Community Development Advisor (ILM)

As Community Development Advisor you are leading Soil Values community engagement approach in NIGERIA. By doing so you contribute to the component 2 INTEGRATE of Soil Values project. Capitalizing on the landscape assessments and ILM guidance provided SNV IWMI IFDC and other knowledge partners across several river basins you drive a strategic agenda which engages partners and stakeholders towards next-stage landscape transformation on the following topics:

1. Facilitate entry into project communities and maintain strong relationships with local stakeholder Support community-based planning and participatory decision-making processes as well as the Inclusive Landscape Management (ILM) and watershed planning organise stakeholder consultations community dialogues and sensitisation activities and Promote ownership of project interventions among beneficiary communities
2. Conduct Participatory Assessments: Lead participatory analyses with communities using PRA tools and Geoportal data to understand landscape constraints and identify sustainable land management opportunities.
3. Design and deliver training programmes for community groups and local partners strengthen capacities of farmer organisations cooperatives watershed committees and community institutions Facilitate Farmer Field Schools (FFS) demonstration plots and participatory learning platforms Develop simplified training materials in relevant local languages where necessary.
4. Support community participation in watershed and landscape management activities facilitate development of Community Action Plans and Local Development Plans promote sustainable land management soil fertility improvement agroecological practices and climate adaptation measures and strengthen conflict-sensitive approaches to natural resource governance and support collaboration with stakeholders and programs such as the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP) and DGIS funded Program to mobilize investments.
5. Support monitoring and knowledge sharing: Track progress of community watershed plans document lessons learned and contribute to reporting and knowledge sharing within the Soil Values program.

Together with the FSRP DGIS-Funded programs field teams Country Field Lead and Local Implementation Partners (LIP) you facilitate the Community engagement and the ILM process to strengthen their capacity to guide and implement potential solutions. During the process you pay special attention to climate-resilient aspects of the solutions and conflict management on natural resources such as land water pastures and forest. You make yourself familiar and further develop facilitation methods described in the Inclusive ILM guide to ensure that women youth pastoralists and other vulnerable groups contribute to the discussions and that the solutions chosen also to address their specific problems.

You are a trusted and experienced partner for internal colleagues and external stakeholders particularly at community and local government levels. As an organized and strategic practitioner in community engagement and inclusive landscape management you are able to manage multiple priorities while facilitating collaboration among diverse actors. Through strong facilitation guidance and coaching you support communities and local partners in developing and implementing sustainable soil fertility and land management practices. 

You are skilled at managing change and building trust enabling you to work effectively with farmers community leaders government institutions and development partners. You are able to bridge the perspectives of consortium partners with the realities and needs of communities and national stakeholders ensuring that interventions remain locally relevant and inclusive. Working in a results-oriented flexible hands-on manner you are committed to achieving SNV and Soil Values program objectives. As a practitioner in community-based landscape and watershed management you demonstrate cultural sensitivity and build strong relationships with communities and partners across the programs intervention areas.

You actively promote diversity equity and inclusion ensuring the meaningful participation of women youth and marginalized groups in project activities and decision-making processes. In this role you facilitate stakeholder engagement and community participation processes support the development of community landscape management plans and coordinate with local implementation partners and Field Leads to ensure effective implementation and learning within the Soil Values program.

Duties & Responsibilities

The key responsibilities of the Community Development Advisor will include the following points:

• Mobilize communities local authorities technical services and womens and youth organizations around a shared vision of sustainable landscape management;
• Conduct participatory assessments to identify challenges related to soil fertility water management land degradation and land-use conflicts;
• Facilitate the development of inclusive integrated landscape management plans defining priorities roles community commitments and coordination mechanisms;
• Organize training sessions and community learning initiatives on integrated soil fertility management agroecology land restoration and water conservation;
• Support farmers community facilitators and local groups in adopting and disseminating sustainable practices;
• Promote the meaningful participation of women youth and vulnerable groups in line with the Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) approach;
• Establish mechanisms for feedback participatory monitoring and adaptive management of interventions;
• Document activities results lessons learned and recommendations through reports field notes and knowledge-sharing materials.

Qualifications :

To be considered for this role you are expected to bring:

• University degree (masters degree) in the field of rural development (Community Development Agriculture Sociology Geography etc.)
• Advanced knowledge on Integrated Landscape Management or related field is a plus.
• 7 years of relevant working experience in a leadership role in the private sector government agency or knowledge organization
• 7 years of experience in spatial planning community-based watershed development Gender Equality and Social Inclusion climate-smart agriculture natural resource management and/or agroecology/regenerative agriculture
• 5 years of working in consortiums with good communication skills experience working with government and local implementing partners (local authorities land commission civil society)
• Deep knowledge interest and expertise in sustainable landscape development and specifically to natural resource management linked to drylands and savannahs land conflicts and the reality of developing & fragile economies
• Results-oriented skills and attitude as well as a commitment to working with local partners and in remote and fragile areas
• Willingness to extensively travel in the region at least 25% of your time (also in fragile and conflict areas)
• Fluency in English both written and spoken is required. Excellent intercultural leadership teamwork coaching communication networking and organizational skills.

Additional Information :

• Type of contract: Full time on national contract
• Initial contract duration: One (1) year with possibility of extension
• Location: Kano Nigeria
• Expected start date: September 1 2026

Working at SNV 
At SNV we challenge and inspire and offer continuous growth. We offer meaningful opportunities to shape the future expand your skills and collaborate with a vibrant global network of experts. At SNV your contribution matter and your development is our priority.

We are home to 57 cultures working in 22 countries with about 95% of our team members holding the nationality of the respective countries we work in. We promote (international) career development. Our workforce consists of a mix of both people with longstanding tenure willing to share their institutional knowledge as well as people with external backgrounds and experience. All with an inquisitive view and united in ONE SNV working towards our purpose.

Together we are committed to the effective and efficient stewardship of resources and maximising positive lasting impacts. Our ability to deliver results rests on our robust foundation of experience technical knowledge evidence and learning; our commitment to strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships; and the relationships and trust of those we work alongside.

At SNV inclusivity is at the heart of our ethos. We celebrate the diversity of our workforce and uphold a policy of non-discrimination based on factors such as disability status religion ethnic origin gender sexual orientation and more.

Application and Selection Process

How to apply 

If you meet the key requirements and feel inspired by this opportunity we warmly welcome your application. Please submit your CV and motivation letter by August 12 2026 via Smart Recruiters.

To ensure a focused and respectful recruitment process we kindly ask that you apply only if you meet the essential qualifications and are available to work in the specified location.

If this role isnt the right fit but youre interested in joining SNV in the future we invite you to follow us on LinkedIn and our career page Vacancies SNV to stay updated on new opportunities that match your profile.

Reference and vetting check

At SNV our belief in the CARE principles Commitment to impact Adaptive to Context Respecting Difference and Expertise in Practice  shapes how we work with each other and every interaction we have with our colleagues partners and the communities we serve. These values guide how we welcome new team members ensuring our workplace remains a place of trust safety and dignity for all.

As part of our commitment to a safe inclusive and respectful workplace we carry out reference and background checks for all determined positions with particular attention to safeguarding. You will be invited to provide the contact details of two referees and we will only approach them once you have given your permission. We handle this process with care empathy and strict confidentiality using the information solely for purposes related to your application and the role you have applied for.

SNV is committed to safeguarding and to protecting children and adults from all forms of harm with zero tolerance for sexual exploitation abuse harassment or any other form of misconduct. As part of creating a safe respectful and inclusive working environment all staff consultants and partners are expected to uphold SNVs safeguarding child protection ethical standards and CARE line with these commitments and as a participant in the InterAgency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS) SNV will request a Statement of Conduct from your previous employer(s) covering any substantiated findings of misconduct to ensure a recruitment process that safeguards and protect the communities we serve.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time