Result of Service

The C2CC will also aim to strengthen the FCC’s technical capacities in the areas of urban regeneration, project management and governance, as well as to create synergies with other ongoing initiatives. In addition, an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) will have to be prepared.

Work Location

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Freetown, the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, located in the west of the country, contributes to approximately a third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product despite housing only 15% of its population (a bit more than 1 million people). Its economy revolves around harbours, tertiary sector services (finance, transport, hospitality, trade, tourism, etc.) as well as construction, manufacturing, fishing and peri-urban agriculture. As most of African primary cities, Freetown attracts a lot of population from inland, especially the youth in search for better opportunities. The growth of the city was exacerbated by the 1991-2002 civil war. As consequence, the city has grown mainly in an unplanned way, experiencing a tenfold growth over the past 50 years, with various negative implications in terms of social, environmental and health risks. This rapid growth has resulted in a high density and the expansion of informal settlements (corresponding to approximately 35-40% of the city population), which have primarily developed along three major spatial patterns; coastal settlement, sprawling inland settlements, and hillside settlements. Given the geological and topographical characteristics of these areas, erosion, landslides, flooding, fires, as well as building collapses are common phenomena. Other challenges are, among others: inadequate infrastructure and basic services provision, frequent power cuts, water and soil pollution due to poor waste management, and a general lack of institutional capacity. There is also socio-economic pressure provoked by the unemployed youth, and lack of dialogue and cooperation between the city administration and the central government. Since the civil war, the infrastructure and built environment of the Central Business District (CBD) has fallen into a bad state of repair both caused and exacerbated by the relocation of many public institutions and businesses to safer and more amenable areas of the city. This has led to falling property values coupled with a reluctance by property owners to pay property taxes, leading to further dilapidation of the built environment. At the same time, the CBD is faced with a growing informal economy. The traffic infrastructure and public transport system are inadequate and inefficient to ensure an adequate movement of high volumes of goods and people. Roads and footways are in poor conditions, and street lighting is lacking. All these factors compel people to resort to private means of transportation which leads to heavy traffic congestion and irregular parking. The few public spaces available and pedestrian areas are taken up by cars, street traders and commercial institutions resulting in limited walkability and safety for pedestrians. In response, Freetown City Council (FCC), the city of Zurich, and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have joined forces to implement a City-to-City Cooperation (C2CC) Programme focusing on the urban regeneration of Freetown’s Central Business District (CBD) based on the wider “Transform Freetown” agenda. Within this framework, UN-Habitat acts as the Cooperation Partner to facilitate the implementation of the C2CC, in collaboration with the GOAL NGO as local implementing partner. For this purpose, UN-Habitat needs to urgently recruit a capable Senior Engineer to support the International Technical Advisor (ITA) in the overall implementation of the C2CC initiative in coordination with FCC and in collaboration with GOAL. 2. Contextualisation of the Project The C2CC aims at supporting the implementation of the CBD Urban Regeneration Programme (CBDURP). It contributes to the overarching statement of the CBDURP that reads: “Freetown’s CBD is an economically thriving city centre with employment opportunities for all income levels and offers safe and inclusive public and green spaces for social, cultural and recreational activities for the city’s residents and tourists alike, while at the same time maintaining an ecological environment”. This is broken down into a set of four subordinate outcomes, namely: Outcome 1: Strengthening the policy framework for integrated urban planning and sustainable development. Outcome 2: Promoting diverse economic activity and income opportunities. Outcome 3: Establishing safe and efficient transportation and mobility. Outcome 4: Enabling safe and inclusive public spaces and a green environment. The C2CC is meant to contribute to the achievement of these outcomes – namely outcomes 1, 3 and 4 – by implementing the following regeneration measures in a defined area of the CBD, namely: • Improving pedestrian areas; • Renewing street lighting; • Introducing a regulated parking system; • Landscaping and greening; • Creating more inviting public space. As part of these infrastructural measures, population and stakeholder concerns will be addressed through participatory engagement and safeguarding measures. The C2CC will also aim to strengthen the FCC’s technical capacities in the areas of urban regeneration, project management and governance, as well as to create synergies with other ongoing initiatives. In addition, an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) will have to be prepared. The C2CC Concept envisages a two-pronged approach: (i) to develop and implement a concrete project as a sustainable solution to urban regeneration of the CBD; (ii) to promote both a technical exchange, including knowledge creation and capacity building, and a policy dialogue. 3. Tasks and Responsibilities The Senior Engineer will be recruited through a consultancy contract and will work effectively as the technical expert to support the above-described project. He/she will be based in the premises of Freetown City Council and will report directly to the Senior Human Settlements Officer, Head of the West Africa Hub and to the International Technical Advisor (ITA). The Senior Engineer will work in close collaboration with FCC and the main Implementation Partner, GOAL. He/she will carry out the following tasks: • Support the ITA in the day-to-day management and execution of the C2CC project, working closely with the recruited UN-Habitat local team, and facilitating the effective communication and coordination with FCC, the city of Zurich, and GOAL. This includes: – Assisting in the elaboration of a project results framework, including the impact assessment and risk assessment & management. – Collaborating with the FCC Project Manager and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to acquire necessary data, technical reports, maps etc, from relevant government agencies and ensure synergies with on-going initiatives. – Contributing to the preparation and regular updating of detailed work plans and timeframes for intermediate and final deliverables. – Monitoring and providing technical oversight of project activities, ensuring that all technical deliverables meet quality standards and deadlines. • Support the ITA in terms of technical expertise: – Support in the preparation of a deeper feasibility assessment of the C2CC to develop a detailed implementation plan to guide procurement, work schedules and work programs. – Work closely with FCC to develop the Action Plan for Area 1 and the master plan of the Pilot Area targeted by the C2CC, including conceptual designs, final detailed designs, technical specifications and other technical deliverables, with the technical support of relevant UN-Habitat departments at HQ. – Ensure extensive stakeholder engagement, participatory mapping, and co-designing of the C2CC interventions in close coordination between FCC, UN-Habitat and GOAL. – Facilitate and supervise the preparation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) in close collaboration with the Environmental and Social Safeguarding Specialist to be recruited. – Conduct a training needs assessment of the FCC and provide training and capacity-building activities in the areas of urban regeneration, traffic infrastructure, project management, and governance. – Assist in the review of existing urban policies and by-laws to enhance local revenue generation. • Support the ITA in terms of resource mobilization: – Participate in meetings, workshops, and other relevant forums to engage potential donors/development partners in FCC and UN-Habitat related activities. – Provide technical inputs to Concept notes on sustainable urbanisation in Sierra Leone. – Conceptualise and undertake outreach and advocacy activities in Freetown. • Perform other technical duties for UN-Habitat in Sierra Leone as required.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, architecture, geography, engineering, land management, sustainable development, social sciences, or any other related field. Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience at the regional and/or international/regional level on human settlements in the areas of urban planning, urban development or urban regeneration, preferably in developing countries is required. Strong understanding of UN-Habitat’s mandate, principles, and operations.

Languages

English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. Fluency in oral and written English language is required.

Additional Information

N/A

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.