SIERRA LEONE GOVERNMENT
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
55 Wilkinson Road, Freetown
ADVRTISEMENT FOR RECRUITMENT
Project Title: Enhancing Sustainable Land Management and biodiversity conservation through innovative financing for an integrated Climate resilience in Koinadugu and Falaba District
Application Issue Date: 16th March, 2026
Application Closing Date: 2nd April 2026
- BACKGROUND:
The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MoECC), with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF) will be implementing a 5-year project titled “Enhancing Sustainable Land Management and biodiversity conservation through innovative financing for an integrated Climate resilience in Koinadugu and Falaba District”.
Land degradation (LD) has been recognized as a serious and persistent problem in Sierra Leone, affecting agricultural productivity, livelihoods, and biodiversity. Despite a comprehensive legal framework and international commitments, degradation trends can still be observed and are accelerating in some areas, and Koinadugu and Falaba districts have been identified as hotspots of land degradation in the government’s 2018 Land Degradation Neutrality report. The proposed project’s main objective is to generate environmental and socio-economic benefits in Koinadugu and Falaba District by restoring degraded ecosystems, strengthening livelihoods based on sustainably managed natural resources, and supporting gender progressive ecotourism. It will adopt a strong gender, women, and youth (15-24 years old) focused approach to ensure those mostly vulnerable have their needs addressed. The fundamental aim is to restore degraded lands, improve livelihoods and address climate change impacts.
Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, known for their rich biodiversity and vast agricultural landscapes, are facing increasing environmental challenges due to climate change and unsustainable land management practices. Deforestation, soil degradation, and habitat loss threaten the delicate balance of ecosystems that support local livelihoods and food security.
The project is designed to address these pressing issues by promoting sustainable land-use strategies, conserving biodiversity, and strengthening climate resilience in these districts. Through innovative financing models, the project will empower local communities, farmers, and conservation groups to adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, restore degraded ecosystems, and protect wildlife habitats. It will also facilitate access to financial resources, technology, and policy support, ensuring long-term sustainability and economic stability for the people of Koinadugu and Falaba. By investing in this initiative, stakeholders can play a vital role in safeguarding natural resources, promoting environmental stewardship, and enhancing resilience to climate change, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
The project’s main objective is to strengthen sustainable land and forest ecosystem management and governance, resulting in enhanced carbon sequestration and resilient livelihoods in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts.
To achieve the main objective, the project will implement a mix of interventions that will target I) Degraded forests and land systems in the Koinadugu and Falaba districts of Sierra Leone, and the livelihoods of the communities that are directly dependent on these landscapes.
II) The institutional, organizational, and technical capacities necessary at different levels of governance to effectively plan, implement, and monitor restoration and sustainable land management activities, and
III) Novel financing approaches for restoration.
The project is one of 20 child projects under the Ecosystem Restoration Program (ERIP). With its interventions, it contributes directly to the program goal to achieve healthy and resilient ecosystems to foster green recovery and secure livelihoods. The project at hand also directly contributes to the program objective by generating multiple durable global environmental and socioeconomic benefits by applying integrated and innovative approaches to restore degraded ecosystems.
Applications are therefore requested by the Ministry for Qualified Sierra Leonean to fill in the following positions under the above projects.
- Job Title: Project Coordinator (100%)
Reports to: Chief Director, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC)
Duty Station: Freetown and Project Areas
Language required: English
Contract Duration: One (1) year)
SCOPE OF WORK:
The Project Coordinator will lead the project team and provide overall operational management for the successful execution and implementation of the project. This includes the daily responsibility to manage, coordinate, and supervise the implementation of the project and the delivery of results by the project document and agreed work plans. Furthermore, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for financial management and disbursements, with accountability to the Government and UNDP-SL.
The Project Coordinator, the administrative and finance assistant, as well as the Procurement, M&E, and Communications Officer, will be in Freetown to facilitate interaction with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, which is the executive entity of this project. The Responsible Parties, all other PMU staff, will be located within the Forestry/ Ministry of Environment offices in the Koinadugu District. Hence, the Project will be located close to the project site. NPAA, EPA, TCS, and CCSL will implement some of the field activities. These Parties will use their own offices, both in the capital and in the district, for project coordination and management.
The PC will supervise project staff activities by consultants and subcontractors throughout the project period.
Required qualifications:
- A master’s degree or equivalent in Geography, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Land Management, Ecology, or related fields.
- At least 7 years’ experience managing projects of a similar size, in all aspects (financial, organizational, and leadership skills).
- Considerable experience working with UNDP or other GEF Agencies is an advantage .
- Demonstrated experience managing teams effectively, also remotely.
- Extensive experience or know-how in navigating government administrative and formal processes.
- Excellent networking skills and demonstrated ability to take projects to a higher level.
- Excellent knowledge of the GEF guidelines and procedures is desirable.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Duties and responsibilities:
The position will provide technical oversight, reporting, and technical direction for components 1, 2, 3, and 4, as well as Component 5: M&E and PMC. Specific activities by project component, M&E, and PMC are below.
Monitoring & Evaluation:
- Plan the activities of the project and monitor progress against the approved work plan.
- Monitor events as determined in the project monitoring plan, and update the plan as required.
- Provide support for completion of assessments required by UNDP, spot checks, and audits.
- Prepare revisions to the multi-year work plan, as needed, as well as annual and quarterly plans if required.
- Prepare the inception report no later than one month after the inception workshop.
- Ensure that the indicators included in the project results framework are monitored annually in advance of the GEF Project Implementation Report submission deadline so that progress can be reported in the GEF Project Implementation Report.
- Monitor progress, watch for plan deviations, and make course corrections when needed within the project steering committee, agreed upon tolerances to achieve results.
- Manage and monitor the project risks including social and environmental risks – initially identified and submit new risks to the Project steering committee for consideration and decision on possible actions if required; update the status of these risks by maintaining the project risks log.
- Assess major and minor amendments to the project within the parameters set by UNDP-GEF.
- Monitor implementation plans, including the gender action plan, stakeholder engagement plan, and any environmental and social management plans.
- Monitor and track progress against the GEF Core indicators.
- Support the Mid-term review and Terminal Evaluation process.
- Add technical tasks as necessary
Project Management Cost (PMC):
- Manage the overall conduct of the project.
- Execute activities by managing personnel, goods and services, training, and low-value grants, including drafting terms of reference and work specifications, and overseeing all contractors’ work.
- Supervise, coordinate, and facilitate the work of the Financial Assistant, Procurement Officer, M&E officer, GIS expert, Communication and Knowledge Management Specialist, Gender, Stakeholders and Safeguards Specialist, Spatial and Participatory land use planning and land conflict expert, as well as national and international consultants hired by the project.
- Meet with the co-finance and partner projects twice a year, or more often, if necessary, to share lessons learned and prevent duplication of activities.
- Manage requests for the provision of UNDP financial resources through funding advances, direct payments, or reimbursement using the FACE form.
- Monitor financial resources and accounting to ensure the accuracy and reliability of financial reports.
- Ensure that changes are controlled and problems addressed.
- Perform regular progress reporting to the project steering committee, including measures to address challenges and opportunities.
- Prepare and submit financial reports to UNDP every quarter.
- Supervise the development of lessons learned during project implementation.
- Establish linkages and networks with the ongoing activities of other government and non-government agencies.
- Organize the project steering committee (PSC) meetings.
- Participate in training activities organized by the GCP
- Prepare the GEF Project Implementation Report.
Reporting:
The Project Coordinator (PC) will be based in Freetown and will work closely with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and UNDP-SL to ensure the effective implementation of the project. The Project Coordinator will present progress reports every quarter to the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and UNDP. These reports will include:
- Implementation status of activities, financial report, and
- Challenges for discussions and solutions.
- Job Title: Gender, Safeguards and Stakeholder Engagement Expert and District Activities Coordinator (100%)
Reports to: Project Coordinator
Duty Station: Koinadugu District
Language required: English
Contract Duration: One (1) year)
SCOPE OF WORK
The expert is responsible for the design, implementation, and oversee of the knowledge management systems that capture, organize, and disseminate lessons, data, and best practices from the project, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and institutional learning. They are also responsible for overseeing and implementing activities under output 4.1.1.
Required qualifications:
Educational Background
- Master’s degree or Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in:
- Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agriculture, or related fields.
- Knowledge Management, Information Systems, or Library/Information Science.
- Bachelor’s degree may be acceptable if paired with extensive professional experience.
Professional Experience
- 5–7 years of relevant work in knowledge management, monitoring & evaluation, or project documentation.
- Experience in natural resources projects (forestry, water, biodiversity, mining governance, etc.).
- Proven ability to design and manage knowledge-sharing platforms (databases, portals, GIS systems).
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop a knowledge management and communications strategy for the project
- Work proactively with programme and project teams to identify opportunities for capturing and sharing knowledge, and disseminating information about major progress and results
- Manage the development and implementation of the knowledge management and communications initiatives
- Draft and disseminate programme updates, such as blogs, press releases, and impact stories related to programme activities
- Manage the programmes social media channels
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned linked to programme goals and activities
- Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings
- Participate in the knowledge exchange activities of the GCP
- Ensure the sharing of project results with the GCP
- Job Title: Knowledge Management and Communications Officer (50%)
Reports to: Project Coordinator
Duty Station: Koinadugu District
Language required: English
Contract Duration: One (1) year)
- SCOPE OF WORK
The expert is responsible for the design, implementation, and oversee of the knowledge management systems that capture, organize, and disseminate lessons, data, and best practices from the project, ensuring evidence-based decision-making and institutional learning. They are also responsible for overseeing and implementing activities under output 4.1.1.
Required qualifications:
Educational Background
- Master’s degree or Bachelor’s Degree (minimum) in:
- Environmental Science, Natural Resource Management, Forestry, Agriculture, or related fields.
- Knowledge Management, Information Systems, or Library/Information Science.
- Bachelor’s degree may be acceptable if paired with extensive professional experience.
Professional Experience
- 5–7 years of relevant work in knowledge management, monitoring & evaluation, or project documentation.
- Experience in natural resources projects (forestry, water, biodiversity, mining governance, etc.).
- Proven ability to design and manage knowledge-sharing platforms (databases, portals, GIS systems).
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop a knowledge management and communications strategy for the project
- Work proactively with programme and project teams to identify opportunities for capturing and sharing knowledge, and disseminating information about major progress and results
- Manage the development and implementation of the knowledge management and communications initiatives
- Draft and disseminate programme updates, such as blogs, press releases, and impact stories related to programme activities
- Manage the programmes social media channels
- Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned linked to programme goals and activities
- Monitor and evaluate the use and effectiveness of media materials and share results and findings
- Participate in the knowledge exchange activities of the GCP
- Ensure the sharing of project results with the GCP
WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
Apply:
HARD COPY of application should contain:
- Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.
- An indication of your availability, i.e. are there periods that you already know of when you would be unavailable to work.
- Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant experience in similar projects and name/contact details of 2 professional referees who can validate and recommend your professionalism, competencies and suitability to undertake this assignment.
- Samples of related work (email link or electronic copy and telephone contact)
- Names and Positions of applicants MUST be boldly Written on Application Envelopes and ‘APPLICATION’ must also be boldly written on all application envelopes.
ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE ADDRESSED TO:
THE SENIOR PERMANENT SECRETARY
MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
55 WILKINSON ROAD, FREETOWN
ALL INTERESTED CANDIDATES ARE ADVISED TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS NOT LATER THAN 2ND APRIL, 2026 AND ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATE WILL BE CONTACTED.
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