Foundation for Community Initiatives - FCI

04/03/2026

March 4, 2026- Today marks a significant progress in democracy at the National Civil Society Council of Liberia as the Foundation for Community Initiatives turned over the helm of power.

Madam Loretta Alethea Pope Kai - Former Executive Director of FCI ended her six years of leadership and democratically handed over the gavel to Lawrence Yealue Accountability Lab.

During her tenure, Madam Pope-Kai strengthened the institutional framework of the Council and improved governance across the 15 counties.

The Foundation for Community Initiatives extends a heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Yealue and thanked Madam Kai for her services, representing the Foundation for Community Initiatives at the apex body of Civil Society in Liberia.

02/03/2026

Monrovia, Liberia - It was a wonderful and engaging week for the management and staff at FCI as we welcomed a delegation from The Tenure Facility.

The meetings held from February 21 - 27, 2026 brought together staff from the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), Parley, and Landesa as members of the Liberia partnership.

The visit is part of the Tenure Facility yearly assessment of project deliverables carried out in Liberia between 2023-2025 under a five year (2023-2028) grant agreement signed with the partners.

The team led by the Project Officer of West Africa Ylwa Renström and the Africa Regional Officer Catherine Traynor met with key government ministries and agencies to foster partnership and discuss next steps for the Liberia program.

Key among these meetings were: the Forestry Development Authority, Environmental Protection Agency, Liberia Land Authority, and Lantmäteriet.

From 2023-2025, the TF sponsor 39 customary communities to secure land and support the governance and management of the land.

Key achievements over the period include:
✓ 20 communities deeded
✓ 545,651 Hectares of land secured
✓122,913 people with secured tenure
✓ 11 communities surveyed awaiting deed
✓ 317 residential certificates issued by CLDMC in 3 towns
✓ 6 participatory land use plan delivered

These achievements bring the total portfolio of the project "Keeping the Promise" to 39 communities in 8 counties.

The visit was also reassuring to partners and the LLA that the TF will scale up its activities over the next 2 years (2026-2028) to 18 new communities and an increase in the number of Residential certificates issued. Additional support will be provided to members of the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC) and the Community Forest Management Bodies (CFMB).

The team also met with members of the CLDMC in Monrovia and had a field visit to Rivercess County to engage the community and their leaders on next steps to land and forest rights protection.

An excursion visit was held at the famous Konkon Ecotourism lodge in Grand Bassa.

Many thanks to all our partners and government agencies for the support during the week.



Sustainable Development Institute SDI - Friends of the Earth Liberia

22/01/2026

V A C A N C Y ANNOUNCEMENT - R E - A D V E R T I S E D

Position: Executive Director
Duty Station: Monrovia, with travels around Liberia
Organization: Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI)

About the Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI)

FCI is a leading Liberian not-for-profit, non-governmental organization that promotes inclusive natural resource governance, women’s economic empowerment, women’s protection, and peace-building.

It was founded in 2004 to help promote the rights of community women and youth in achieving inclusive development at the community level. Also, FCI focuses on protecting women and youth from violence as well as increasing their participation in decision-making, raising their voices on issues, and demanding their rights. From its many years of experience, FCI has recognized that until women and youth are protected and a peaceful environment is fostered in their communities, it is often difficult for them to participate meaningfully in the governance process of their communities.

Vision: To build a Liberia where both men and women enjoy equal rights, dignity, peace, and are all free of poverty.

Mission: To support and promote community-based initiatives, especially women-led initiatives, for sustainable community-driven development that is inclusive and leaves no one behind.

Management structure

FCI is headed and governed by a Board of Directors comprising five (5) members mandated to provide overall oversight and advisory support to the management of FCI. The day-to-day activity of the organization is handled by a management team consisting of senior staff members which is headed by an Executive Director and supported by program coordinators, a finance manager, and a human Resources manager. This body coordinates efforts to effectively implement Annual Plans approved by the Board of Directors.

Advertisement for the post, Executive Director

The Board of Directors is seeking to hire an Executive Director to coordinate organizational management and program delivery. A candidate who shares FCI vision, mission and values of transparency, accountability, women participation and sustainable management of natural resources in Liberia.

Qualification, Experience and Skills

A Master’s Degree or BSC in a social science with emphasis on organizational development, training in financial management or similar disciplines is preferred. Applicants with a business management degree, experience in development of funding strategies and grant writing are encouraged.

Candidates with a Bachelor Degree and long-term experience in similar senior-level positions in development organizations, a proven track record in facilitation and organizational development work, and a minimum of 6 years’ relevant work experience, will be duly considered.
Experience in Land formalizations activities is an asset.

Term of Reference of the Executive Director (TOR)

The position of Executive Director is a full-time position, and he/she will lead all management and programs of the organization in collaboration with the management team.

He or she must have vast experience in the NGO or international development sector management; must exhibit skills of teamwork, be a good planner and manager, perform well in a demanding environment, be both supportive and assertive, and be gender sensitive.

The Functions of the Executive Director
The Executive Director has two primary functions:

To manage the affairs of the organization, including finance, administration, and general operations; and
To coordinate program delivery effectively and efficiently.

Financial, Administration, and Operations

The Executive Director will oversee organizational management, including financial management, administration, and logistics, and ensure that the day-to-day activities of FCI are carried out effectively and efficiently. She/ he will supervise the Finance Manager, who is responsible for managing the administrative, finance and support staff of the organization. Specific financial, administration and operational duties include ensuring that:

Robust human resource management systems, procurement systems and finance systems that ensure vision, mission, objectives and goals are met in efficient and effective way;

The human resource management systems, procurement systems and financial management systems are adequate and ensure donor compliance operations;
Satisfactory program and project specific financial reports are prepared and submitted to donors and funders in a timely manner;
Annual financial statements and organizational audits are prepared and published for the benefit of stakeholders and the public in a timely manner; and

Annual program and organizational budgets are prepared and submitted to the Board of Directors for review and approval.
Shall oversee the recruitment of staff and forward the name and CV of that candidate to the Board for final assessment for employment

Program Development and Delivery

The Executive Director will coordinate, support and supervise the Director of Programs, Program Coordinators and MEL staff to develop and effectively implement programs. She/ he will support the Director of Programs, Program Coordinators and MEL staff to establish an effective program management system that includes Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system that systematically documents achievements.

The specific program related responsibilities include ensuring that:

Annual program and project plans, and related work plans, are developed and presented to the Board of Directors for review and approval at the end of each calendar year;

The Director of Program is effectively managing Program Coordinators to implement the approved annual plans, effectively documenting their activities, and reporting to donors promptly.

The MEL head is implementing the MEL system, including effectively monitoring and documenting program delivery with focus on tracking achievements and results;

Quarterly program meetings, mid-year review meetings or retreats, and annual planning meetings or retreats are properly organized, facilitated and documented;

Program Coordinators prepare narrative updates and reports and present them during quarterly meetings, mid-year review meetings, and annual planning meetings;
Annual narrative reports are prepared and published for the benefit of stakeholders and the public promptly; and

Prepare an annual organizational report covering activities, achievements, and challenges of the organization for the Liberia audience, including communities we work with and donor partners

Fundraising Duties

The Executive Director will lead, coordinate and support the mobilization of resources to
implement the Strategic Plan and ensure the organization's financial health and sustainability. Specifically, the Executive Director will:

Coordinate fundraising for the implementation of annual program and project plans;

Mobilize resources for institutional development, including human resource capacity development, infrastructure, and logistics; and

Establish and build a reserve for the organization's financial sustainability.

Reporting Duties

Working with designated staff, the Executive Director will deliver the following reports:
Program, project-specific or grant reports to relevant donors;

Consolidated mid-year organizational narrative and financial reports; and
Annual organizational financial and narrative reports to stakeholders and the Board of Directors.

Application Procedures

Interested persons should submit a one-page motivational letter (NOT AN APPLICATION LETTER) and an up-to-date CV to [email protected] no later than February 15, 2026, with the email subject line “Executive Director Application”

Note: While FCI is an equal opportunity employer, females are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

01/01/2026

VACANCY! VACANCY! VACANCY

Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP)

Terms of Reference: Enumerators for Data Collection

Position: Enumerators
Location of Assignment: River Cess and Grand Gedeh Counties
Report to: LWEP Technical Supervisor
Duration: 15 days
Start Date: January 2026 (to be arranged)
End Date: January 2026 (to be arranged)

Background
The Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) is a three-year project implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) through Plan International Liberia (the lead Service Provider), six association members: Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Actionaid Liberia (AAL), Medica Liberia, Defence for Children International (Liberia), Foundation of
Community Initiatives (FCI), and Kids Engagement Education Project (KEEP), and two professional service providers (Viamo and Raising Voices). LWEP is being implemented in 498 Communities across six counties: Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Rural Montserrado, and River Cess. LWEP is a multi-sectoral initiative aimed at addressing key barriers to gender equality in Liberia. It aligns with the Liberian government's priorities on women’s empowerment and GBV prevention
and responses. LWEP is funded by the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA). The project runs for three years, from 2024 to September 2027.
The project objective is to improve social and livelihood services for women and girls in targeted communities, foster positive social norms, and strengthen the government’s capacity to advance
women and girls’ empowerment through a ‘whole community’ approach targeting multiple actors and levels.
Specifically, Component Three of LWEP seeks to enhance the capacity of livelihood groups, with a particular focus on female farmer groups and organizations, with the necessary skills and resources to improve their agricultural practices, business management, and financial literacy.

With an allocation of $18.0 million, the Economic Support and Livelihood Grants (ESLG) under
the LWEP Component Three seeks to support the following categories of beneficiaries:
1. Villages Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs): a group of 10 - 25 people who save small amounts regularly and extend small loans to each other.
2. Individual Enterprise: small business with less than ten employees at a village level.
3. Farmer-Based Organization (FBO)/Producer Groups (PGs): A legal entity formed by farmers, pastoralists, etc., or a cooperative society, or any other legal form that provides for the sharing of profits/benefits among members.
4. Livelihood Group (LGs): a group of households within a community that share similar assets and capacities
Ultimately, 36,000 persons are targeted to benefit from the livelihood grants through the above-mentioned women-led enterprises.

Overview of the assignment

The Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) is collaborating with the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to implement Subcomponent 3A: Capacity Building of Resilient Livelihood Groups under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP). FCI operates in two of the six project counties,
River Cess and Grand Gedeh. As part of its deliverables, FCI and other association members has commenced community outreach and sensitization in River Cess and Grand Gedeh counties, and further commenced beneficiary profiling, development of micro-investment plans, and grant co-creation support to women-led enterprises, targeting Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and Individual Enterprises (IEs).

FCI is currently recruiting enumerators that will support the collection of data under the LWEP Component 3. Working under the close supervision of LWEP MIS/M&E and Program staff, the Enumerators will participate in community outreach and sensitization meetings in targeted project
communities across River Cess and Grand Gedeh counties. Through the use of Tablet-based Kobo data collection software, the enumerators will engage community members to administer various data collection forms (beneficiary profiling form, grant co-creation form, business plan
development, micro-investment plan, etc.) using Kobo Collect data collection software. The data collection will specifically target women-led enterprises: Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Individual Enterprises (IEs), Farmer-Based organizations (FBO) or Producer Groups
(PGs), and Livelihood Group (LGs). Prior to deployment in the field, successful candidates (enumerators) will participate in practical training sessions on the data collection protocols, as well as the administration of the various forms.

Main responsibilities:
Working under the close supervision of LWEP MIS/M&E and Program staff, the Enumerators
will perform the following core functions:
▪ Participate in community outreach and sensitization meetings with local authorities (town chiefs, district commissioners, etc.) and community members in targeted project communities across River Cess and Grand Gedeh counties.
▪ Administer various data collection forms (i.e., beneficiary profiling form, grant co-creation form, business plan development, micro-investment plan, etc.) using the Tablet-based KoboCollect data collection software.
▪ Identify and profile women-led enterprises encompassing Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Individual Enterprises (IEs), Farmer-Based Organizations (FBOs) or Producer Groups (PGs), and Livelihood Groups (LGs).
▪ Assist and provide guidance to potential women-led enterprises to complete grant co-creation forms, business plan development, micro-investment plan, etc., using KoboCollect data collection software.
▪ Participate in practical training sessions on the data collection protocols, as well as the administration of the various forms. ▪ Clearly explain the objectives of the data collection and the scope of LWEP to community
members and local authorities.
▪ Ensure that all data collection tools, including Tablets, power banks, and other materials used for the data collection, are accounted for.
▪ Perform other duties as may be directed by the technical supervisor.

Deliverables

1. Participation in practical training sessions for data collectors (enumerators)
2. Evidence of community outreach and sensitization meetings held with local authorities (town chiefs, district commissioners, etc.) and community members.
3. Timely submission of all required data (i.e., beneficiary profile data, grant co-creation data, business plan, micro-investment plan, etc.) into the LWEP Management Information System
(MIS)
4. Filling out the enumerators’ daily attendance / timesheet provided by each team lead.
5. Submission of recommendations or observation (if any) through compiled field notes

Required Knowledge, Technical Skills, and Experience
The incumbent should possess the following qualifications and experience:
o Knowledge of agriculture and rural livelihood sectors, with a specific focus on climate-resilient practices.
o Demonstrated skills and knowledge in community engagement and participatory research methods.
o Ability to work independently as well as an effective team player.
o Willing to travel, work, and overnight in remote communities, and to communicate with rural inhabitants.
o Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner.
o Experience using the Tablet-based Kobo data collection software will be an added
advantage.
o Knowledge/conversational skills in the local languages of River Cess and Grand Gedeh are helpful, but not required.

Minimum Requirements
• Possess a bachelor's degree in sociology, business management, agriculture, natural resource management, rural development, development economics, data science or related fields or must be a university student.
• Demonstrated skills in using the Tablet-based Kobo data collection software
• Background in gender equality and social inclusion is an added advantage
• Prior professional experience in field data collection, preferably in remote communities
• Computer literate, knowledge of MS Word, Excel, internet.
• Qualified candidates may submit CVs by January 4, 2026, to the FCI Admin. Department @
[email protected], with a copy to: LWEP Technical Focal Point: [email protected]

08/10/2025

🇱🇷🇪🇺The Liberian Voluntary Partnership Agreement has improved transparency and enforcement to tackle illegal logging. As stated by Nobel Peace Prize winner and former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, this has been crucial to Liberian forests and communities.

Despite this, the European Commission put forward the proposal for termination of the VPA last month.

Liberian colleagues, backed by Fern, strongly oppose the Commission’s proposed unilateral termination which would reverse critical gains achieved over the past decade.

The and Partnership must be complimentary, as is already the case in the Republic of Congo 🇨🇬. The Forest Partnership should be developed through VPA multistakeholder forums.

To design a strong Forest Partnership, the NGO Coalition of Liberia, National Urban Cooperative Finance & Development Corporation (NUCFDC) and NUCFMB have conducted consultations with close to 100 Liberian civil society and community representatives.

This has resulted in agreement on the six prerequisites which are fundamental for a successful EU-Liberia Forest Partnership:
1️⃣ Maintain and build on the VPA’s inclusive and accountable governance structures.
2️⃣ Continue to support legal coherence and enforcement for the whole forest sector.
3️⃣ Guarantee continued long-term and inclusive financing.
4️⃣ Maintain a strong monitoring and accountability framework, including through independent forest monitoring (IFM).
5️⃣Provide tailored capacity-building to all actors.
6️⃣ Ensure cross-sector policy coherence and full government participation.

The Commission must provide clear guarantees that the Forest Partnership will meet these prerequisites.

Read the 6 Prerequisites for a successful EU-Liberia Forest Partnership here 👉 https://sdiliberia.org/node/407

Sustainable Development Institute SDI - Friends of the Earth Liberia Foundation for Community Initiatives - FCI The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Liberia Ministry of Justice - Liberia

29/09/2025

07/08/2025

The fight against DRUGS is a holistic fight and we at the Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) stand with many Liberians today and say NO TO DRUGS.
We also commend the Office of the President for the bold steps taken to address this pandemic that eats our youthful generation. We hope its not just a declaration for the shelf, but an actionable declaration.

02/08/2025

Gbarnga, B**g County - July 29 to August 1, 2025 - Over a period of 3 days, Participants from The Tenure Facility partners in Liberia Foundation for Community Initiatives - FCI , Sustainable Development Institute SDI - Friends of the Earth Liberia and PARLEY Liberia convened in B**g County for a Training Of Trainers (TOT) workshop focused on building the capacity of Community Mobilizers, project staff, members of Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC), members of Community Forest Management Bodies (CFMB), local leaders and other minority groups.

The key to the training was to:

1. Get the CLDMCs and CFMBs started as a fully functioning community-based organization (CBO)

2. Strengthen the capacity of the CLDMCs to implement their mandates as per the 2018 Land Rights Act ( LRA ) and,

3. Strengthen the capacity of the CFMBs to implement their mandates as per the 2009 community Rights Law (CRL) in relation to forest land.

4. Strengthen the capacity of CLDMCs and CFMBs to work together and ensure that they build synergies between the two governing bodies that will be working in the interest of their communities.

Interestingly, participants had the chance to learn new facilitation skills and work in groups.

Many thanks to MTOB for a successful training.

28/07/2025

Grand Bassa County, Liberia - FCI draws down on Residential Area Issuance pilot project activities in Doe Clan, Grand Bassa County.

The project team of FCI "Keeping the Promise" project draws down on its activities in Gowein Town, Doe Clan after 20 days of engagement with the community on the pilot of Residential Area Issuance in customary land.

In keeping with Article 39 of the Land Rights Act of 2018, land owning communities are to set aside portion of their customary land for residential purpose, and every community member is entitled to a portion of that residential area as private land.

With funding from The Tenure Facility through Landesa, the pilot was successfully completed with the following outcomes:

1. Community by-laws were strengthened to include criteria for community membership and issuance for residential area.

2. Household mapping was conducted to gather eligible members for the issuance of existing residential area as prescribed by Article 49 of the Land Rights Act of 2018

3. A protocol on the issuance of existing residential area and proposed residential area was adopted by the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC)

4. Mapping of residential area of each community member for the preparation of a certificate of ownership of residential area in customary land.

All of these activities are geared to support a policy formulation being developed by Heritage Partners and Associates (HPA) to inform the Liberia Land Authority decision on approval of a Residential Area Protocol or Regulation.

Thanks to the CLDMC of Doe Clan who led the initiatives to a successful completion.

28/07/2025

Source: Liberia Land Authority

LLA AND PARTNERS FACILITATE LAND USE DEVELOPMENT PLAN IN GRAND BASSA COUNTY DISTRICT-2

Monrovia, Liberia; July 24, 2025: In support and full implementation of Articles 37 & 38 of the Land Rights Act of 2018, a team of technicians led by Commissioner Uriah Garsinii of the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), in collaboration with Parley-Liberia and the Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI), under The Tenure Facility Project, is facilitating the development of a Participatory Land Use Plan (PLUP) for the Karblee and Marblee Clans in District 2, Grand Bassa County.

Speaking at the event, Commissioner Uriah Garsinii called on members of both clans to fully participate in the process. He further stressed the importance of a comprehensive land use plan for both communities and the long-term benefits of responsible land management across both clans. He encouraged participants to see the planning stage as a crucial step towards sustainable land development in their areas.

In another remark, the Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI) Program Manager, Mr. Alexander Timothy Cole Sr. , commended the LLA for its collaboration and coordination efforts in strengthening the land sector of Liberia. He thanked participants and called on them to take the project as their own.

For his part, the Assistant Director for Land Use and Management at the Liberia Land Authority, Williams Dunn, called for collective and active engagement for both clans to ensure that plans reflect the needs of the people in compliance with legal requirements.

In his presentations, Mr. Dunn Williams, Assistant Director for Land Use and Management, introduced a geospatial map as a foundational tool for the PLUP process. He called for active engagement and feedback from the community members to ensure the plan reflects their needs and complies with legal requirements.

At the same time, Grand Bassa County Land Administrator Victor Brown welcomed the joint team (LLA, Partners) and urged participants to support the PLUP activity, thereby providing the necessary information during discussions.

The PLUP activity follows a confirmatory survey conducted by the LLA after the successful completion of customary land formalization processes.

The event brought together more than 150 participants from both Karblee and Marblee Clans, including Statutory Superintendent, Commissioner, Chiefs, Elders, Members of the Community Land Development and Management Committee (CLDMC), women, youth, and individuals with disabilities.

The 15-day PLUP process aims to clearly define and categorize customary land per Article 38 of the Land Rights Act of 2018. Land will be allocated to various uses, including residential areas, agricultural zones, commercial areas, industrial & mining areas, cultural shrines & Heritage sites, protected areas, forest areas, and other relevant categories.

In Remarks, Karblee Clan Chief, Hon. Arthur Kutahn, thanked the Liberia Land Authority and its partners for launching the initiative. He called on all participants from the Karblee and Marblee clans to commit themselves to the success of the PLUP

Photos by: Foundation for Community Initiatives - FCI

15/05/2025

16/04/2025