City Coordinator (Urban Planner) for Mysore and Vijayawada

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

 

 

 

Date of Publication: 14 June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Background:

 

 

 

UN-Habitat in cooperation with UNIDO is implementing a Global Environment Fund (GEF-6) supported project on sustainable cities to be piloted in five cities (Bhopal, Jaipur, Mysore, Vijayawada, Guntur). The overall objective of the GEF project is to integrate sustainability strategies into urban planning and management with the end view of achieving the goals of ongoing city-related government projects hoping to achieve livable, workable and sustainable cities. The components of the project include:

 

 

 

·       Integrated urban planning and management – this will include the introduction of tools and internationally accepted methodologies for sustainable cities planning and management, setting indicators according to internationally-accepted standards; a major aspect of this is low-carbon and low-emission planning;

 

 

 

·       Investment pilots in 4-5 cities – the pilot cities will all benefit from the service of mobilizing funding to support technology and/or infrastructure projects necessary for achieving better city services and environmental management;

 

 

 

·       Partnerships and capacity building – developing partnerships with private, public and civil society organizations in implementing initiatives for sustainable cities and building capacity of major players and stakeholders for better governance and project implementation in cities;

 

 

 

·       Knowledge Management – sharing of experiences among Indian cities, and between Indian cities and those abroad which have advanced in building sustainable cities and also those which can learn from the Indian experience; this is also related to the Global Knowledge Platform being set up in relation to the overall sustainable cities program of the GEF.

 

 

 

 

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

 

 

 

Under the overall supervision of the Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat India, the City Coordinators (Urban Planners) for Mysuru and Vijayawada will work under overall guidance of the Urban and Governance Expert and the Senior Urban Planner, UN-Habitat India and will be responsible to undertake the following activities:

 

 

 

1.     Review different planning instruments at city level and develop proper spatialized baseline for sustainable urban planning and decision-making process;

 

2.     Apply Urban Sustainability Assessment Framework (USAF) and methodology to profile baselines and final outcomes based on systematic disaggregation of information along the key planning dimensions;

 

3.     Collate, verify, and regularly update city metrics determined under USAF, and prepare city analytics;

 

4.     Draft city diagnostics and sustainable city strategies based on application of USAF and review of city and state level planning instruments;

 

5.     Prepare urban sustainability and resilience assessment report of the city including identifying gaps and opportunities in the planning process for a multi-scale decision making;

 

6.     Develop spatial maps based on urban sustainability and resilience report, including, risk and vulnerability maps, land use, environmental features, and so on;

 

7.     Finalize the monitoring framework and develop data baselines to showcase main interventions to prioritize;

 

8.     Coordinate with the respective Planning Head (designated focal point) of ULBs/ ULB Commissioners for:

 

o   Formation of Steering committees and stakeholder committees at city level;

 

o   Formation of sustainable city cell;

 

o   Develop stakeholder engagement strategy and procedure including timelines;

 

o   Develop city performance monitoring framework and the reporting mechanism based on agreed indicators;

 

o   Conduct capacity building workshops and training for promoting the use of indicators and planning tools and formation of action plans for developing sustainable city plans;

 

9.     Provide day-to-day technical support and facilitate smooth project implementation as per the agreed workplan for implementation of various activities on component 1 of the GEF-UNIDO Project;

 

10.  Prepare various progress reports on monthly/ quarterly basis for sharing and monitoring purposes of UN-Habitat Country Office;

 

11.  Coordinate and facilitate various trainings, workshops, stakeholders’ consultations and other related activities at city level on regular basis;

 

12.  Maintain close liaison with other members of the sustainable city cell;

 

13.  Represent UN-Habitat on various meetings, consultations and related activities in the respective project city.

 

 

 

Qualifications:

 

 

 

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in engineering, architecture, urban planning/ design, urban studies, or related technical field from reputed universities; or first university degree with additional 2 years relevant experience in lieu of the advanced university degree.

 

 

 

Work Experience: At minimum of five (05) year’s progressively responsible experience in the field of city planning and information systems. Experience of working with UN system and other international organizations/ projects will be considered as an advantage. Ability to use latest software such as ArcGIS, Excel, Photoshop, AutoCAD, InDesign and similar others for design and analysis will be an added advantage.

 

 

 

Competencies:

 

 

 

Professionalism: Sound analytical and problem-solving skills, plus ability to handle a range of equipment used in communication.

 

 

 

Teamwork: Ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

 

 

 

Planning & Organizing: Ability to work with minimal supervision, under the pressure of frequent and tight deadlines often in difficult and demanding conditions.

 

 

 

Communication: Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills and demonstrated ability to explain UN security policies and procedures.

 

 

 

Client orientation: Professional and courteous attitude and demonstrated ability to work effectively in a stressful environment. Receptive towards client needs. Understands that those provided services are clients and seek to see things from a client perspective. Maintains tact and diplomacy at all times.

 

 

 

Language: Excellent communication and fluency in English is required, any other national or official UN language would be an asset. Local languages Kannada and Telugu would be preferred.

 

 

 

Reporting Arrangements:

 

 

 

City Coordinator (Urban Planner) shall report to Country Programme Manager, UN-Habitat India and Urban and Governance Expert and Senior Urban Planner, UN-Habitat India.

 

 

 

How to Apply:   Interested and qualified candidates are requested to please indicate their immediate availability to undertake the assignment as per terms of reference above. The application must be accompanied with a completed UN Personal History Form (P11). Please download the form (MS-Word) from UN-Habitat ROAP website http://www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org/vacancy/index_en.html   The application should comprise of: ·        Completed UN Personal History Form (P11) ·        Recent Curriculum Vitae (CV) Please indicate the Post Title: “City Coordinator (Urban Planner) – [Mysuru / Vijayawada]” in your email subject and send it to: unhabitat.india@un.org   Please note that applications received after the closing date stated below, will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview. Overall remuneration will be determined according to the qualifications, skills and relevant experience of the selected candidate. In line with UN-Habitat policy on gender equity, applications from female candidates will be particularly welcome.   Deadline for application: Friday, 25 June 2021 before 05.30 pm (IST)

 

 

 

Due to a large number of applications expected, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).