Liberia DCOP and Leader for Community Forestry, Land Tenure, and Property Rights Activities

POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and Leader for Community Forestry, Land Tenure, and Property Rights Activities: Liberia People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER) Program

Winrock International is urgently recruiting applicants for the position of Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and Leader for Community Forestry, Land Tenure, and Property Rights Activities to work on a five-year program focused on the development and implementation of appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in Liberia. The responsibilities, duties, and qualifications are described in the attached position description.

Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

GENERAL: Winrock International is a nonprofit organization that works with people in the United States and around the world to empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources. By linking local individuals and communities with new ideas and technology, Winrock is increasing long-term productivity, equity, and responsible resource management to benefit the poor and disadvantaged of the world.

SALARY & BENEFITS: The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent benefits.

APPLICATIONS: Applicants should go to www.winrock.org to the Jobs link and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing “DCOP, PROSPER” by December 30, 2011.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and the position will be filled as soon as a qualified candidate is identified, so please apply now.

Winrock would like to graciously thank all applicants for their interest but only candidates who meet all requisite criteria and are short listed will be contacted.

EEOE/AA.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION TITLE: Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and Leader for Community Forestry, Land Tenure, and Property Rights Activities: Liberia People, Rules and Organizations Supporting the Protection of Ecosystem Resources (PROSPER) Program

LOCATION: Monrovia, Liberia

UNIT: Forestry and Natural Resources Management (FNRM)

REPORTS TO: Director, Forestry and Natural Resources Management

PROGRAM SUMMARY:

The goal of PROSPER is to introduce, operationalize and refine appropriate models for community management of forest resources for local self-governance and enterprise development in targeted areas of the country. This will be accomplished by improving human, legal, regulatory and institutional capacities in environmental awareness and wise stewardship of natural resources with the aim of extending community-based forest management as well as community-based forestry and agricultural enterprise development throughout Liberia. In implementation sites in rural Liberia, PROSPER will focus on approaches that increase the knowledge and capacity required to implement the legal and policy requirements for sustainable forest management; protect and enhance land tenure and property rights; promote environmental awareness and compliance; and ensure biodiversity conservation on the part of communities and their development partners. PROSPER will also share its community-level experiences with national-level decision making actors and processes in order to improve national-level policy development for community-based forest management; community-based agricultural and forest enterprises; and land tenure and property rights.

Position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

The primary role of the DCOP will be to act as the leader for all community-based forestry management and land tenure and property rights activities under PROSPER, including direct supervision and mentoring of program staff as well as oversight and mentoring of sub-contractors working on these activities. The DCOP will be the program’s principal day-to-day liaison with the Forestry Development Authority and Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia. In addition, this person will lead all programmatic efforts in support of land tenure and property rights interventions for PROSPER, including serving as the principal contact with the Land Commission and other land agencies of the Government of Liberia. The DCOP also is expected to be able to act as a liaison with USAID/Liberia and all other public and private sector counterparts, implementing partners, and other donors involved with community-based forest management and land tenure and property rights in Liberia. This individual shall monitor forestry, land tenure and property rights and keep the Chief of Party (COP) appraised regarding issues of program management and implementation in the program’s community forest management and land tenure and property rights activities. The DCOP shall be the principal assistant of the COP regarding issues of program management and implementation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND:

Education: Master’s degree or equivalent in forestry or another degree related to natural resources management and/or land tenure and property rights focused at the community level.

Work Experience:
 Ten (10) years or more of progressively responsible work experience in managing and implementing Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and/or community based forestry programs, preferably in Africa  Five (5) years of experience working on tenure and property rights issues for land and natural resources in developing countries  Experience in community forestry law and policy development required  Experience in designing and implementing community forest management plans and agreements required  Experience in conflict management is desirable, preferably in post-conflict situations  Experience with relevant programs is preferred Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Excellent analytical skills, particularly concerning governance and institutional analysis. Demonstrated ability to work across key sectors concerned with community forestry such as forestry, agriculture and land use planning. The DCOP shall be fluent in English.

Other: Willingness to travel to remote parts of the country.

How to apply:

Applicants should go to www.winrock.org to the Jobs link and submit a current resume and cover letter referencing “DCOP, PROSPER” by December 30, 2011.