Project Officer, Land Rights (GIZ Self Financing Project)

Position: Project Officer, Land Rights (GIZ Self Financing Project) - National Position

Reports to: Project Coordinator - Land Rights

Job location:  Gulu

Starting date: July 2025  

Vacancy closing date: 22nd June 2025 

Duration position: 4 months 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 GIZ Self Financing Project

The project aims to ensure that Local governments, farmer groups, VSLAs and cooperatives are capacitated to improve access to land-based services. The project currently runs from 1/6/2025 - 31/10/2025.

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

Your challenge

The Project Officer, with support from the Project Coordinator, is responsible for the day to day planning, and implementation of activities under the Land rights project in  Omel Sub county of Gulu District. 

The Project Officer (Land Rights) will be directly involved in the implementation of the project activities, especially supporting capacity building around land-related topics like land administration and governance at District and sub county levels and land conflict mitigation with emphasis on alternative dispute resolution.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

General

• Implements project activities in line with the project workplan 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

• 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;
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings.

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 land 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;
• Having worked with farmer groups, Cooperatives and traditional leaders 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 (Luo, Acholi 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 Project Officer Land Rights will be based in ZOA Acholi Program in Gulu City with regular field visits to selected project locations in Omel sub county and Gulu district headquarters.

 The post holder is expected to regularly ride a motorcycle 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 22nd 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 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.