Urban Management Expert at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

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 main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, Habitat Agenda, Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and Resolution 56/206. Its activities contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development within the context and the challenges of a rapidly urbanising world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Urban Management Expert, Aba Masterplan / Urban Profile

Location: Aba City, Abia
Employment Type: Full Time
Career Category: Program / Project Management

Job Description
The Aba City Urban Profile Component will comprise the following:

• Mapping and description/analysis of the existing situation and dominant development trends which influence spatial development in the project area;
• Summary of socio-economic data and characteristics of Aba City and adjoining areas;
• Description / analysis of land use development opportunities and challenges for Aba City and adjoining areas as generated from Base Maps;

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and working in close collaboration with other thematic Consultants, the Project Team, especially the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), the Ministry of Lands and Survey as well as other stakeholders, the Urban Management Expert will be an integral member of the Project Team and will be primarily responsible for the Aba Urban Profile component of the project, implementing the following activities:

• Conduct desk study to answer as many questions as possible related to urban management in Aba and environs, utilizing secondary sources such as existing documentation on laws, policies, statistical data, etc. as .
• Identify preliminary urban issues based on the desk study and analyse results of PSPA land use and socio-economic data from questionnaires and tools used, to formulate an accurate urban management profile of Aba within the local context.
• Identify local key stakeholders. Introduce the study approach to and liaise with focal persons in key departments in all local governments comprising the city and contiguous areas as well as other relevant local partners and stakeholders including civil society.
• Assess and highlight main urban management issues of concern, using UN-Habitat's profile interview guidelines and formats; engage with local universities and other appropriate institutions for data collection and analysis; in close collaboration with the GIS consultant to undertake spatial analysis on Urban Management issues and develop the section for the city draft profile, which includes an assessment of priority and capacity building needs. Visualize challenges and opportunities for future growth through thematic maps and satellite images.
• Collaborate with local universities and other appropriate institutions for data collection, train and supervise them during the collection process. In close collaboration with the GIS consultant undertake spatial analysis of the themes if appropriate and develop the section for urban management for the city draft profile, which includes an assessment of priority and capacity building needs.
• In collaboration with the project team, plan and conduct a City Consultation with key stakeholders interviewed during the city assessment as well as others to agree on a vision for the city’s future development and on priority issues for urban development. At City Consultation, review profiles on Key urban issues, priorities, develop SWOTs translate agreed upon priorities into visions and strategies for the Master Plan.
• Compile chapters about urban management for the city profile summarizing agreed priorities and priority interventions. In collaboration with the team, transform the visions and strategies, developed for these themes at the consultation, into a Master Plan for the city (including reports and maps).

Qualifications

• The consultant will be an expert in Urban Management and have relevant experience in research projects and programs at national level and similar experience on planning and development of related projects at national or international level is required.
• He / she must have strong conceptual, analytical, and technical skills and/experience, including:
  • Substantive and relevant experience in developing countries, especially in Nigeria.
  • Advanced degree in related fields (e.g Master's degree in Urban Management, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Landscape Architecture or other Urban Development Studies.).
  • Ability to drive the consultative process to understand needs and emerging issues in the urban sectors.
  • Experience in dealing with various stakeholders (national and local governments, civil society organizations, grassroots, practitioners).
  • Coordination among different stakeholders and/or engagement in international conferences are preferred.
  • Working experience in international organization and/or African countries is an asset.

Work Experience:

• At least five years of progressive experience at the local, national and international levels is required. Experience of networking; experience of project and programme management; experience of conducting policy reviews and preparation of policy recommendations for decision-makers; demonstrable analytical, drafting, reporting and presentation experience; experience of analyzing, summarizing, and presenting large quantities of statistics on urban issues using relevant computer software; experience in the coordination of multiple contributors to major reports is desirable; and experience in coordinating trainings, technical, fundraising and capacity building workshops.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Demonstrable understanding theories and concepts related to urbanization including social and economic development, urban economics, spatial development, local economic development and planning, urban, and regional and territorial planning. Strong research and writing skills. Ability to carry out research on the social, economic, political, spatial and planning dimensions of cities and human settlements at local levels. Ability to evaluate and integrate information from a variety of sources using standard methodologies and analytical techniques and draw conclusions and assess impacts at different levels.
• Experience in preparing spatial plans and writing technical reports. Ability to review, edit and summarize the work of others. Strong analytical capacity and the ability to identify, analyze and articulate difficult issues/problems.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Special Notice:

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station or environs.

Application Closing Date
7th June, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send soft copies of their cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) to: [email protected] using "Urban Management Expert, Aba Masterplan / Urban Profile" as the subject of the mail.