Opportunity: Land Governance Research Consultants

Deadline extended to 11 October 2024.

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The Land Portal Foundation seeks two dynamic and highly motivated research consultants to conduct desk research about various land governance issues, as well as on land data governance.

The research on land governance issues will contribute to Land Portal’s knowledge products such as Country Portfolios, Thematic Portfolios, What to Read digests and Data Stories, while the research on land data governance will benefit Land Portal’s program on the State of Land Information (SOLI). Besides research, the consultants will support in building partnerships with individuals and organizations that contribute to their research. 

This is a part-time consultancy position and we are looking to recruit two consultants to work on a number of research project grants.
 

About the Land Portal

The Land Portal exists to nurture a vibrant online platform to inform and engage with partners,  promoting open data and the sharing of best practices and stimulating debate and collaboration both on and offline. We provide a vital bridge for those grappling with complex land governance issues – from researchers and NGOs through to governments and grassroots communities – connecting people, facilitating dialogue and joining the dots between fragmented information.
The Land Portal was established in 2009 to create, curate and disseminate land governance information, helping to foster a more inclusive and accessible data landscape. Over the subsequent 15 years, the Land Portal has grown to become an information gateway and resource base, a vibrant online community of users from around the world, and a trusted voice within the land governance sector globally.

We believe data and information are powerful tools for achieving our vision of a land governance system that benefits those with the most insecure land rights and the greatest vulnerability to landlessness. However, information sources remain highly fragmented, unstructured, poorly curated, represent a narrow range of perspectives, and continue to be published in ways that do not facilitate maximum discovery, engagement and reuse.

Raising awareness of “open data” – and the critical role it plays in realizing tenure security for individuals and communities around the world – continues to be our greatest challenge. To this end, we make use of every possible conference, meeting and speaking engagement to promote the concept of “going open”, while recognising that, given the highly sensitive nature of land data (particularly for vulnerable communities), not everything can or should be made entirely open.

Since 2020 we have been publishing a series of knowledge products that seek to better document the land governance situation in various countries around the world, as well as to translate and synthesize complex land issues into accessible knowledge for non-land specialists. They include the Country Portfolios, Thematic Portfolios, What to Read digests and Data Stories.

In the period 2024-2025, Land Portal wants to continue this stream of work and update existing knowledge products and/or develop new ones.
 

Job Description

Land Governance Research Consultants have the responsibility of conducting desk research on land governance and on land data governance in a specific region, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia for the two consultancy positions advertised here. They will report directly to the Research & Knowledge Lead.

Specific responsibilities:

• Undertake thorough desk research on land or data governance to develop the aforementioned knowledge products according to Land Portal’s guidelines, identifying voluntary reviewers, and consolidating drafts;
• Identify land-related data and resources from government agencies and departments, universities, civil society organizations, private sector and other stakeholder groups to be aggregated and uploaded to the Land Portal with the support of Land Portal’s data team;
• Based on desk research and in cooperation with regional land experts, universities and research partners, explore and analyze  new trends and perspectives on land and data issues to develop Data Stories, What to Read digests and any other knowledge pieces;
• Co-create original blogs with local authors to produce compelling stories on land and data-related topics;
• On demand, support in organizing webinars, online discussions or interviews according to Land Portal’s guidelines. This involves suggesting topics and panelists, and provide background research information for concept notes and scripts;
• Identify and inform the Land Portal of potential opportunities for partnerships in the region of focus. This may include collaborations to organize webinars and events, discussions, produce knowledge products, share data, co-design projects, etc.
   

Qualifications and skills

The successful candidate will have:

• University degree (Masters or PhD level) in international development, law, rural & agricultural development, economics, public policy management, geoinformatics or any other field related to land governance; 
• Minimum of 3 years of research experience on land or data governance and/or related issues, including a track record of journal articles, reports and other types of research publications
• Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis;
• Fluency in English (speaking and writing); fluency in any other languages for the regions of relevance is appreciated;
• Minimum of 5 years of overall work experience;
• Knowledge of data governance issues and open data best practices is an advantage; 
• Excellent writing skills, including for a non-academic audience;
• Excellent computer skills; experience with Content Management Systems is a plus;
• Great attention to detail;
• Excellent communication skills, with an ability to present and convey complex ideas;
• Strong familiarity with the Land Portal.
   

Personal and Professional Attributes

• Inclusive communication approach, engaging with team members in a respectful, collaborative and constructive manner; 
• High standard of ethics and integrity which inspires trust and confidence; 
• Enthusiasm and commitment to continuous improvement through diligence and pursuit of high standards; 
• Ability to employ sound judgment and decision making amongst competing demands; 
• Ability to show initiative in planning and implementing new ideas and approaches;
• Problem-solving attitude;
• Ability to meet strict deadlines;
• Disciplined in working from home in a remote environment.
   

Reporting

The Land Governance  Research Consultants will report mainly to the Research & Knowledge Lead – on research related to land data governance, the consultant will report to the Senior Land Information Specialist. For some of the partnerships & engagement related tasks, s/he might be asked to coordinate with the Communications Specialist.
 

Timeframe

This consultancy is for a 12-month period for an availability between 5-8 days per month, renewable according to funding availability and performance. The Consultant will be working from home. 

How to apply?

Please send:

• Your curriculum vitae (CV)
• A cover letter explaining your interests, qualifications and regional experiences
• Your expected daily rate in Euro as a gross amount (all taxes included)

The aforementioned items should be sent to:

• Laura Meggiolaro, Land Portal Managing Director - laura.meggiolaro@landportal.info 
• And jobs@landportal.info

Please write “Land Governance Research Consultancy” in the subject line of the email.

Deadline for applications: 11th October, 2024, at midnight CET.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.