VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Issued on: 19 August 2011
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT DUTY STATION: Home Based with two missions to Nairobi, Kenya) FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Consultant: Internal Training Programme Consultant for Thematic Area of Urban Planning DURATION: September 12 to April 30, 2012 (20 days work within this timeframe)
CLOSING DATE: August 31, 2011
BACKGROUND Reflecting on the goals of the Habitat Agenda and specifically its commitment to adequate shelter for all and promotion of sustainable human settlements, and within the framework of the MTSIP, the Executive Director has identified three programmatic areas to prioritize UN-HABITAT’s work, namely urban planning, urban legislation and governance, and urban economy, job creation and finance. The identification of priority areas comes in a time when Member States and governing bodies have made a call for more prioritization of the agency’s work. In this context, the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs has expressed its financial commitment of EUR 6.8 million to support the strengthening of UN-HABITAT’s substantive work in these three priority areas. A new project will be the vehicle through which UN-HABITAT deepens its knowledge, expertise and impact in these areas. To support the implementation of the project, the Executive Director has requested an internal training programme to further build and advance knowledge within the staffing body on these areas, deepen integration between the priority areas, begin a more far reaching process of continual staff learning, and support the institutional change of UN-HABITAT as it further focuses its efforts. The internal training programme is currently under implementation and will be completed by April 2012. It has the following three outputs:
• Increased awareness and knowledge of UN-Habitat staff of the priority areas; • Increased ability of staff to integrate the three priority areas in programming activities in support of sustainable urban development and advocate for them to Habitat Agenda Partners; • Tools and methodologies on the priority areas produced that are readily adaptable for utilization and application with Habitat Agenda Partners such as national and local authorities. The training programme has been designed based on the understanding that all professional staff of UN-HABITAT should have the opportunity to advance their knowledge and understanding of the priority areas so as to benefit the organization as a whole. It is recognized that there are different levels of knowledge within the staff body on the priority areas, and thus different learning needs; some staff are highly knowledgeable and experts in their areas while other staff have less deep knowledge but also possess essential supporting skills and information that can be highly relevant to the different areas. As such the training programme has three different activities to address the different levels of knowledge and skill within the organization on the priority areas. These activities are: i). UN-Habitat Learning Days. A two-day event to be held on 10 and 11 October, 2011 in Nairobi, targeting the broader staff body of the organization. The result of this event will be increased staff awareness and knowledge on the priority areas including the basic elements of each area and importantly the inter-linkages between them. ii). Support Team Training. A second learning event (2 days duration) that will come after the Learning Days Event of October (specific dates to be determined) and cover a narrower group of staff who will be working more directly on the thematic area. The purpose of this training is to move beyond general concepts and knowledge communicated in the Learning Days Event to actually applying such against real world cases and issues. A problem-based learning approach will be applied for this activity. iii). Core Team Training. It may seem counterintuitive at first glance to train the core teams as they are staff with expert level knowledge in their areas. However, learning is a continual process and that even at the expert level it is important to be exposed to new concepts, be challenged and engage in discussions and debates on a regular basis so as to ensure that UN-HABITAT remains at the cutting edge of knowledge. It is estimated that each priority area will have a core team of about 5 to 7 people who can participate in smaller and more focused learning events of their own choosing and design. This consultancy is designed to support the development of materials and delivery of the UN-HABITAT Learning Days and Support Team Training for the thematic area of Urban Planning. Substantive background materials on the new UN-HABITAT focus with regards to the thematic area of Urban Planning will be shared with the consultant at the beginning of the assignment.
RESPONSIBILITIES Learning Days Event a. In cooperation with the focal point for the thematic area of Urban Planning develop a short (3 to 4 page) document outlining the background and focus of the training, the learning objectives for the two-day Learning Days Event, a narrative agenda for a two hour session to meet the stated learning objectives, and relevant hand-outs and/or group exercises to ensure interactivity and participation from staff. One of these hand-outs should be the evaluation questionnaire that will be disseminated to each group of staff at the end of the training sessions. b. As part of the above, develop a presentation using PowerPoint that includes speaker’s notes and list of resources so as to allow dissemination of the material to out-posted staff and Habitat Agenda Partners. The materials included in the presentation should include a wide range of examples with images and illustrations referring to specific urban plans. c. In a mission to Nairobi, deliver the training during the Learning Days Event (will consist of the two hour session, delivered three times over the course of two days to different groups of staff). Additionally participate in the round table discussions scheduled on the second day that will highlight synergies between the different thematic areas and key questions and issues raised over the course of the Learning Days Event. Spend one additional day for debriefing with the focal point on Urban Planning. d. Prepare a concise (maximum 8 page not including annexes) report post-event that will detail the training process, the results of the evaluations, the main questions and points raised for follow up and other pertinent details. Support Team Training e. Utilizing the existing background papers and other documentation prepared by the thematic team, and feedback and documentation from the Learning Days Event prepare a short (5 page) document outlining the learning objectives for the Support Team Training Event for the thematic area, and a narrative agenda for the event to meet the stated learning objectives. As part of this materials package develop an evaluation questionnaire to be distributed to the attendees. f. As part of the above, and in cooperation with the focal point for the thematic area of Urban Planning develop a case study that can be utilized for problem based learning in the Support Team Training. This case study should be based on a real case and will serve as the primary vehicle for the training event. Guidance on preparing such case studies will be provided by UN-HABITAT’s Training and Capacity Building Branch. In preparation for this, review relevant Urban Planning case studies from UN-HABITAT, focusing on UN-HABITAT pilot countries, and incorporate these case studies in the training materials. g. In a mission to Nairobi, facilitate the support team training based on material prepared in points d, e and f above. h. Prepare a concise (maximum 8 page not including annexes) post-event report that will detail the process, the results of the evaluations, the main questions and points raised for follow up and other pertinent details. COMPETENCIES Professionalism: Knowledge of concepts and approaches relevant to the thematic area of Urban Planning and ability to conduct independent analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations. Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to present the content of the thematic area in a clear and concise manner. Planning and organizing: ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgment in the context of competing deadlines. Creativity: Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches, takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”, and offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Client Orientation: ability to identify clients’ needs and matching them to appropriate solutions; establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients.
EDUCATION Advanced University degree (masters or similar) in a field deemed relevant to the subject areas covered by these Terms of Reference such as urban planning, architecture, international development, training, or similar.
WORK EXPERIENCE • A minimum 10 years of experience working in the field of international development with a specific focus on the area of Urban Planning • Previous working experience with international development assistance agencies is required • Demonstrated ability to write documents such as methodologies, case studies, training outlines, and research papers • Independent research ability is required • Previous experience in delivering training and developing training outlines on the related subject matter LANGUAGE SKILLS English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
OTHER SKILLS • Proficient in use of Microsoft word, Excel and PowerPoint. • Ability to be flexible with changes in timelines REMUNERATION Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. 25 per cent of the total is payable upon completion of outputs a and b. 25 per cent payable upon completion of outputs c and d, 50 per cent payable upon completion of outputs e, f, g and h. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement. Travel costs (airplane ticket economy class), transfers, and daily allowance as per the UN rate is payable in addition to the daily fee.
ITEM ACTIVITY TIME FRAME (tentative) OUTPUT A (Learning Days) Development of learning days event training outline (3 to 4 page), including elements such as the background and focus of the training, the learning objectives for the two day Learning Days Event, a narrative agenda for a two hour session to meet the stated learning objectives, and relevant hand-outs and/or group exercises to ensure interactivity and participation from staff. One of these hand-outs should be the evaluation questionnaire that will be disseminated to each group of staff at the end of the training sessions. October 03, 2011. Training outline produced B (Learning Days) As part of the above, develop a presentation using PowerPoint that includes speaker’s notes and list of resources so as to allow dissemination of the material to out-posted staff and Habitat Agenda Partners. October 05, 2011 Presentation developed that includes speaker’s notes. C (Learning Days) In a mission to Nairobi, deliver the training during the Learning Days Event (will consist of the two hour session delivered three times over two days to different groups of staff). Additionally participate in the round table discussions scheduled on the second day that will highlight synergies between the different thematic areas and key questions and issues raised over the course of the Learning Days Event. . Spend one additional day for debriefing with the focal point on Urban Planning. October 9, 2011 (briefing); October 10 -11, 2011 (training); October 12, 2011 (de-briefing) Training delivered to UN-Habitat Staff D (Learning Days) Prepare a concise (maximum 8 page not including annexes) report post-event that will detail the training process, the results of the evaluations, the main questions and points raised for follow up and other pertinent details. October 21, 2011 Post-training report produced E (Support Team Training) Utilizing the existing background papers and other documentation prepared by the thematic team, and feedback and documentation from the Learning Days event prepare a short (5 page) document outlining the learning objectives for the Support Team Training Event for the thematic area, and a narrative agenda for the event to meet the stated learning objectives. As part of this materials package develop an evaluation questionnaire to be distributed to the attendees. February 1, 2012 Training outline produced F (Support Team Training) As part of the above, and in cooperation with the focal point for the thematic area of Urban Planning develop a case study that can be utilized for problem based learning in the Support Team Training. This case study should be based on a real case and will serve as the primary vehicle for the training event. Guidance on preparing such case studies will be provided by UN-HABITAT’s Training and Capacity Building Branch. In preparation for this, review relevant Urban Planning case studies from UN-HABITAT, focusing on UN-HABITAT pilot countries, and incorporate these case studies in the training materials. March 1, 2012 Case study developed G (Support Team Training) In a mission to Nairobi, facilitate the support team training based on material prepared in points D, E and F above. April 1, 2012 Training facilitated H (Support Team Training) Prepare a concise (maximum 8 page not including annexes) post-event report that will detail the process, the results of the evaluations, the main questions and points raised for follow up and other pertinent details. April 30, 2012 Post-event report produced
Applications should include: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: 1. Educational Background (incl. dates) 2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) 3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) 4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments 5. Expectations regarding remuneration
All applications should be submitted to: Ms. Anne Kuria UN-HABITAT P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: anne.kuria@unhabitat.org Fax: + 254 20 762 4881
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 31 August 2011
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
No comments: