This assignment supports the Lesotho Millennium Challenge Account (MCA Lesotho-II) to meet the objectives of the Market Driven Irrigation Horticulture (MDIH) Project within the Lesotho 2 Compact. The MDIH project aims to increase rural incomes related to commercial horticulture, including for women, youth and the rural poor, and to establish a sustainable and inclusive model of irrigation, water and land resource management. My roles are;

• supporting reform in the legal and customary framework for gender equitable land tenure.
• changing behaviours among key decision makers.
• challenging structural barriers and social norms that undermine gender equality in access to land.
• providing equal access to economic opportunities for women and men.
• implementing a successful and inclusive irrigation scheme for the economic advancement of farmers in the four Community Councils; and
• delivering a system and providing registered leases for women and men.

The assignment focuses on enhancing the capacity of the Land Policy Initiative of the Africa Union (LPI) and the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Secretariat in facilitating and monitoring the AU Declaration on Land in East and the Horn of Africa. It involves mainstreaming land governance, supporting research, developing National Land Policies, establishing knowledge-sharing platforms, and ensuring gender mainstreaming, guided by a USD 33 Million budget. The tasks include but are not limited to:

• Facilitate and monitor the AU Declaration on Land, enhancing capacity within LPI and IGAD Secretariat.
• Mainstream land governance issues in IGAD programs and activities, integrating them into Member States’ agendas.
• Develop capacity in regional academic institutions for land policy-related research.
• Support Member States in formulating National Land Policies to align with AU directives.
• Establish a regional platform for knowledge sharing and advocacy, fostering partnerships and coordination among stakeholders.

 The objective of the assignment was to enhance knowledge and insights about planning and implementing sustainable land governance, enable international contacts and networks, as well as to develop the competence of participating strategic persons to carry out necessary reforms and organizational changes in the public land administration authorities. The tasks include:

• Supported and assisted in the elaboration and promotion of the ITP.
• Participated in the Swedish phase and assisting in the formulation of change projects and specification of indicators to follow up results.
• Supported participants to implement their change projects and follow up results based on the indicators.
• Collected information about change project progress and preparing written reports on the situation before regional meetings and after completion of each separate course.
• Monthly filling in signed time sheets on working days (as a base for payment).

The main objective of the assignment was to support the transition phase of the Global Land Indicators Initiative (GLII) into the implementation phase. This area of work will support the advocacy for land indicators into the Agenda 2030 through existing or ongoing initiatives. Further, the work will entail supporting the ongoing initiatives of GLII. The tasks include:

• Coordinated the finalization of the GLII various documents (Source Book, Curriculum, and any other products of GLII).
• Selected three countries for piloting monitoring initiatives for tenure security in Africa and using land indicators; and developing the methodology, establishing contact with key stakeholders.
• Finalized the framework for indicators and results with partners and relevant actors.
• Developed various concept notes for high-level GLII events. 

In my role at LANDnet, I lead program and operational functions, fostering collaboration with land professionals and institutions, and developing sustainable programs. I prioritize team building, policy adherence, and transparency, while facilitating a shared vision and positive work environment. I also manage performance, encourage innovation, and facilitate access to technical assistance and research partnerships, aiming to guide LANDnet towards its objectives through effective leadership and teamwork.

• Leading program and operational functions while fostering collaboration with land professionals and institutions.
• Developing sustainable programs aligned with organizational goals, prioritizing team building and policy adherence.
• Facilitating a shared vision among staff, promoting transparency, and cultivating a positive work environment.
• Managing performance, encourage innovation, and support continuous learning to enhance effectiveness.
• Facilitating access to technical assistance and research partnerships to advance LANDnet’s objectives through effective leadership and teamwork.

                             

In my assignment, I lead the coordination and implementation of the GLTN Partnership and Communication Strategy globally and within individual countries. I ensure that GLTN functions effectively as a platform for partners in the land and development sector, maintaining and enhancing its relevance. With the expansion of the GLTN Network, I manage the growing demand for network maintenance and service. My role involves leveraging collective knowledge and initiatives from diverse partners to improve communication and partnership strategies, and develop innovative approaches for achieving results. Partners include civil society, research institutions, capacity development organizations, land professional bodies, and multilateral and bilateral organizations, all working towards a paradigm shift to a continuum of land rights approach and innovative technical solutions.

• Lead coordination and implementation of GLTN Partnership and Communication Strategy globally and within countries.
• Ensured GLTN serves as an effective platform for partners, maintaining and enhancing relevance in the land and development sector.
• Managed growing demand for network maintenance and service as GLTN Network expands.
• Leveraged collective knowledge and initiatives of diverse partners to improve communication and partnership strategies.
• Developed innovative approaches with partners to drive progress towards achieving results in the land and development sector.

In my assignment, I developed frameworks, methods, and tools to strengthen the capacity of selected actors in monitoring tenure security, while supporting the advancement of land indicators with global and regional partners. This involved engaging stakeholders from diverse sectors such as the private sector, NGOs, farmer organizations, multilateral agencies, academia, and governments. I contributed to the GLII platform, which evolved into the flagship program of the Global Land Tool Network, achieving notable successes like the inclusion of land in the Sustainable Development Goals. As the Land Indicators Specialist, I crafted comprehensive work programs, established online communication forums, updated webpages, and developed promotional materials. I also formed a working group of land experts and prepared briefs, presentations, and technical guides to support capacity building, aiming to enhance global land monitoring and governance. Tasks included:

• Developed frameworks, methods, and tools to strengthen actors’ capacity in monitoring tenure security.
• Supported the development of land indicators with global and regional partners.
• Engaged stakeholders from diverse sectors, including the private sector, NGOs, farmer organizations, multilateral agencies, academia, and governments.
• Contributed to the evolution of the GLII platform into the flagship program of the Global Land Tool Network.
• Crafted comprehensive work programs, establish online communication forums, update webpages, and develop promotional materials as the Land Indicators Specialist.
• Formed a working group of land experts to further develop land indicators.
• Prepared briefs, presentations, and technical guides for various forums.
• Supported capacity building of national statistical commissions and professionals in using land indicators for data collection.
• Contributed to the advancement of global land monitoring and governance efforts.

                                           

As the Executive Director, I managed a network of 56 organizations and oversaw 50 staff across seven field offices operating in 15 districts of Uganda. This role involved establishing strong relations with the Board of Directors, donors, membership, and staff. I led institutional reform efforts that resulted in significant growth, from a 5-staff institution in 2008 to 50 staff in 2013. This included developing fundable proposals, conducting organizational and systems reviews, implementing audits, evaluating programs, and creating new strategic plans, fundraising strategies, and monitoring frameworks. I expanded ULA’s programming areas to include rights awareness, policy advocacy, knowledge management, Women’s Land Rights, Land and Extractives, and Securing Common Lands. I oversaw project delivery expansion to Northern Uganda, North Eastern Uganda, and Western Uganda. Notably, I facilitated national engagement dialogues on the national Land Policy, influencing the Uganda National Land Policy 2013. Internationally, I represented ULA in platforms like the Africa Union Land Policy Initiative, contributing to the Africa Framework and Guidelines and the LPI Monitoring Framework. I supported the CSM Mechanism in the Negotiations of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Governance of Tenure (FAO) in 2011 and provided technical support to EU member states on Rights Best Approaches to Development and Programming, drawing on ULA’s work with minority groups in Uganda, in collaboration with Minority Rights Group International (Europe).

• Manage a network of 56 organizations and oversee staff across multiple field offices in Uganda.
• Establish strong relations with the Board of Directors, donors, membership, and staff.
• Lead institutional reform efforts, resulting in significant growth and development.
• Expand ULA’s programming areas and oversee project delivery expansion to new regions.
• Facilitate national engagement dialogues influencing Uganda’s National Land Policy.
• Represent ULA in international platforms and contribute to the development of Africa-wide policies and guidelines.
• Support negotiations of international governance guidelines and provide technical assistance to EU member states.

                                                                                               

In my role, I reported directly to the Commissioner of the Legal Department and handled various responsibilities. These included preparing ministerial speeches, participating in training sessions and workshops, and contributing to drafting project proposals and legal opinions. I provided daily advice on legal and policy matters, counseled clients, addressed legal issues, and wrote reports regularly, including reports for international conventions and departmental workshops.

• Reported directly to the Commissioner of the Legal Department, ensuring efficient communication and alignment with departmental objectives.
• Prepared ministerial speeches, contributing to the department’s advocacy efforts and representation in official capacities.
• Participated in paralegal training sessions and gender workshops, enhancing the capacity of State Attorneys and the Uganda Law Reform Commission.
• Contributed to drafting project proposals, notably for the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Commission, fostering inclusivity and equity within legal frameworks.
• Provided legal opinions on agreements and contracts, offering expert advise.

I undertook various research tasks, compiling cases and materials related to Company Law and creating a reading list for the MBA program at Makerere University.

• Compiled cases and materials related to Company Law, contributing to legal research and analysis within the department.
• Created a reading list for the MBA program at Makerere University, enhancing educational resources and curriculum development.
• Researched topics such as Law and the Death Penalty sentence, providing insights and analysis on legal issues with societal implications.
• Conducted research on the Law relating to Prior Informed Consent, contributing to the understanding and application of legal principles in specific contexts.

         

I conducted legal research on cases handled by the firm and provided legal opinions on various business arrangements, contracts, and agreements for client companies. Additionally, I authored reports and drafted legal documents. I managed cases related to conveyances and soliciting. Roles included:

• Conducted legal research on cases handled by the firm, ensuring thorough understanding and informed decision-making.
• Provided legal opinions on business arrangements, contracts, and agreements, offering expertise to client companies.
• Authored reports and drafted legal documents, maintaining accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
• Managed cases related to conveyances and soliciting, overseeing legal processes and client representation.

                                               

 I handled legal cases and provided counseling to clients, while also writing monthly and quarterly reports summarizing activities. Additionally, I conducted legal education sessions in various districts to raise awareness about rights, with both men and women participating. I attended seminars, meetings, and workshops on gender, women’s rights, and children’s rights, representing the Legal Aid Clinic. Furthermore, I contributed to monitoring and evaluating paralegal programs in Kumi and Kapchorwa districts, conducting training and follow-up sessions for paralegals. 

• Handle legal cases and provide counseling to clients, ensuring effective legal representation and support.
• Write monthly and quarterly reports, summarizing activities and providing insights for organizational development.
• Conduct legal education sessions in various districts, raising awareness about rights and empowering local communities.
• Attend seminars, meetings, and workshops on gender, women’s rights, and children’s rights, representing the Legal Aid Clinic and advocating for marginalized groups.
• Contribute to monitoring and evaluating paralegal programs, ensuring program effectiveness and compliance with objectives.
• Conduct training sessions for paralegals in Kumi and Kapchorwa districts, empowering local advocates and providing ongoing support through follow-up sessions.

                 
I provided legal opinions on organizational matters and offered advice to the organization on issues related to the economic advancement of women. Additionally, I contributed to the development of the organization’s position papers on various aspects, ensuring alignment with legal principles and considerations