Land Use Planning Officer - Liberia

About the Gef FOLUR Project
The Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Project is based on the growingrecognition that food production systems and Land Use must improve for the benefit of peoples’health, planet, and economies. FOLUR will promote sustainable integrated landscapes and efficientfood value chains at scale targeting commodities – cocoa and palm oil.  

FOLUR aims to transform the global food and Land Use systems so that production areas are betterintegrated, producing ecosystem services and maintaining natural capital. To this end, the RoyalSociety for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a sub-grantee to Conservation International-Liberiaimplementing a five-year Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded FOLUR project titled “Reducingdeforestation from palm oil and cocoa value chains,” with the main objective “ to promotebiodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems for enhanced livelihood opportunities in theGola Landscape through Land Use Planning, restoration of degraded lands, and strengtheninggovernance, policies, and market incentives for nationally replicable models of deforestation-freecocoa and palm oil value chains.”  

Based on the above, the RSPB is seeking a highly motivated Land Use Planning Officer to support theimplementation of the GEF FOLUR
About the Position
The LUP Officer will collaborate with Project partners in the Gola/Foya Landscape in NW Liberia.The LUP Officer will provide technical assistance on the application of Landscape spatial planningprocedures, engagement of stakeholders, partners, and resource users to develop land managementdatabase systems, a tool for improved food production systems and restoration of lands, mostspecifically in cocoa and oil palm areas.
Job Responsibilities
Carry out a baseline assessment and produce a report on the Land Use Planning processes andinstitutional framework governing Land Use Planning in Liberia – drawn entirely from secondarysource research, spatial analysis, field assessment, and desk-based information systems of Liberia  

Develop an analytical framework of a Landscape based spatial baseline of information as a guide torecognize the major Land Use options, the resource users, the biophysical features, and the landuse integration systems
In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develop a policy framework and practical analysis ofLand Use systems in Liberia, with relevance to the Gola/Foya Landscape. 

Provide technical advice, guidance, and support on the application of the Land Use Planning processin collaboration with the Society for the Conservation of Nature (SCNL) Team 

Provide technical support to the Land Use Restoration activities of the SCNL in the Gola/Foya, withrelevant emphasis on cocoa agroforestry and Forest friendly cocoa production systems 

Provide technical advice, active participation, and support to the design, development, andproduction of the Gola/Foya LUP, relevant to Food production systems and restoration of lands foragroecosystems. 

Through awareness and advocacy, support efforts on the application and implementation of bothcommunity and landscape Land Use systems, with relevance to sustainable development and naturalresource use in Gola/Foya Landscape.
What we need from you, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Conservation Agriculture, NaturalResources Management, Land Management, Environmental Sciences, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in Land Use Planning and policy in developing country contexts,preferably in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Work experience in spatial information management in Land Use Planning, natural resourcemanagement, or similar field
• Extensive experience engaging in reviews of policy and institutional arrangements related to landor other natural resources
• Proven skills in qualitative research.
• Experience designing Land Use Planning processes that address issues such as deforestation, climatesmart agriculture, and food production systems and that substantially engage civil society.
• Familiarity with the legal framework governing land and prior experience working in West Africancountries.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and statistical analyses is anadded advantage.

This is a 2 year fixed term Contract, full Time role for 37.5 hours per week.
The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertisingdependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.
We are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as possible. For further informationplease contact heather.mitchell@rspb.org.uk 
As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete anapplication form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listedabove.
The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation ofOffenders Act 1974.
Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attachedto the top of this advert.
We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported,valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer innature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour anddisabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, andconservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularlyinterested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may needto complete your application.