Local Land Administration Specialist - Shida Kartli Region (2 positions)

Organizational Setting

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia. The main aim of the FAO country offices, which are headed by the FAO Representative, is to assist governments to develop policies, programmes and projects to achieve food security and to reduce hunger and malnutrition, to help develop the agricultural, fisheries and forestry sectors, and to use their environmental and natural resources in a sustainable manner.

The Local Land Administration Specialist will be recruited under the UTF/GEO/034/GEO-F project titled: “Formulation and design of Land Consolidation in Georgia (hereafter referred as “UTF Project”)”. The position will be focused on providing local support to the project in the selected pilot areas (pilots are selected in Kareli and Gori municipalities).

The overarching goal of the project is to support the introduction of a fully operational land consolidation instrument in Georgia integrated with irrigation rehabilitation in the World Bank Georgia Resilient Agriculture, Irrigation, and Land (GRAIL) Project. The project is expected to contribute to future increased agricultural production and investments, more efficient use of land and of water for agricultural purposes, more dynamic agricultural land markets, improved access to credit, and improved access to land and strengthened land rights, including for women who own land alone or jointly with men. 

Land consolidation in Georgia is expected to result in more efficient farm structures through reduction of land fragmentation and the voluntary facilitation of farm enlargement and in this way contribute to local agricultural development. Land consolidation is planned to be introduced in a multi-purpose approach, integrating the objective of agricultural development with additional public objectives related to nature, environment and climate change adaptation and mitigation depending on the situation in the project areas. 

The project will result in a National Land Consolidation Strategy document, draft legal framework for land consolidation, initiation of implementation of land consolidation pilot projects and the initial development of technical and administrative capacity for implementation of land consolidation projects and management of a future national land consolidation programme.  

Reporting Lines

The incumbent will work under the overall responsibility of the FAO Representative for Georgia, and the direct supervision of the National Project Coordinator, and in close collaboration with all relevant units of the FAO Country Office in Georgia and international experts.

Technical Focus

The incumbent will provide technical support to the implementation of the UTF Project with focus on all land consolidation related activities.

Tasks and responsibilities

•     Provide technical support for the successful implementation of the land consolidation pilot project under the GRAIL project in selected rural areas under the technical supervision of FAO and the operational supervision of the Head of the LMA Land Consolidation Unit.
•     Serve as a primary focal point on the ground on all matters related to the day-to-day implementation of the pilot project, including communication with local public authorities, landowners and farmers. Ensure community engagement and participation in land consolidation activities, build consensus, prevent conflicts, and promote compromise.
•     Under the technical supervision of FAO and the Head of the LMA Land Consolidation Unit lead the identification and inventory of all landowners and farmers in the pilot area; conduct, together with other LMA team members, individual interviews with all landowners and collect additional data from secondary sources as needed.
•     Contribute to the preparation of the Land Consolidation Feasibility Study Report for the pilot area.
•     Support the land valuation process.
•     Participate in the land re-allotment planning process.
•     Support local stakeholder consultations, adoption of the Land Consolidation Plan, and its subsequent registration and implementation.
•     Identify and mitigate risks arising during land consolidation pilot projects, including resistance from landowners and farmers, political interference, or environmental concerns. 
•     Contribute to the development of the National Land Consolidation Programme under the GRAIL Project, based on pilot experiences.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     University degree in Land Administration, Geomatics or a related field.
•     Minimum of 5 years of experience in land administration, land management and any knowledge of land consolidation will be an asset.
•     Working knowledge of English (C - level for both speaking and writing).
•     National of Georgia.

FAO Core Competencies

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

Technical/Functional Skills

•     Computer literacy with spreadsheets, databases, data and analytical information management, Microsoft 
•     Excellent communication and coordination skills

Selection Criteria

•     Proven experience with mobilizing and working with rural communities and farmers. 
•     Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams and large-scale development projects is an asset.
•     Strong understanding of land governance, tenure systems, and legal frameworks related to land administration.
•     Good understanding of farmer’s basic production conditions.
•     Experience working with international organizations, government agencies and development partners is an asset.
•     Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION