UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future with a mission of promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. It is present in Ethiopia since 1998.
While providing its support to sustainable urban development in Ethiopia, UN-Habitat has developed a guiding document called UN-Habitat Country Programme for Ethiopia (2016-2020), building on global frameworks such as SDG 11, the New Urban Agenda and Ethiopia’s 2nd Growth and Transformation Plan. Subsequently, UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Urban Development and Construction (MUDCo) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding which provides the legal framework to implement the UN-Habitat Country Programme.
UN-Habitat Ethiopia is supporting the Government of Ethiopia in strategic and spatial development of regions and cities, promoting inclusive and sustainable development. UN-Habitat is implementing a pilot public space along the Sheger river in Addis Ababa following the launch of an initiative titled ‘Beautifying Sheger Project’ by his excellency Prime Minister of Ethiopia. The initiative aims at renewing the Addis Ababa City and making it green as well as clean. The UN-Habitat project will design and implement an open green space along the riverside and support an integrated watershed management within the sustainable urban land use planning.
The role of the consultant is to support the project team with technical expertise in landscape architecture including development of conceptual, technical drawings, and ensure communities participation at different project stages. The consultant will work together with team members to ensure the delivery of project outputs and to develop communication materials supporting the visibility of the project.
Reporting relationship
- The project lead will directly supervise the incumbent and he/she will be directly responsible to, and reporting to seeking approval/ acceptance of output from Country Programme Manager
- The incumbent is expected to provide weekly update reports and monthly narrative reports in format shared by the project lead. The reports must be shared with the project manager and programme support staff as indicated.
- The incumbent will be part of a team of experts working on the project. He/she is expected to work individually and in a group, collaboratively
- The incumbent is expected to work together with different government officers, representatives of local administration, local academic institutions, civil society, and representatives of local community engaged in the project.
- The project will provide office space, support personnel in Addis Ababa.
The incumbent will have to perform the following assignments independently and in collaboration with the project lead and other team members:
- participatory processes with the local communities, local government, and different organizations.
- Review existing policies and strategies related to the sustainable watershed management, environment and climate change.
- Review of international best practices for environmental and natural resource management of riverside corridors identifying challenges and opportunities of the project area
- Participate in site/neighborhood assessments and development of visual representation of data and site analysis.
- Development of design concepts for spatial interventions in the project area
- training materials on urban riverine landscape management.
- Reports against milestones based on monitoring of project activities.
- Support data collection, establish regular contact with stakeholders
- Keep custody and backup of documents, data and information to be collected in due course of carrying out the various tasks of planning and natural resource management sector study.
- Produce project outputs and other documents including layout and editing text.
- Procurement plan for necessary software and hardware for the project implementation.
- Communication material for projects under implementation, including stories, news.
- Participate in project level meetings and events, support in development of concept notes on public space and landscaping design
- Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
- 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.
- Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
Functional Competencies:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
- Proven ability for building and managing effective partnerships;
- Excellent writing skills, with analytical capacity and ability to synthesize project outputs and relevant findings for the preparation of quality reports.
- Ability to work independently or with minimal supervision with a high degree of responsibility, in a flexible manner and often under pressure;
- Knowledge of financial resources and human resources management, contract, asset and procurement, and general administration;
- Capacity to coordinate and organize a team and to support project implementation;
- Ability to conduct interviews, surveys, and other data collection techniques.
- MA/MSc in Landscape architecture, Urban design or Environmental Science with a strong focus on landscape architecture, with proven experience with projects in urban areas.
- B. A/B.SC plus 6 years` experience also qualifies. Good understanding of urban ecology, riverine landscapes, urban agriculture is preferred. Skills in using digital software for visual representation is desirable. Interest to engage in communication is necessary.
- Minimum 4 Years experience for MA/MSc (and 6 years for B.A/BSc degree holders) in landscape architecture, urban design and Environmental science with a focus on landscape architecture, proven experience in developing conceptual and technical drawings, project implementation including coordination of works. Good experience in communication with stakeholders and communities is preferred. Skills in public relations and communication are an asset.
- Experience in usage of computers and relevant software for design and presentation is desirable.
- Women are highly encouraged to apply.
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of any of the local languages is an asset.
Important applicant information
All posts in the SC categories are subject to local recruitment.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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Contract Duration: One year with possibility of extension