National LPIS Expert - Retainer

For the "EU for Property Rights" project, and reporting to the UNOPS Senior Project Manager, the Expert will be providing technical advisory and support to the Project Manager on the key activities of the project for the successful implementation of the project. 
The Expert will oversee the development and implementation of the LPIS, providing technical assistance to the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA) and its working group, as well as other key stakeholders. They will ensure the LPIS system is fully compatible with EU requirements and support its integration with national systems such as the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS).

Among their specific responsibilities, the Expert will:

• Work closely with ARDA, and other stakeholders to refine LPIS objectives and ensure alignment with existing national plans.
• Analyze existing LPIS models from EU countries, identify best practices, and assess institutional and technical capacities for system integration.
• Organize workshops to align stakeholders on requirements and implementation strategies.
• Define the technical specifications and operational requirements for LPIS, ensuring alignment with EU accession criteria, also in view of a pilot.
• Map existing data sources (cadastre, land maps, satellite imagery) and assess the integration needs for LPIS.
• Identify data gaps and technological limitations that need to be addressed to ensure the successful operation of the system.
• Advise on the LPIS model selection based on national requirements, cadastral status, legal framework, and technological capacity.
• Provide recommendations for system design, ensuring it meets EU standards and CAP compliance requirements.
• Ensure the system integrates seamlessly with national platforms and propose strategies for future scalability.
• Provide technical assistance in setting up a dedicated LPIS unit/department within ARDA to manage the system effectively.
• Offer capacity-building support to ARDA’s LPIS working group, focusing on system design, data management, and integration.
• Support the establishment of agreements between relevant stakeholders to create a collaborative framework for LPIS implementation.
• Support the development of a fully functional LPIS that supports agricultural land mapping, subsidy compliance, fraud prevention, and environmental monitoring.
• Ensure LPIS is compatible with existing national systems and EU regulations for agricultural development and subsidy management.

The Expert is expected to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, the Agricultural and Rural Development Agency (ARDA), and relevant stakeholders and user groups and will collaborate closely with the international LPIS Expert. The number of days will depend on the tasks in line with the project implementation as identified by the Project Manager and agreed with the consultant.