Background
Governments at the 19th Session of the UN-Habitat Governing Council, adopted by consensus resolution 19/18 calling on UN-Habitat to establish a Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People (SHSPPP) and a Technical Cooperation Trust Fund (TCTF). The long-term development objective of the SHSPPP is to improve the human settlements conditions of the Palestinian People and in so doing contribute in a modest way to reaching peace, security and stability in the region. During the recent 23rd Governing Council, a new resolution was adopted, requesting UN-Habitat "to further focus its operations on planning, land and housing issues in view of improving the housing and human settlement conditions of Palestinians, addressing the urbanization challenges, supporting the building of a Palestinian State, humanitarian action and peace-building, in the areas where there are acute humanitarian and development needs, identified through technical assessments by UN-Habitat in coordination with all concerned parties".
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 post is located in the Special Human Settlements Programme for the Palestinian People.
UN-Habitat is leading the implementation of a 5.5-year EU funded Project: “Quality Urban Development and Sustainable Interventions – Rehabilitation for Revitalization (QUDSI-R4R)” in partnership with local technical and academic entities. The Project aims to improve socio-economic conditions for Palestinians in the Old City of Jerusalem by rehabilitating towards revitalizing historic sites as a catalyst for Palestinian integrated urban regeneration. The activities of the project focus on strengthening the old city’s Palestinian intergovernmental coordination; Rehabilitation and maintenance as well as business development and sustainability of key areas in the Old City; as well as professional capacity building for individuals who work in the Old City’s regeneration, advancing their professional development in several core competencies capable of unlocking new commercial opportunities in the economic sector. In parallel, the project also includes an interconnected track of Technological Empowerment and Innovation directed to Palestinian youth”
Funded by the European Union, UN-Habitat is seeking an Urban Planning Expert to work under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager. This position is associated with the QUDSI-R4R project in the occupied Palestinian territory and has an expected duration of two years. The annual extension of the Service Contract will be contingent upon satisfactory performance evaluation and the availability of funding for the project..
Duties and Responsibilities
The Urban Planning Expert will fulfil the following functions:
A. In specific, he/she will support the technical data gathering, design, follow-up and implementation of QUDSI-R4R Project through:
1. Lead the project’s team in quality oriented, cost-effective and timely execution of the project’s technical work, related to the following areas of specialties: -
- Physical Rehabilitation
- Intergovernmental Coordination
2. Technical management and supervision of both desk and field activities, assignments, and plans spearheaded by UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the project management team, implementing partners, and consultants. This includes, but is not limited to:- Preparation, follow-up, documentation, conclusion and archiving of the rehabilitation work’s technical designs, time-plans and deliverables; in close cooperation with the Welfare Associations (Taawon) management and engineers; including but not limited to the structural, civil, mechanical and electrical engineers; with extra-emphasis on architectural activities, as well as specialists such as archeologists, historians and business development specialist.
- Preparation, follow-up, documentation, execution and archiving of the intergovernmental coordination workplans, time-plans and deliverables through the Palestinian President’s Office; in close cooperation with the it’s Jerusalem Unit.
3. Preparation, follow-up, documentation and archiving of comprehensive and routinely programmed technical visits/meetings/action plans with project’s implementing partners, as related to rehabilitation, and intergovernmental coordination.
4. Preparation, follow-up, and documentation and submission of a detailed weekly technical tracking sheet(s) connected with each of the two technical specialties.
B. In general, he/she will support the management’s data gathering, design, follow-up and implementation of QUDSI-R4R Project through: -
1. Coordination among all project partners and stakeholders to ensure streamlined and efficient implementation of all project activities and help achieve the project’s goals and expected results.
2. Facilitating all project community and stakeholders’ consultations and documentation of consulting processes and outcomes.
3. Ensure local ownership of the process and streamlined and efficient implementation of all project activities.
4. Maintain, archive and disseminate accurate management records and reports.
5. Ensure proper coordination for sites visits.
6. Efficient support for implementing partners
C. He/she will also support any other project-related activities, needs, duties or outcomes as needed/will arise under the direction of UN-Habitat management..
1. Support rehabilitation work which continues to be provided to generate local economic development and build resilience, especially to women and youth groups within the targeted the Palestinian communities
2. Develop a formal structure that can effectively lead community change efforts.
3. Promotes learning and data-driven decision making, provides quantifiable results to help the involved parties to learn from project successes and challenges and be more adaptive.
D. Lead the implementation of the project’s baseline study (Site-Specific Analysis), ensuring timely and quality completion. . This includes closely coordinating with consultancy firm and all relevant stakeholders in all stages of the assignment, review the findings and deliverables, organize meetings and workshops to verify compliance to project’s obligations the findings and the identified interventions.
E. Lead the oversight of capacity building, training modules and workshops with counterparts; most notably as associated with academia and rehabilitation local implementing partners.
F. Coordinate with the Business Development Associate and oversee the development of detailed work plan/s for the design and implementation of the rehabilitated sites and oversee the implementation with the relevant counterpart.
G. Lead and conduct regular site visits with associated on-site and off-site meetings to coordinate and oversee the implementation of the project activities.
H. Lead the planning, execution and monitoring of technical maintenance plans as well as technical operational plans of existing/upcoming sites within the project.
I. Supporting the Project in effective and timely execution of the UN-Habitat components in the project by providing appropriate Monitoring and Evaluation support through periodic documentations and field follow- ups on the implementation of the project activities.
Competencies
Core Competencies:
Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work
Level 2: Analyzes complex technical materials (including data) and makes concise, relevant recommendations
Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
Level 2: Proactively identifies new opportunities and challenges
People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
Level 2: Takes ownership of responsibilities
Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
Level 2: Understands, explains and shares information on assigned tasks with accuracy and clarity
Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
Level 2: Meets goals and timelines for delivery of products or services;
Technical/Functional Competencies:
Teamwork: Ability to work in harmony with other team members and provide support where needed, and build consensus for task purpose and direction with team members.
Level 2: Execute & Learn: Execute & Learn: Perform defined tasks
Accountability: Ability to take ownership for work and honors commitments and deliver outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time cost and quality standards.
Level 2: Execute & Learn: Performs defined tasks efficiently and deepens knowledge of area of work
Knowledge Management and Learning: Ability to shares knowledge and experience. And actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills.
Level 2:Execute & Learn:Performs defined tasks efficiently and deepens knowledge of area of work
Leadership and Self-Management: Ability to Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback. Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude and remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.
Level 2: Technical Assistance: Performs defined tasks efficiently and deepens knowledge of area of work
Development and Operational Effectiveness: Ability to perform a variety of specialized tasks related to Results Management, including support to design, planning and implementation of programme, managing data, reporting. Ability to provide input to business processes re-engineering, implementation of new system, including new IT based systems. Good knowledge of Results Management Guide and Toolkit.
Level 2: Execute & Learn: Performs defined tasks efficiently and deepens knowledge of area of work
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
• Advanced university degree (Masters or equivalent) preferably in Architecture /Urban Planning or related engineering field is desirable.
Experience:
• Minimum of 5 (Five years working experience on urban planning and development and related issues.
• Work experience in historic rehabilitation projects is an asset.
• Proven understanding of critical urban and development issues in the occupied Palestinian territory, especially the old City of Jerusalem.
• Proven track record in large-scale community and public events management is a must.
• Familiarity with UN procedures; and UN-Habitat in particular is an asset.
Language Requirements:
• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic; Hebrew language is an asset.
Other:
• Experience in project development, administrative/financial management and reporting.
• Results-orientation, cross-cultural communication abilities and abilities to work in the team.
• Proven leadership, presentation and diplomatic records.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize and to work under pressure.
• Excellent networking and partnering competencies, resource mobilization and negotiation skills would be an advantage.
• Experience with international organization and familiarity with UN conventions would be an asset.
• Ability to use information technology as an effective tool and resource.
• Excellent working knowledge of MS Office-Word, Excel, Power Point; AutoCad, Sketchup, V-ray and Adobe In-Design.
• Sound judgment, excellent analytical skills, strong networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan, organize and coordinate work and to cope with a demanding workload is expected.
• Valid Jerusalem Driver License is an asset
TO APPLY:
APPLICATIONS WITHOUT THE COMPLETED UNDP P-11 FORM WILL BE TREATED AS INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.
UNDP P11 form (new Personal History form) (google.com). Kindly ensure to upload both CV and P-11 as one document as the system will only allow one attachment.