Team Leader and Coordinator

Team Leader and Coordinator North Kivu

Concerning: Long-term consultancy for the Programme Foncier in DRC

Duty station: Goma

Duration: 3.5 years, one-year contract with likely extensions

Starting date: ASAP

Programme summary

Conflicts over land in the DRC is one of the main drivers of instability, lack of development and food insecurity. Within the framework of the Great Lakes regional programme, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) has initiated steps to contribute to finding solutions for this enduring issue. Through the implementation of EKN’s programmes, but also those financed by other donors, it became evident that organisations in general have insufficient knowledge and capacity to effectively work on land tenure security and land access. In addition, there is a lack of coherence in the existing land policies and strategies, while at the same time missed opportunities exist.

The successful conference on land conflicts^[1], organised by the Ministry of Land Affairs and the EKN in 2019 in Bukavu, underlined the pertinence of improving land tenure security and inclusive access to land. While the complexities and interests at stake in the many conflict dynamics around land must be recognised, finding sustainable solutions was agreed upon during the Land Conference, as reflected in the conference’s report and action plan. Participants showed that the political will to reach solutions exists.

The EKN initiated the Land Programme to address these issues, building on the roadmap outlined during the conference, the political will observed, the lessons learned and results obtained in pilot actions. The consortium Transition International (TI) and ZOA were selected to design and implement the Land Programme, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Land Affairs, the provincial and local government and relevant civil society structures. The overall objective of the four-years Land Programme is to reduce land conflicts by enhancing inclusive access to land and land tenure security.

Summary of the programme

The vision of this programme is to make the government of DRC act to advance inclusive land access and land tenure security of the population in eastern DRC, and increase civilian oversight of Congolese civil society over land management. This will require a systemic change of a broad group of actors, many of whom have an interest in maintaining the current practices. This programme will promote an agenda on land access and land tenure security that is both inclusive and equitable, thereby reducing conflict and violence. This agenda will be translated into the development and testing of innovative approaches, leading to systemic changes and innovations to protect the land of the communities in Eastern DRC. While this programme is not meant to solve all land disputes for all communities, it will develop tools and innovations that can be applied by government actors, other donors and organisations, maximising impact.

The consortium will consider the various political interests related to land while bringing formal and traditional land practices together – showing the need for and importance of inclusive land access and land tenure security for stabilisation, conflict transformation, poverty reduction and development. These big objectives can only be achieved by taking small steps. Advancement of the agenda will require patience and perseverance, but, most of all, good results to demonstrate the economic, social, political, and peace and security benefits of addressing land-related conflict drivers. Based on evidence, piloting innovations and the identification of best practices in addressing land conflicts, land access and land insecurity – the programme will step-by-step create the political space to achieve its objective.

This vision requires constant probing and analysing of the complex realities. External and internal processes will be developed to generate reliable and transparent information for the flexible and adaptive management of the implementation of the programme. This information will be used to alter strategies and approaches of this programme, but most importantly will be disseminated to inspire others.

For the programme to be successful, it will have to act independently, while working together with many actors, such as the national and provincial Ministries of Land Affairs, of Agriculture, of Interior, of Plan, CONAREF, the different levels of local government, civil society, and the private sector. As presented in section 2 above, conflict dynamics in the two provinces are strongly influenced by political and economic actors at the provincial, national, and international levels. This requires an approach in which the interests and relationships of these actors are mapped and alternatives to violent conflicts are found. One of the key strategies of the programme will thus be to influence these actors, directly and through interlocutors. The Land Programme will apply approaches to fully involve Congolese stakeholders at all levels and all stages of the process, promoting maximum ownership and increased capacities, and will seek close collaboration with international organisations, the private sector and donors working (potentially) on the same Agenda.

The Land Programme will operate in areas rife with conflict. Results will therefore not be automatic and therefore the programme will operate in a highly flexible way. Approaches and solutions will be tested and if not providing the required results, new ways of implementation will be adapted. The Land Programme consists of two components, namely: land tenure security and inclusive land access. Within these, the programme is organised in four strongly inter-related sub-components:

1. Collective titles for rural land and other innovative approaches to enhance land tenure security. The programme will introduce, pilot and promote innovative forms enhancing land tenure security for communities (especially vis-a-vis land grabbing), such as through group titling. This component will also strengthen the functioning of local land authorities to improve proper registration of land ownership and foster civilian oversight. Post titling support in terms of watershed management is foreseen.
2. Customary land rights. The programme will work with communities and local authorities to test approaches to certify communal land rights and the initiation of the Registre Foncier Communautaire.
3. Large Land Concessions. To create more opportunities for land access, the programme will undertake an inventory and diagnostic of existing large concessions. Based on this analysis, the programme will support the Government to design a strategy and actions to possibly liberate land under concessions that are not “mise en valeur” or have other irregularities. If adopted, the programme will consequently support its implementation and apply component A to these lands.
4. Agricultural policy. In the DRC, agricultural law and many interventions in the agricultural sector tend to focus on large scale agriculture. There is an obvious need to address the needs and ambitions of small farmers to reduce poverty, but also the number of land conflicts related to large scale agricultural concessions. The programme will, through lobby and advocacy, influence the ongoing process of designing agricultural policies and strategies with a focus on land tenure and inclusive access to land, and highlight the potential impact on stabilisation, peace, and security.

Tasks

Under the overall supervision of the programme manager of TI HQ in the Netherlands, the Team Leader will manage the implementation of the programme in the DRC, supervise a team of national and international staff, oversee the performance of subcontractors, and collaborate with relevant stakeholders. Further, the TL will lead the work on concessions, and the lobby and advocacy activities in NK and in Kinshasa. The team leader will be based in North Kivu, with expected one week a month in Kinshasa and regular visits to the territories of South Kivu. The TL will further be provided with MERL information from the MERL coordinator and adapt the programme approaches accordingly in collaboration with the programme managers, and will actively contribute to the MERL system. Tasks will include:

1) Coordinate and supervise activities implementation at national, provincial, and territorial levels, in close collaboration with the coordination committee, consisting of programme managers of TI, ZOA and the TL

2) Supervise TI and ZOA programme staff

3) Lead on the implementation of component C (concessions) in North Kivu

4) Prepare regular result-oriented progress reports – to share with EKN according to the reporting obligations as stated in the subsidy agreement and participate in regular meetings with EKN and the embassy in Kinshasa

5) In close collaboration with the MERL team, monitor changes in the action environment and identify emerging activities and innovation opportunities. Monitor programme performance in relation to approved work plans and objectives and take corrective measures as required

6) Together with the MERL team identify required research and analytical studies to learn from and formulate evidence-based innovation and approaches. Translate MERL data in lobby and advocacy material and lead in lobbying and advocacy activities to foster the objectives of the programme

7) Together with the programme team, assure identification of potential small-grants beneficiaries based on programming needs

8) Liaise and represent the Programme vis-à-vis ministries and local authorities. Collaborate at the relevant levels of governments engaged in land related activities. Provide technical assistance and implementation support to the government at national and provincial levels to enhance capacities for effective land governance

9) Provide support on land tenure security to programmes of the EKN’s GL, SSU, the WB and other donor-funded programmes. Regular liaison with donor community in DRC to promote the approaches developed by the programme and to mobilise partnership in lobby and advocacy

10) Manage TIs programme budget and collaborate with ZOA on financial administration

Who we are looking for?

This umbrella programme needs a team leader that is proactive, a networker and who is strong in lobby and advocacy to influence both government and other organisations in adopting innovations on reducing land related conflicts. The following are the minimum requirements:

· Master degree

· Management experience and track record

· Knowledge of DRC conflict dynamics and land related conflicts

· Strong in lobby and technical support to governments

· Willingness to extensively travel to highly insecure areas in low profile security protocols

· Willingness to work on highly sensitive political topics (e.g. concessions)

· Networking, bringing teams together, managing a consortium, people management style

· Excellent writing skills in English and fluency in French

What we offer

The TL will receive an all-inclusive monthly fee – on a consultancy basis. The Duty station is North Kivu. DSA will be paid for missions out of North Kivu. The TL will be recruited through the NGO, TI-RDC. Travel to and from the duty station will be provided, as well as 20 days of holidays per year and 5 public holidays. The TL will enter into TIs molest insurance.

Please note that this position is only open to international applicants.