Community Engagement Specialist at Oyo State New Towns and Cities Development Authority (OYNTCDA)

Position Summary

• The Community Development Specialist will lead stakeholder engagement, participatory planning, and social integration efforts across new town and urban development projects initiated by OYNTCDA.
• This role is central to ensuring that local communities are meaningfully involved in project design and implementation, and that development outcomes are socially inclusive and conflict-sensitive.
• The ideal candidate will be experienced in managing community relations, addressing social risks, and implementing safeguard measures in line with national and international standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement community engagement frameworks and participatory planning processes across project sites
• Facilitate consultations, town hall meetings, and dialogue sessions with affected persons, traditional institutions, and local interest groups
• Conduct stakeholder mapping, social impact assessments, and vulnerability analyses
• Coordinate grievance redress mechanisms and ensure responsive feedback loops
• Integrate gender, youth, and inclusion strategies into planning and implementation activities
• Collaborate with the planning, resettlement, and M&E teams to monitor and report on social development outcomes
• Prepare reports, community profiles, and engagement documentation for internal and external stakeholders
• Contribute to the development of community mobilisation campaigns and capacity-building programmes
• Monitor social risks related to displacement, land acquisition, and local resistance, and propose mitigation strategies
• Serve as a liaison between the Authority and local communities throughout the project lifecycle

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Finance, Law, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a closely related field
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Sociology, Social Work, Anthropology, Community Development, Development Studies, or a closely related field
• At least 5 years of professional experience in community engagement, stakeholder consultation, or social development—preferably in infrastructure, urban development, or resettlement contexts
• Strong knowledge of participatory methodologies, stakeholder mapping, and social safeguards (e.g.,World Bank ESS or AfDB ISS)
• Experience managing community dynamics, facilitating dialogues, and resolving grievancesFluency in Yoruba (spoken) and ability to communicate effectively with grassroots communities
• •Excellent interpersonal, communication, and report writing skills
• Experience working with government agencies, NGOs, or donor-funded projects is a strong advantage