Technical Advisor Social Science and Monitoring – Sierra Leone

The Greater Gola Landscape, straddling the Sierra Leone/ Liberia border, is the largest remaining block of Upper Guinea Forest. In Sierra Leone, the Gola Programme is implemented as a partnership between the Conservation Society of Sierra Leone (CSSL), the Gola Rainforest Conservation Leadership Group, the Society for the Conservation of Nature of Liberia (SCNL), the governments of Sierra Leone and Liberia, local communities and the RSPB. In the long term, the programme aims to conserve the forest ecosystems, contribute to biodiversity conservation, climate change resilience, water conservation & food security.

This is an exciting 2-year contract, full-time position. A job share arrangement is encouraged for this position and the new Technical Advisor Research and Monitoring. This position is based at the Gola Rainforest Conservation (GRC) office in Kenema, Sierra Leone with close connection to the RSPB Greater Gola Landscape Team, with regular travel to the field.

Overall purpose :

• Co-ordinate and support the effective and efficient implementation of technical components of the livelihood-related interventions of the REDD+ Programme and grant funded projects focusing on the Gola Programme in Sierra Leone in collaboration with RSPB colleagues and partners.
• Provide technical support and advice across all livelihood-related projects involving GRC-LG and with all collaborators with GRC-LG
• Build the capacity of the GRC-LG Community Development, Conservation Enterprise and Monitoring Departments through organisational development and technical understanding, learning and application.
• Develop an effective livelihood programme monitoring system, reviewing indicators, qualitative and quantitative tools and updating standard operating procedures for REDD+
• Build a data management system for the socioeconomic data generated and analyse data to be used for REDD Verification & Donor reports, and for programme strategic decision making.
• Develop a monitoring system for the Chiefdom Benefit Sharing Agreements (BSA) payments, specifically for the Community Development Fund projects. BSA benefits must be related to performance, we need a reliable and convincing way to demonstrate, to community members and community leaders, the situation vis-a-vis rates of deforestation in their chiefdoms or community forests.                            

Essentials:

• Ph.D. or MSc in a social science related discipline, or equivalent experience
• Experience working in Africa.
• Accomplished spoken and written communication skills in English to enable stakeholders’ clear understanding of project objectives, activities and outcomes, with experience working with people with varying levels of education and for whom English is not a first working language.
• Proven ability to enable or deliver measurable livelihood impacts through Civil Society Organisations.- DESIRABLE
• Direct work experience in remote rural community engagement. – DESIRABLE
• A flexible creative approach, with the ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing circumstances.- DESIRABLE

This is a 2 year Fixed-Term role for 37.5 hours per week. 

The RSPB reserves the right to extend or make this role permanent without further advertising dependent on business needs at the end of the contract term.

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position on/around the 1st April 2025. For further information please contact: [email protected] 

As part of this application process you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete an application form including evidence on how you meet the skills, knowledge, and experience listed above.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.