Result of Service

The consultancy aims to support the ALPC and the AUC to facilitate the operationalization and transition of the ALPC to the AUC, implementation of the AU Land Governance Strategy and promoting the AU agenda on land.

Work Location

ECA

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Context and background Land remains one of Africa’s most critical and contested resources, underpinning socio-economic development, cultural identity, and political stability. The majority of Africans depend on land for agriculture, housing, and livelihoods, making equitable access to land and secure land tenure a cornerstone for poverty reduction and sustainable development. Moreover, land is at the heart of Africa’s structural transformation, serving as the foundation for food security, environmental conservation, urbanization, and economic growth. Despite its importance, land governance in Africa faces significant challenges, including tenure insecurity, land conflicts, urbanization pressures, gender disparities, and climate change impacts. Weak land administration systems, under-resourced institutions, and overlapping legal frameworks exacerbate these issues, undermining the capacity of governments to manage land equitably and sustainably. Vulnerable groups, such as women, youth, pastoralists, indigenous peoples, and persons with disabilities, are often the most affected, with limited access to land and tenure security. Secure land rights and good land governance is not only essential for fostering peace and stability but also for unlocking Africa’s potential to achieve economic transformation, resilience to climate change, and social equity. Addressing these challenges is vital to achieving the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The African Land Policy Centre (ALPC) was established as a joint initiative of the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), and the African Development Bank (AfDB), has played a pivotal role in advancing land governance on the continent. To strengthen its impact and align its functions with the African Union’s institutional framework, the ALPC is transitioning to become integrated into the AUC. This process, guided by Executive Council Decision 1144(XL), emphasizes the integration of the ALPC into AUC structures while preserving its ability to provide evidence-based policy advice and coordinate the implementation of the AU Agenda on land. A draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the AUC and UNECA outlines the collaborative framework for this transition, including continued support for staffing, resource mobilization, and technical assistance during the interim period. Working with the ALPC and the AUC, The Land Governance Expert will play a pivotal role in advancing these objectives by supporting the AU agenda on land, facilitating collaboration with Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), and other stakeholders. Through strategic interventions, this position will contribute to achieving the AU Declaration on Land and the Land Governance Strategy (2023–2032 by ensuring that land is equitably governed and used for the benefit of all Africans. The Land Governance Expert will be instrumental in supporting the ALPC’s transition by operationalizing recommendations from the transition documents and MoU. Roles and responsibilities: More specifically, the Land Governance Expert will be responsible for the following: 1. Providing technical support to the transition of ALPC from ECA into an AU STO a. Finalization and implementation of the transition plan and MOU; b. Partnership building to enhance coherence, synergies and mobilize resources in support of the implementation of the ALPC strategy and transition plan; 2. Provide substantive inputs in the implementation of ALPC outputs, including: a. The 2025 Conference on Land Policy in Africa, a key event for promoting knowledge sharing, policy dialogue and advocacy; and partnerships; b. The AU 30% campaign to strengthen women’s land rights Endorsement and implementation of the AU, including supporting advocacy towards the endorsement and implementation of Guidelines in this regard; and, c. Support the operationalization of the AU Monitoring and Evaluation of Land in Africa (MELA) system. 3. Mainstream land governance in AUC programmes a. Supporting the implementation of the AU Land Governance Strategy (2023–2032), ensuring alignment with Agenda 2063, the AU Declaration on Land and the Post Malabo CAADP strategy and Action Plan; b. Facilitating the integration of land tenure issues in the work of the AUC; c. Supporting the implementation of responsible land-based investments that are environmentally sound, scalable, and inclusive, contributing to sustainable development through the Common Africa Agricultural Parks Programme and other initiatives; and, d. Facilitating the organization of events that support gender inclusive, transparent and good practices in land governance in Africa. The Land Governance Expert will work under the overall guidance of the Coordinator, ALPC/Chief, Land and Agricultural Transformation (LATs), ECA), and direct supervision of the Head, Rural Development Division at the AU.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in land governance and land policy related disciplines, including law, land administration, agricultural economics, real estate, environment, natural resources management or related fields is required. A first level university degree in a combination of additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. A minimum of 7 years progressively responsible experience in developing and implementing land policies and land administration strategies, programs and projects is required. Experience in policy advice, capacity development, project implementation, partnership building and resource mobilization in support of land tenure security is desired. Experience on working on land tenure in relation to agricultural markets strengthening and the CAADP BR process is highly desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the other language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.