Land & Community Engagement Specialist-Social Scientist II

Banyan Global; Idaho; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Banyan Global is seeking a Land and Community Engagement Specialist (Social Scientist, Level II) for an upcoming Millennium Challenge Corporation procurement. Experience in Fiji or the Pacific region is preferred.

The role focuses on analyzing social dynamics around land rights, community participation, and stakeholder engagement to support project design and implementation in complex settings.

Qualifications

• 10 to 14 years of experience in economic and social analysis, design, and/or implementation.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Expertise in a social science (sociology, anthropology, demography, geography, economics, or community development) or related discipline.
• Experience in land rights, land use, or community engagement on land and investment in low-income settings.
• Experience conducting social analysis that includes stakeholder engagement.
• Strong written English; MCC may require Spanish, French, or Portuguese depending on country assignment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze social, cultural, and community dynamics shaping land rights, land use, consent processes, and benefit-sharing.
• Assess how households and groups participate in decisions about land access and investment.
• Examine how norms around stewardship, compensation, and dispute resolution influence community responses to projects.
• Identify community expectations, concerns, and sources of conflict to enable inclusive engagement.
• Develop strategies to ensure project designs respect customary governance and promote meaningful participation.
• Help design approaches that allow investments with community support and reduce social risk.

Skills

Social analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Written English

Cross-cultural communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Banyan Global is seeking a Land and Community Engagement Specialist (Social Scientist, Level II) for an upcoming Millennium Challenge Corporation procurement. Experience in Fiji or the Pacific region is preferred.

The role focuses on analyzing social dynamics around land rights, community participation, and stakeholder engagement to support project design and implementation in complex settings.