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Vacancies

Urban Planning Specialist

Issue Date 19 Sep 2015 Closing Date 27 Sep 2015
Grade CONSULTANT Post Duration
Duty Station Nairobi Organizational Unit Urban Planning and Design
Job Opening

The Urban Planning and Design Branch of UN-Habitat supports countries in developing urban planning methods and systems that address current urbanization challenges. It promotes urban planning approaches to address rapid urban growth and urban transformation processes in countries with rapid urbanization processes and where cities face a backlog of services and housing.

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CONSULTANCY JOB OPENING

Issued on: 20 September 2015

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:

UN-HABITAT

DUTY STATION:

Nairobi, Kenya. Subject to travels if required

FUNCTIONAL TITLE:

Urban Planning Specialist

DURATION:

12 months (October 2015-September 2016)

CLOSING DATE:

27 September 2015

 

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

The Urban Planning and Design Branch of UN-Habitat supports countries in developing urban planning methods and systems that address current urbanization challenges. It promotes urban planning approaches to address rapid urban growth and urban transformation processes in countries with rapid urbanization processes and where cities face a backlog of services and housing.

The Urban Planning and Design Branch consists of three units: The City Planning, Extension and Design Unit (CPEDU), the Regional and Metropolitan Planning Unit (RMPU) and the Climate Change Planning Unit (CCPU).

The Urban Planning and Design Lab (UPD Lab) is a part of City Planning, Extension and Design Unit (CPEDU) and provides planning support to projects on the field and in the Headquarters. The objectives of the Urban Planning and Design Lab are: to provide tangible pilot projects for sustainable development; to develop an implementation strategy for urban development projects; and to develop a portfolio of expertise that offers services to local authorities

The key activities of the Urban Planning and Design Lab are focused on (1) Planned city extensions, (2) City wide strategies and (3) Planned city infill. Services provided include development of visons, concept plans and strategies for the above type of plans as well as development and support of local planning and design processes. Project management strategies are also developed and implemented in support of local planning initiatives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The current position will involve full time activities with the CPEDU during the twelve months of duration of the contract.

Under the supervision of the Leader of the City Planning, Extension and Design Unit and the Head of the Urban Planning and Design Lab, the Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Assist in the design and implementation processes of spatial frameworks, urban concepts and proposals of the current projects of the Urban Planning and Design Lab portfolio; among others Ghana, South Africa, Myanmar, Kenya, Somalia, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Belize, Philippines and Brazil.
  • Support normative activities and organization of workshops in relation to Habitat 3 preparatory process, including preparation of concept notes and papers.
  • Establish functional and productive working relationships with relevant branches and regional offices within UN-Habitat, as well as within the UN system and urban institutions focused on sustainable urban development;
  • Develop together with the Head of the Urban Planning and Design Lab a portfolio of achievements and services

Under the supervision of the Leader of the City Planning, Extension and Design Unit, the Consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

  • Assist in preparing responses and in the follow-up to initial set up phase of urban planning projects and demands, including commenting on proposals and concept notes.
  • Review on behalf of the Unit proposals submitted to Project Advisory Group (PAG) and provide urban planning inputs to other internal and external documents.
  • Establish functional and productive working relationships with relevant branches and regional offices within UN-Habitat, as well as within the UN system and urban institutions focused on sustainable urban development;
  • Contribute to mobilise additional resources (internally and externally) to support the sustainability of the Portfolio of the Unit and develop project proposals, Concept Notes and documentation on Urban Planning and Design for donors and clients.
  • Organise meetings and events in relation to the preparation of Habitat 3.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXPECTED DELIVERABLES:

For the CPEDU and the UPD Lab, the consultant will be expected to produce a range of deliverables including:

  • Monthly Timesheet (12)
  • Spatial framework, urban proposal and plans to support the sustainable development of client cities (12);
  • Events outlines, programmes, briefs and reports (4)
  • Concept notes and review of documents and reports (12)

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Urban/Regional Planning, Architecture, Geography, Economics, Political Science or related field that is relevant for urban policy analysis. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE

A minimum of five years of experience in urban planning, sustainable urban development and sustainability, including policy analysis, with relevant experience in developing countries, a significant part of which should be directly related to different aspects of urban planning such as urban development, international cooperation, strategic planning or land management. Work experience in the UN and/or international organization is an asset.

Ability to work with minimal supervision and with good sense of initiative to keep the supervisor regularly informed of progress.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the consultancies advertised, excellent proficiency in English, both verbal and written, is required. Ability in verbal and/or written Spanish and French will be desirable

REMUNERATION

Payments will be based on a monthly basis subject to satisfactory delivery of agreed monthly targets and work-plans over the consultancy period. The rate will be determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement. The cost of meetings and training events will be supported by UN-Habitat, including DSA.

 

Applications should include:

· Cover memo or motivation letter (maximum 1 page)

· Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:

1. Educational Background (incl. dates)

2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)

3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)

4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments

5. Expectations regarding remuneration

· UN Personal History Form (please use the United Nations standard personal history form available upon request or via: http://www.unhabitat.org/content.asp?typeid=24&catid=435&id=3867)

· Proof of relevant work (at least two)

 

Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the

UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster

through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org

 

All applications should be submitted to:

Mr. Geoffrey Oluoch

UN-Habitat

P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Email: Geoffrey.Oluoch@unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 27 September 2015

 

UN-Habitat does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org

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