Social & Community Development Officer job Position. Deadline 23rd July 2021

Job Description – Social & Community Development Officer

 OBJECTIVES

The Social and Community Development Officer (SCO) will support the day-to-day activities related to the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), the Local Area Development Plan (LADP), and ensure enhanced Public Consultation.  

 REPORTING LINES AND RELATIONS

Direct Report: E&S Manager

Subordinates: Project Team

Internal: Project Director, Board of Directors, Project Steering Committee, Project financing team

External: Peoples and organizations impacted by the implementation of the project (Landowner, land users, etc.) owners (IPS/Scatec), contractors incl. consultants

 MAIN DUTIES

The SCO will work in close liaison with the Project Environmental and Social Manager. The Officer will play a key role in the managing and coordination of day to day follow up of the implementation of the Ruzizi III RAP and Public Consultation related activities and his/her primary duties include the following:

1.  Providingtechnical assistance to achieve the targets and outputs for the timely implementation of the RAP and Public Consultation for the Project. Specific tasks include, but are not limited to:

a)  Coordinate and participate in the general planning processes for the execution of the tasks related to the RAP implementation and offer guidance on applicable approaches;

b)  Serve as focal point  between Ruzizi III Project and other participating institutions especially  in organizing local consultations with the identified stakeholders, ensuring a robust public consultation, disclosure and dissemination platform that guarantees the appropriate balance of attention between ‘local’ (i.e. directly affected by the project, both negatively and positively) and ‘external’ stakeholder (i.e. Government /NGOs/ interest groups) interests in the potential social impacts of the Ruzizi III Project;

c)  Work with key national stakeholders to review and update work plans, providing timely information regarding activities to prepare and implement the RAP and the policies and procedures associated with the implementation of the RAP, compensation, relocation and rehabilitation, and restoration packages ensuring that these are validated and approved as per national policies, principles and procedures;

d)  Liaise with provincial/district/commune stakeholders to coordinate and confirm the establishment and working of local level resettlement committees or alternative mechanisms for coordinating the work including grievance mechanism, dispute resolution and review of available land or other options available to PAPs; 

e)  Consult with PAPs in particular and relevant stakeholders about land acquisition and resettlement impacts, and the needs, concerns, preferences for effective compensation and livelihood restoration strategies; 

f)  Take cognizance of, ensure consultation with and necessary attention to vulnerable people, such as the ultra-poor, widows, single mothers, the physically challenged, People Living with HIV/AIDS, the elderly as identified by stakeholders.

g) Take appropriate action as necessary to ensure that good practice of RAP implementation is adhered to, including compliance with social safeguards and ensuring that PAPs are fully aware of their rights and options pertaining to resettlement, compensation and other assistance;

h) Reach out to a representative ‘civil society voice’, assisting and advising in identifying, and consulting with key civil society stakeholders (associations, networks, interest groups, community-based organizations, etc.) which are development-oriented and can provide invaluable input into the Ruzizi III project RAP implementation processes;

i)  Monitor the project compensation committees for quick backstopping, guidance and remedial actions related to stakeholder participation, adherence of compensation schedules and assess the quality of implementation, impacts of social safeguards mitigation measures and levels of satisfaction with the resettlement processes and outcomes;

j)  Update REL on progress made and seek advice about challenging situations; 

k)  Working in close consultation with Environmental and Social Manager, Communication officer and drawing upon their expertise, devise innovative approaches for both stakeholders’ consultations and sharing of information on Ruzizi III project social impacts and the planned mitigation measures, with consistent messages. 

2.    General Responsibilities and Approach 

Collaborate with REL Environmental and social Manager and other project staffs to ensure project integration, coordination, and achievement of overall Ruzizi III project objectives related RAP implementation.

REPORTING

The SCO will report to the Project Director and copy the Environmental and Social Manager who will supervise his/her work.

On an output basis, the officer will be expected to submit: (i) a brief narrative/monthly report, outlining the work accomplished in delivering the specific monthly output; (ii) an outline of the work expected to be completed for the next deliverable/month; (iii) stakeholder consultation summaries at different levels (national and local); and, (iv) comments or recommendations relating to monitoring reports and progress of the implementation of the RAP activities.

DURATION AND NATURE OF APPOINTMENT 

The appointment of the officer will be for a period of two years and is subject to extension, as needed. The officer will be based within the project area.  Priority will be given to nationals originating from the 3 countries (Burundi, DRC and Rwanda). Women candidates are especially encouraged to apply.

 COMPETENCIES / REQUIREMENTS

The SCO officer , preferably a citizen of one of the three Ruzizi III project countries, will be selected on the basis of the following criteria:

a) Advanced training (Bachelor degree or higher) in Sociology, Development Studies, Social anthropology, Community Development, Political Science or related field.

b) At least 5 years of work experience in participatory approaches with a range of stakeholders and at least 3 years of experience in social analysis, planning and management of a range of social dimensions (Poverty and Vulnerability, Gender, HIV/AIDS, Conflict, and Migration). 

c) Expertise in the development and use of participatory approaches at all levels (regional, national and community), preferably in complex projects with tangible positive impact on project implementation. Experience with social marketing or behavior change will be an asset.

d)  Recognized knowledge and technical expertise in displacement, resettlement and valuation and compensation frameworks.

e)  Excellent consensus-building, multi-cultural, and inter-personal skills; Strong team building and mentoring capabilities; Knowledge and skills in the use of consensus building tools will be an asset.

f)  Excellent writing, analytical, presentation, and reporting skills.

g)  Fluency in spoken and written French and English; Fluency in another regional language like Kiswahili, Kirundi or Kinyarwanda; and familiarity with at least two of the countries is an asset.

h) Good computing skills, including knowledge of software packages for word processing, databases, and spreadsheets; Familiarity with modern communication systems (such as Internet, worldwide web, email, etc.). 

i)  Experience working within international and donor organization contexts and especially familiarity with the policies, procedures and practices of major bilateral and multilateral development agencies is an advantage.

j)  Experience working in Africa, particularly great lakes countries, is essential.

k) Willing to work and stay within the project area, as work demands. 

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Interested candidates should send their applications at (jobs@ruzizienergy.com) and upload application documents including Curriculum Vitae, copies of degree certificates and professional certificates, motivation letter, names of three previous supervisors (as one document) as well as their emails and telephone.

Only online applications shall be considered.

Address all applications to the Project Director of Ruzizi III Energy Ltd.

Deadline for application: Friday, July 23rd , 2021.

Due to expected high volume of applications, ONLY shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Done in Kigali, July 6th , 2021