Land Governance Expert

Key Responsibilities

• Land Tenure Diagnostics: Lead detailed diagnostics of formal, informal, and customary land tenure systems in Busia, identifying barriers for informal women and youth traders.
• Policy and Legal Analysis: Analyze land-related laws, policies, and institutional frameworks in Kenya and Uganda to identify gaps and opportunities for cross-border harmonization.
• Participatory Mapping: Guide the design and rollout of participatory land tenure mapping exercises involving local leaders and customary landowners.
• Land Information Systems (LIS): Coordinate the development and piloting of a fit-for-purpose, gender-sensitive LIS for cross-border and informal land recording.
• Technical Assistance: Integrate land and property data into spatial economic development frameworks and local planning systems.
• Dispute Management: Support land dispute identification and management mechanisms using community-led conflict resolution approaches.
• Governance Frameworks: Facilitate the development of local by-laws and protocols for tenure recognition that align with national and community systems.
• Capacity Building: Deliver targeted training and mentorship for local government officers, land boards, and community land actors.
• Knowledge Management: Develop policy briefs, case studies, and technical guidance notes based on project findings.
• Collaboration: Partner with legal and gender experts to ensure interventions are inclusive, pro-poor, and gender-equitable.

Qualifications and Experience

• Education: An advanced university degree (Master's) in Land Administration, Urban or Regional Planning, Geomatics, Geography, Law, or a related field. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.
• Professional Experience: At least 7 years of professional experience in land governance, tenure reform, or land information systems specifically within the African context.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Proven track record of working with local governments, informal communities, and cross-sector stakeholders on land governance and planning.
• Specialized Knowledge: Familiarity with gender-responsive land governance principles and tools promoting women’s land rights.
• Institutional Experience: Prior experience working with UN agencies or similar multilateral institutions is a distinct advantage.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should apply through the United Nations careers portal. Applications must be submitted via the official UN recruitment system at careers.un.org. You can access the specific application portal here: Apply to UN-Habitat.