Fire Manager – Ecoplanet Bamboo

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We are a global company applying our successful model of landscape restoration to contribute to three of the world’s most critical environmental problems: the need for effective solutions to mitigate global climate change; holistic restoration of the world’s most degraded landscapes; and a growing population that requires sustainable alternatives for consumer products and markets that still contribute to deforestation and deforestation driven emissions. We have spent the last decade building the framework for bamboo to be a solution to achieve this through carbon-financed bamboo farms in Nicaragua, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda and the Philippines.

In Ghana our operations are currently developing two bamboo reforestation projects on the North Bandai and the Bandai Hills Forest Reserve in the Ashanti Region, with a total project area of approximately 11,000 hectares, and current staffing teams of 650, representing 250 permanent full-time employees and 400 seasonal workers.

Our operations are run from our headquarters in proximity to the forest reserves, approximately 45 minutes from the closest town of Agogo

Job Description

• FIRE MANAGER, GHANA – ECOPLANET BAMBOO WESTERN AFRICA
• CONTRACT TYPE: Full Time - Fixed Term
• DURATION:  2 Year
• REPORTS TO:  General Manager – Ecoplanet Bamboo Western Africa

ABOUT US

EcoPlanet Bamboo West Africa operates as part of EcoPlanet Bamboo Group, focusing on reforestation, land restoration, and sustainable bamboo fibre production.

EcoPlanet Bamboo's operations in Ghana focus on the restoration of degraded landscapes through sustainable bamboo cultivation. The company aligns with its broader mission to produce deforestation-free wood and fibre products while contributing to fighting climate change, environmental restoration and socio-economic development. EcoPlanet Bamboo's operations in Ghana actively create job opportunities for local communities, contributing to economic empowerment and significantly improving local livelihoods. The company’s community impact projects focus on creating a lasting positive impact in the communities around our operations.

EcoPlanet Bamboo operates in forest reserves located outside Agogo, in the Ashanti region of Ghana, where the risk of wildfires poses a threat to local communities and the sustainability of reforestation and restoration efforts. Effective fire management is crucial to mitigate these risks, improve preparedness, and enhance response strategies.

To support these goals, EcoPlanet Bamboo seeks an experienced Fire Management Consultant to evaluate current practices and develop an improved fire management plan based on a detailed risk assessment.

OBJECTIVES

• Evaluate past wildfire incidents and analyze their causes, patterns, and impacts.
• Identify planning and strategies to reduce fire risks.
• Develop an enhanced fire management plan based on a thorough risk assessment and in line with the local context.
• Recommend improved fire detection techniques and systems and associated response plans.
• Assess and outline training needs for staff, communities, and third-party stakeholders to improve wildfire response.
• Support the EcoPlanet Bamboo team with on-the-ground response and advisory services during the current fire season and in preparation for the following fire season.

SCOPE OF WORK

• Development of Fire Management Plan:
• Perform a risk assessment to identify high-risk areas and key vulnerabilities.
• Create a comprehensive fire management plan tailored to EcoPlanet Bamboo’s operations and the local context.
• Integrate improved fire risk reduction measures, response protocols, and monitoring systems into the plan.
• Provide recommendations for improved fire detection systems, including technologies and methodologies relevant to the local context.
• Design and deliver training workshops for EcoPlanet Bamboo staff, local communities, and third-party stakeholders.
• Focus training on fire risk reduction, detection, and coordinated response techniques.
• Develop training materials and toolkits for continued use by the organization.
• Provide real-time guidance and advisory services during the current fire season.
• Assist the team in responding to active fire incidents, ensuring safety and efficiency.
• Mentor and support local fire management teams to build long-term capacity.
• Ensure that preparations are undertaken for the subsequent fire season aligned with the proposed plan

DELIVERABLES

• Detailed risk assessment report identifying vulnerabilities and high-risk areas.
• Enhanced fire management plan with actionable recommendations and strategies.
• Recommendations for improved fire detection systems and planning.
• Training workshops and materials for staff, communities, and stakeholders.
• Be the lead guiding response and management oversight during the current fire season and preparation during the non-fire season.

Required Skills or Experience

• A minimum of 20 years of experience in forest fire management, with a strong emphasis on fire information systems.
• Proven working knowledge of managing fire in high-risk high-stress situations.
• Demonstrated experience in team management and field project implementation, particularly in Africa but outside of the structured environment of South Africa.
• Extensive experience in organizing and running workshops and training sessions in all aspects of forest fire management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.