Location: Central African Republic
Closing date: 25 Apr 2008
Job Description

ARD, Inc. (http://www.ardinc.com) requests expressions of interest from qualified candidates for a 12-month position as Team Leader and NRM/Land Tenure Specialist for a USAID-funded pilot project aimed at assisting the Central African Republic to improve conditions in the artisanal mining sector and to increase the number of rough diamonds marketed through the formal chain of custody, by strengthening property rights. Successful candidate will lead a small multi-disciplinary team composed of host-country nationals. S/he will report to the EGAT/Natural Resources Management/Land Resources Management Team, in USAID/Washington and ARD Senior Technical Advisor. Anticipated start date is July 2008.

Responsibilities will include:

- Oversee implementation of a multi-component pilot project activity focused on: developing a reliable information system on alluvial diamond production and marketing; developing a process to identify and acknowledge land and property rights holders; increasing opportunities for land and property rights holders to benefit more directly from the fair market value of diamonds; mitigating negative environmental impacts associated with diamond mining, and; promoting increased public awareness on artisanal mining issues;
- Coordinate the preparation of work plans that define the activities to be carried out under the project with the aid of team members, host country government representatives, local administrative and community leaders, private sector, and other stakeholders, as appropriate;
- Provide leadership, supervision, and direction to the field team and additional short-term technical assistance resources in implementation of project activities which will include: training of miners in recording production and sales data, implementing public processes to validate mining claims and resolve disputes, supporting efforts by mining communities to reform tax policy and to establish corporate partnerships, and facilitating longer-term land use planning in pilot zones;
- Serve as the primary liaison with the host government representative, USAID and U.S. Embassy officials in country, and other project stakeholders and partners;
- Manage project office in Bangui. Assume overall responsibility for the establishment and efficient operation of administrative, personnel, financial, and management systems;
- Monitor project implementation to ensure that objectives are successfully met; provide weekly updates for USAID and detailed quarterly progress reports.
Qualifications:

- Advanced degree (minimum Masters) in natural resource management, anthropology, or relevant field;
- Minimum 5 years experience leading development projects involving natural resource management, land administration/land tenure reform, or small enterprise development projects;
- Strong project management and administration skills;
- Demonstrated capability to work effectively with senior host country ministry officials and local technical services;
- Monitoring/evaluation and indicator development experience;
- English and French language fluency;
- Familiarity with GIS applications;
- Experience working in Africa.
Vacancies Contact
To apply:
Please email full, current CV in reverse chronological format to sreid@ardinc.com. Please refer to TL-Central African Republic in the subject line. Applications that do not meet the minimum requirements listed above will not be considered. No phone calls will be accepted.
ARD, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.