Development Worker as Advisor (m/f/d) for participatory and integrated land use planning and conflict resolution

Livelihood and social harmony in rural and urban communities anywhere depend on access to and proper utilization of land. However, the excessive use of land resources has led to resource depletion, loss of biodiversity, conflicts and internal displacements. This is also true for Ethiopia. The intervention aims to improve the institutional capacities of and regulatory framework for national and regional authorities on integrated land use planning in areas with high land competition in accordance with international human rights standards and by improving the education and training opportunities for integrated land use planning professionals at different levels.

Your Tasks

• Advise the regional planning authorities in applying the spatial planning instruments of the state administration and strengthen their procedural reliability and technical capability in this regard
• Strengthen regional planning authorities through organisational development measures, including the establishment of spatial planning review authorities at regional level for land-use-related development projects
• Identify capacity gaps of regional planning authorities and support training activities of existing staff at regional level e.g. on conflict-sensitive planning methodologies, data management, GIS, creation and analysis of maps for different sectors, mediation techniques, etc.
• Support to awareness-raising activities, especially for the establishment of the regional steering bodies for the spatial planning process, as well as the preparation of the planning process
• Support the development and implementation of a representative and human rights-compliant participation mechanism for private sector and civil society, including disadvantaged groups, as well as in the design of negotiation and decision-making mechanisms on land use
• Regionally coordinate with external consultants and service providers

Your Profile

• University degree in spatial planning, geography, peace and conflict studies, organizational development, development studies or similar qualification
• Several years of professional experience in spatial planning or integrated land use planning, preferably in the development context or hotspot areas
• Knowledge of conflict resolution mechanisms, mediation processes, human-rights based approaches and gender-transformative approaches
• Some experience in land governance, strengthening citizens’ participation, transparency and organizational development
• Experience in advising, coaching, training and application of participatory tools would be an advantage
• Intercultural skills with respect to cultural communication and interaction forms
• Work experience in development cooperation, ideally in East Africa / the Horn of Africa
• Good English skills; willingness to learn the Amharic language