About Oikos East Africa

Oikos East Africa is an independent Tanzanian NGO based in Arusha. Since 1999, OEA has championed the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources as tools to fight poverty and improve community well-being.

At Oikos East Africa, the organization believes that the health and wellness of future generations can be secured through today’s people-centered approach to environmental conservation. OEA envisions a future where local communities and authorities work together to promote fair socio-economic development based on the sustainable use of natural resources.

Rooted in culturally sensitive and environmentally sustainable interventions, OEA’s mission is to apply the highest ethical and scientific standards to support rural communities in pursuit of additional knowledge, technologies, and good governance to protect their own ecosystems.

The organization’s diverse team includes specialists in:

• Sustainable water management
• Biodiversity conservation
• Rangeland monitoring
• Climate change adaptation
• Conservation education
• Sustainable food production
• Renewable energy services
• Capacity building for the creation of nature-based enterprises
• Monitoring and evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation activities are integrated throughout every aspect of OEA’s work. The field team is committed, experienced, and dedicated to the communities served by the organization.

What Oikos East Africa does

Oikos East Africa is committed to defining, testing, and promoting science-backed strategies and technologies that assist local communities to use their own water, soil, and forests in the most efficient and sustainable ways.

The organization’s work is grounded in respect for cultural diversity and dedication to co-creation and co-implementation with local people. This approach enables OEA to address interconnected challenges facing Tanzanian landscapes today, including increasing the economic independence of vulnerable communities and tackling climate change.

With a focus on Tanzania’s northern region and on women and girls, OEA works closely with local communities around four priority areas:

• Water for people, wildlife, and livestock
• Climate change adaptation
• Nature-based solutions for community well-being
• Elevating the role of women and girls in conservation

OEA tailors its work to the changing needs of local people. This means that each conservation project may look different depending on the location, from the construction of water boreholes in one district to rangeland health monitoring in another.

Across all programming, OEA remains committed to breaking down barriers that prevent women from participating in sustainable resource use decisions. By placing women at the center of its work, the organization aims to help unlock their potential to achieve the positive social and environmental impact they envision.

OEA believes in the power of working together to create a collaborative working environment. Its layered approach to conservation means that it acts simultaneously at the community level, institutional level, and scientific level.

Since its establishment, OEA has worked in partnership with:

• Local and international NGOs
• State and parastatal Tanzanian institutions
• International research institutes
• Universities

These partnerships aim to strengthen monitoring and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Oikos East Africa is also a long-term partner of Istituto Oikos of Italy, a nonprofit organization operating in Europe and in Lebanon, Myanmar, and Mozambique to safeguard biodiversity.

General duties and responsibilities

Update of six village land-use plans

The Land Use Plan Officer will support and lead activities related to updating six Village Land-Use Plans (VLUPs) in Ecoboma III villages.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Co-leading the process to update six Village Land-Use Plans in the Ecoboma III project to stage 5
• Developing a methodology and detailed workplan for each village to update the VLUP based on the latest VLUP version and approach used
• Facilitating the participatory update of the VLUPs with village, ward, and district authorities
• Training relevant stakeholders on the VLUP update process based on needs and actual capacities
• Carrying out resource assessment at village level and developing appropriate maps
• Liaising with relevant authorities to share achievements and results
• Training village committees, village land committees, and village land use management committees on:
  • Their roles and responsibilities
  • The Land Act
  • Land conflict resolution
  • Processes to implement the updated VLUP

Support for rangeland management plans

The officer will support the development of village rangeland management plans in EWMA.

Support for forest restoration plans

The officer will support the development of participatory forest restoration plans in the six villages of Ecoboma III.

Monitoring responsibilities

The officer will assist project supervisors in collecting data as instructed.

Monitoring activities may include:

• Administration of questionnaires
• Baseline data collection
• Exit line data collection
• Ongoing monitoring activities

Additional duties

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Working with project staff, partners, and associates to achieve project objectives
• Ensuring the proper and correct management of Oikos East Africa facilities and materials assigned to the officer
• Being available to carry out any other programme-related duties as requested by the Project Manager when circumstances arise

Requirements for the position

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Land Planning
• A Master’s degree will be an added advantage
• At least 2 years of experience in leading land use plan development in Tanzania
• Experience in land use plan development in Northern Tanzania will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated knowledge of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management
• Proficiency in GIS software
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili
• Fluency in Maa language will be an added advantage
• Experience in project management will be an added advantage
• Proven ability to work independently
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong track record of managing multiple tasks and competing priorities effectively

• Co-leading the process to update six Village Land-Use Plans in the Ecoboma III project to stage 5
• Developing a methodology and detailed workplan for each village to update the VLUP based on the latest VLUP version and approach used
• Facilitating the participatory update of the VLUPs with village, ward, and district authorities
• Training relevant stakeholders on the VLUP update process based on needs and actual capacities
• Carrying out resource assessment at village level and developing appropriate maps
• Liaising with relevant authorities to share achievements and results
• Training village committees, village land committees, and village land use management committees on their roles and responsibilities, The Land Act, Land conflict resolution, and Processes to implement the updated VLUP
• Supporting the development of village rangeland management plans in EWMA
• Supporting the development of participatory forest restoration plans in the six villages of Ecoboma III
• Assisting project supervisors in collecting data as instructed, including administration of questionnaires, baseline data collection, exit line data collection, and ongoing monitoring activities
• Working with project staff, partners, and associates to achieve project objectives
• Ensuring the proper and correct management of Oikos East Africa facilities and materials assigned to the officer
• Being available to carry out any other programme-related duties as requested by the Project Manager when circumstances arise

• Proficiency in GIS software
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili
• Proven ability to work independently
• Exceptional organizational skills
• Strong track record of managing multiple tasks and competing priorities effectively

• At least a Bachelor’s degree in Land Planning
• A Master’s degree will be an added advantage
• At least 2 years of experience in leading land use plan development in Tanzania
• Experience in land use plan development in Northern Tanzania will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated knowledge of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management
• Fluency in Maa language will be an added advantage
• Experience in project management will be an added advantage