Sustainable Land Management Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance and protection to refugees and displaced persons. Established in 1956, DRC operates in multiple countries around the world, focusing on providing support in conflict-affected areas. The organization is committed to promoting durable solutions for refugees and displaced populations, ensuring their rights are upheld and their needs are met. DRC employs thousands of staff globally and works in various sectors including protection, livelihoods, and education, among others. The organization emphasizes collaboration with local communities and authorities to implement effective programs that address the challenges faced by displaced individuals and host communities.

Job Overview:
The sustainable-land-management" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Sustainable Land Management Officer will play a crucial role in leading the planning, implementation, and monitoring of Sustainable Land Management interventions as part of the Uganda Climate Smart Agricultural Transformation Project (UCSATP). This position is particularly focused on refugee settlements, where the officer will support farmer groups in adopting climate-smart practices related to soil and water conservation. The officer will be responsible for promoting ecological restoration, facilitating land access arrangements, and ensuring that project activities contribute to the goal of bringing at least 3,000 hectares under sustainable land management. The role requires close collaboration with district authorities, community leaders, and farmer institutions to implement appropriate technologies and support integrated land use planning in accordance with UCSATP requirements. The officer will also be expected to ensure compliance with environmental safeguards and contribute to community awareness campaigns on sustainable land use and climate change.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Sustainable Land Management Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: leading the implementation of sustainable land management practices such as soil and water conservation, agroforestry, contour bunding, mulching, composting, rainwater harvesting, and small-scale irrigation; supporting farmer groups in integrating sustainable land management measures within various agricultural value chains; coordinating land access processes for block farming models and facilitating dialogue among landowners, host communities, refugee leadership, and local government; guiding ecological restoration activities including reforestation and rehabilitation of degraded landscapes; ensuring compliance with UCSATP environmental and social safeguards; training community-based facilitators and lead farmers; establishing demonstration plots for climate-smart land management; collecting field data and documenting hectares under sustainable land management; collaborating with monitoring and evaluation teams; and contributing to community awareness campaigns on environmental stewardship and climate change.

Required Qualifications:
To be considered for this position, candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, natural resource management, agriculture, forestry, land and water management, climate change, or a related field. Additionally, candidates should have demonstrated experience in implementing sustainable land management interventions in Uganda, particularly in refugee hosting districts. Knowledge of community-based natural resource management, land use planning, and participatory extension approaches is essential. Experience in supporting farmer groups, training community facilitators, and applying methodologies such as Farmer Field School is also required. Familiarity with the World Bank's environmental and social framework, as well as risk mitigation measures, is important. Candidates should have strong coordination skills and the ability to apply digital data collection tools effectively.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as environmental science, natural resource management, agriculture, forestry, land and water management, or climate change. Postgraduate training in Sustainable Land Management, climate resilience, land restoration, or watershed management is considered an added advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of practical experience in sustainable land management, soil and water conservation, agroforestry, climate-smart agriculture, or ecological restoration, particularly in rural or humanitarian settings. Candidates should have a proven track record of implementing sustainable land management practices and working with diverse stakeholders in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of local languages spoken in refugee settlements, such as Swahili, Luo/Acholi, Kinyabwisha, Arabic, Lingala, French, or Madi, is considered an asset and is desirable for effective communication with local communities.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in refugee settlements in Uganda, with the specific district depending on the assignment. The salary and conditions will be in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national employees. Applicants are required to upload a cover letter and an updated CV in English, with applications sent via email not being considered. The closing date for applications is set for 09th January 202

• DRC emphasizes a merit-based recruitment process and does not solicit money for any part of its recruitment process.