Land Use Planning Officer – Liberia

Land Use Planning Officer – Liberia 
Reference: JAN20249765 
Location: Monrovia, Liberia 
Salary: £30,940.00 - £33,215.00 Per Annum 
Benefits: Rent, utilities, pension compensation, relocation allowance, annual leave, 1 flight home per year 
Duration: 2 years FTC, Full Time.

About the Gef FOLUR Project
The Food Systems, Land Use, and Restoration (FOLUR) Impact Project is based on the growing recognition 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 efficient food 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 better integrated, producing ecosystem services and maintaining natural capital. To this end, our client, a nature conservation charity, is a sub-grantee to Conservation International-Liberia implementing a five-year Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded FOLUR project titled “Reducing deforestation from palm oil and cocoa value chains,” with the main objective “ to promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable food systems for enhanced livelihood opportunities in the Gola Landscape through Land Use Planning, restoration of degraded lands, and strengthening governance, policies, and market incentives for nationally replicable models of deforestation-free cocoa and palm oil value chains.” 

Based on the above, our client is seeking a highly motivated Land Use Planning Officer to support the implementation 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 planning procedures, engagement of stakeholders, partners, and resource users to develop land management database systems, a tool for improved food production systems and restoration of lands, most specifically in cocoa and oil palm areas.

Job Responsibilities

• Carry out a baseline assessment and produce a report on the Land Use Planning processes and institutional framework governing Land Use Planning in Liberia – drawn entirely from secondary source 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 to recognize the major Land Use options, the resource users, the biophysical features, and the Land Use integration systems
• In collaboration with relevant stakeholders, develop a policy framework and practical analysis of Land 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 process in 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, with relevant emphasis on cocoa agroforestry and Forest friendly cocoa production systems
• Provide technical advice, active participation, and support to the design, development, and production of the Gola/Foya LUP, relevant to Food production systems and restoration of lands for agroecosystems.
• Through awareness and advocacy, support efforts on the application and implementation of both community and landscape Land Use systems, with relevance to sustainable development and natural resource use in Gola/Foya Landscape.

What the employer needs from you, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s and/or master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences, Conservation Agriculture, Natural Resources 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 resource management, or similar field
• Extensive experience engaging in reviews of policy and institutional arrangements related to land or other natural resources
• Proven skills in qualitative research.
• Experience designing Land Use Planning processes that address issues such as deforestation, climate smart agriculture, and food production systems and that substantially engage civil society.
• Familiarity with the legal framework governing land and prior experience working in West African countries. 
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical, and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and statistical analyses is an added advantage.

This is a 2 year fixed term Contract, full Time role for 37.5 hours per week.

The employer reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 11th February 2024 
They are looking to conduct interviews for this position as soon as possible.

To Apply and for more information

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This employer is committed to developing an inclusive and diverse organisation, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve their vision of creating a world richer in nature, they need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, they are particularly interested in receiving your application. You will be able to contact the employer to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

This charity is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

No agencies please.