Urban Planner

Job Posting Organization:
UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is an agency established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and resilient towns and cities. It serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat envisions cities and towns that are well-planned, well-governed, and efficient, providing adequate housing, infrastructure, and universal access to employment and essential services such as water, energy, and sanitation. The Urban Lab of UN-Habitat supports countries in developing urban planning methods and systems to tackle current urbanization challenges, promoting approaches that address urban expansion and transformation. The organization operates globally, focusing on sustainable urban development and improving living conditions in urban areas.

Job Overview:
The Urban Planner position is designed to provide planning and design outputs related to UN-Habitat's technical support to the Geneva Technical Hub (GTH 2.0). The role is primarily home-based and is expected to last for a duration of two months. The Urban Planner will work closely with the Urban Lab team, reporting to the Programme Management Officer, and will coordinate with the GTH 2.0 Secretariat. The position requires the preparation of various materials for workshops with city and county officials and technical staff, ensuring that the planning outputs meet the needs of urban development projects. The Urban Planner will also be responsible for drafting, revising, and completing planning materials, including spatial analysis and drawings, as well as reports that document the planning process and outcomes. Participation in technical missions may be required, depending on project needs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent of the Urban Planner position will have several key duties and responsibilities, including: - Preparing materials such as presentations, maps, and drawings for workshops with city and county officials and technical staff. - Drafting, revising, and completing planning materials, which include spatial analysis, drawings, and comprehensive reports. - Collaborating with the Urban Lab team to ensure that all outputs align with UN-Habitat's goals and standards. - Participating in technical missions as required, which may involve travel to various locations to gather information and engage with stakeholders. - Utilizing computer-assisted design tools to create plan graphical materials, with a strong emphasis on data management and processing using GIS software. - Demonstrating good hand drawing and sketching skills for macro-scale plans, which will enhance the visual communication of planning concepts. - Applying analytic and design skills in regional and citywide planning and design, contributing to effective urban development strategies. - Leveraging experience in regional and territorial scale planning to inform project decisions and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum 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 qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Additionally, candidates should have at least 7 years of proven experience in drawing and preparing plan graphical material using computer-assisted design tools, with a particular focus on data management and processing using GIS software. Strong hand drawing and sketching skills for macro-scale plans are considered advantageous, as are good analytic and design skills in regional and citywide planning and design. Experience in regional and territorial scale planning will also be viewed favorably, as will working experience in the African continent.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Urban Planner position includes a minimum of an advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Urban Planning and Design, or a related field that is pertinent to sustainable urban development. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have substantial qualifying experience that compensates for the lack of an advanced degree.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have at least 7 years of proven experience in relevant fields, particularly in drawing and preparing graphical materials using computer-assisted design tools. This experience should include a strong emphasis on data management and processing with GIS software. Candidates with experience in regional and territorial scale planning, as well as those who have worked in the African continent, will be at an advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required for this position, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French, which is another official language of the UN, is desirable and will be considered an asset for candidates applying for this role. Proficiency in additional official UN languages may also enhance a candidate's application.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and is expected to last for a duration of two months. There are no fees associated with the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants at any stage, including application, interview, or training. Furthermore, the UN does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts, ensuring a secure and transparent recruitment process.