Associate Human Settlements Officer (urban Planner/architect)

Associate Human Settlements Officer (urban Planner/architect), Nairobi

UN-HABITAT Nairobi Kenya

Job Title

ASSOCIATE HUMAN SETTLEMENTS OFFICER (URBAN PLANNER/ARCHITECT), P2

Department/ Office

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Duty Station

NAIROBI

Job Opening number

11-PGM-UN HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PROGRAMME-21832-R-NAIROBI

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

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. This post is located in the Regional Office for Africa and the Arab States (ROAAS) of UN-Habitat, Somalia Programme. For more information on the Somalia Programme, please go to: http://www.unhabitat.org

Responsibilities

Under the overall coordination of the Chief Technical Advisor, Somalia Programme, and the direct supervision of the Joint Programme for Local Governance and Decentralized Service Delivery (JPLG) Human Settlements Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

I. Technical support to the JPLG and to Somali Local and Central government:

Contributing to the production and review of strategic urban plans in selected Somali towns;

Supporting the design of long-term urban spatial planning procedure for selected towns, in collaboration with local (and regional) authorities;

Providing technical support to local authorities and the JPLG partners in specific spatial planning issues;

Providing technical assistance on urban planning issues to local authorities, communities and the JPLG in the implementation of JPLG-funded infrastructure projects in order to ensure synergies with existing Strategic Urban Development Plans;

II. Designs, drawings and visualization for construction and rehabilitation projects in Mogadishu:

Preparing conceptual designs for new building constructions under the Mogadishu District Rehabilitation and Employment Creation and Improved Livelihoods Projects;

Participating in regular technical review meetings in the course of the project implementation;

Providing design and visualization support to rehabilitation and construction projects elsewhere in Somalia.

III. Support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) re-settlement projects in Somalia:

Contributing to the finalization of shelter designs and settlement plans for shelter and infrastructure projects to foster equitable access and efficient land use;

Preparing consultations with various user-groups for upcoming IDP re-settlement projects;

Providing inputs to urban designs and application of sustainable technologies, techniques, and materials for integrated human settlement development;

Preparing shelter project concept notes for fundraising and within the annual Consolidated Humanitarian Appeal (CAP) for Somalia.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to local governance and urban planning. Ability to conduct independent analysis and evaluation, identify issues and formulate sound recommendations. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 and 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.

Education

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to local governance and urban planning. Ability to conduct independent analysis and evaluation, identify issues and formulate sound recommendations. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 and 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of experience in human settlements projects and programmes is required. Experience in post-conflict environment is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language will be an advantage.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.


No Fee

AJS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS AND AJS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.

SOME EMPLOYERS MAY ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF YOUR APPLICATION.