Temporary

Arab States Land Expert

BACKGROUND

The Arab region is undergoing a decade of profound change, where noticeable progress in some countries is clouded by difficulties in others. Individual Arab countries have distinctive needs, priorities, problems and economic, political, and social contexts. While there are apparent national differences, regional commonalities and trends can be observed. There is an increasing realisation that the way land is regulated, used and managed is a key element of sustainable social and economic development and realization of human rights and the aspiration of the citizens of the region, making it a key cornerstone for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Land and GLTN Unit, located within the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance (ULLG) Branch of UN-Habitat, is mandated to develop, test and disseminate pro-poor and gender responsive land tools and approaches within the continuum of land rights framework. Established in 2006, the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), is a growing coalition of 75 international partners concerned with rural and urban land issues, working together to contribute to poverty reduction and sustainable development through promoting secure land and property rights for all, demonstrated through country-level interventions.

In the past years, GLTN has been expanding its work in the Arab States. The key aspects of the GLTN work in the Arab region include land governance, capacity development, knowledge management, regional cooperation, support to land projects implementation at country level, adaptation of land tools, and land sector coordination. In the context of the above, short term activities have been already implemented like: establishment of a land governance network in the region; creation of land regional stakeholder and publication Arab database, establishment of a basic e-platform to share information and knowledge among land governance stakeholders; organizing the First Arab Land Governance Conference.

The aim of this consultancy is to support the ongoing implementation of GLTN portfolio in Arab States and to contribute to the medium and long-term actions, where the priority areas of intervention are, among others; capacity development, knowledge creation and sharing, advocacy, monitoring, regional Arab land programme formulation and the establishment of a regional land centre. In addition, the consultant will support the land and conflict GLTN global work with a particular focus on Arab States.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The consultant will report to the Human Settlements Officer who is leading the Arab states land portfolio located in the Land and GLTN Unit of UN-Habitat, in the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch. The consultant will collaborate with the UN-Habitat Regional Office for the Arab States, the country offices in the region and relevant partner organisations. The consultant will have the following responsibilities:

Maintain the land governance network for Arab States, continually update the existing regional Arab land stakeholder database, update all relevant articles, publications, papers on land knowledge in Arab States and identify the land research gap in the region. Ensure frequent information flow with regional partners and support the Arab States focal point in the GLTN Secretariat in drafting needed Arab Land activities for land interventions at regional and national levels.
Organize events in the region, support the preparation of the programme of Arab land events and Expert Group Meetings in the region, assist with administration tasks for the events preparation and coordinate the preparation and the advocacy of the second Arab Land Conference including resource mobilisation. Translation of required materials and text to Arabic for the preparation of land events in the region.
Implement the work programme of GLTN at country level in Arab States, support the GLTN Secretariat work in Sudan in the project titled “Strengthening Land Management for Peaceful Co-Existence in Darfur” including:
- Provide further support to the ongoing STDM pilot in Darfur;
- Provide support in the scaling up and institutionalisation of the STDM into the government land management processes;
- Carry out a review of the Sudan / Darfur legislative and institutional arrangements of the land sector as well as capacity assessment;
- Land capacity assessment as well as land capacity building for relevant stakeholder in DLC and Darfur five States and
- Undertake an analysis of the costing of the implementation of the proposed revised land law and develop a package of training module.
Coordinate the maintenance of the E-Platform to share information & knowledge among regional land governance stakeholders. Preparing appropriate materials to share on the E-Platform, identifying relevant materials, simplification and translation and draft press releases and web stories for GLTN activities implementation in Arab States.
Develop a capacity building strategy for the Arab States, Undertake a capacity needs assessment for the region. Support the development of the capacity development strategy for Arab States. Collect inputs and data on the national and local land capacity in the region and support the organisation and implementation of capacity development initiatives.
Develop concept notes for regional and national land programmes in Arab States. Provide inputs for a detailed background on land issue in Arab States and identify what has already been done to address the land challenges in the region. Support the Arab States focal point in identifying the objectives and the outputs of the draft land programme. Provide inputs on how the objectives will be achieved and how the programme will be managed and evaluated.
Provide inputs and feedback on GLTN Arab States promotional material and publications, review the translation of all GLTN Arab States promotional material and publications that will be produced in 2018, draft GLTN summary activities in Arabic for GLTN interventions in Arab States, translate the abstracts of all identified English Arab Land publication and Articles for the E-platform.

Competency:

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of principles and approaches relevant to land, partnership and coordination. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis and summarize salient features 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; conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively in both English and Arabic; 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.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
Planning & Organizing: 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.

Skills:

Proficient in use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Illustrator and PowerPoint.
Ability to work to schedule, but where requested to be flexible with changes in timelines.

Academic Qualifications:

Advanced education or degree in one of the following fields is required: urban development, international development, land administration and management, urban planning or related social sciences. Relevant work experience in the above-mentioned fields can be accepted in lieu of a degree.

Experience:

A minimum of 3 years of remunerated experience working in urban development / land sector / international development / urban planning or related areas.
Previous working experience with national or international development agencies.
Previous working experience requiring coordination and research.
Demonstrated skills in both conceptual and practical analysis of complex issues.
Demonstrated skills in developing and maintaining partnerships

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required. Working knowledge of French would be an added advantage.

Result of Service

Updated E-platform with monthly relevant material press releases on land issues in Arab States
Draft summary land activities report in both English and Arabic on GLTN interventions in Arab States
Provide inputs for the document draft on scaling up and institutionalisation of the STDM in Sudan
Research and provide inputs for the package of training module of the proposed land capacity building for relevant land actors in Sudan
Expert Group Meetings on the role of private sector in access to land in Arab State is organized, required documents (programmes, announcements, invitations, ect…) are well prepared according to GLTN standers and final report is drafted
The announcement of the second Arab Land Conference is drafted and widely distributed to all Arab Land Stakeholders including answering questions and providing adequate feedback.
Databases for Arab land stakeholder, relevant articles, publications, papers on land knowledge in Arab States are well updated
Draft a document on the land research gap in the Arab States region
Provide inputs for the first draft of the capacity development strategy for Arab States
Undertake required mission to Sudan and identify the capacity assessment need in coordination with relevant partners
Draft detailed background document on land issue in Arab States
Provide inputs on the objectives and the outputs of three regional land programmes.