National Land Administration Specialist

Organizational Setting

The position is located at the FAO Representation in Georgia, based in Tbilisi. 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 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 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 implementation of land consolidation activities under the UTF Project, in close collaboration with the relevant units within MEPA and the LMA;
•     Serve as the primary liaison for communication and coordination with the land administration authorities of Georgia (NAPR) on matters related to cadastral and land registry data, completion of systematic registration, updating of land records, land valuation, and supporting the registration by NAPR of the land consolidation plans prepared in pilot areas and all associated land rights;
•     Contribute to the successful implementation of the land consolidation pilot projects in selected areas. This includes supporting the field teams in conducting land consolidation feasibility studies, including inventories of the landownership situation, identifying and interviewing individually landowners and farmers, conducting land re-allotment planning in consultation with landowners and farmers, and coordinating land surveying works as required;
•     Organize and participate in trainings for LMA and MEPA staff, national and local (in pilots) workshops and awareness raising related to land consolidation;
•     Facilitate consensus building and compromise among landowners, farmers, Government institutions, private entities and other stakeholders;
•     Support conducting integrated land use planning in the selected pilot areas in close collaboration with the local communities and local stakeholders;
•     Support identification and mitigation of risks arising during land consolidation pilot projects, including resistance from landowners and farmers, political interference, or environmental or social concerns; 
•     Support the finalization of the national strategy for land consolidation;
•     Support quality assurance and technical control of all deliverables related to the UTF project;
•     Contribute to the development of the National Land Consolidation Programme based on pilot experiences;
•     Perform other related duties as required.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements    

•     Master’s degree in Land Administration, Land surveying, Geomatics, or a related field.
•     Minimum of 5 years of experience in land administration, land management.
•     Working knowledge of English is required (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

•     Knowledge of land consolidation will be an asset.
•     Experience with field work and landowner contact in the NAPR systematic land registration program.
•     Experience working in multidisciplinary teams and large-scale development projects will be an asset.
•     Strong understanding of land governance, tenure systems, and legal frameworks related to land administration.
•     Experience in working with international organizations, government agencies and development partners is an asset; working experience at a UN organization is an asset.
•     Experience working with rural communities and farmers is an asset.
•     Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION