DRC: International Consultant for “Land and Natural Resources Management Specialist"

Aug 7, 2017 | UNDP
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The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The Land and GLTN Unit, located within the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat has the mandate to develop, test and disseminate pro-poor and gender responsive approaches in regard to urban land, innovative residential tenures, affordable land management/administration systems, and land related regulatory/legal frameworks and tools.

This international consultancy post for “Land and Natural Resources Management Specialist” to coordinate land-related work in DRC and other Francophone Countries is created to reach the objectives of the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) in supporting the implementation of pro-poor and gender-responsive land reforms at country level particularly in DRC. Specifically, the post is created to support the implementation of land-related programmes in DRC in relation to supporting land policy reforms, tenure security improvement, land administration and land information and land use planning. This is undertaken in close partners with UN-Habitat DRC Office, government authorities, civil society organizations, academic institutions and other UN agencies and development partners.

The “Land and Natural Resources Management Specialist” directly reports to the Unit Leader, Land and GLTN Unit or any authorized staff. The focus of this post is lead the support and coordination of the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the land related initiatives in DRC and to provide support to initiatives within West African region as maybe appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITES

Under the overall supervision of the Unit Leader of Land and GLTN Unit under the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch of UN-Habitat, the “Land and Natural Resources Management Specialist” will perform the following tasks and responsibilities:

On Land Policy Reform Processes in DRC:

• Work in close collaboration with the DRC government to improve the functioning of the CONAREF (institution put in place by the government to implement the land reform process in DRC)
• Put in place related procedures and manuals and setup thematic groups within the CONAREF
• Provide technical support in organizing and coordinating related workshops and meetings and in operationalizing provincial land reform coordination in select provinces.  (Ituri and Mai-Ndoumbe).
• Work with UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa, country team in DRC, civil society organizations and other key partners to facilitate the planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of the land policy reform processes in DRC.
• Undertake reviews and analyses of the land reform related program documents and reports and recommend corrective actions and solutions.
• Provide substantive inputs for policy coordination and evaluation functions, including the review of the draft land policy document, develop complementary legal texts and produce and validate the methodological guides for multi stakeholder consultations.
• Provides administrative and substantive support to all consultative meetings and workshops and related capacity development work.

On Community Participatory Land Use Planning Processes:

• Supervise and coordinate the development of the CLUP training guide and its field testing.
• Work closely with UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa, country team in DRC, government and other key partners to facilitate the development, implementation and evaluation of the Land Use Planning related projects and activities.  
• Coordinate activities related to planning, budget allocation, monitoring and reporting including in the preparation and submission of progress reports, financial statements and work plan preparation.
• Provide administrative and substantive support to all multi-stakeholder related meetings, consultations and conferences and capacity development initiatives.
• Establish fit-for-purpose land administration and information systems in collaboration with government authorities and partners.

On Knowledge Management and Partnership Building:

• Liaise with government authorities, UN-Habitat Country Office, key partners and institutions towards strengthening partnerships and collaboration.
• Develop knowledge management and information materials as by-products of the land related initiatives for dissemination at local, national and international audience.
• Document good practices, lessons learned and key processes aimed at informing future planning and decision making processes.
• Provide substantive inputs and technical support in knowledge management, communications and monitoring and evaluation.
• Prepare substantive reports, summaries and presentations highlighting activities related to awareness building, communications, knowledge management and partnership building.

Other Related Tasks and Functions:

• Supervise implementation of pro-poor, fit-for-purpose and gender responsive land policies, tools and approaches.
• Make presentations on behalf of the project in DRC and at international level.
• Prepare ad hoc reports in relation to project implementation updates, challenges and opportunities.
• Provide substantive support in resource mobilization activities.
• Initiate and supervise consultancy contracts and partnership agreements.
• Undertake field missions as maybe necessary.
• Provide technical support to other Francophone countries as may be necessary.
• Perform other tasks as appropriate.

DELIVERABLES

Note: The consultant should be able to provide monthly progress reports enumerating all the achievements made as per above deliverables/outputs and attaching related documents/reports as appropriate.

COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of land related issues in DRC and in Francophone countries Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to collect data using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.  Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Planning and Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Team Work: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

EDUCATION

At least a first-level university degree in land administration and management, social sciences, or related fields. Advanced related education or degree is an advantage.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least five (5) years’ experience in addressing land tenure and administration issues in developing countries particularly in DRC or other Francophone countries is required;
• Experience on research, coordination, knowledge management and documentation on land tenure and other related issues is highly preferred;
• Knowledge on land and land tenure tools, good practices and innovations is desirable;
  • Experience in coordination of multi stakeholder projects and complex partnerships is desirable;
  • Team working ability and flexibility;
  • Previous UN working experience is preferred;

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Fluency in French and English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other local languages in DRC is an added advantage.

OTHERS

• Willingness to go on frequent missions to Nairobi and other Francophone countries
• Very good writing skills in English and French
• Knowledgeable in MS Office operations (Word, Excel 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. The consultant will be paid on a monthly basis for the 12 months period.