HLP Officer at Smiling Hearts Initiatives International

Smiling Hearts initiatives international  is a humanitarian non-governmental, non profit organization founded in Nigeria, Borno state Maiduguri and has been in operation since 2016 as Zumunchi Hearts Initiatives International before its official registration with CAC on 10th October 2018 as Smiling Hearts Initiatives International.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: HLP Officer

Location: Borno
Supervisory Responsibility: Housing Land Property (HLP) Assistant and Consultant.
Reports Directly To: Team Leader/Manager.
Works Directly With: All Program Teams, Logistic and Procurement, Finance, M&E and Directors.

General Position Summary

• The Housing Land and Property (HLP) Officer will oversee housing, land and property concerns in relation to Organization Land related engagement/usage for all sector particularly the Shelter, WaSH, Agric, Nutrition, and Protection.
• The HLP Officer is thus responsible for providing Legal advice and assistance around Housing, Land and Property directly to the Staff and Management of the Organization, Beneficiaries and as well as liaising with Government Official at the Federal, State and Local level.
• The Roving HLP Officer will ensure adherence to Organization policies and guidelines and will be responsible for ensuring that all activities are conducted in compliance with Nigerian Housing, Land and Property Law. 
• The HLP Officer will seek to facilitate a more inclusive and effective HLP response while abiding to humanitarian and “Do no Harm” principles. The HLP Officer will give particular attention to increasing security of tenure for both IDPs and host communities with a view to protect against rights violations, such as forced and threat to forced evictions, and contribute towards durable solutions, sustainable housing, increased land tenure security and property rights. 

Responsibilities

• Provide legal assistance in area of Land Access and Use facilitate and/or negotiation for all construction and/or rehabilitation to our beneficiaries, as well as support in disputes resolution between Property owner(s) or Local Authorities and our beneficiaries. Provide beneficiaries with assistance to realize their Housing Land and Property Rights.
• Review and outline Legal and Policy frameworks governing HLP rights of displaced persons, returnees and host communities from a domestic legal perspective. Compile up-to-date information on relevant HLP laws, procedures and practices.
• Outline the normative framework of international, regional and national policy on HLP right as applicable to Northeast Nigeria.
• Identify and document specific challenges facing IDPs, returnees, and host communities in exercising their HLP rights in all locations. This includes gender, age, diversity, and how they relate to HLP violation. 
• Map HLP issues in areas of return providing an overview of the tenure issues, that affects, who is affected and the current response considering IDPs, returnees, and host communities. Conduct field visits to capture the views of beneficiaries including women and key stakeholders (statutory, customary, and religious authorities, protection etc.)
• Provide recommendations to effectively protect HLP rights of IDPs and host communities as well as to address programmatic gaps to help the Organization address HLP issues affecting displaced and Host communities in the locations.
• Ensure stakeholders i.e. Organization, Property Owners, displaced tenants and/or local Authorities understand and agree to enter and abide by tenure agreements and ensure that all documentation in relation to these agreements is available before implementation of all activities that require the use of Land. 
• Advocate for recognition of the HLP rights of displaced persons particularly security of tenure when engaging with Property Owners, Authorities and humanitarian partners.
• Report on any problems encountered in the field such as Organization beneficiary complaints, Authorities interference and security threats on the breach of any agreement entered. 
• Conduct post-rehabilitation occupancy monitoring to ensure ongoing security of tenure for all of our beneficiaries. Work with the MEL team to undertake regular monitoring and evaluation of HLP activities, and contribute to monthly progress reports on activities, highlighting any technical or operational successes.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of activities and make recommendations for improvements.
• Conduct both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Organization and not to jeopardize its humanitarian mission in Nigeria.
• Carry out any other duties as assigned.

Accountability to Beneficiaries: 

• Organization Team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Knowledge and Experience 

• University Degree in law preferred; with 3 Years post call to the Nigeria BAR.
• University Degree in Social Science, Political Science or related subjects with 3 Years working experience in area Housing, Land and Property (HLP).
• Familiarity with HLP laws, procedure and practice in Nigeria.
• Experience in legal research including international and national legal concepts and collecting legal data.
• Ability to negotiate with Property Owners and Authorities, providing legal assistance to vulnerable beneficiaries, related sectors in Nigeria.
• Ability to work under pressure, independently and show initiative, with limited supervision.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to develop good relationship with a range of diverse local stakeholders, private actors, the Government and partners.
• Experience representing the organization and its interest to a diverse range of local stakeholders, private sector actors, the Government and partners.
• Experience working in the humanitarian sector, in complex and volatile contexts. 
• Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri and English.

Success Factors:

• The successful candidate will be capable of multitasking, rapid decision-making, have initiative, drive and a lot of energy, as well as high emotional intelligence, constructive mentoring skills and proven experience with capacity building.
• S/he will be committed to long-term program sustainability and the delivery of high-impact activities at the community level.
• He/she shall have a strong commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and challenging environments, and make effective written and verbal communication a priority, represent the Organization both during and outside work hours.
• S/he are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and Organization policies, procedures, and values always and in all in-country venues.

Application Closing Date
8th November, 2024.

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