Terms of Reference for Consultant to Support Development of Country Level Land Policy Issues Papers

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference for Consultant to Support Development of Country Level Land Policy Issues Papers 1. Background The Australian Government is supporting the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to implement a project for improving land policies and land management in its Member States. The project goal is to achieve enhanced sustainability of development in the OECS economic development, poverty reduction, social stability and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas through the formulation, adoption and implementation of comprehensive land policies. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN Habitat, is the United Nations agency mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN Habitat is collaborating with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the University of West Indies, National Land Agencies, Other National Ministries with interest in land issues, and other Land Stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and professional bodies in pursuit of this goal. One of the project s key outputs is the development of OECS Land Policy Guidelines which highlights the importance of land management to the achievement of economic development, poverty reduction, social stability and the protection of environmentally sensitive areas; and recommending key principles in development and implementation of land policies. These guidelines will facilitate the development of Land Policies at country level for the Member States. The generic policy document development process will entail inclusive stakeholders consultations where some inputs will be through country papers which provide a succinct framework of land issues in all the Member States. The OECS Secretariat and UN Habitat/ROLAC seeks the services of individual consultants to support Member States in the development of a Land Policy Issues papers at the country level in the nine member states. There is high level of urgency attached to this output since it will inform the development of the OECS Land Policy Guidelines; thus the selected consultants may be required to support the execution of more than one country issues paper simultaneously up to a possible three member countries. Individual consultants for each Member States will be selected based on an expression of interest, a CV demonstrating capability, and a work plan for conducting the assignment.

2 2. Objective The specific objective of this consultancy is to produce a synthesis of national land related issues guided by thematic areas such as land markets and development, social equity and access to land, environment and sustainable land use, climate change and climate variability, Effective Land Management and Administration Systems, and Key Legislation. 3. Scope of Services The report from this consultancy will be used to inform areas to be covered by the land policy. Execution of the scope of services requires that the consultant, through a consultative process work together with the National Project Steering Committee (NPSC), selected national agencies, and other stakeholders. The main tasks under this consultancy service include, but are not limited to the following: a. Undertake a review of information on land issues (challenges and successes) prevalent in the assigned Member State, which was collated by a country researcher, as input for the work of this consultancy. Where gaps exist, undertake a desk research using available data. b. Travel to each of a possible three Member States and consult with stakeholders on key land issues and receive their views about causes and solutions. c. Meet and consult with members of the (NPSC) with responsibility for implementing this project. Ensure close working relationship with the National Focal point and the NPSC while maintaining unbiased reflection of the prevailing situation. d. Prepare a comprehensive Draft Report contextualising land issues within the Member State. e. After receipt of comments from the Project Coordinator, the NPSC, Head of OECS SSDD, UWI, UN Habitat, and other reviewers, prepare a Draft Final report. f. Present the Draft Final report to a stakeholder workshop to be organised by the OECS Secretariat, to validate the draft report and receive any additional inputs. To facilitate consensus at the national level, it will be essential to handle conflicting stakeholders perceptions with sensitivity. Where conflicting views persist these should be recorded for annexing to the final report. g. Produce a Final Report, incorporating comments received at the Workshop along agreed thematic areas and other areas deemed essential from the assessment for submission to the OECS Secretariat through the Project Coordinator.

3 4. Output 1) Prepare an inception report reflecting clear comprehension of the tasks, the method of execution and a workplan to ensure that the final report provides the required country level inputs for the development of Regional Land Policy Guidelines. 2) A Draft and a Draft Final Report contextualizing land issues for in depth review and validation by country level and other stakeholders. 3) The proceedings of the country level workshop should be documented highlighting salient land issues for consideration in preparation of the report for the particular Member State. 4) A Final Report consisting of a main report of not more than twenty pages and relevant brief annexes such as statistical tables, mission reports, workshop report, interview report, lists of participants etc. 5. Administration The Consultant will work under the direction and guidance of the Project Coordinator (PC) and will report directly to the PC on all technical and administrative matters. The PC, who is under the overall direction of the Director of the Social and Sustainable Development Division (OECS SSDD) of the OECS Secretariat, will act as liaison between the Consultant, National government officials in the selected OECS Member States, UN Habitat/ROLAC and other stakeholders. Staff from the OECS SSDD will provide technical, administrative and coordination support to the project. The output s indicated above (3) will be approved by the PC and any payment will be subject to this approval. In Country day to day coordination will be done by the NPSC which will be headed by the National Focal Point. OECS SSDD will make available to the Consultant all relevant documentation within its database to facilitate the completion of the consultancy. The reports referenced herein will conform to a format approved by OECS SSDD. All paper copies of the deliverables must be accompanied by electronic versions in Microsoft Office. 6. Competencies Knowledge of approaches, concepts and innovative wisdom relevant to the land sector and challenges/risks therein.

4 Ability in conducting independent analyses, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations that embrace local cultural and social values. Comprehensive understanding of economic, political, institutional, technical issues related to sustainable land management and associated sensitivities within the assigned Member State and the region as a whole. Excellent oral communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare and edit a variety of written documents, reports and briefs. English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, command in oral and written English is essential and French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan and apply judgement in the context of competing deadlines. Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi cultural, multi ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. 7. Qualifications Education A Masters Degree from a recognized institution in land management, land administration, land economics, or land use planning, reflective of modern approaches, global trends and international conventions on land issues, or An equivalent combination of training and experience. Work Experience a. A minimum of ten years experience in relevant land related activities and appropriate exposure relevant to the context of the OECS countries. b. Experience in working with land departments in governments, particularly on land reform initiatives. c. Experience in working with programme management and implementing land projects would be an advantage. d. Demonstratable understanding of economic, political, social, institutional, technical issues in the land sector. e. Knowledge of the principles of aid effectiveness and experience in multistakeholders coordination processes would be an added advantage.

5 8. Consultancy Duration and fees The consultancy is fixed at a maximum of 20 person days for the first country and 15 person days for any additional Member State; in cases of multiple country assignments. Payments schedule will be agreed based on deliverables. The consultancy period can be negotiated considering possible idle time when waiting for inputs from other stakeholders and considering any unforeseen extenuating circumstances. 9. United Nations Considerations The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs.