Urban Planner at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, Habitat Agenda, Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and Resolution 56/206. Its activities contribute to the overall objective of the United Nations to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development within the context and the challenges of a rapidly urbanising world.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Urban Planner – Aba Industrial Layout

Location: Aba City, Abia

Employment Type: Full Time

Career Category: Program / Project Management

Job Description

The Aba Industrial Layout Component will comprise the following:

• A detailed plan for the Abia State Industrial Layout spanning Osisioma and Isiala Ngwa South LGAs produced at adequate scale to facilitate coordinated planning and development of the axis.
• The Industrial Layout will lay down coordinated land uses and infrastructure proposals, in areas where substantial development is taking place. It will prescribe dimensionally accurate land use zones. within +/- 10m and be legally enforceable.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and working in close collaboration with other thematic Consultants, the Project Team, especially the Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA), the Ministry of Lands and Survey as well as other stakeholders, the Urban Planner: Aba Industrial Layout will be an integral member of the Project Team, working under the supervision of UN-Habitat Urban Lab, the Project Lead and International Consultant to deliver the following:

• Establish and designate appropriate locations for industrial, residential, educational, recreational and other land uses in the local plan area as well as required and permissible plot sizes and densities;
• Establish and current and propose future road networks and circulation systems including pedestrian, walkways;
• Establish regulations as to mix of plot sizes that is supposed to be provided in the local plan area
• Determine heights, densities and ancillary services that must be provided on each site of the local plan area
• Establish the permissible built area to non-built area per plot (floor space index)
• Propose the appropriate levels of infrastructure and utility services requirements, including sanitation and their distribution systems for the local plan area;
• Propose basic social services requirements (with state levels) for the local plan area
• Establish other conditions and development guidelines to ensure functionality and livability in the area is created or preserved.

Qualifications

• The consultant will be a Specialist in Urban Planning with a Local Economics background and GIS experience, as well as relevant experience in planning and development of related projects at the national or international level, is required.
• He / she has also strong conceptual, analytical, technical skills and experience, including:

  • Advanced Degree in Urban Planning and strong background in related fields (e.g., Infrastructure Planning, Engineering)

Work Experience:

• At least five (5) years of progressive experience in research and policy analysis at the local, national and international levels is required.
• Experience of networking; experience of project and program management; experience of conducting policy reviews and preparation of policy recommendations for decision-makers; demonstrable analytical, drafting, reporting and presentation experience; experience of analyzing, summarizing and presenting large quantities of statistics on urban issues using relevant computer software; experience in the coordination of multiple contributors to major reports is desirable; and experience in coordinating trainings, technical, fundraising and capacity building workshops.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Demonstrable understanding theories and concepts related to urbanization including social and economic development, urban economics, spatial development, local economic development and planning, urban, and regional and territorial planning. Strong research and writing skills.
• Demonstrated capacity and experience in the design and implementation of diverse urban planning instruments, notably Masterplans, Local (District) plans and Industrial schemes;
• Ability to review, edit and summarize the work of others. Strong analytical capacity and the ability to identify, analyze and articulate difficult issues/problems.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
• 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.
• 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.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Special Notice:

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station or environs.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should send soft copies of their cover letter and curriculum vitae (CV) to: [email protected] using “Urban Planner – Aba Industrial Layout” as the subject of the mail

Application Deadline  7th June, 2024.