Location:

Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Salary:

negotiable / YEAR
Job type:

VOLUNTEER
Posted:

2 months ago
Category:

Engineering, Urban and Rural Development
Deadline:

07/03/2024

JOB DESCRIPTION

assignment(s)

Open recruitment (advertised)

Advertisement end date:07/03/2024

General

Description of assignment title

Spatial Planning Specialist

Assignment country

Guinea-Bissau

Expected start date

01/04/2024

Sustainable Development Goal

11. Sustainable cities and communities

Volunteer category

International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity

UN-HABITAT GNB

Type

Onsite

Duration

12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments

Duty stations

Bissau

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. For close to forty years, UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for villages, towns, and cities of all sizes.

Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote, monitor, and report on progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, with the twin objectives of housing for all and sustainable urban development. UN-Habitat has been actively working in Guinea-Bissau since 2015, with its action embracing a series of areas associated with sustainable urbanisation, including urban resilience, urban/regional planning, urban governance, reduction of land-related conflicts, basic services delivery, affordable housing, urban policy, and related legislation, etc. The Programme in Guinea-Bissau also plays a key role on partnerships with, amongst others, UN sister agencies and the European Union, and especially with the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Urban Planning (MOPHU), the State Secretariat for Planning and Regional Integration (SEPIR) under Ministry of Economy (ME), the Ministry of Environment and Biodiversity (MEB), the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Local Power (MATPL), well as regional and city authorities. UN-Habitat has recently established a new Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) for the 2022-2026 period, building on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) established in 2021, in line with the Government Programme 2020-2023. For this new period, UN-Habitat aims to strengthen its niche position as “thought leader”, setting the global discourse and agenda on sustainable urban development, driving the policy discussion, generating expert and cutting-edge knowledge, shaping technical norms, principles, and standards, and acting as a multiplier in the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices in cities and other human settlements. In Guinea-Bissau, UN-Habitat performs both normative and operational works. On the normative side, it has collaborated with governments at the national, regional, and local level in the development of spatial and strategic plans, e.g., Bissau 2030 and Bijagós 2030. On the operational side, it has promoted initiatives concerning the improvement of public infrastructure (e.g., logistical facilities, sanitation, etc.). In addition, the programme is engaged with two Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) projects associated with land and water governance issues for vulnerable groups across the country, and it is initiating a comprehensive multi-year programme in green and inclusive cities. To coherently implement these projects, UN-Habitat has a Country Office in Bissau, which provides managerial and technical support for projects in Guinea-Bissau. The office is led by a Country Manager, who coordinates with Project Managers and the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) in order to guarantee coherence amongst UN-Habitat activities, the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the country, government priorities, as well as the New Urban Agenda (NUA) principles and the Agenda 2030. Spatial planning plays a crucial role across UN-Habitat’s project portfolio, being also one of the most sought-after capacity-building elements by governmental counterparts in different scales. To ensure adequate technical capacity in the ground and support the technical implementation of the abovementioned projects, UN-Habitat is looking at strengthening the team with a Spatial Planning Specialist to be based in Bissau.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the National Coordinator, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: • Provide technical support to several projects in spatial planning, including regional, city-wide, and community-based territorial planning. • Support desktop and field data collection and analysis (e.g. maps, demographic and socio-economic data, environmental assessments, etc.). • Support the elaboration of urban and community profile studies, portraying their most relevant territorial characteristics and identifying main challenges and potentials. • Realize field missions and consultations with relevant local and regional actors involved in land management issues. • Support the conduction and mediation of participatory consultative and workshop sessions with communities, government officials and relevant actors so as to gather and validate information for the plans. • Engage with government officials at different levels on an ongoing basis to both ensure project is aligned with their expectations and that their capacity is strengthened via on-the-job training. • Support overall project management, including preparation and follow-up of work plans, and identification and engagement with project partners. • Assist in project logistics, including transport and accommodation, and preparation of workshops and other events. • Provide technical insights on other elements associated with project development, such as normative documents related to land governance. • Support fundraising processes for project proposals that include elements associated with spatial planning. • Support and represent UN-Habitat into the UNCT activities

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in • Ability to work independently with a high degree of responsibility, in a flexible manner and often under pressure. • Excellent communication and writing skills. • Ability to work with spatial planning tools, namely GIS. • A minimum of three (3) years of technical expertise in spatial planning and associated fields. • Experience in the conduction and mediation of workshops and consultation processes. • Experience or exposure to the elaboration of spatial plans at the local level. • Working experience in a Portuguese-speaking countries is preferred.

Area(s) of expertise

Information technology, Community development, Engineering and construction

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Portuguese, Level: Fluent, Required Crioulo, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Master degree or equivalent in Urban or City Planning, Architecture, Civil Engineering, International Relations, Business Administration, Social Science, or a related field is required.

Competencies and values

•Professionalism: Within the domain of Spatial Planning, professionalism entails a commitment to accuracy, objectivity, and integrity throughout the entire spectrum of data collection, analysis, and reporting. Professionals in this specialized field are anticipated to strictly adhere to established methodologies, ethical guidelines, and best practices, thereby ensuring the utmost reliability and validity of the information they generate. Furthermore, professionalism in Spatial Planning demands effective communication and collaboration with a diverse array of stakeholders, cultivating an environment characterized by mutual respect and trust. A profound sense of accountability is also paramount for Spatial Planning Specialists, who must take ownership of their actions and decisions, while actively pursuing opportunities for skill development and staying attuned to industry advancements. •Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. •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 & 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. •Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. •Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. •Client Orientation •Commitment to Continuous Learning •Technological Awareness

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

Guinea-Bissau, situated on the West African coast, is a small nation with Bissau as its capital and Portuguese as the official language. With an approximate population of 2 million people and a land area of 36,125 square kilometers, Guinea-Bissau gained independence from Portugal on September 24, 1973. The country’s economy relies heavily on agriculture, particularly the export of cashew nuts. Despite its economic potential, Guinea-Bissau faces challenges such as political instability and a history of military coups since attaining independence. Governed as a republic, the nation uses the West African CFA franc (XOF) as its currency. The country has grappled with economic difficulties and a high poverty rate. The humanitarian operation in Guinea-Bissau stands out as a distinctive endeavor, offering an enriching environment. However, thriving in this setting demands a mature level of cultural awareness and a level of commitment. Living in Guinea-Bissau necessitates more stamina and flexibility than in other contexts, given the potential for harsh conditions, physical hardships, and limited comfort. It is an environment that calls for a special kind of resilience and a willingness to adapt, making flexibility, and the ability to endure challenging conditions essential for those looking to live and work in this dynamic yet demanding locale.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

This job has expired.