Consultancy: Land and Natural Resource Tenure Expert (P5 equivalent)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(VA Ref: LTPAS-2012-002)

Issued on: 15 February 2012

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:	UN-HABITAT
STATION:	Nairobi with some missions in select African countries
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:	Short-Term Consultancy: Land and Natural Resource Tenure Expert (P5 equivalent)
DURATION	3 months spread over 5 months
CLOSING DATE:	29 February 2012

BACKGROUND

Land and natural resource tenure security is a central yet often neglected aspect of development and poverty reduction in the developing world particularly in Africa. UN-HABITAT through the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), IFAD and various partners, through their various initiatives, are committed to implement projects/programmes that will contribute in the improvement of the lives of the poor in the African region through land and natural resources tenure security improvement particularly through knowledge management improvement, tool development and building/developing strategic partnerships . Recently, UN-HABITAT/GLTN and IFAD has entered into a partnership to implement a project ‘Land and Natural Resources Learning Initiative for Eastern and Southern Africa (TSLI-ESA)’. The Project aims to improve knowledge management strategies and approaches towards a pro-poor and gender-sensitive land and natural resource tenure rights in selected Eastern and Southern African countries.

In this Project, both agreed to focus more on improving research and knowledge management approaches through strengthening lessons sharing and exchanges and will be targeting IFAD-supported projects in the Region. UN-HABITAT/GLTN will take the lead in the implementation in close collaboration with IFAD, IFAD supported projects in the region, GLTN partners operating in the region and other UN-HABITAT units.

The Project aims to achieve the following expected accomplishments: EA 1 Improved research and analysis on issues and measures for strengthening land and natural resource tenure security; EA 2 – Strengthened capacity of IFAD, IFAD-supported programmes and other GLTN partners and stakeholders in the application of pro-poor land and natural resource tenure rights tools and approaches in country strategy development, project/programme design and implementation support and EA 3 – Improved knowledge exchanges between and among GLTN partners (including IFAD-supported programmes) through lessons and experience sharing and policy/technical dialogues on land and natural resource tenure security issues and solutions.

RESPONSIBILITES

To support the project implementation, the need for a land and natural resources tenure consultancy has been identified. The consultancy will have the following tasks/responsibilities:

1. Undertake a desk study (and interviews) if applicable on IFAD supported programmes/projects in the region. The Project will provide further guidance to the consultant on the scope and depth of the research. The consultant must be able to identify, document and analyse at the minimum the following:
1. What are the programmes/projects that are dealing with, and/or facing issues and challenges related to, land and natural resource tenure security? What are the programmes/projects that are dealing with the use of remote sensing technology in their operations, land and water governance and use rights, recognition and promotion of group rights and practices, women’s land rights and partnerships between the local people and outside investors in relation to land and natural resources tenure rights?
2. What are the common issues and challenges faced by these projects/programmes in relation to land and natural resources tenure rights? How do the projects/programmes dealing or addressing these challenges? Who are the normal key stakeholders in this process and interaction and what are their interests as well as contributions in the process?
3. Undertake a brief literature review of good practices, trends and development in the area of land and natural resource tenure rights, focusing specifically on the recognition and promotion of group rights and women’s land rights, land and water governance, establishing partnerships between communities and outside investors and using remote sensing as a tool for land use planning and management and for securing land and natural resource rights. With the literature review, analyse and highlight some good practices that are present in the IFAD supported programmes/projects as well as highlight some practices that are inadequate and/or not in accordance with acceptable international norms.
4. Provide a synthesis of the findings and prepare a summary report and presentation.
2. Conduct field missions in up to 4 priority countries (to be determined) to investigate the issues and challenges and opportunities related to addressing land and natural resource tenure rights in close collaboration with IFAD supported project managers and staff and key stakeholders particularly focusing on the thematic areas as described above.For each mission, to prepare a mission report summarising the findings and conclusion and to present initial findings to key stakeholders at country level for validation purposes.
3. Consolidate the desk study and field research results and prepare an initial report including findings, conclusion and recommendations. The report would serve as a background paper for a regional workshop (see no. 4).
4. Provide technical support to the regional workshop in May-June 2012 including presenting the initial background research paper, assisting in the facilitation and break-out workshops as applicable and documenting the whole proceeding.
5. With the inputs from the workshop, finalise the report including the preparation of recommendations and action plans.
6. Provide technical inputs in the preparation of a project proposal for scaling up a knowledge management programme.

METHODOLOGY

The Consultant will make use of the following methodology:

• Discussion with UN-HABITAT/GLTN and IFAD and their respective partners, IFAD supported programmes/projects and country level stakeholders
• Discussion on the workplan, timing and resources and other logistical arrangements with UN-HABITAT and IFAD
• Agreements on the checklist of questions for the research and field investigation with UN-HABITAT and IFAD.
• Preparation of monthly progress reports or as needed.

REPORTING

The Consultant will be reporting to Clarissa Augustinus of Land and GLTN Unit, UN-HABITAT in Nairobi, Kenya

OUTPUTS/DELIVERABLES

The following are the expected outputs/deliverables of the consultancy with the estimated timeframe:

Outputs	Deliverables	Duration/Timing
Output 1	Desk study research and literature review	3 weeks
Output 2	Field missions in at least 4 countries	4 weeks
Output 3	Consolidated report of the desk study and field research/missions	1 week
Output 4	Technical support to regional workshop including presentation Workshop proceedings of the regional workshop	2 weeks
Output 5	Final Knowledge Mgt. Report	1 week
Output 6	Inputs and recommendations on project proposal to scale up KM activities	1 week
Total		12 weeks = 3 months

UN-HABITAT/GLTN will determine whether the consultant has completely delivered all the agreed outputs upon submission and acceptance of reports and other evidences. All documents, reports and presentations shall be turned over to UN-HABITAT upon completion of the tasks. UN-HABITAT will require the Consultant to undertake technical missions to various project sites in selected countries. In this case, UN-HABITAT, together with IFAD, shall inform the consultant about the specific project sites and countries for the technical missions and UN-HABITAT shall shoulder the travel expenses of the consultant.

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: Knowledge of concepts and approaches relevant to the land and natural resources tenure rights and ability to conduct independent analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations.
Communication: Good oral/communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare and edit a variety of written documents, reports and briefs.
Planning and organising: Ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgement in the context of competing deadlines.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Judgment/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Advanced University degree in the field of land management, law, planning, natural resource management and or any other relevant fields.

Work Experience

• At least 10 years of experience related to land and natural resources tenure rights at international level;
• Knowledge on land and natural resources management and tenure issues in Africa is required;
• Experience on research and documentation is essential;
• Team working ability and flexibility;
• Previous UN working experience is preferred;
• Excellent skills of the English language, both understanding and writing skills;
• Work experience with NGOs and poor communities is desirable.

Language
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.

Other skills

• Very good writing and computer skills, including Word Processing and PowerPoint
• Ability to work under pressure and in an ethnically diverse and political setting.

REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid in installments upon completion and acceptance of the outputs as specified in section Outputs/Deliverables above.

APPLICATION
Interested applicants should send (email preferred):

• Motivation letter
• CV (please use the United Nations standard personal history form available upon request or via: http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=24&catid=435&id=3867)
• Financial proposal (e.g. consultation fees)
• Proof of relevant work

All applications should be submitted to:

GLTN Secretariat/ Shelter Branch, Global Division, UN-HABITAT
PO Box 30030, Nairobi 00100 Kenya
Email: gltn@unhabitat.org or danilo.antonio@unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 29 February 2012

Important Note:
Please be advised that since April 15, 2010, applicants for consultancy must be part of the UN-HABITAT Consultants database (e-roster) in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the Consultant Web site through the following link : http://e-roster.unhabitat.org/