JOB DETAILS:

Job Title: Senior Project Officer – Land Rights
Department: Emergency Response Program
Supervisor: Homes and Communities Program Manager
Job Type: Full Time
Grade: 8
Country/Location: Uganda/Yumbe

About Catholic Relief Services:

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) supporting relief and development work in over 100 countries around the world. CRS carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. CRS’ Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations; serving people on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs.
CRS has worked in Uganda since 1965, initially providing emergency assistance to Sudanese refugees living in the north. Over the years, CRS has expanded its programming to also address development needs in western, central and eastern Uganda. CRS’ projects in Uganda currently include agriculture, health, microfinance, peacebuilding and youth. CRS Uganda implements its programs through partnerships with local organizations, including the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations and community entities for maximum impact and sustainability.

Background:

CRS recognizes that Home and Community are the foundations of family life. But, when disaster strikes, lives are shattered in the blink of an eye. The loss of a home can have a grave impact on a family’s well-being, their identity, their security and safety. CRS recognizes that safe homes are the first step for families to rebuild their lives.
Through direct implementation, CRS plans to demonstrate how the owner-driven shelter approach increases the participation of families, is more cost-effective, and supports local markets. Using shelter as an entry point, CRS will also demonstrate how empowering communities through the Community Conversation methodology, Community Centers, and a household-level case management system can lead to a more holistic, community-centered approach that will increase the effectiveness of shelter interventions and improve the quality of the response.
Land Rights Senior Project Officer – Homes, Land and Property (HLP) is required to support CRS’ programs to ensure the legal rights of refugees and landowners are protected and help the project team address challenges with ensuring women, the elderly, child headed households and persons with disabilities, who may not be able to travel to find work, or face protection risks or greater problems accessing homes, land and property, have appropriate access to all project activities.

General Job Summary:

Under the supervision of the Homes and Communities Program Manager, the Land Rights Senior Project Officer – HLP will:
• Carry out an assessment of the context in Bidibidi refugee settlement and surrounding host communities to determine the current legal framework related to HLP. If one does not exist, in
• consultation with camp management, local government, NGO actors and refugee welfare committees lead the development of a legal framework for HLP;
• Prepare documentation for securing agricultural land access and rental agreements whilst ensuring rights of refugees and landowners are protected;
• Lead identification of landowners and liaise with them with regard to access arrangements;
• Lead discussions on Natural Resource Management with the community and local authorities;
• Monitor compliance with existing tenancy/land agreements;
• Manage landowner/access database;
• Produce regular reporting updates on the status of land access/tenancy related to CRS operations and the wider community;
• Compile and submit timely weekly activity reports and monthly progress reports
• Advise management about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future project developments;
• Elaborate, compile and maintain database of protection referrals and support in the follow-up of referred cases as appropriate, including cases that are referred through the Community Centers;
• Elaborate, compile and maintain key protection and gender resources library;
• Form and build relationships to maximize the potential for collaborative programming with Local Government;
• Support Accountability staff to ensure Feedback Response Mechanisms (FRM) are in place and are accessible to all members of the community;
• Ensure protection and environmental issues are fully considered throughout the project cycle with women, elderly, most vulnerable being included in decision-making for all project activities;
• As required, lead trainings on HLP and awareness raising campaigns within target communities.
• Contribute in collecting good practices, case studies for documentation, evidence-building and demonstration. alternative solutions and designs that can reach scale;
• Pilot alternative HLP related solutions and processes for families to attain safe dignified home and community.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in law, agriculture, agroforestry, economic, business or social sciences from a recognized academic institution.
• Experience with HLP and land negotiation in refugee and host communities in West Nile.
• Minimum 5 years’ professional experience. Appropriate relevant and comprehensive experience in the field of humanitarian response/early recovery with markets-based cash/voucher programming, agricultural livelihoods, or shelter/WASH experience a plus.
• Must have experience working in Housing, Land and Property and a demonstrated understanding of regulatory environment within the context of Ugandan refugee settlements.
• Good knowledge and experience of working with local partners.
• Proven experience in liaison with all levels of Local Government.
• Fluent English language (speaking and writing)

Desirable attributes:

• A capacity and desire to pass on skills and information, a confident communicator and willing to work in a collaborative and respectful way with target communities.
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure and meeting deadlines in changing situations

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

• Knowledge of the local languages spoken by South Sudanese and host communities living on or near Bidibidi settlement
Travel:
• The position will be based in Yumbe with regular travel to Kyangwali Refugee settlement. Occasional travel to Kampala for training and workshops.
Supervisory: None

Work Relationships:

Internal: Homes and Communities Program Manager, Head of Office – Yumbe, Emergency Coordinator – Kyangwali, Operations Manager – Yumbe, Gender and Protection Mainstreaming Sr. Project Officer, Community Engagement Project Manager, Shelter Project Manager, Community Engagement Officers, Sr. Program Manager for Emergencies, MEAL staff, Yumbe-based office staff
External: Caritas Arua, Local Government, implementing local and international NGO staff

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CRS staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Emergency Competencies:

Each staff member working in emergencies is expected to use the following competencies to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results.
• Communicates strategically under pressure
• Manages stress and complexity
• Actively promotes safety and security
• Manages and implements high-quality emergency programs
Influence Competencies (for all Homes and Communities Staff):
• Effectively communicates the agency’s priorities and leverages local relationships to bring stakeholders perspective to decision-makers, based on job-specific responsibilities
• Understand, recognize and facilitate opportunities for influence at the project/program level
• Strategically represents the technical sector for influence

To apply, please follow these instructions exactly otherwise your application will NOT be considered:  Email a cover letter and CV only to [email protected]  by July 3rd, 2020 at 5:00pm. • Large files and/or scans of documents will lead to rejection of your application, in the subject line of the email, copy and paste – SENIORPROJECTOFFICERLANDRIGHTS only • All applications that do not contain this exact subject line will be rejected and not read ONLY SELECTED CANDIDATES THAT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED. EOE/M/F/D/V

Closing Date : July 3rd, 2020