The Afar Region is one of the driest places on Earth and more than half of the approximate 1.5 million inhabitants live below the absolute poverty line. Semi-nomadic pastoralism is the source of livelihood for the majority of the population.

The aim of the programme is to enhance the drought resilience of pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods in the Afar region, and to assist local communities to manage their natural resources under conditions of a changing climate through conserving and sustainably using water, soil and rangeland resources.

• Postgraduate university degree in a field relevant for rural development (e.g. agriculture, landscape planning, environmental planning, geography or similar) with a specialization in a field relevant for this assignment;

• At least 8 years of practical professional experience in the sector. Relevant topics include integrated rural development, pastoral development, dryland farming, small-scale irrigation, livestock management, rangeland management, etc.;

• Good understanding and proven track record in areas such as participatory land use planning, community development, strengthening of self-help approaches, etc.;

• Work experience preferably in African countries with similar ecological and socioeconomic conditions;

• Work experience with pastoral communities in Africa would be a strong asset;

• Track record for work for donor-funded projects;

• Proficiency in the English language is a requirement.

The expert will be based in Semera. 

Interested experts are requested to fill in the attached template for CVs in English and send it as soon as possible by e-mail to Ms Lena Diekmann (lena.diekmann [at] gopa.de (lena[dot]diekmann[at]gopa[dot]de)). 

Please note that we will only be able to respond to candidates who fulfil the listed qualification criteria.