Liberia: Advisor to the Liberia Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative Secretariat

Aug 7, 2017 | GIZ Development Service
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As a federal enterprise, GIZ supports the German Government in achieving its objectives in the field of international cooperation for sustainable development. With the dispatch of qualified specialists as development workers, GIZ contributes to the sustainable improvement of living conditions of people in developing and transition countries

For the location Monrovia in Liberia we are looking for a Development Worker (m/f) as advisor to the Liberia Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (LEITI) secretariat Network & organisational development, outreach and PRJOB-ID: 32675

Field of activity 

The mineral deposits in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea provide these countries with huge opportunities. However, they are often more of a curse than a blessing. The struggle for diamonds and other mineral resources was one of the main causes of the civil wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Exploitation of diamonds, iron ore, oil and gold still has a destabilising effect on the region. The state continues to battle with institutional weaknesses and corruption, while the social and environmental costs of mining lead to discontent and conflicts among the population.

The four member states of the West African economic organisation the Mano River Union have rich mineral deposits at their disposal. The revenue earned from mining does not, however, benefit the population. The extractive industries have not yet made any appreciable contribution to prosperity and sustainable development. The state, civil society and mining companies are seeking to change this situation. They wish to better organise the mining sector so that they can become less dependent on foreign aid in future. The African Mining Vision adopted by the member states of the African Union serves as the basis for reforms. GIZ supports these efforts through the technical cooperation program 'Regional Resource Governance in West Africa'.

In the framework of this program, you are going to advise the national Secretariat of the 'Liberia Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative' (LEITI). It is part of the global transparency initiative EITI. Its activities are guided by the internationally agreed EITI Standard of 2016 and the national LEITI Act of 2009.

Led by a multi-stakeholder steering group (MSG), it is the task of LEITI to make transparent the interactions between the state and those companies, which are involved in the exploitation of natural resources, such as minerals, oil and gas, but also tropical timber and large scale agriculture, and to provide the public with further crucial information on the sector.

This supports Government in its efforts to be accountable to its citizens on the governance of the sector - and the citizens in demanding this accountability. Furthermore, LEITI is the only multi-stakeholder platform on national level in the sector. It is hence an important link between the state, civil society and private sector and serves as a platform for public debate and civic participation.

The objective of your assignment is to strengthen the LEITI Secretariat in performing some of its core functions, especially in public relations, networking with key actors, as we well as improvement of internal work processes, including providing proof for LEITI’s effectiveness and the implementation of key corrective measures required under the international validation process until 11/2018.

Your tasks

  • Advice and support the Communications Department in revising its communication strategy & internet presence to ensure it responds to EITI Standard requirements and promotes easy access to information
  • Support to the Secretariat in nurturing and managing its network with other stakeholders, especially media, civil society organizations, opinion leaders and political decision makers
  • Advice on the development of a tracking system for social development contributions and local content obligations, using synergies and networks with government entities and civil society alike
  • Support the development of a results-based monitoring system
  • Organizational and process advice, especially in regards to coordinating and following-up on the implementation of approved plans, corrective actions and new requirements under the 2016 EITI Standard

Your profile

You offer the following qualifications

  • Master degree or equivalent in the field of Public Communications, Political Science, Law, Economics, Public Administration, Social Sciences or another relevant field of study
  • Relevant work experience of minimum two years in the field of public relations or process and management consulting, preferably with civil society or public institutions
  • Business fluent in English
  • Work experience abroad and with working in multicultural teams, preferably in West Africa

You offer the following competencie

  • Knowledge in the area of management of natural resources, extractive industry governance, and EITI
  • Work experience with content management systems and social media
  • Knowledge and skills in the application of participatory methods and results-based monitoring

Assignment period

as soon as possible until December 31, 2018

Conditions regarding location

Climate: Tropical, rainy season from June to September/October. Dry during the rest of the year with high humidity

Health: basic medical services available, evacuation in case of severe illnesses or complications advisable

Shopping and daily needs: sufficient; all daily needed goods are available

Accessibility: several flights a week to Europe, daily flights to the region

Children: Bringing children is principally possible

Schools: international Schools (English language) are available. School fees are covered according to GIZ regulations

Security: currently stable (Auswärtiges Amt crises warning level 1, as of April 2017)

Our offer

We offer you the opportunity to work in an innovative and worldwide operating institution related to development policy. Your competencies and qualifications are demanded on the spot in an interdisciplinary team. The Development Service of GIZ offers a comprehensive service package. It includes a specific technical and personal preparation. Your contract period is at least 24 months with the option of extension.

Information on the service package

Other information

GIZ's Development Service is looking forward to applications of candidates with a professional qualification and / or university degree and at least two years of professional experience. In addition you hold the German nationality or the nationality of a member state of the European Union.

Please understand that we can accept and process in principle only applications via our E-recruiting system. If you should not be able to post an application via the system, you are welcome to contact the person indicated at the end of the job description.

Please check after your application regularly the spam and junk mail folder of your mail account, since the e-mails of the recruiting system are categorized as spam by some providers.

If we caught your interest, we are looking forward to your application until August 27, 2017.