Background

Please provide Offeror’s Letter and proposal together with your CV and cover letter (if applicable) in one single file while submitting application. And please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading. Below is the download link of Offeror's Letter. 

Offeror's letter download link: 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GYP7hMPX3qJAbiy7KZppiWqR4JdKFYv4/view?usp=sharing

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.

Within UN Habitat, the Urban Planning Practices Division supports governments and local authorities with tested approaches, guidelines, and tools to plan the growth of cities in an inclusive, sustainable, and future-proof way, in tune with social, cultural, economic, and environmental concerns and particularities.  The Division has 5 Sections which are closely related: (1) Planning, finance and economy, (2) Policy, Legislation and Governance, (3) housing, land and Shelter, (4) Basic services, and (5) Social inclusion.  

The consultant will support the UN-Habitat and Planning Finance and Economy work on health and territorial planning in China and globally in two key areas of work; (A) The International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning (IG-UTP or Guidelines), and  (B) Urban planning for the improved environment and well-being particularly related to urban health and associated areas of work such as public space, resilience, environment amongst others. 

Duties and Responsibilities

International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning (IGUTP)

In order to support with the implementation of the IG-UTP, the consultant will undertake the main activities to expand the Urban and Territorial planning portfolio; gathering evidence, tool development, partnership monitoring and support the implementation of the Guidelines. 

  1. Support the global dissemination of ideas in urban and territorial planning, including managing the 2ndCompendium of Inspiring Practices process; 
  2. Coordinate collaboration between The IGUTP and Universities; 
  3. Take forward the IGUTP and related events (GS-UTP 2018, Workshops, book launch, among others and the 2020 global report, etc);  
  4. Support the design and preparation of the 2020 Global symposium on Urban and Territorial Planning;
  5. Coordinate collaboration between the IGUTP and other partners and expand the partner’s network (China Planning Institutes, SALGA, SPP Japan, African Union and others); 
  6. Deliver meetings and workshops related to the IG-UTP, with the aim of identifying training needs and demand by working with key international, national and local stakeholders at local, regional and country levels; and
  7. Support the development of the national and regional planning portfolio by drafting concept notes, project proposals or others as required, in collaboration with relevant regional and country offices; 

Urban planning for  improved environment and well-being

  1. In collaboration with WHO, coordinate the work on planning and health including the work on the “Sourcebook on integrating health into urban and territorial planning”, in order to support the global, regional and national dissemination (e.g. Asia and the pacific region) and jointly explore implementation mechanisms; 
  2. Coordinate the finalization and implementation of the training manual on Integrating Health into Urban and Territorial Planning; 
  3. Coordinate collaboration between existing and new health-related partners (e.g. WHO, UHWB, IUE, ISC, ISUH);
  4. Provide technical support to the organization and delivery of Expert Group Meetings, technical workshops and training sessions on integrating health into urban and territorial planning (an EGM on Resilient Built Environments and Cities, Sourcebook training and support to Wuhan Land Use and Urban Spatial Planning Research Center (WLSP)  on developing healthy cities strategies;  
  5. Gathering data and evidence on health, urban environment and well-being planning approaches, including urban mobility and air quality;
  6. Develop city-wide and territorial planning assessment and indicators for testing and piloting in support cities to develop healthy city initiatives; 
  7. Undertake research and analysis on benefits of green urban environment, financing urban health for better quality of life supporting a post covid-19 recovery;
  8. Support the development of national, regional and global communities of practices on healthy urban environments.; and
  9. Support the translation process of the Sourcebook to Chinese. Including the organization of the book launch in partnership with Chinese organisations. 

General duties within the Unit and agency:

  1. Contribute, assist and give inputs to the following types of documentation for the Section: concept notes, project proposals, reports, background papers, including awareness materials, technical tools, case studies, etc.; 
  2. The consultant will undertake other relevant duties where needed to advance the work of the Section, Division and the Agency, particularly in regard to urban health and covid-19.
  3.  Contribute to the development and drafting to the Memorandum of Understanding between UN-Habitat and the World Health Organization 

Competencies

Professionalism. Shows pride in work and in achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges and remains calm in stressful situations. 

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; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed, Excellent drafting ability and communications skills, both oral and written; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful

Teamwork.  Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; 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. Able to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for contingencies in planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Required Skills and Experience

SUPERVISION

The consultant will be part of the Planning, Finance and Economy Section, and work closely with the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia Pacific and specifically the country office in China.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications, skills, experience:  

Degree level: First degree or equivalent

Education: Urban or territorial/regional planning, architecture, land use planning, urban policy or political science with a focus on urban affairs, or other related fields. 

Work experience:   At least five years of work experience in urban development, urban health, public spaces, urban assessment related work, and/or urban and regional planning and design, or related fields. Experience in operational activities and research and/or policy development work related to urban management issues in developing countries; with strong preference for experience in global approaches. Experience in international settings and knowledge of UN-Habitat activities and its partner programmes would be an asset. The applicant must have excellent communication, graphical and technical writing skills and be capable of working in a multicultural environment.

Language(s): He/she must be fluent in spoken and written English.

Computer skills: Basic knowledge of office software, e.g. Microsoft Office; other software for carrying out research and analysis such AutoCAD, Sketch-up, illustrator, and Photoshop is an advantage.

CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

The duration of the assignment is 6 months.

The post will be located in the Planning, Finance and Economy Section and supporting the UN-Habitat Country Office in China and the  UN-Habitat Regional Office in Asia Pacific. 

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL

  • Proposal: a cover letter with a brief description of why the applicant considers him/herself the most suitable for the assignment and how he/she intends to conduct the assignment
  • Personal CV or UNDP P-11 Form, indicating past experience from similar projects specifying the relevant assignment period, as well as the email and the telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references
  • A financial proposal including all inclusive daily fee.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFER

The successful candidate will be selected through a combined scoring method – where the qualifications of the incumbent will be weighted a max. of 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

Please provide Offeror’s Letter and proposal together with your CV and cover letter (if applicable) in one single file while submitting application. And please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading. Below is the download link of Offeror's Letter. 

Offeror's letter download link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GYP7hMPX3qJAbiy7KZppiWqR4JdKFYv4/view?usp=sharing