Land Use Planning Officer – Liberia

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, the Royal
Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) 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, the RSPB 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 we need 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 RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising
dependent 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 information
please contact [email protected] 

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an
application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed
above.

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

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached
to 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 in
nature, we 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, we are particularly
interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need
to complete your application.