Associate Land & Peacebuilding Officer (Area-Based Development)

Organizational Context

UN-Habitat, the UN agency for human settlements, promotes sustainable urban development and adequate shelter for all. The Grand Bandundu region faces a complex crisis involving conflict, land tensions, displacement, and reduced agricultural opportunities. Intensified competition over natural resources fuels localized violence. The Government of DRC's new land and territorial development laws aim to decentralize land management and promote participatory planning, aligning with the UN Joint Vision on Police and Justice Reforms.

Job Purpose

This role supports the design of an integrated spatial development plan and financial mechanism in the Grand Bandundu region, addressing the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The assignment aims to foster territorial stability and job creation amidst conflict and displacement. The UN Volunteer Associate will contribute to UN-Habitat's efforts in establishing a land information system, facilitating community dialogues, and piloting area-based development plans. The goal is to create sustainable solutions for cities and settlements hosting migrants, IDPs, and vulnerable communities, while promoting inclusive digitalization and linking humanitarian aid with early recovery and development.

Responsibilities

The UN Volunteer Associate will support the development of integrated spatial development plans in the Grand Bandundu region, including land use mapping and conflict-sensitive planning for job creation. They will assist in designing financial mechanisms, such as local investment funds or micro-grant schemes, to support youth and women-led livelihoods, connecting humanitarian aid with territorial development. The role involves contributing to police-community dialogue sessions to document land disputes and support referral pathways for legal aid. Additionally, the volunteer will participate in rolling out a land information system, collecting and digitizing land rights data, and supporting area-based assessments in IDP settlements. Collaboration with various humanitarian, peacebuilding, and development actors is crucial to ensure program coherence.

Work Experience

While no prior experience is strictly required, demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in land governance, territorial planning, community development in fragile contexts, or humanitarian-development-peace nexus programming is highly desirable. Experience with GIS or mapping tools, participatory planning, and stakeholder facilitation is also beneficial. Previous volunteer experience or cross-cultural exposure is advantageous.

Skills

Key competencies include Accountability, Adaptability and Flexibility, Commitment to Continuous Learning, Communication, Ethics and Values, Planning and Organizing, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity, and Working in Teams. Expertise in Architecture and Settlements, Community Development, and Development Programmes is relevant. Proficiency in French is required, with working knowledge of English being desirable. Skills in basic GIS/mapping tools and participatory planning are also important.

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