CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 30 April 2014
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:
Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
Consultant, Urban Planning Expert, Legislation
DURATION:
4 months renewable
CLOSING DATE:
14 May 2014
BACKGROUND
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.
There is indeed an urban planning crisis: the unplanned city is largely inefficient and requires increasing resources to make it more functional and liveable. Only those cities able to embrace different patterns of growth and address inequalities and inefficiencies will be able to provide better lives for their residents, while limiting ecological damage.
Urban planning frameworks have changed very little in the past 50 years, despite huge changes in the urban world, and a new approach is required which links planning with legal instruments and a sound financing and economic rationale. In this respect, five principles of sustainable urban planning are being promoted by UN-Habitat:
Plan in advance of population increase, with the view to remain basic but relevant and comprehensible but not necessarily comprehensive, and to leverage plans for revenue creation through value capture. Plan at the scale of the problem, particularly the projected growth of the urban population. Plan incrementally, starting with streets and following with water and sanitation, drainage, energy and lighting, transport, etc. This gives priority to improving the proportion of land allocated to streets and in turn supports service delivery and progressive taxation. Plan for density and mixed land use, aiming at vertical features that lower transaction costs, positively impact the economies of scale (and economies of agglomeration), and improve revenue from taxation. Provide for urban networks for sustainable mobility and sustainable energy.In view of promoting this approach and supporting ongoing urbanization processes to best serve national development goals, UN-Habitat supports countries and cities in developing planning scenarios and concepts for urban extension, urban redevelopment and the creation and design of sustainable urban patterns.
In view of the above, UN-Habitat has established a global programme (Planning for Sustainable Development) to concurrently develop innovative tools and support countries in their adoption and implementation. This work includes the development of innovative urban planning tools for physical and strategic planning at the city-region, intermediate city and city-extension scales. Application of such tools is ongoing in selected countries over the next 2 to 4 years.
In Kenya, UN-Habitat is engaged both at central level and with a number of Counties in the review of urban planning legislation, support to the development of strategic plans and the preparation of extension and redevelopment plans at city and neighbourhood, in supporting plans implementation through detailed planning and public space design, and in advisory and capacity building work.
The programmes act in synergy and aim at 1) helping cities develop practical, feasible approaches to implementing urban planning interventions and 2) assisting national governments to scale up successful local-level approaches, build the capacities of planning and facilitating institutions, and (3) reflect the resulting lessons in national policies.
A recently launched Urban Planning and Design Laboratory based in its premises in Nairobi provides direct support to projects in the field through development of plans and designs. Furthermore, to support Nairobi city county on implementing Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN) for 2014-2030, City Planning Extension and Design Units has been reviewing legal framework for urban planning policy in the city county Thus, collaboration between the UPDB and the Urban Economy and the Urban Legislation Units is core feature of such programme both in terms of normative than of operational work.
Given the relative new focus provided to urban planning work of UN-Habitat and the need to strengthen its planning capacity, a consultant is required to provide technical support with concrete knowledge for planning legislation to UPDB activities in Nairobi, Kenya.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical inputs to UN-Habitat Kenya component of the ‘Support to Urban Planning Legislation framework in Nairobi’ to contribute to the development of a new generation of extension plans of Nairobi city county adapted to the Kenyan context.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The consultant will work under the supervision of Leader, City Planning, Extension and Design and within the Urban Planning and Design Laboratory and she/he will contribute to the implementation of the Project Component by assisting to test, develop and implement the UN-Habitat planning principles in the Kenya context by performing the following tasks:
Implementation strategy and urban planning legislation review
Assist in the design of the implementation strategy of selected plans with inputs on local market and planning practice
Assist in the legislation review through the provision of feedback on planning legislation implementation and practice, testing of planning regulations and design of graphic guidance where appropriateAssist in writing a clear and structured analytical report outlining key planning legislation frame work in Nairobi and how on the ground, they are enacted The report should include narrative explanations of the planning regulation where relevant, about how it gets utilized by the various key stakeholders and bodies through to the community level. The report will include a series of specific recommendations based on the analysis, suggesting ways to move forward, areas of strengths and those for change.
Engagement with urban sector stakeholders for awareness and capacity building:
Develop liaison role with sector actors particularly in the private and professional sectors
Develop engagement mechanisms for the discussion of new urban planning approaches with the sameConduct consultative and awareness raising meetings and training.In addition, the consultants will provide inputs as requested on planning documents and initiatives, undertaken by the Unit and develop presentations related to the above outputs and ensure work is documented and fed into the overall activities of the Branch and Unit. Last but not least, the daily presence in UN-Habitat offices is highly expected.
SCOPE AND EXPECTATIONS
4 main outputs are expected:
Design and plan proposals for the Nairobi Master Plan implementation (conceptual level) Graphic and other support to the Urban Planning Legislation review in Nairobi City County (diagrams and physical testing of legal provisions) Awareness and communication materials and meetings with industry stakeholders Planning solutions in other projects and cities supported by UN-Habitat in KenyaOutputs production will be documented through interim (monthly) reports and one final report.
COMPETENCIES (maximum of five)
• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to urban planning and design; knowledge of to planning legislation framework. Ability to manage a regional scale project involving multiple stakeholders and partners; knowledge of urban development issues; ability to observe deadlines and achieve set goals
• Communication: Excellent written and oral presentation skills in English
• Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve agreed goals.
• Planning and Organizing: Ability to prioritize activities and assignments.
• Creativity: Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches, takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”, and offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs.
EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Urban/Regional Planning, or related field that is relevant for sustainable urban development. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Different level of work experiences are required to perform the different tasks needed for providing adequate support as follows:
Junior planner: between 3 to 5 years of experience in urban planning with direct proven experience in drawing and preparing plan graphical material using computer assisted design tools.
Senior Planner: A minimum of ten years of experience in urban planning or sustainable urban development, of which at least three at national level (experience in more than one level of government), a significant part of which should be directly related to different aspects of urban planning such as settlements infrastructure, community development, urban geography, cities and climate change, strategic planning or land management. Experience in activities of the United Nations, both in field projects and policy dialogues with stakeholders are desirable.
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
Technical knowledge of urban planning contemporary approaches.
Research and analytical skills combined with good drafting and drawing skills, manipulation of graphic materials and production of complex urban planning documents. Writing skills, in English and possibly another UN language
Able to work independently and as part of a team and to deliver on time under pressure.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Although not a requirement, knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (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
Please be advised that applicants for consultancies must be part of the Inspira e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following address: inspira.un.org
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: 14 May 2014
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
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
Educational Background (incl. dates)Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignmentsExpectations regarding remunerationPlease be advised that applicants for consultancies must be part of the Inspira e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following address: inspira.un.org
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: 14 May 2014
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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