Community Tourism Development Specialist (CTDS), Africa at Planeterra International Foundation

Location: Remote work, however candidates will ideally be based in one of the following countries: Ethiopia (Addis Ababa), Kenya (Nairobi) or Tanzania (Arusha)

Start Date: no later than September 1st, 2026.

Reporting to:  Regional Manager, Africa and Middle East

Contract: Independent Contract (to start) Full-time.

Required Languages: English fluency, KiSwahili or French beneficial

Sneak Preview

• Planeterra is the leading non-profit worldwide using tourism to uplift communities. Registered as a non-profit organization in Canada and a 501(c)(3) charitable organization in the United States, Planeterra operates on a global scale, making a tangible impact through responsible tourism initiatives. Planeterra is committed to uplifting local communities in travel destinations to establish successful community tourism enterprises that benefit from the tourism industry.
• Reporting to the Africa and Middle East Regional Manager, the Community Tourism Development Specialist (CTDS) represents the Planeterra Foundation in Africa and in the Middle East; the CTDS is responsible for coordinating and maintaining strong relationships between Planeterra, its travel partners, and community partners in the Africa region.
• The CTDS is required to ensure smooth operations aligned with the priorities of Planeterra’s corporate partners and the needs of Community Tourism Enterprises. They support the development and enhancement of community tourism experiences by managing capacity-building processes and ensuring new and/or improved community tourism experiences are achieved. Acting as the primary point of contact for community partners in the region, the CTDS serves as the local representative of the Planeterra Team.
• Responsibilities include developing and integrating new community tourism enterprises into travel partners' value chains and traveling - at times - for training and quality assurance purposes, including, but not limited to, managing the implementation of Planeterra’s Climate & Biodiversity Strategy in the region; supporting the stewardship of the Planeterra Global Community Tourism Network (GCTN) in the region; supporting in recruiting and onboarding new communities onto the GCTN; creating content and engagement opportunities on the network, and supporting communications promoting the Global Community Tourism Network to communities in the region.

Role Description

• Manage the development and integration of Community Tourism Enterprises into Planeterra’s Travel Partners’ product offerings (tour itineraries in East, West and Southern Africa); this can include - but is not limited to - project opportunity assessment, preparing budgets, managing the project's implementation, and providing training to community partners by working closely to Planeterra’s travel industry partners.   
• Support the implementation of Planeterra’s Climate & Biodiversity Strategy in the Africa region.
• Support community engagement and benefits with strategic and corporate partnerships in the region.
• Support the stewardship of Planeterra’s existing community partnerships in the Africa region, with a focus on innovation, capacity building and sustainable growth. 
• Support the growth and implementation of the region's Global Community Tourism Network initiative by contributing in the developing engagement opportunities, including leading monthly planning and communication with partners, and hosting webinars and networking events, and other engagement formats the Africa team can determine.
• Support Planeterra’s Communications and Development team as needed with impact information and updates from the region.
• Other support requested by the Africa and Middle East Regional Manager, including data management and impact monitoring.

Requirements

• 3+ years working in the tourism sector (private, public and/or non-profit) in roles dedicated to tourism development, and/or tourism-related projects; with experience developing tourism product design and/or tourism destination development, and with a strong focus on community tourism.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in project management (financial management is an asset).
• University degree in a relevant field of study (tourism, international development, marketing or related fields), or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Understanding of the tourism sector in the Africa region.
• Exceptional communication and intercultural skills with rural community members.
• Knowledge to lead and support social enterprises in rural communities.
• Strong understanding of community development, as well as key environmental and social challenges faced by communities.
• Demonstrated experience working with a variety of stakeholders, including destination management representatives, entrepreneurs, and leading stakeholders.
• High computer literacy, comfortable using both Microsoft Office software (Proficiency in Excel), and Google Suite (Sheets, Docs), as well as familiarity with database management, project management, online collaboration (Slack) and social media tools.
• Strong capacity to support the execution and facilitation (virtually and remotely) of meetings, training sessions, and other tasks as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the role.
• Adaptability to collaborate with team members across different time zones and cultures.
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills.
• English language proficiency is mandatory (oral and written language).
• Superior organizational skills, excellent attention to detail.
• Highly motivated, proactive and collaborative.
• Proven skills to effectively deliver projects.
• Ability to pivot and lead through change management.
• Local or international drivers license

Additional Information

• The estimated level of effort is 21 days per month (8 hours/day).
• Flexible working hours arrangement.
• Willing and able to travel frequently, both regionally and internationally, as required. Sometimes at short notice.
• This is an Africa-based remote work opportunity; however, candidates will ideally be based in Tanzania (Arusha), Kenya (Nairobi) or Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
• As noted above, this role requires frequent travel (both regionally and internationally), sometimes at short notice, to visit community partners and develop experiences and enterprises.
• Attending organisational meetings and events outside of typical work hours may be required due to time zone differences.

Planeterra is committed to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunity for all without regard to race, colour, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Planeterra is committed to providing applicants and employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment of any kind. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance completing this application, please call +1(416)263-4671 or contact info@planeterra.org. “Applicant Accommodation for CTDS Africa” should be included in the subject line of the email. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.