community-based LTR processes on land dispute levels and land transactions; and (ii) ways to safeguard ... storage, and
Vacancy Announcement Title:
Senior Research Expert/Land Rights
Category:
Consultancy
Type of Contract:
Single Engagement Agreement
Duty Station:
The Hague, The Netherlands and/or Rome, Italy
ABOUT IDLO The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) enables governments and empowers people to reform laws and strengthen institutions to promote peace, justice, sustainable development and economic opportunity. We contribute to creating stable and inclusive societies where every person can live free from fear and want, in dignity and under the rule of law. To learn more about IDLO, please visit our website www.idlo.int or follow us on Twitter @IDLO.
THE PROJECT Land Tenure Registration (LTR) is one of the key strategies of the Burundian government to deal with the large number of land disputes across the country. A series of pilot programs aimed at resolving land rights issues have been initiated in recent years. To date, however, it is unclear whether these pilot programs have had their intended effect of reducing the number of land disputes. There are also strong concerns women are failing to gain recognition of their existing customary rights in these pilot programs, due to the secondary nature of women's claims to land under Burundian customary law. The International Development Law Organization (IDLO) has been engaged by non-governmental organization ZOA to conduct research as part of a pilot LTR program (the Program). The Program was initiated by ZOA in 2014. It is located in the south of Burundi, in the province of Makamba, an area where land conflict is exacerbated by the mass return of refugees. By February 2018 the Program aims to have registered the land holdings of an estimated 200,000 inhabitants of three municipalities (Mabanda, Vugizo, and Makamba). To make this possible, a substantial number of land disputes will be addressed using alternative dispute resolution processes. Results are then recorded in the communal land registries and title certificates are issued. ZOA has granted IDLO a sub-grant to study two aspects of the Program: (i) the impact of ZOA's community-based LTR processes on land dispute levels and land transactions; and (ii) ways to safeguard and strengthen women's customary rights to land in the LTR process. The impact study has a dual purpose of capturing the results of the program (accountability) and issuing recommendations to the program implementation team to improve the approach and enhance results (learning). The impact study relies on a stepped-wedge study design, purposely developed by IDLO to maximize capacity to capture and learn from outcome level results (medium term effects for final beneficiaries) within the relatively short timeframe of the Program.
THE ASSIGNMENT Under supervision of the Director of Research and Learning and in close cooperation with the Head of Research, the Senior Research Expert (the Expert) will lead the implementation of the Burundi Land Rights project (the Project), notably by performing the following duties:
Lead the team of researchers assigned to the Project, including, notably, the designated Research Associate;
Conduct high-quality research related to the Project and monitor the quality of research activities carried out by others working on the Project, extending from data collection, data storage, and data cleaning, to analysis;
Engage in missions to Project locations, as required, to oversee the process data collection, storage, and cleaning;
Produce final work products and reports, as specified in the delivery schedule below, on the basis of drafts/intermediate work products and drafts prepared by researchers assigned to the Project;
Lead the communication with the partner, ZOA, and where necessary and appropriate, with the donors, the Dutch Embassy in Burundi and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID);
Contribute to the organization or workshops and events related to the validation and launch of knowledge products foreseen as part of the Project;
Perform other duties related to the Project, as requested by the supervisor.
IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE & REQUIREMENTS Education
Post-graduate degree in law or development-related area are required.
Work experience
Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in both development programming and research is required, preferably within an international setting (UN, IGO, international NGO); Proven experience working land issues, with a focus on land tenure registration, women’s land rights, customary law, and land dispute resolution, is required; Proven experience working in the African Great Lakes region is required, experience working in Burundi is desirable; Proven experience in project management is required; thorough understanding of modern approaches to M&E is desirable; Proven experience in conducting mixed methods research in the field of law and development is required; Proven experience managing donor relations and presenting research results to donor is required; Proven expertise in quality report drafting is essential.
Languages
Excellent drafting, writing, and research skills in French and English are required (full professional proficiency required).
Specific knowledge, skills and competencies
Solid experience in/deep understanding of current development and rule of law-related themes; Excellent oral presentation, communication, and networking ability and inter-personal skills; Demonstrated ability to effectively use computer and Microsoft office programs, including SharePoint, and electronic sources in research activities. Good team player, positive attitude, flexible mind, comfortable in working in multi-cultural settings; Willingness to conduct research-related missions to the field, including conflict-affected and post-conflict countries; and Demonstrated ability to work proactively and independently, as well as in a small team, and doing so in a well-organized manner and exercising sound judgment.
TERMS The Services will be performed in The Hague and/or Rome. The period of engagement will be from March 2017 to November 2017.
HOW TO APPLY All interested applicants are encouraged to apply via our website www.idlo.int/jobs and submit the completed IDLO Personal History Form (PHF), resume and cover letter. IDLO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in all areas of its operations. We welcome and encourage diverse applications.
DISCLAIMER AND CLOSING DATE The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by the staff member assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The Director-General of IDLO reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities or even to cancel the recruitment to meet business and organizational needs as necessary. Due to an urgent need, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Application deadline is March 10, 2017
