Urban Planner Specialized in Infrastracture

CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Issued on: 10 December 2014

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-HABITAT

DUTY STATION:MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE

FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Urban Planner Specialized in Infrastracture

DURATION:9 months (80 Days) from 30 January

CLOSING DATE:10 January 2015

BACKGROUND

UN-Habitat in Mozambique is implementing an innovative Achieving Sustainable Urban Development (ASUD) programme in the Nampula-Nacala corridor, as a response to the growing demand in the country for sound urban development approaches and techniques and to foster the new Urban Agenda for the 21st Century.

In effect, the booming economic investments in the corridor put an unprecedented pressure on municipalities (e.g. Nampula, Nacala, Tete) and districts for land allocation, while the capacity for planning are extremely poor. As a result, slums and unsuccessful resettlements might generate and gains from economic investments lost at local level in the futureß. The raising awareness of local authorities of the need to plan in order to maximize the benefits of the private investment generates a demand for planning support, which is not matched by the current capacities at local level.

The programme epitomizes the new approach to Urban Sustainable Development and promote basic principles of planning, through the three-legged approach: an enabling legal environment; local economic development; and physical planning. This approach will be central in the discussion of Habitat III.

Thanks to the participatory design from 2012 to 2013 the ASUD has been designed to address problems arising from and with this economic development in the urban areas in the areas of 1) Physical Planning for Local Development; 2) Local Economic Development; 3) Urban basic service delivery; 4) Urban national policy support; 5) sound urban legal environment.

The ASUD is becoming a reference on the matter and has the support of the Government of the Province of Nampula, the Municipality of Nacala Port, the District Administration of Nacala a Velha and Nacala Port.
Within this work, UN-Habitat has developed a Conceptual plan at inter-district level aiming at planning the urban system of Nacala as one, and has prepared the conceptual design for the extension of the two areas. In the current phase, detailed plans in Nacala a Velha and Nacala Port must be delivered as well as a similar work initiated in Nampula.
A team of national planners and economist is working and should be supported by an international planner specialized in infrastructure, possibly a Civil Engineer with experience in Physical Planning to deliver the plans by 2015.

RESPONSIBILITIES

To achieve the above, the Consultant will:

• Participate in the discussions –technical and conceptually oriented- in the planning of the target areas in Maputo and in the field as required
• Support the design of Detailed Plans for Nacala Velha and Nacala Porto (x 2) that integrate the UN-Habitat Urban Approach to Use, Density, and Public Space (to be provided by UN-Habitat) to a scale of 1:5000 to 1:2000 through a number of consecutive sketches that will progressively integrate the comments from the Communities and Authorities, and consequently in electronic format.
• Assist and advice to junior planners and architects in the technical deliveries
• Contribute to improvement and finalization for publication of the territorial model produced by the team in 2014 (1:60,000) by producing one territorial model map and a set of maps based on the existing database
• Contribute to the finalization of the conceptual model (at 1:30,000) scale for the extension of Nacala (NP and NV) divided in two macro-areas and based on the existing database produced at 1:60,000 and initial sketches produced by the ASUD team

COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Expert knowledge and understanding of civil engineer, infrastructural issues in physical planning. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Knowledge or understanding of countries in transition (especially Mozambique) and adaptation related challenges and priorities. Ability to conduct data collection and technical assessment using various methods, including field missions and interviews. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. •Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. •Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. •Technological awareness expert use of AutoCad 2014; Illustrator; ArchGIS and other relevant software. Keep abreast of the innovations; deliver technical advise to other members of the team

EDUCATION
Advanced University degree, (Master's degree or equivalent) in Architecture or related field of study, with a focus on development issues. A first university degree with a combination of at least five years professional experience in the field of Adaptive Architecture and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree

WORK EXPERIENCE

• At least 8 years of working experience with relevant knowledge of housing/public building construction and reconstruction in flood, cyclone, earthquake and drought-prone areas;
• At least 5 years of architectural working experience in developing countries. In-depth knowledge of the context of Mozambique and sub-region is an important asset;
• Working experience in disaster risk reduction construction works;
• Working experience in School reconstruction and/or Emergency education;
• Experience in working with high level Institution representatives, Ministries, and National or Local Authorities

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluent in Portuguese is a must and working knowledge of English

OTHER SKILLS

• Exposure to and working experience in small towns and rural areas, including public consultation and community involvement and capacity to deal with local community representatives and builders

REMUNERATION
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.

HOW TO APPLY:

Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• 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
   • Cover memo (maximum 1 page)

Please also 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

All applications should be submitted to the following e-mail: info.mz@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 10 December 2014

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