Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) contributes to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda through FAO Strategic Framework by supporting the transformation to MORE efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

In pursuit of these aspirations, the Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division (ESP) coordinates Programme Priority Areas on gender equality and rural women’s empowerment and on rural transformation. The Division works with Members and other partners to reduce rural poverty by promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment, diversifying rural employment opportunities, strengthening rural institutions and producer organizations, improving social protection systems, facilitating the rural poor’s access to land, productive resources and rural services, and pursuing the overall goal of realizing the human right to adequate food for all.
The Division also leads efforts to integrate the cross-cutting themes of gender and youth throughout the Programmes of Work of the Organization.
The position is located in the Land Tenure Team in ESP at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Reporting Lines

The Land Tenure Specialist reports to the Senior Land Tenure Officer/Team Leader of the Land Tenure Team, ESP.

Technical Focus 

Land tenure and policy, land administration, governance of pastoral lands, knowledge management.
The Land Tenure Specialist will support the FAO land tenure team to respond to country requests for technical and policy assistance in collaboration with the FAO Decentralized Offices and provides technical backstopping to field projects.

Tasks and responsibilities

•    Support to the implementing national and sub-national land tenure policy and programmes to advance the FAO Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security (VGGT), including multi-stakeholder processes for land policy reforms and land administration modernization.
•    Support capitalization and documentation of good practices and lessons learnt from land tenure projects and programmes.
•    Supports project reporting and M &E of land tenure projects and programmes.
•    Documents and share good practices on responsible, equitable and inclusive land governance.
•    Updates the existing Land Tenure knowledge management platform and other databases.
•    Ensure the quality/effectiveness of capacity development and knowledge management activities.

Key tasks include:

•    Provide technical input to reports and edits/revise technical documents related to land tenure.
•    Contribute to technical reports/publications and project proposals in French and English.
•    Support the preparation and reporting from meetings with experts from FAO decentralized offices.
•    Prepare Letters of Agreements (LOAs) with partners .
•    Contribute to the preparation and follow-up of workshops, webinars and training seminars.
•    Support proofreading and ad hoc translations of documents in French and English.
•    Performs other related duties as requested.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

•    University degree in sustainable development, international relations, political sciences, economics, geography, sociology, public policy, public administration, geomatics, sustainable agriculture, geo-environmental science or another relevant field.
•    At least 12 years (for COF) or 15 years (for PSA) of professional experience for Level A, five years for Level B, and for Level C at least 1 year of relevant experience in the areas of project implement, research in the field of land tenure or knowledge management.
•    For consultants: Working knowledge of English (C-level) and limited knowledge (В-level) of one of the other official languages of the organization (French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian or Arabic). For PSA: Working knowledge of English (C-level).

FAO Core Competencies

•    Results Focus
•    Teamwork
•    Communication
•    Building Effective Relationships
•    Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills 

•    Experience with land tenure, with preference in field locations.
•    Experience with reporting, editing and revision of technical documents.
•    Experience with knowledge sharing and outreach.
•    Extent of experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
•    Excellent and concise writing skills in French and English.