National Project Officer (Housing, Land and Property - HLP) at International Organization for Migration - IOM

CFCV.: SVN2021.31
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Special Short-Term (SST) 6 months with possibility of extension

Job Description

• IOM is seeking an experienced National Officer for Housing, Land and Property (HLP) to review the existing legal framework for landownership and property rental and occupation for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities in the BAY States (Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) of North East Nigeriafor the purpose of advising IOM project units on integration of HLP awareness within their programming.
• Specific Housing, Land and Property aspects pertaining to emergency response programmes have long been an area of concern and focus. Land tenure security remains a critical determinant for successful and durable outcomes. Disputes over land are key drivers of conflict and often the main factor fuelling the continuation of the cycle of violence. Yet capacity in this field of expertise remains limited. From an operational perspective, implementing staff are generally able to identify HLP issues, but often wonder how to consider or address them within projects. At worst, projects run the risk of doing harm by not considering land tenure issues.
• The need for support includes assistance to local level programme implementing staff in conducting due diligence and carrying out protocols for clarifying land tenure status; identifying the legal and institutional frameworks relevant to land administration; understanding the local practices on land tenure as well as traditional land dispute resolution mechanisms; improving implementing staff’s understanding of Nigerian land tenure administration and praxis; developing procedures to mitigate the risk of generating disputes over land; integrating a HLP concerns  lens for their strategy and programming, identifying vulnerable populations from a tenure security perspective, such as women, marginalized ethnic groups, tenants and the landless.
• The National Officer forHLP role will help to increase IOM Nigeria capacity to address this issue through direct intervention, liaison with relevant authorities, referrals, training of frontline staff and the development of practices and procedures that will help mitigate risks and increase security of tenure for our beneficiaries

CoreFunctions / Responsibilities

• Improve the overall understanding among IOMstaff on the legal framework relevant to land and property in Nigeria, as well as ofthelocal practices around land tenure.
• Assist IOM programmes and staff in the field to identify the government institutions and officials that have authority over land tenure, liaise with and be a focal point to said officials and institutions; Foster productive relationships between IOM and local authorities / humanitarian partners.
• Identify  and  establish  relationships  with  HLP  stakeholders  in  emergency  field operation  sites,  identifying  the  relevant authorities  directly  or  indirectly  responsible  for  land  management,  their  interests,  affiliations,  power,  and  area  of influence.
• Establish  case  management  process  by  maintaining  a  database  of  cases  of  land  issues  flagged  by  field  staff,  including background,  identity  of  claimants,  existing  means  of  proof,  witnessaccounts,  information  from  the  authorities, agreements, decisions and any other relevant data.  
• Assist IOM programmes and staff to improve the HLP Rapid Assessment Tool or any other due diligence protocols that aim at clarifying land tenure status.
• Develop guidance for IOM staff, in coordination with IOM Protection, on gender dynamics of Housing, Land and Property issues in Nigeria with focus on mitigating potential occurrence of Gender Based Violence.
• Support  IOM  staff  on  the  field  to  conduct  the  HLPassessment  as  well  as  to  conduct  any  other  checks  to  clarify  land tenure, identify rights holders (“owners”), obtain and verify certificates, “land books”, lease agreements and any other relevant tenure documents.
• GuideIOM  programmes  and  staff  to  developanddraft  contracts,  MOUs,  lease  agreements,  use  agreements  and  other documents that can increase security and clarity of tenure.
• Supervise HLP related supportstaff including database manager and field support staff
• Support  IOM  programmes  and  staff  to  consult  the  land  registry  and  equivalent  Government  databases,  particularly  at local, State and National levels.
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

  Education / Experience

• Master’sdegree from an accredited institution in Law, field ofstudy related to Land and Property, shelter and settlements, urban planning,or
• Bachelor’s  degree  in  the above-mentionedfields  with  2years’  experiencein  practicing  land  lawsand experience  with humanitarian work highly appreciated.
• Demonstrable interest in humanitarian response and recovery, shelter & settlements and related issues.
• Excellent understanding of Nigerian government affairs and the functioning of Federal, State, and local level institutions is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of the United Nations role, structure, coordination systems and cluster mechanism.
• Experience liaising with State administration institutions, government officials or courts is desirable.
• Experience in organizing and facilitating trainings.
• Personal commitment, results focused, efficiency, flexibility; ability to work effectively and harmoniously both in a team or on their own.
• Experienced and familiar with protection as well as other cross-cutting issues like age, gender, and diversity, disability, and environment

Languages:

• Fluency in English, Hausa Kanuri, and other local languages of the Northern Nigeria

Required Competencies
Behavioural:

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following competencies:
Values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible
• Integrity and transparency: maintainhigh ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles / rules and standards of conduct
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent,and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges

Core Competencies - Behavioural indicators level 2:

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results
• Delivering results produces and delivers quality results in a service - oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes
• Managing and sharing knowledge continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge,and innovate
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages andcontributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring, and motivational way.

Managerial Competencies - Behavioural indicators level:

• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example, and  demonstrates the ability to carry out the organization’s vision; assists others to realize and develop their potential.
• Empowering others & building trustcreates an atmosphere of trust and an  enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Strategic thinking and vision:work strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction