National Specialist on Land Tenure and Land Administration

Organizational Setting

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. Our goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO Sub-Regional Office for Central Asia (SEC) is responsible for developing, promoting, overseeing and implementing strategies for addressing food security, agriculture and rural development priorities in the sub-region; Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The Organization’s technical assistance includes institution building, development of knowledge and competencies, and exchange of experience among countries facing the challenges of transition.

The National Specialist on Land Tenure and Land Administration will be assigned in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan and сontribute to the implementation of the TCP/KAZ/3802 project.

Reporting Lines

The National Specialist on Land Tenure and Land Administration will work under the overall supervision of the OiC of the FAO Partnership and Liaison Office in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the direct technical supervision of the Lead Technical Officer of the project, and in the day-to-day coordination of the FAO Kazakhstan office. The National Specialist will also work under the technical guidance of project international consultants and in close cooperation with national project consultants and relevant national stakeholders.

Technical Focus

Ensure the smooth and efficient implementation of the assigned tasks. He/she acts independently in routine matters and interacts with a wide variety of colleagues within the organization providing technical support. The technical areas/profiles covered will be as follows: design of study methodology and criteria for selection two study sites; assessment of national policy, legal and institutional frameworks; analysis of the existing procedures for allocation of land (auctions) and recommendations for improvement; organization of workshops; preparation of reports and other project related documents.

Tasks and responsibilities

The National Specialist on Land Tenure and Administration will perform the following tasks: • Lead the development of study objectives, methodology and selection criteria for two feasibility studies to be carried out during the project; • Conduct a feasibility study to assess the land tenure situation and the potential for development of the local agricultural land markets for two selected areas; • In collaboration with international and national project personnel, conduct an assessment of the policy, legal, and institutional frameworks governing land tenure and agricultural land markets, and develop policy recommendations for improved tenure security, access to land, and land market functioning; • Contribute to an analysis of the legal framework governing agricultural enterprises’ modalities to acquire land, including how title-holders for land join and leave entities, and provide recommendations to improve the methods by which land is acquired; • Contribute to an analysis of the existing procedures for allocation of land (auctions) and recommendations for improvement, with a focus on access to land for family farmers, women, and youth; • Assist in organization of a series of workshops with relevant stakeholders to inform, discuss, and validate assessments and policy recommendations; • Support the project team with establishing cooperation with academia in the country and organize two training workshops (guest lectures) on land-use policies, land market development, and land management instruments; • Assist in organization of a national workshop on the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests in the Context of National Food Security with a focus on secure tenure rights, development of agricultural land markets, and land management instruments; • Contribute to the drafting and review of technical products, presentations, and reports of the project; • Collaborate as required with international and national project personnel on project implementation; • Prepare back to office reports after each mission.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in Agriculture, Land Tenure, Public Policy, Rural Development, Economics, Agricultural Economics, Social Science or related subjects. • Five years of relevant experience. • Working knowledge of English and Russian (Level C in oral and written). • National of Kazakhstan or resident in the country with a regular residence/work permit.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

• High degree of initiative and willingness to provide support to the international and national staff involved in the projects • Logical thinking and sound judgment • Attention to details and sense of urgency • Excellent communication skills and ability to explain procedures clearly (in speaking and writing) • Good level of knowledge of Land Tenure and Land Administration • Experience in working with multidisciplinary and multi-cultural teams with demonstrated strategic thinking skills • Ability to act at national and local levels • Strong planning, organization and time management skills and ability to manage multiple tasks • Proficiency of standard IT technology and equipment • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards; • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Selection Criteria

• Extent and relevance of experience in agriculture, land tenure, public policy, rural development, etc. • Work experience within the United Nations system is considered as an asset, but not mandatory. • Good knowledge of the MS Office applications and other telecommunication tools and equipment.