Housing Land and Property Specialist at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Reference number: HLP17206
Location: Borno

Project Background

• Since the crisis in northeast Nigeria escalated in 2013, the food security situation has continued to worsen. Emerging data of June 2016 has revealed that the severity of the food and nutritional crisis is well beyond emergency thresholds in Borno State. The Federal Government has declared a food and nutritional crisis in Borno, where over 750,000 people are severely food insecure; including 180,000 in Maiduguri’s outskirts, 120,000 camp residents and approximately 275,000 IDPs in newly reopened areas. A growing number of people are in urgent need of food assistance, and alarming rates of acute malnutrition have been reported.
• The re-opening of Local Government Areas (LGAs), many which have been inaccessible for an extended period of time, has led to the identification of new IDP locations in Borno State, while ongoing conflict between the military and Boko Haram has resulted in the influx of more IDPs into Maiduguri metropolis and the establishment of several spontaneous camps. The number of IDPs in both Maiduguri, Jere and other LGAs continue to increase – with the current reports indicating a total of 1.6 million IDPs in Borno State alone.
• In this emergency context, IDP households are among the worst affected populations as displacement has resulted in the loss and destruction of key assets, the interruption of livelihoods and extensive trauma. In order to effectively respond to the crisis, CRS Borno’s emergency and early recovery programs are focused on food, NFIs, WASH and shelter for both IDPs and host families. Where possible, CRS will seek to maximize project impact, efficiency and effectiveness by adopting market based approaches – through e-vouchers and the RedRose OneSytem platform – privileging integrated programming and empowering targeted communities through participatory approaches.

Job Summary

• The Housing, Land and Property Specialist is required to support CRS’ programs to ensure the legal rights of IDPs and landowners are protected in the development of infrastructure and land for agricultural.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop legal framework for housing land and property
• Prepare documentation for securing land access and tenancy agreements whilst ensuring rights of IDPs and landowners are protected.
• Lead identification of landowners and liaise with them with regard to access arrangements.
• Monitor compliance with existing tenancy/land agreements.
• Manage landowner/access database.
• Produce regular reporting updates on the status of land access/tenancy related to CRS operations.

Reporting

• Compile and submit timely weekly activity reports and monthly progress reports
• Advise management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future project developments
• Elaborate, compile and maintain database of protection referrals
• Elaborate, compile and maintain key protection and gender resources library

Key Working Relationships

• Internal: Hygiene Promotion Team Leader, Program Manager, Emergency Program Officers, MEAL staff, Operations Staff
• External: Local partners, community leaders, beneficiaries, vulnerable HHs, INGO, local NGOs and UN agencies, Governmental counterpart.

Qualifications and Skills

• Must be fluent in English, Hausa and preferably Kanuri.
• Bachelor degree in Law.
• Must have graduated from Law School.
• Must have experience working in Housing, Land and Property and a demonstrated understanding of regulatory environment within the context of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
• Good knowledge and experience of working with local partner.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives.
• Must be willing to travel within projects in Borno state and across northeast Nigeria to support offices in Yobe and Adamawa.

Travel:

• Regular travel outside of Maiduguri is not expected but some travel may be required to attend trainings /meetings etc.

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with integrity
• Models stewardship
• Cultivates constructive relationships
• Promotes learning.

Applicants should download the "Application Form Below" and send with a detailed 3-page resume in a single file word document to: vacancies.ne.nigeria@crs.org The position title must be expressly stated as the subject of the email quoting reference number HLP17206.

Click here to download Application Form (MS Word)

Note

• Applications must reach us on or before the closing date.
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.