1. Background

The Centre for Environment and Development for the Arab Region and Europe (CEDARE) is an international inter-governmental Organization with diplomatic status established to promote sustainable development, natural resource management, and environmental stewardship across the Arab Region and Europe. CEDARE implements multi-sectoral projects that advance inclusive growth, strengthen resilience, and promote sustainable resource use.

To support the effective delivery of ongoing initiatives, CEDARE is seeking a highly qualified Community Development Expert. The role requires significant expertise in rural development, gender mainstreaming, community mobilization with proven experience in participatory planning.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The Community Development Expert will provide technical guidance and hands-on support to strengthen community engagement, mobilization, participation, and ownership of project interventions. The expert will ensure that development activities are designed and implemented in a participatory manner that enhances resilience, equity, and sustainability.

3. Scope of Work / Key Responsibilities

The Community Development Expert will undertake the following tasks:

1. Community Engagement & Mobilization
   • Facilitate participatory needs assessments and stakeholder mapping.
   • Mobilize and strengthen community-based organizations (CBOs), cooperatives, and local committees.
   • Facilitate dialogue platforms between communities and local authorities to promote trust and collaboration.
   • Promote inclusive participation of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
2. Capacity Building
   • Design and deliver training programs to build local capacity in governance, livelihoods, and resource management.
   • Strengthen leadership and governance skills of CBOs and community representatives.
   • Support skills development and knowledge transfer to enhance community self-reliance.
3. Programme/Project Design & Implementation
   • Provide technical input in designing community-driven interventions.
   • Ensure integration of social, environmental, and economic sustainability considerations.
   • Support participatory monitoring and evaluation processes.
4. Partnerships & Coordination
   • Liaise with local authorities, NGOs, private sector actors, and development partners.
   • Strengthen linkages between communities and service providers.
5. Knowledge Management & Reporting
   • Document lessons learned, best practices, and success stories.
   • Contribute to progress reports, and policy briefs.
   • Document case studies or best practices highlighting community development impacts.
   • Support CEDARE’s knowledge-sharing agenda by feeding into regional reports and learning platforms.

4. Reporting and Supervision

The Community Development Expert will report to the [Project Manager / Programme Director] and will work in close collaboration with the technical team, partner organizations.