Country: Kenya
Closing date: 04 Jan 2016
CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 15/12/2015
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:
Nairobi, Kenya with some travels
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
Land indicators Initiative Coordinator
DURATION:
12 months (renewable subject to performance and availability of funds)
CLOSING DATE:
4 January 2016
BACKGROUND
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 Urban Land, Legislation and Governance Branch supports the development of adequate land management tools, urban legislation and urban governance models and institutions as a contribution to sustainable urban development. It provides policy and technical assistance, through operational projects, to national and sub-national governments, including local authorities, and other Habitat Agenda partners with respect to urban legislation, land and governance, including urban safety;
The Global Land Tool Network - The goal of the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN) is the development and adoption of pro poor and gender sensitive land tools and approaches. The core themes on which the Networks focuses on are: access to land and tenure security, land management and planning, land administration and information, land-based financing, land policy and legislation. The Network also works on cross-cutting issues, such as capacity development, land governance, youth, capacity development, land in the Muslim world, human rights, food security, conflict/disaster, environment, gender, and grassroots. GLTN has developed a global partnership on land issues pulling together global partners, as well as many individual members. These partners include international networks of civil society, international finance institutions, international research and training institutions, donors and professional bodies. It aims to take a more holistic approach to land issues by: improving global coordination on land; establishing of a continuum of land rights, rather than just focus on individual land titling; improving and developing pro-poor land management, as well as land tenure tools; unblocking existing initiatives; assisting in strengthening existing land networks; assisting in the development of gendered land tools which are affordable and useful to the grassroots; and improving the general dissemination of knowledge about how to implement security of tenure. More information on GLTN can be found on www.gltn.net.
The Global Land Indicators Initiative (GLII)
The Global Land Indicators Initiative is a multi-stakeholder platform of partners and individuals learning and sharing knowledge aimed at exploring innovative means of collecting data that will be affordable, easy and manageable by member states. It is facilitated by the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN).
The Platform has grown from 3 institutions (Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), The World Bank and GLTN/UN-Habitat) in 2012 to 30 institutions (NGOs, Multilateral agencies, Academia and research institutions, training institutes) in 2014 actively engaging to reach consensus on a set of core indicators.
The overall goal is to develop a set of indicators on land that is globally collectible and comparable over the long term, in the process influencing the post-2015 global agenda to incorporate land in its strategies and indicators. Core to its work is research.
This post is located in the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch. The consultant will be reporting to the GLTN Unit Leader or designated focal point or task manager.
Context
Effective monitoring is central to ensuring that changes in land governance result in improved conditions and sustainable development opportunities for all, especially for vulnerable groups and those living in poverty. Better knowledge and understanding of a) the extent to which people benefit from secure land and property rights; and b) the effectiveness of land-related policies and land administration systems in helping to deliver tenure security for all and achieve sustainable use of land resources are now needed. These developments have created the need for a core set of land indicators that have national application and are globally relevant and comparable. To date, however, development agencies and programmes undertaking land-related interventions have established their own systems for monitoring the outcomes of land-related development interventions reflecting specific agency and project goals; there is no overall comparability of progress in different countries or the effectiveness of different approaches. Monitoring has tended to focus on land policy and legislative processes, and on the performance of individual projects rather than on people’s perceptions of tenure security and the development outcomes of land governance systems as a whole. In addition, there are large gaps in available data, including baseline conditions, and coverage of national land information systems is extremely limited and confined to relatively small segments of the population. These circumstances led to collaboration between UN-Habitat, the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the World Bank in 2012, facilitated by the Global Land Tool Network (initiated and hosted by UN-Habitat), to establish a Global Land Indicators Initiative (GLII). This is a platform for knowledge generation, sharing and dissemination on land indicators that aims to develop a set of core land indicators to measure tenure security globally and at country level (UN-Habitat / GLTN 2014).
GLII has since grown to include over 45 organizations in a multi-stakeholder platform of institutional partners (including NGOs, multilateral agencies, academia and research institutions, training institutes) and individuals, actively learning and sharing knowledge to define appropriate and feasible land indicators, and to explore innovative means of collecting data that will be affordable, easy and manageable by United Nations member states. Between 2013 and 2015, a series of GLII Working Groups and Expert Group Meetings (EGMs) of land and development experts, including representatives of a wide range of organizations, worked to develop a coherent set of land indicators and a common framework for monitoring and measurement of progress towards improved land governance and greater tenure security at country level. The aim has been to establish an agreed list of indicators, feasible methodologies and a collaborative framework within which the indicators can be tested and applied incrementally by the global land community and local stakeholders over the medium and longer term. GLII promotes the incorporation of a shortlist of indicators within the broader set of indicators and targets that form part of the framework for the 2030 Agenda (SDGs), therefore the framework must allow for measurement at the country level, consistent country reporting and global comparative analysis.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The main objective of the assignment is to roll out land monitoring at country level. This area of work will support the piloting of land indicators through existing or ongoing initiatives. Further, the work will entail capacity development, awareness raising and testing the indicators with global and regional partners as well and internally with UN-Habitat Global Urban Observatory. The work will entail developing collaborative arrangements with GLII partners for effectiveness and efficiency of delivery.
Under the overall guidance of Unit Leader, Land and GLTN, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
- Task manage the implementation of the Project entitled “Strengthening capacities to develop land tenure security in Africa” (funded by the UN Development Account);
- Prepare work plan and targets
- Implement activities in consultation with the supervisor
- Monitor the implementation
- Develop strategies and a roadmap for the implementation of land indicators
- Develop monthly work plan and report
- Implement the plan and strategies (communication, resource mobilisation, capacity development, etc)
- Evaluation and monitor the strategies
- Develop tools, manuals and guides for the implementation of the tenure security indicators framework in selected countries;
- Develop training manuals and guides as appropriate
- Revise and enhance the framework, tools, manual and guides
- Pilot-test the tools, manuals and guides
- Support to capacity development initiatives on land indicators including organising and servicing workshops on tenure security monitoring methodology
- Organise workshops, training events, seminars, experts group meetings both at national and regional/international levels
- Deliver training events and evaluate workshop outcomes including preparing reports and other outcome documents
- Follow up on learning events
- Lead (with support of GLTN and Land Unit and other relevant Units and branches) the rolling out and scaling up of the Global Land Indicators Initiative and the increasing Land Indicators Portfolio;
- Implement the actions plan for the Global Land indicators Initiative
- Advocate and facilitate the Initiative
- Provide technical and advisory support to partners
- Prepare agreements of cooperation and short-term individual contracts to undertake specific activities including through reference groups, peer learning, capacity development;
- Identify areas of work where additional expertise and resources are needed
- Prepare and implement a human resources plan to deliver on specific outputs
- Ensure quality assurance of deliverables and outputs
- Oversee the piloting and testing of land indicators at country level, including recruitment of national consultants and experts, agreement of cooperation,
- Prepare country level engagement plan
- Implement activities at country level
- Evaluate scaling up of activities
- Build and create linkages with on-going monitoring initiatives that can support the process of innovative data collection mechanisms;
- Identify and evaluate opportunities for collaboration and create synergy as appropriate
- Explore and implement innovative data collection and reporting art country level
- Support innovative approaches
- Undertake monitoring and evaluation of the indicators work as well as documentation of lessons learnt;
- Set up mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating progress
- Document process and practices for lessons learning and sharing
- Identify and use opportunities for disseminating lessons learnt
- Prepare and disseminate regular reports to funding partners, publications and promotional materials for the land indicators
- Prepare narrative and financial reports and statements as required
- Prepare and publish promotional materials in relevant website, newsletters, journals, etc
- Evaluate the impact of the publications and promotional items
- Mobilise additional resources (internally and externally) to support the implementation and sustainability of the land indicators portfolio while ensuring adequate disbursement of funds already acquired;
- Identify and make use of potential resources (e.g. financial, in-kind) both internally and externally
- Develop project proposals, and a disbursement plan
- Ensure sustainability of the land indicators portfolio
- Establish functional and productive working relationship with relevant branches and offices within UN-Habitat, as well as within the UN systems and land, and urban communities working on land;
- Hold regular bilateral meetings with relevant colleagues and partners
- Ensure cross-cutting issues and interest of the agency are upheld
- Participate in relevant events and meetings with key stakeholders
- Manage the GLII platform
a;Share and disseminate relevant information to the platform members.
b; Keep and update the mailing list/ partners’ database
c; Organise meetings, events, and keep the event calendars for the platform.
- Perform other related duties as may be assigned
ILLUSTRATIVE EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:
The incumbent will be expected to produce a range of deliverables including:
- Strategy and road map
- Reports of workshop, expert group meetings, seminars and learning events
- Land indicators tools, manual and guides
- Timesheet and monthly report
- Reports to donors (six monthly and annual)
- Advocacy and promotional materials
- Documentation of practices and success stories
- Project proposals and fundraising strategy
- etc
COMPETENCIES (maximum of five)
Professionalism : Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to land and indicators and monitoring and evaluation; Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems; Ability to apply judgement, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
Planning and Organizing: Develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; Identify priority activities and assignments; adjust priorities as required; Allocate appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; Foresee and allow for contingencies when planning; Monitor and adjust plans and actions as necessary; use time efficiently. Ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgment in the context of competing deadlines. Ability to work with minimal supervision and with good sense of initiative.
Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to present the content of the thematic area in a clear and concise manner. Keep the supervisor regularly informed of progress.
Creativity: Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches, takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; is flexible and able to think "outside the box", and offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs.
EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in land, law, economics, Monitoring and evaluation geography, urbanism or any other related area that is relevant for indicator for land and urban. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A least ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in land, monitoring and evaluation, economics, geography, urbanism or related field. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognised by the United Nations. Work experience in the UN and or international organization Civil Society Organisation in international programmes or national related to land and indicators is an asset. Working knowledge in French is an advantage. Work experience in developing countries is an advantage.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and with good sense of initiative to keep the supervisor regularly informed of progress.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the consultancies advertised, excellent proficiency English, both verbal and written, is required. Ability in verbal and/or written French or Spanish will be desirable
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on a monthly basis subject to satisfactory delivery of agreed monthly targets and workplans over the consultancy period. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement. The cost of organising EGMs and workshop will be supported by UN-Habitat.
How to apply:
Applications should include:
Expression of interest explaining how to deliver on the TOR (2-3 pages)
Summary CV (maximum 5 pages), indicating the following information:
i. Educational Background (incl. dates)
ii. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
iii. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
iv. Expertise, relevant publication list and referees
v. Expectations regarding monthly remuneration
UN Personal History Form (please use the United Nations standard personal history form available upon request or via: http://mirror.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=24&catid=435&id=3867
Proof of relevant work (at least two)
All applications should be submitted to:
Ms. Josephine Ruria
UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email:Josephine.ruria@unhabitat.org
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 4 January 2016
UN-Habitat does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org