VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 8 Sept 2011
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: | UN-HABITAT |
| DUTY STATION: | Tanzania |
| FUNCTIONAL TITLE: | Planning and Health consultant, Tanzania A study on the linkage between planning and health, and well-being in Eastern-Africa cities |
| DURATION: | One month spread over 2 months |
| CLOSING DATE: | 15 September 2011 |
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for human settlements and the focal point for the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the Habitat Agenda. UN-HABITAT is also the task manager of the human settlements chapter of Agenda 21 and it is responsible for promoting collaboration with central governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector as well as with all other partners involved in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, and in the tasks related to the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) - especially Goal 7 Target 7c: Reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation; and Target 7d: Achieve significant improvement in lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020.
However, it is to be recognized that in the wake of the urban transition, which saw more that 50% of humanity living in towns and cities in 2007, the human settlements agenda has moved to the urban front. In this regard UN-HABITAT has been collaborating with a number of organizations, amongst which is the World Health Organization (WHO), to promote sustainable urban development. In a Memorandum of Understanding that is about to be signed between UN-HABITAT and WHO the two organizations have committed themselves to undertake joint activities which fulfill the following main objectives:
- To elevate urban issues in the national agenda with a sharper focus on health and quality of life;
- To generate evidence for sustaining action on social and environmental determinants of health in urban settings;
- To build capacity and empower local governments, communities, and urban poor to act on modifying the determinants of health;
- To advocate for inter-sectoral policies and multi-sectoral activities for urban health and development.
Healthy Urban Planning
This is one project area that UN-HABITAT and WHO are engaged in to explore the linkages between urban planning and health and well-being in urban areas. There is growing evidence that there is a close link between the natural and built environment and the health and well-being of its residents. The natural and built environment influences the health of urban residents through geography, and climate, housing quality, water and sanitation systems, air quality, and transportation systems and infrastructure. Among the potentially health promoting facets of the built environment are: urban form that facilitates non-motorized forms of travel such as walking and bicycling; accessibility and affordability of safe housing and community-based health facilities; and open spaces and parks in close proximity to home, work, and school that engender physical activity and social engagement.
In this regard, since the focus of urban planning is to design and create a sound built environment, urban planning has a direct impact on the determinants of health in urban settings, and hence can provide a framework and a mode for reducing health inequities in cities. Healthy urban planning is urban planning which is conscious of heath and health inequities which exist in urban areas and tries to address them in a holistic manner. UN-HABITAT and WHO would like to engage consultants to undertake studies on the linkages between planning and the health and well-being in East and Southern African cities. The study will be undertaken in Kenya and Tanzania, which from a quick appraisal that UN-HABITAT has undertaken, shows that they have some on-going work in this area.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Duties of country consultants (Tanzania)
- To undertake a documentary analysis (official records, reports, publications – print and digital) with a view to identifying key issues and developing a framework for understanding the linkage between planning and health and well-being in urban settings.
[No less than 100 references should be included for the above review and analysis]
- To identify and select 2 urban centres in the country which have a population of more than 200,000 and which in the last 10 years have initiated major urban spatial planning programmes. For each of these urban centres to:
- Examine the major planning parameters that have been used to guide the process;
- Assess the degree to which the social and environmental determinants of health were incorporated;
- Provide a synopsis of the overall ‘health profile’ of the urban centre;
- Evaluate the emerging health outcomes from available evidence;
- Describe specific health related programmes (with physico-spatial dimensions) that may exist within the given planning area;
- Examine the possibility for introducing changes which can lead to further improvements in health and wellbeing in the given urban centre;
- With the data and information obtained from the 2 urban centres, develop a matrix that demonstrates the connection between planning and health and well-being in the country.
- From the experience of the 2 urban centres (as well as other experiences similar urban centres in the Developing World) identify the policy, institutional, regulatory as well as monitoring and evaluation elements required for enhancing the role of planning in health and well-being within cities;
- Submit a report incorporating all the above - of no less than 25 pages (1.5 spacing, font of 12, A4 size), including tables, diagrams and maps, but with annexes separate.
Methodology
The study will be undertaken in Kenya and Tanzania. In each country a consultant will be selected to undertake the study in 2 cities. Country consultants will be expected to work in teams involving a variety of professionals related to the subject matter but not limited the public health and urban planning professions. They will review available literature within UN-HABITAT and from other sources. Furthermore, they will be expected to undertake internet search, review official records/plans in the relevant cities, and undertake focus interviews with their officials.
COMPETENCIES (maximum of five)
(1) Planning and Organising (2) Communication (3) Teamwork (4) Accountability (5) Creativity.
EDUCATION
Masters Degree in one of the following and similar experience in at least one other: Urban Planning, Public Health, Health, Sociology, Architecture, environmental science or related field.
WORK EXPERIENCE
Solid working experience in one of the fields with a mimimum of five years in that field. In addition, good working knowledge on at least one or two of the other required aspects.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English is mandatory the required local language would be an advantage.
OTHER SKILLS
Good research skills and good communication skills.
REMUNERATION
A lump-sum payment of US$ 7,500 will be paid to each country consultant. The mode of payment will be as follows:
- 30 percent of the consultancy fee upon presentation of an acceptable progress report covering task number 1 on the duties of the consultant;
- 70 percent of the consultancy fee upon presentation of the final report;
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. 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.
| Applications should include:
All applications should be submitted to: Deadline for applications: 15 September 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 |
Planning and Health consultant, (Tanzania), DEADLINE: 15 September 2011
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