Job Description National Legal Gender Equality and Land Tenure Specialist

Primary Location

: Iraq-Baghdad

Organizational Setting

Strengthening Government capacity to monitor and report SDGs under FAO’s custody (TCP/IRQ/3903) is FAO’s Technical Cooperation Programme will be implemented during the period (2023-2024). The outcome of this project is strengthened capacities of key public institutions in data collection, management, monitoring and reporting SDGs. With two outputs; improved coordination mechanism on SDG monitoring and reporting and; enhanced technical capacity on computing selected SDG indicators. One of these indicators is indicator 5.a.2 - Proportion of countries where the legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control.
The project’s objectives are consistent with FAO’s responsibilities as a custodian agency, as outlined in the 2017 Report of the IAEG-SDG to the Statistical Commission (par. 28) and recognized by UN Statistical Commission decision 48/101/k. FAO is equipped with Office of the Chief Statistician, established in December 2016, which works to sharpen the focus on fulfilling all duties pursuant to FAO’s role as a custodian for SDG indicators. Data disaggregation techniques are established for all 21 SDG indicators under FAO custodianship.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall guidance of the FAO (Deputy) Representative and the technical supervision of FAO ESP (which will consult the Development Service as needed), and in close collaboration with the designated focal points from the relevant ministries and high-level representatives from the institutions primarily concerned with land and family matters, the National Specialist in legal gender equality and land tenure should complete the SDG indicator 5.a.2 standardized reporting questionnaire, collect all existing national policy objectives, draft provisions, legal provisions and implementing legislation that reflect good practices in guaranteeing women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control, present the results of the legal assessment to the designated focal point (s) and other relevant institutions as appropriate for their validation and approval, prepare a short report that includes a description of the process undertaken and policy recommendations (in English and Arabic).

Technical Focus

• Knowledge on Iraqi civil law, customary law in Iraq and policies on land ownership.
• FAO methodological guide for indicator SDG 5.a.2.
• The instructions provided in the questionnaire itself and the SDG 5.a.2 methodology.
• The SDG 5.a.2 indicator metadata with definition, concepts, and classifications.
• Indicator 5.a.2 of high-quality filled questionnaire: Assessment of the policy and legal framework carried out and final version of the reporting questionnaire completed and validated by the responsible lead institutions (in English and Arabic).
• Short narrative report that includes a description of the process (including collaboration with the relevant national institutions and high-level focal points) undertaken and policy recommendations (in English and Arabic)

Tasks and responsibilities

• The main objective of the consultancy is to finalize Iraq’s reporting on indicator 5.a.2 of the SDGs: Proportion of countries where the legal framework (including customary law) guarantees women’s equal rights to land ownership and/or control; “the extent to which national laws and policies recognize and protect women’s rights to land”. The main activities and responsibilities as below:
• Read and carefully study the methodological guide for indicator SDG 5.a.2, and the questionnaire for data collection, and other relevant materials.
• Provide support to the FAO country office and the responsible institution in liaising, presenting the methodology and raising awareness of the importance of monitoring indicator 5.a.2 to other relevant institution(s), as jointly identified with the lead institutions.
• Support the national technical working group to fill out the questionnaire of indicator 5.a.2 by closely following the instructions provided in the SDG 5.a.2 guidelines and the questionnaire.
• Review the draft questionnaire and FAO inputs to see if relevant laws and policies for women’s land rights have been considered and referenced.
• Complete the SDG indicator 5.a.2 standardized reporting questionnaire, which has been partially filled, in Arabic (with English translations) closely following the instructions provided in the questionnaire itself and the SDG 5.a.2 methodology. Ensure to include the link of all relevant legal and policy documents cited to the extent that they are available, to facilitate review both by the government and FAO.
• Review the draft questionnaire and FAO inputs to see if relevant political and legal documents for women’s rights to land and property have not been overlooked and all policy and legal instruments pertaining to women’s right to access and control land have been considered.
• Once the questionnaire has been completed, share it with the FAO team for review and feedback before presenting the results to the designated focal points. If necessary, a version of the final draft questionnaire shall be also prepared in Arabic.
• After FAO’s quality review, present the results of the legal assessment to the officially designated focal point(s) from the relevant ministries and other relevant institutions as appropriate for their validation.
• Present the results of the legal assessment to the designated focal point (s) and other relevant institutions as appropriate for their validation.
• Providing support to the technical working group on 5.a.2 to report on the indicator.
• Make relevant revisions as necessary to the National Technical Committee until the final report is validated by the Government and FAO, upon which FAO will seek official submission of the report.
• Prepare a short report that includes a description of the process undertaken and policy recommendations (in English and Arabic) which is not part of the official reporting process.

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in law.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in working in legal analysis on issues associated with land and property rights and familiarity with civil law and family matters.
• Working knowledge of English and Arabic languages.
• Iraqi National or resident with valid work permit

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus
• Teamwork
• Communication
• Building Effective Relationships
• Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Experience working with government representatives
• Familiarity with gender concepts
• Knowledge on Iraqi civil law, policies & customary law in Iraq on land ownership.
FAO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing). Incomplete applications will not be considered. If you need help or have queries, please contact: [اضغط هنا لمشاهدة البريد اﻹلكتروني] Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Only language proficiency certificates from UN accredited external providers and/or FAO language official examinations (LPE, ILE, LRT) will be accepted as proof of the level of knowledge of languages indicated in the online applications. For other issues, visit the FAO employment website: Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and security clearances.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply, visit the recruitment website at and complete your online profile. We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, and language skills
• Candidates are requested to