Project Advisor – Land Use and Natural Resource Management

  • Contract
  • Contract type: National employment contract

Company Description

SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is an international not-for-profit development organisation, working in 36 countries worldwide, including 17 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. We focus on achieving impact in Energy, Agriculture and Water, Sanitation & Hygiene.

Background:

SNV has had its operations in Tanzania since 1971 and currently has offices in Dar es Salaam, Mwanza, Arusha, Dodoma, Mbeya, and Sumbawanga. In alignment with our Corporate Strategy, SNV Tanzania focuses on three sectors namely Food Systems and Agriculture, Renewable Energy, and Water.

Job Description

The Project Advisor is a middle-level management position and will be responsible for working under the SUSTAIN ECO project that focuses on the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity, environmental conservation, and water resource management in natural areas across the Lake Rukwa Landscape areas. 

Key responsibilities include the following:

  • Implement and supervise day-to-day activities related to land use and natural resources management within the Sumbawanga Landscape with a focus on sustainable agricultural practices, conservation, habitat rehabilitation techniques, and agro-forestry and other approaches.
  • Provide the lead technical guidance in relation to sustainable land,and forest use strategies, plans/tools/technologies to effectively manage natural resources and reduce environmental impacts (soil erosion, land degradation etc), climate smart agriculture practices, fisheries, livestock management, carbon credit schemes and reforestation and forest regeneration techniques.
  • Actively engage with key stakeholders (e.g., Lake Rukwa Water Basin Authority, regional and district councils, NGO’s, CBOs, TANAPA, AMCOS, farmers associations, etc) and contribute to building their technical, coordinating and planning capacities and alignment with the National Environment Master Plan and other regional and district level environmental plans.
  • Monitor and evaluate project performance and progress against the approved project work plan as it relates to land use and natural resources management and suggest corrective measures where appropriate.
  • Undertake research/assessments and supervise consultants undertaking research relating to issues of land use, land degradation and natural resources management and related interventions, including assessments and audits of village reserves and natural areas to identify and promote management actions to reduce land degradation. 
  • Collaborate with partners/stakeholders to develop and implement education and promotional activities relating to biodiversity and environmental management along with interventions to reinforce regulations e.g.: enforcement/ reforestation of 60m protected/reserve buffer zone along (riverbanks, watershed, wetland, roadside, bridges etc)
  • Prepare progress reports, in line with both donor and SNV internal procedures and requirements that update the management on project implementation, and of all other major project deliverables defined in the contract.
  • Comply and adhere to all SNV procedures and policies, including Travel, Procurement, Finance and HR issues.
  • Any other relevant duties as shall be determined by the PM or Management team

Qualifications

  • ​​Master’s level degree in ecology, natural resources, environmental science, agronomy, soil science/ soil conservation, land use planning or related field (or relevant bachelor’s degree with at least 6 years work experience)
  • A minimum of 4 years work experience with development programmes focusing on natural resource management, conservation, or environmental management in Tanzania
  • Expertise in using GIS applications to produce maps, analysis and evidence
  • Expertise in applying land use and natural resources monitoring tools and related concepts (including soil testing etc)
  • Hands-on experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder platforms.
  • Experience working in international organizations, and the ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural setting.
  • Excellent communication skills in English and Swahili (both written and oral), including very strong report writing and presentation skills.
  • Willingness to travel long distances in remote rural areas.
  • Experience of designing/ implementing carbon credit schemes a definite advantage
  • Knowledge of sustainable fishing approaches desirable
  • Knowledge and application of climate resilience and Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) approaches an advantage

​​​Functional Competencies - demonstrated ability in:

  • Technical Skills and Knowledge: Advanced and up-to-date knowledge and experience of principles and practical approaches related to natural resources ecosystem management, conservation, agro-forestry, climate-smart agriculture, fisheries, livestock management, and pro-poor approaches.
  • GIS Expertise: Expertise and use of GIS tools to generate maps for evidence-based decision-making and documentation is highly desirable
  • Monitoring & Evaluation: Sound experience of monitoring and evaluation tools and approaches, analysis of natural resources information (including land use, resource allocations, soil testing etc) and ability to concisely summarise key findings and recommendations.
  • Multi-Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to coordinate, communicate effectively and trigger consensus among a wide range of stakeholders including high-level government officials, Researchers, NGO representatives Farmer Cooperatives.
  • Ability to carry out research related to legislation, enforcement and regulations and develop tailored recommendations.
  • Ability to work well independently and with a diverse, multi-disciplinary group in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
  • Able to assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
  • Computer and software proficiency – Outlook, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and A Photoshop, ArcGIS/QGIS or similar geospatial software.
  • Ability to do technical studies and to prepare technical reports and articles related to natural resources.

Additional Information

  • Languages: Fluent in English and Kiswahili
  • Desired Start Date: Immediately 2023
  • Contract Duration: Two years renewable based on performance
  • Reports to: Project Manager
  • Duty Station: Sumbawanga Town, Tanzania or Mpanda Town, Katavi (to be decided)

How to Apply:

If you believe that your credentials meet the outlined profile, we invite you to apply by uploading your CV, letter of motivation,  and copies of your certification. The vacancy is for both internal and external candidates and will be active up to 6th August 2023 all applications should be through Smart Recruiters at the following link https://careers.smartrecruiters.com/SNVFemale candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement and only the shortlisted candidate will be contacted. 

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