Land & GIS Specialist (Aid & Recovery)

Mission and objectives

UN-HABITAT AGO organization mission TBD

Context

Angola hosts significant numbers of refugees (primarily from DRC) and internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to flooding, resource competition, and the spillover effects of regional conflicts. Recent floods have devastated communities in southern and central provinces, destroying homes, agricultural land, and infrastructure. Remote and flood-prone areas face acute challenges in accessing aid, recovering livelihoods, and securing land tenure. Angola Vision 2050 calls for modern land governance, including the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a modern cadaster to understand migration trends, inform shelter and recovery planning, and target short- and medium-term aid where it is most needed. UN-Habitat initiated dialogues with national authorities to build a secure, technology-enabled land information system that supports peacebuilding and prevents conflicts over natural resources. To achieve this, collaboration with local communities and the Korean Appraisal Board are keys. Experience of the later in setting up a progressive land-based information management system could be helpful to modernize the Angolan’s system with a focus on migrants’ needs by taking advantage of the technologies. This assignment offers a unique opportunity to apply advanced GIS and cadaster tools as well as Internet of Things (IoT) and possibly Artificial Intelligence to real humanitarian-development challenges, working directly with government, UN partners, and communities to help Angola build back better after disasters and displacement.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat Angola Programme Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: - Analyze migration trends using GIS and cadaster data to map the distribution of IDPs, refugees, and host communities in flood-affected and remote areas, identifying priority zones for recovery interventions. - Support the development of a modern cadaster framework that integrates migration dynamics, land use pressures, and environmental vulnerabilities, in line with Angola Vision 2050. - Assist in the design of short- and medium-term aid targeting mechanisms based on spatial analysis, ensuring that resources reach the most vulnerable populations (IDPs, refugees, host families) in flood-prone and remote municipalities. - Contribute to area-based development plans that link land tenure security, early recovery, and conflict prevention, with a focus on reducing competition over natural resources (land, water, forests). - Collaborate with the Korean Appraisal Board on data security protocols, technology standards, and capacity building for Angola’s national land registries. - Support community-police dialogues facilitated by UN-Habitat, providing spatial data and land-use maps to help mediate disputes and build trust. - Participate in inter-agency working groups on displacement, recovery, and resilience, ensuring that land information is used to “leave no one behind.” - Document lessons learned and produce technical reports, maps, and presentations for government, UN, and donor audiences. During the first month of the assignment, the UN Volunteer will work closely with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed-upon work plan. The work plan should outline key objectives and activities and include regular check ins with the supervisor to review progress and receive performance

Competencies and values

- .Accountability - Adaptability and Flexibility - Communication - Knowledge Sharing - Planning and Organizing - Professionalism - Respect for Diversity - Self-Management - Technological Awareness - Working in Teams

Living conditions and remarks

Luanda, the capital of Angola, is a large and dynamic coastal city that serves as the country’s main economic, political, and cultural hub. Living conditions have improved in recent years, with access to supermarkets, restaurants, international schools, private healthcare facilities, and a range of accommodation options—often located in secure apartments or housing complexes. However, Luanda remains a challenging duty station due to the high cost of living, particularly for housing, imported goods, and private healthcare, as well as heavy traffic congestion and occasional interruptions to basic utilities. Security conditions are generally stable, and UN personnel benefit from established safety and security systems. The UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging their own housing and living essentials and should be prepared for the city’s challenges while also benefiting from its active social life and opportunities for cultural engagement within Angola’s development context.