Organizational Setting
The Regional Office for Europe and Central Asia (REU) is responsible for leading FAO's response to regional priorities for food security, agriculture and rural development through the identification, planning and implementation of FAO's priority programmes in the region. It ensures a multidisciplinary approach to programmes, identifies priority areas of action for the Organization in the Region and, in collaboration with departments and divisions at Headquarters, develops, promotes and oversees FAO's strategic response to regional priorities. REU also advises on the incorporation of regional priorities into the Organization's Programme of Work and Budget and implements approved programmes and projects in the region, monitors the level of programme implementation and draws attention to problems and deficiencies. The Regional Office supports regional policy dialogue on food security, agriculture and rural development issues, facilitates the emergence of regional partnerships, and supports capacity development and resource mobilization for food security, agriculture and rural development in the region.
Reporting Lines
The technical specialist will work under the overall supervision of the FAO REU Regional Programme Leader, the direct supervision of FAO REU Land Tenure Officer and in close coordination with FAO country offices, international and national experts.
Technical Focus
Farm structures with excessive land fragmentation and very small farm sizes hinder farm productivity and competitiveness, hamper the introduction of more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices and may lead to land abandonment. It is essential to address these structural problems while strengthening tenure security and securing equal access to land. Agricultural land markets need to be developed and regulated. Land management instruments such as land consolidation, land banking, and an active management of state-owned agricultural land can help address these challenges holistically and comprehensively while contributing to broader development objectives.
FAO has facilitated analyses of the necessity and conditions for land consolidation, assessing the institutional, legal and policy frameworks and technically supported countries in the implementation of the instrument in the field. It has also supported legislative reforms to create an enabling legal environment for cost effective and efficient implementation, in ways that ensure respect for legitimate tenure rights. Land consolidation can, in particular when applied in a multi-purpose approach, significantly contribute to transformation towards more sustainable local food systems.
Broad technical knowledge and experience is needed in the area of Land Tenure, in particular related to land consolidation, land policy, access to land, state land management, land market development, land legislation and land abandonment.
Tasks and responsibilities
The Consultant shall possess the expertise to conduct most of the following tasks:
• Provide technical assistance to governments related to introduction of land consolidation instruments, including assessing the progress, identifying constraints and providing recommendations to alleviate them.
• Provide technical assistance related to formulation of land policy, access to land, land market development and regulation, state land management, instruments to address land abandonment and development of land administration systems.
• Facilitate cooperation between the FAO country staff and the government staff involved in the implementation of land consolidation projects, including coordination of steps and progress related to ensuring their sustainability.
• Coordinate the planning, preparation and execution of backstopping missions of FAO Technical Officers and international consultants.
• Lead the process of development of training programmes (capacity building of government staff responsible for land consolidation and sustainable land management).
• Take the lead in formulating projects and work plans, including the organization of, and participation in relevant project workshops, such as national workshops, training workshops, etc., both at regional and country level.
• Contribute to enhancing partnership and resource mobilization related to FAO land tenure work.
• Review and contribute to studies, project reports, progress reports and terminal reports.
• Provide technical advice within the context of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT).
• Carry out other activities within the technical competence as requested.
CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING
Minimum Requirements
• Advanced degree in land administration, land management, law, agriculture, economy or related disciplines.
• 5 years of relevant experience in project management and technical assistance, preferably related to land consolidation, land management, land administration, land market development and regulation.
• Knowledge and understanding of the development of land consolidation programmes and projects.
• Working knowledge of English (C1)
FAO Core Competencies
• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement
Technical/Functional Skills
• Experience in providing technical assistance to government ministries and agencies.
• Experience in the design, planning, and implementation of technical assistance projects related to land tenure.
• Experience in coordinating with multiple stakeholders, including government bodies, international organizations, and service providers.
• Experience with land consolidation, both from countries with an ongoing national programme and in countries introducing land consolidation instruments is an asset.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to lead a multidisciplinary team.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to effectively interact with stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to identify constraints and recommend solutions.
• Proficiency in preparing studies, project reports, progress reports and terminal reports.
• Good command of English language is required, including experience in writing analytical reports.