Urban Planner Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an agency established by the United Nations General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. The organization aims to provide adequate shelter for all and works collaboratively with governments, local authorities, development partners, civil society, and communities to advance sustainable urbanization and inclusive development. UN-Habitat operates in multiple countries across the globe, focusing on improving urban living conditions and addressing the challenges of urbanization.

Job Overview:
The Urban Planner Consultant position is integral to the UN-Habitat Ethiopia Country Programme, specifically under the Regional Office for Africa. This role is focused on enhancing institutional capacities and supporting durable solutions for populations affected by displacement. The consultant will be involved in various aspects of urban planning, including conducting settlement assessments, facilitating training sessions, and providing technical support to municipalities. The position emphasizes the importance of climate-resilient urban development and aims to integrate durable solutions into local planning processes. The consultant will work closely with the Programme Manager and the UN-Habitat Ethiopia Programme team to ensure effective implementation of the programme's objectives, particularly in the Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of duties, including: A. Capacity Development and Institutional Assessment: Conducting training needs assessments, institutional mapping, and stakeholder assessments to identify gaps in planning and governance related to displacement management. Preparing training curricula and facilitating leadership training sessions. B. Settlement Planning and Durable Solutions: Performing settlement assessments and urban diagnostics to identify challenges and needs of displacement-affected communities. Preparing recommendations for settlement development and integrating durable solutions into local planning processes. C. Climate-Smart Planning and Spatial Analysis: Collecting and analyzing GIS data for settlement planning, contributing to suitability and hazard mapping, and preparing climate-resilient planning recommendations. D. Land Governance and Tenure security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security: Supporting housing, land, and property assessments, developing tenure security tools, and providing technical support during stakeholder consultations. E. Coordination, Reporting and Knowledge Management: Liaising with various stakeholders, preparing technical reports, and documenting lessons learned to inform future interventions.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a high school diploma or equivalent, with additional training in urban planning, regional planning, or related fields being desirable. A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in urban planning or settlement development is required, with a reduction of two years for candidates holding a first-level university degree. Proficiency in using GIS and spatial planning tools for assessments is essential, along with experience in displacement and durable solutions programmes being advantageous.

Educational Background:
The position requires a high school diploma as a minimum educational qualification. Additional training in fields such as urban planning, regional planning, human settlements, or architecture is desirable, indicating a preference for candidates with a strong educational foundation in relevant disciplines.

Experience:
The role demands a minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in urban planning or related fields. Candidates with a first-level university degree may qualify with five years of experience. Experience in using GIS and spatial planning tools is required, and familiarity with displacement and refugee response programmes is considered a plus. Experience in capacity development and training is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French is also beneficial. Additionally, knowledge of Amharic is considered an advantage, enhancing communication with local stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 12 months and is focused on full-time engagement. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees during the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring procedure.