high standards of personal conduct.

• General cleaning of the Head Office premises and toilets; this includes:
  • Sweeping and mopping all office rooms/floors.
  • Dusting all surfaces (furniture, equipment, wall hangings) to ensure they are dust and cobweb-free.
  • Cleaning restrooms daily (toilet sinks, bowls, and application of Vim to clean up stains).
  • Ensure constant replenishment of toiletries (soaps, disinfectant, air fresheners, tissue).
  • Regular check of the reception area to maintain cleanliness.
  • General cleaning of the kitchen, utensils, and equipment.
  • Proper disposal of wastes into correct bins to enhance clean production practices.
  • General cleaning of the fridge and cookers at least once a week.
  • Cleaning the inside of cupboards once a week.
• Preparation of meals for staff (breakfast and lunch) as per the Chimpanzee Trust standard menu.
• Preparing tea/coffee for visitors when required.
• Carry out thorough cleaning of windows and ceilings at least once a week.
• Washing up bath, hand towels, and kitchen dish towels.
• Keep updated monthly inventory of kitchen facilities/equipment and foodstuff procured.
• Ensure proper storage of foodstuffs and other kitchen consumables/non-consumables.
• Implement weekly rodent control in liaison with supervisor.
• Implement waste management procedures according to cleaner production practices alongside Environmental Management Systems.

• Be able to communicate in the English language.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Keen on details in maintaining the cleanliness of the surroundings.
• Pro-activeness in accomplishing tasks assigned.
• Be able to read and write in English.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a Records Management System for the Trust.
• Participate in the evaluation of research proposals for the Chimpanzee Trust.
• Develop data collection tools for the different sections at the sanctuary.
• Collect chimp behaviour data on behalf of researchers.
• Train Keepers and other staff in data collection.
• Ensure accurate entry of data on chimpanzees and operations of the sanctuary in the ERP system.
• Review and analyze data collected on chimpanzees and other wildlife.

General Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, administration, and monitoring of chimpanzee tests; analyze and evaluate data. Ensure compliance with protocol.
• Maintain specialized equipment relevant to research and the sanctuary.
• Responsible for cleaning and keeping rooms and washing clothes.
• Ensure all equipment used is maintained in good working condition.
• Adhere to rosters for daily duties related to chimpanzee care.
• Adhere to environmental management system procedures (routine maintenance schedule).
• Participation in both indoor and outdoor behavioural research activities at the sanctuary.
• Participation in chimpanzee caregiving activities at the sanctuary.
• Any other duties that may be assigned from time to time.

• Proven and substantial professional experience of not less than two (2) years in similar roles.
• Excellent research and analytical skills.
• Skilled in data collection tools and analysis for the correctness of information.
• High-level integrity and high standards of personal conduct.

• Develop and execute the annual marketing, sales, and communications strategy to expand market share and achieve revenue targets.
• Design, develop, and diversify tourism products that meet evolving market demands and generate sustainable income for the Trust.
• Conduct market research to identify new business opportunities, track industry trends, and inform strategic decision-making.
• Cultivate and maintain strong, collaborative partnerships with key stakeholders within the local and international tourism sectors.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of promotional materials, manage public relations, and serve as a key spokesperson for the Trust.
• Lead, mentor, and manage the marketing team and associated business units to ensure high performance and professional growth.
• Prepare and analyze sales and marketing data, monitor business performance against key metrics, and provide regular reports to the Executive Director, identifying areas for improvement.

• Strategic Thinking: Demonstrated ability to develop and implement successful marketing strategies.
• Leadership: Proven experience in leading and motivating a team.
• Communication: Exceptional interpersonal, negotiation, and public speaking skills.
• Business Acumen: Strong skills in market analysis, product development, and financial reporting.
• Stakeholder Management: Capacity to build and maintain effective partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical Skills: Proficiency in analyzing sales and marketing data to drive informed decisions.