Stakeholder Engagement & Training Specialist

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant. Pact is a recognized global leader in international development. Our staff have a range of expertise in areas including public health, capacity development, governance and civil society, natural resource management, poverty, fragile states, monitoring and evaluation, small-scale and artisanal mining, microfinance and more. This expertise is combined in Pact’s unique integrated approach, which focuses on systemic changes needed to improve people’s lives.

Department

Programs - Pact strives for a world where all people are heard, capable, and vibrant. The Programs Team helps realize this objective by bridging program management, technical support, and business development, enabling Pact to achieve its global strategy. We ensure program excellence through continuous learning, monitoring and evaluation and provide organizational and industry-wide thought leadership by leveraging a complementary set of cross-functional, multi-disciplinary skills, expertise, and experiences. The Programs team: influences progressive change through the development and implementation of global and regional strategies and business plans; supports advancement of innovative solutions; pursues new business opportunities; and drives effective internal and external engagement to maximize Pact’s impact across the globe. Across all aspects of its role, the Programs Department adheres to and promotes a culture of inclusion, accountability, and respect.

Position Overview

Pact Inc. seeks a Stakeholder Engagement & Training Specialist on the Liberia Conservation Works anticipated 5-year project in Liberia to conserve threatened and endangered species by strengthening Protected Areas (PA) and improving economic conditions around PAs. The goal of this project is to conserve biodiversity while increasing economic growth. The goal will be achieved by 1) strengthening protection and management for existing PAs and Proposed Protected Areas (PPA) and 2) increasing economic growth around PPAs and PAs. Most of the project efforts will be focused in targeted geographical areas within Liberia.

Key Responsibilities

The Stakeholder Engagement & Training Specialist will engage a variety of stakeholders at the community, local government, and national levels and lead training, capacity development, and institutional strengthening activities under four project components: 1) increasing the number of proposed protected areas, 2) improving protection and management of target proposed protected areas and protected areas at the local and national level, 3) increasing economic security for communities living around protected areas, and 4) increasing economic growth by supporting conservation enterprises.

Some of the key responsibilities of the Stakeholder Engagement & Training Specialist include:

1. Engage with local partner(s) to support communities to be integral stakeholders in participatory field research to inform the classification and designation of protected areas.
2. Support and strengthen CSO networks as part of a broader systems approach in the areas of advocacy, allocation of resources, effective Protected Area (PA) Network management, and effective engagement with the private sector.
3. Conduct an assessment of individual competencies at national and local levels, and develop and deliver a PA management training package for PA site managers and other stakeholders.
4. Work with the FDA, the Community Forestry and Conservation Departments, research institutions, and other stakeholders to strengthen their institutional capacity to plan, obtain financing, and effectively and sustainably administer PAs and the PA Network.
5. Strengthen Community Forestry Management Bodies (CFMBs) capacity including technical, financial, and business aspects of forest management, development of forest management plans, and management of funds efficiently and effectively
6. Develop capacity of stakeholders to maintain boundary lines, conduct forest inventories, zone the forest for different uses, monitor forest biodiversity, and/or supervise extractive operations such as logging and mining.
7. Strengthen institutional and technical capacity of grantees i.e. NGOs, CSOs, and/or community groups, receiving Grants under Contract (GUCs) to collaboratively manage key aspects of key PAs.
8. Work with local partners to develop, mentor and support towards graduation, enterprise groups, cooperatives, youth livelihoods groups, and/or informal livelihoods groups with a focus on the needs of the rural economy, youth livelihoods needs, and other key economic groups.
9. Design and deliver training in the production, processing, and marketing of non-timber forest products NTFPs (e.g., palm oil, cocoa, bush pepper, walnuts, etc.) that both decrease the burden on forest resources and serve as sustainable livelihoods.

Basic Requirements

• Experience in international development, biodiversity conservation, and/or sustainable livelihood development.
• Experience working at the community level, as well as national and local government levels, to develop skills and capacities that promote sustainability and economic growth.
• Excellent grasp of participatory capacity development methodologies.
• Excellent facilitation and training skills in a variety of topics.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal and creative problem-solving skills.
• Be highly proficient in public speaking.
• Excellent oral and written communication abilities in English

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree (or equivalent) in international development, economics, natural resource management or a related field.
• Experience working on USAID-funded projects.
• Experience bridging gender gaps and eliminating barriers to gender parity and promoting female empowerment.
• Experience implementing Positive Youth Development (PYD) approaches to support young people in leadership, decision-making, sustainable economic empowerment, and management.
• Experience with engagement and partnerships with both the formal and informal private sector, aligning activities to existing regional, national, and community plans, priorities, and capacities.
• Work experience in Liberia.

• Liberian nationals encouraged to apply, but not a prerequisite.

  Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, citizenship status, genetic information, matriculation, family responsibilities, personal appearance, credit information, tobacco use (except in the workplace), membership in an employee organization, or other protected classifications or non-merit factors.

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