Project Officer -Housing Land and Property at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

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 CRS’ emergency shelter, sanitation, water supply and agriculture and livelihood activities in Borno state and across north east Nigeria.

As Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Officer, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable. Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the HLP aspects of the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned HLP activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Including, but not limited to:
  • 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, local leaders and government officials, as appropriate, with regard to access arrangements.
  • Create and conduct trainings in HLP for project stakeholders (participants, host communities, leaders, government agencies, CRS and partner staff).
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle by supporting MEAL in the evaluation of HLP activities and reflecting on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges, monitoring compliance with existing tenancy/land agreements, and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.  
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at land sites to ensure timely HLP activity implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for HLP activities is complete; including homeowner and renter database, protection referral database and key protection and gender resources library; with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
• Contribute to developing HLP sector within CRS Nigeria by providing support to other projects requiring HLP assistance.

Reporting

• Compile and submit timely weekly activity reports and monthly progress reports.
• Contribute to elaboration of HLP sections of donor reports.
• Advise management, and propose solutions, about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future project developments.
• Elaborate, compile, and maintain database of protection referrals.

Required Languages - Must be fluent in English, with additional skills in Hausa and Kanuri a benefit.

Travel - Regular travel to program areas of intervention in Borno State is required. Travel outside of Borno State is not expected but some travel may be required to attend trainings / meetings etc. Must be willing to travel up to 20% within projects in Borno state and across northeast Nigeria to support offices in Yobe and Adamawa.    

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Observation, active listening and analysis skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners and community members
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in participatory action planning and community engagement.
• Experience monitoring projects and collecting relevant data preferred.
• Experience using MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment. 
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners.
• Proactive, results-oriented, and service-oriented 
• Attention to details, accuracy, and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities.
• Staff supervision experience is a plus.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in property law, international law or similar field, must have degree from Law School.
• Minimum 3 years’ 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.