Senior Urban Planner

Job Posting Organization:
UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is an agency established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable and resilient urban environments. It serves as the focal point for urbanization and human settlement issues within the UN system. UN-Habitat aims to create well-planned, well-governed cities and towns that provide adequate housing, infrastructure, and universal access to essential services such as water, energy, and sanitation. The organization operates globally, focusing on urban planning methods and systems that address the challenges of urbanization, and it has a significant presence in various countries, including Mali.

Job Overview:
The Senior Urban Planner will be responsible for providing planning and design outputs related to UN-Habitat's technical support in Mali. This position requires collaboration with the Urban Lab team and coordination with the Regional Office for Africa West HUB and the Mali Country Office. The planner will report to the Programme Management Officer of the Urban Lab and will work from home for an expected duration of two months. The role involves preparing materials for workshops, drafting and revising planning documents, and potentially participating in technical missions. The planner will play a crucial role in addressing urbanization challenges through effective planning and stakeholder engagement.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be tasked with several key responsibilities, including:

• Preparing materials such as presentations, maps, and drawings for workshops with city and county officials and technical staff in Mali.
• Drafting, revising, and completing planning materials, including spatial analysis, drawings, and reports specific to Mali.
• Participating in technical missions as required to support urban planning initiatives.
• Collaborating closely with the Urban Lab team to ensure alignment with UN-Habitat's goals and objectives.
• Engaging with local governments and stakeholders to facilitate participatory planning processes.
• Conducting spatial assessments and contributing to the development of urban strategies that address local needs and challenges.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, or a related field relevant to sustainable urban development. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban planning, territorial development, or strategic planning. Candidates should demonstrate substantial experience in preparing urban development strategies and spatial plans, as well as expertise in participatory planning processes and stakeholder engagement.

Educational Background:
The educational requirements for this position include a minimum of an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, or related disciplines that focus on sustainable urban development. A first-level university degree may be considered if accompanied by additional qualifying experience.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in urban planning, territorial development, strategic planning, or related fields. This experience should include substantial involvement in preparing urban development strategies, spatial plans, and conducting territorial assessments. Additionally, candidates should have a strong background in participatory planning processes and stakeholder engagement, with experience working alongside local governments, national institutions, and international organizations being essential.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the UN system. Additionally, fluency in French or Spanish is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication and collaboration with diverse stakeholders in Mali and other French or Spanish-speaking regions.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for two months. There is no fee associated with the application process, and the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage of recruitment. The organization emphasizes that it does not require information regarding applicants' bank accounts.