Project Officer, Land Rights (Hope Project)

Position: Project Officer, Land Rights (Hope Project) -National Position

Reports to: Project Coordinator - HOPE Project

Job location:  Kiryandongo Refugee settlement

Starting date: July 2025  

Vacancy closing date: 25th June 2025 

Duration position: 1 year renewable contract 

Working hours: Fulltime (40 hours per week) 

About ZOA

We are here for people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster.

ZOA, as an international NGO, supports people who have lost everything due to armed conflict or natural disaster. Together, we can come to their aid in emergencies and remain faithful to communities as they recover – providing new opportunities for them to help themselves again. The work of ZOA is coordinated from the Netherlands. We are active in multiple countries in Africa, South America, the Middle East Region, and Asia. We work with approximately 900 employees worldwide and with (local) partners. We invite you to join our team of committed colleagues.

Our work in Uganda

In Uganda, ZOA has offices in Kampala, West Nile (Arua), Acholi (Gulu), and Karamoja (Amudat). ZOA Uganda works both in relief and recovery on the themes of food security & livelihoods, education, and conflict management with a special focus on land Rights.

About the Hope Project

The HOPE project’s overall objective is to support communities to have hope and live peaceful, dignified lives. This is achieved through four integrated approaches including: Household participatory planning (PIP), land tenure security (CCOs and land tenancy agreements), MHPSS services and Water and sanitation service provision. The project adopts a gender transformative approach with women at the centre of all interventions. The project runs for 4.5 years starting in mid-2025.

ZOA Uganda is looking for a Project Officer to be based in Kiryandongo Office.

Your challenge

The Project Officer Land Rights- HOPE with support from the Project Coordinator, and working alongside other Project Officers, is responsible for day-to-day planning and implementation of the ZOA activities under the HOPE project, in Kiryandongo settlement and the surrounding host communities of  Kiryandongo district.

The PO Land will mobilize and sensitize the community on certificate of customary ownership, and tenancy agreement as a means of access and own Land.  He/She will work hand in hand with the local land structure through capacity building to enhance land access, utilization and ownership among vulnerable refuges and host community of Kiryandongo putting women at the center of the intervention.

The Project Officer Land Rights will also work closely alongside other ZOA Land rights teams, to ensure coordinated and integrated support to project participants.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

Project planning and implementation

• Implement project activities in relation to the project document to achieve optimal project outputs and outcomes in line with ZOA/donor procedures and targets;   
• Supports local communities, community volunteers and other stakeholders in day-to-day implementation of the project activities;  
• Account for project activities according to relevant ZOA policies and guidelines;  
• Ensures project outputs are consistent with project proposals, log frames and in line with quality standards and country policies; 
• Oversees and ensures implementation is in line with standards and policies of both ZOA and government of Uganda; 
• Any other duty as assigned by the supervisor in line with the project. 

Reporting and Knowledge Management, MEAL

• Provide inputs to implementation plans and activity/monthly reports;
• Identify, document lessons learned and best practices;
• Prepare and submit well written success stories;
• Contribute to project reports or implementation plans as required by supervisor;
• Collect monitoring data according to ZOA’s systems and activities in the project;

Representation and coordination

• Actively participate in the required and relevant technical working groups and coordination meetings conducted at sub county and parish level;
• Work closely with local government actors at Sub County and village level
• Work closely with local the partners to implement the project

Procurement and finance

• Initiate timely purchase requisition of project goods/services;
• Ensure expenses are in line with approved budget;
• Provide appropriatie codes for expenses

Accountability

• Sensitize all stakeholders (beneficiaries, service providers, partners, government and other) on feedback and complaint mechanisms implemented by ZOA Uganda;
• Upon receipt of a complaint or feedback, ensure that it is correctly documented following correct reporting procedures;
• Work closely with the MEAL team to ensure regular analysis of feedback and complaints registered to inform the program of changes in operational trends and context to help in improving the intervention and adaptive management.

Your profile

Identity

The candidate is expected to fully support the vision, mission and Christian values 0f ZOA (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Knowledge & Experience:

• Degree or Diploma in Law, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Land Management, Social work & social Administration and any related fields; 
• At least 2 – 3 years of successful experience in a similar position implementing related projects; 
• Excellent facilitation, communication skills and writing ability; 
• Understanding of the local context, culture, and language(s); 
• Experience with implementing projects funded by institutional donors is an added advantage; 
• Proven experience working in a refugee context is a must. 
• Having worked in a project in collaboration with a partner is an added advantage; 
• Excellent spoken and written command of English; 
• Capacity to speak local languages of the regions where implementation will take place is a plus (Khartoum Arabic; Juba Arabic; Lunyoro; Runyakitara; Kiswahili etc.)

Skills:

• Good communication, writing and facilitation skills; 
• Innovative, creative and enthusiastic;  
• Good computer skills: Ms Excel and Ms Word; 
• Self-motivator, able to work with limited supervision; 
• The ability to drive a motorcycle with a valid driving/riding license is a MUST. 

Attitude/behaviour:

• High level of networking capacities, with interpersonal, organizational and intercultural sensitivity
• Commitment to inclusion for People with Disabilities
• Able to plan and coordinate and work in an organized manner
• High level of integrity
• Motivated to work independently / self-managing
• Be a self-starter
• Commitment to ZOA’s mission, vision and values (see https://www.zoa-international.com/corporate-identity)

Special conditions/circumstances

The PO land rights will be based at the ZOA office in Kiryandongo refugee settlement with regular travel to communities to work with PIs or other farmers.

The PO will need to ride a motorcycle daily in rural conditions/on unmade roads.

The role is 1.0 FTE (40 hrs/ week). Working hours are outlined in the ZOA Uganda Employee Handbook. Some flexibility on working hours may be required, e.g. for travel at weekends, or during reporting times.

Our offer

ZOA offers a challenging role in a dynamic context, and you will be part of an inspiring and motivated team.

We offer good benefits and remuneration which suits the NGO sector.

Do you need more information?

For more information about ZOA, please visit our website www.zoa-international.com.

Interested and ready to apply?

All interested and qualified candidates please apply directly via the link, at the latest by 25th June 2025

CV’s of no more than 5 pages in length are appreciated. Please provide at least 3 references related to your previous employment listed in the application. References of previous positions held should not be older than five years.

Only selected candidates will be contacted and invited to participate in the process of Interviews. 

ZOA operates with an equal opportunities policy and is committed to diversity in the workplace.
Qualified women and men, people of all nationalities, and cultural backgrounds, and candidates with disabilities, women, Refugees are encouraged to apply.

Please note that, as part of its recruitment process, ZOA carries out background and reference checks (Including COTER - Counter Terrorism Check) for all candidates. As ZOA participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a written questionnaire, the ‘Statement of Conduct’, which will be sent to past employers regarding misconduct (such as sexual exploitation, abuse or harassment).

Please note that ZOA does not solicit for funds during any recruitment process. To report any unethical conduct, please use; report.uganda@zoa.ngo or report@zoa.ngo or Call: 080-020-0121 Tollfree.