Project Officer, Housing Land and Property (Nigerian Nationals Only) at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an International non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons on the basis of need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and non-church partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates. CRS re-established presence in Nigeria in 2000 and currently focuses on agriculture, HIV and health extractive and governance, and peace building programming.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Officer, Housing Land and Property (Nigerian Nationals Only)

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-time

Project Background

• Since the crisis in northeast Nigeria escalated in 2013, the food security situation has continued to worsen. Emerging data of June 2016 has revealed that the severity of the food and nutritional crisis is well beyond emergency thresholds in Borno State. The Federal Government has declared a food and nutritional crisis in Borno, where over 750,000 people are severely food insecure; including 180,000 in Maiduguri’s outskirts, 120,000 camp residents and approximately 275,000 IDPs in newly reopened areas. A growing number of people are in urgent need of food assistance, and alarming rates of acute malnutrition have been reported.
• The re-opening of Local Government Areas (LGAs), many which have been inaccessible for an extended period of time, has led to the identification of new IDP locations in Borno State, while ongoing conflict between the military and Boko Haram has resulted in the influx of more IDPs into Maiduguri metropolis and the establishment of several spontaneous camps. The number of IDPs in both Maiduguri, Jere and other LGAs continue to increase – with the current reports indicating a total of 1.6 million IDPs in Borno State alone.
• In this emergency context, IDP households are among the worst affected populations as displacement has resulted in the loss and destruction of key assets, the interruption of livelihoods and extensive trauma. In order to effectively respond to the crisis, CRS Borno’s emergency and early recovery programs are focused on food, NFIs, WASH and shelter for both IDPs and host families. Where possible, CRS will seek to maximize project impact, efficiency and effectiveness by adopting market-based approaches – through e-vouchers and the RedRose OneSytem platform – privileging integrated programming and empowering targeted communities through participatory approaches.
• The Housing, Land and Property Specialist is required to support CRS’ programs to ensure the legal rights of IDPs and landowners are protected in CRS’ emergency shelter, sanitation, water supply and agriculture and livelihood activities in Borno state and across north east Nigeria.

Primary Function

• As Housing, Land and Property (HLP) Officer, you will facilitate the achievement of project objectives through coordinating and reporting on all project activities and providing technical guidance and advice to staff and implementing partner(s) advancing CRS’ work serving the poor and vulnerable.
• Your coordination and relationship management skills will ensure that the HLP aspects of the project applies best practices and constantly works towards improving the impact of its benefits to those we serve

Job Responsibilities

• Organize and lead the implementation of all assigned HLP activities as outlined in the detailed implementation plan in line with CRS program quality principles and standards, donor requirements, and good practices. Including, but not limited to:
  • Prepare documentation for securing land access and tenancy agreements whilst ensuring rights of IDPs and landowners are protected.
  • Lead identification of landowners and liaise with them, local leaders and government officials, as appropriate, with regard to access arrangements.
  • Create and conduct trainings in HLP for project stakeholders (participants, host communities, leaders, government agencies, CRS and partner staff).
• Ensure learning properly accompanies project activities throughout the project cycle by supporting MEAL in the evaluation of HLP activities and reflecting on project experiences. Analyze implementation challenges, monitoring compliance with existing tenancy/land agreements, and report any inconsistencies and/or gaps to inform adjustments to plans and implementation schedules.
• Supervise and perform ad-hoc inspections of various processes and resources at land sites to ensure timely HLP activity implementation and adherence to established process standards and procedures. Ensure proper tracking of resource use for project activities through periodic budget reviews.
• Support and coordinate capacity building and technical support activities to ensure assigned project activities are implemented per project guidelines and standards.
• Coordinate provision of any logistical and administrative support to staff and partners.
• Ensure project documentation for HLP activities is complete; including homeowner and renter database, protection referral database and key protection and gender resources library; with all required documents and is filed per agency and donor requirements.
• Contribute to developing HLP sector within CRS Nigeria by providing support to other projects requiring HLP assistance.

Reporting:

• Compile and submit timely weekly activity reports and monthly progress reports
• Contribute to elaboration of HLP sections of donor reports
• Advise management, and propose solutions, about issues affecting project implementation, or key local issues affecting future project developments
• Elaborate, compile and maintain database of protection referrals

Key Working Relationships:

• Supervisory: None
• Internal: Hygiene Promotion Team Leader, Infrastructure Team Lead, Emergency Coordinator, Emergency Program Officers and Managers, MEAL staff, Operations Staff
• External: Local partners, community leaders, beneficiaries, vulnerable HHs, INGO, local NGOs and UN agencies, Governmental counterpart.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree in Property Law, International Law or similar field, must have Degree from Law School.
• Minimum of four years experience working in Housing, Land and Property and a demonstrated understanding of regulatory environment within the context of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States.
• Good knowledge and experience of working with local partner.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize a variety of initiatives.
• Must be willing to travel within projects in Borno state and across northeast Nigeria to support offices in Yobe and Adamawa.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Analysis and problem-solving skills with ability to make sound judgment
• Good relationship management skills and the ability to work closely with local partners
• Proactive, results-oriented and service-oriented
• Attention to details, accuracy and timeliness in executing assigned responsibilities
• Staff supervision experience is a plus
• Must be fluent in English, with additional skills in Hausa and Kanuri a benefit

Travel:

• Regular travel to program areas of intervention in Borno State is required. Travel outside of Borno State is not expected but some travel may be required to attend trainings / meetings etc.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff)
These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results:

• Serves with integrity
• Models stewardship
• Cultivates constructive relationships
• Promotes learning.

Application Closing Date
24th October, 2022.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: Interested qualified women are highly encouraged to apply.