VA-Urban Specialist

‫برنامج األمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية‬
‫ شارع عبد هللا الجزار – عبدون الشمالي‬4
‫ األردن‬88844 ‫ عمان‬448144 ‫ب‬.‫ص‬
448-4-9448441 :‫ فاكس‬448-4-9484114 :‫هاتف‬
UN- Habitat
Vacancy Announcement
th
Issued on: 10 February 2015
th
Vacancy No.
VA-02-2015
Deadline:
24 February 2015 at 12:00 pm
Post Title:
Urban Specialist
Contract Type / Level:
Service Contract for 9 months
equivalent to SC10
Post Duration:
9 Months (renewable)
Working Days:
Full time (9 months)
Location:
UN-HABITAT, Jordan Programme/
Amman, Jordan
Organizational Unit: Jordan Programme
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United Nations 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.
Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The service provider will be working full time and will be
located in the office of UN HABITAT in Jordan. The incumbent reports to the Head of Jordan Office;
PURPOSE OF ASSIGNMENT AND RESPONSIBLITIES
Within limits of delegated authority, The Urban Specialist reports to the Head of Jordan Office from his/her base in
Jordan to contribute to regional urban development activities, regional strategy, Regional Observatories network.
The position will support UN HABITAT contribution to Jordan United Nations Assistance Framework process as per
UN HABITAT Mandate, National Urban Development efforts including support to individual municipalities urban
observatories, assist in institutional and capacity assessment/restructuring of Housing and Urban Development
Corporation in Jordan and develop and facilitate the start up of regional affordable housing network in cooperation
with Housing and Urban Development Corporation. The position will manage small and medium scale urban
activities that will be formulated in Jordan in cooperation with Cairo Regional Office if required.
The Urban Specialist shall take essential role in supporting and strengthening of UN-HABITAT Jordan capacities to
support governments’ efforts in ensuring equitable sustainable development through climate change
mitigation/adaptation, Housing system restructuring and Municipal Management.The main responsibilities for the
Urban Specialist include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
To facilitate and support the JAH Programme to: develop and oversee the implementation of a housing
market assessment; to assess supply side constraints for affordable housing (land, regulations,
municipal and developer capacity); and to help develop innovative affordable housing designs in Jordan.
To facilitate and support the Jordan Office in the identification, development and delivery of other
Housing and related projects, programmes and initiatives as may be required.
Provide capacity development support through preparing knowledge tools including a range of project specific
technical guideline documents and facilitating networking with partners and programmes contributing to the
enhancement of the policy dialogues at UN-HABITAT.
Monitor, analyze and evaluate programme/ project development and implementation, reviewing relevant documents
‫برنامج األمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية‬
‫ شارع عبد هللا الجزار – عبدون الشمالي‬4
‫ األردن‬88844 ‫ عمان‬448144 ‫ب‬.‫ص‬
448-4-9448441 :‫ فاكس‬448-4-9484114 :‫هاتف‬
and reports, identifying problems and issues to be addressed and initiating corrective actions, liaising with relevant
parties, ensuring follow-up actions
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)
12)
13)
14)
15)
16)
17)
18)
19)
20)
Assist in formulation of new projects on Sustainable Urban Development/ National Spatial
Strategy/Climate change and cities at the National Level or City Level.
Identify potential opportunities to support poor communities affordable housing and assess to basic
urban services in cities particularly women and vulnerable group.
Contribute to an assessment of Housing and Urban Development Corporation of Jordan structure and
capacities and develop a project for strengthening the capacity of Affordable housing institutions.
Involve civil society organizations and community leaders in the municipal and urban initiatives.
Maintain a network of donors and NGOs to support new projects and initiatives on sustainable Urban
Development, Affordable Housing, Municipal Management and Finance.
Assist in resource mobilization for Urban Development and housing related initiatives.
Advocacy and Promotion of the UNHABITAT New Urban Agenda among UNHABITAT national partners.
Coordinate and organize workshops, seminars and conferences relevant to UN-HABITAT mandate in
Jordan
Participate in the country activities related to the Millennium Development Goal to eradicate abject
poverty through the “Cities Without Slums” target.
Promote information sharing, urban observatories initiation in Jordanian Cities and assist in preparing
position papers on decentralization, local development, Disaster risk reduction and planning among
other urban development issues.
Assist in providing direct technical support to the Urban Development Unit at Ministry of Planning and
International Cooperation (MOPIC) as well as Housing Urban Development Corporation (HUDC).
To support the UNAF process and principles. Provide strategic guidance and coherent technical support
and share knowledge of good practices and lessons,
Link up the operational work at Jordan National Level with UN-HABITAT Regional and Global normative
work.
Assist the Programme Manager in formulation and update of the Habitat Country Programme Document
(HCPD)
Represent the Jordan Country Office in UNAF monthly Working groups’ meetings;the Environment
Working group and the shelter Working Group.
Any other duties assigned by the Chief of the Office.
UN CORE VALUES AND COMPETENCIS




Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures generally and in particular those
related to programme/project administration, implementation and evaluation, technical cooperation,
programming and budgeting. Understanding of the functions and organization of the work unit and of the
organizational structure and respective roles of related units. Ability to perform a broad range of administrative
functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full
involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
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; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing
information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely
valuing others’ ideas and expertise; 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 & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority
‫برنامج األمم المتحدة للمستوطنات البشرية‬
‫ شارع عبد هللا الجزار – عبدون الشمالي‬4
‫ األردن‬88844 ‫ عمان‬448144 ‫ب‬.‫ص‬
448-4-9448441 :‫ فاكس‬448-4-9484114 :‫هاتف‬



activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when
planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which
one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with
organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight takes personal responsibility for
his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve
problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on
new and unusual ideas.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession;
actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and
subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE




Education: Advanced university degree in Architecture, Urban Economics, Town Planning or Social
Science.
Experience: Minimum of 10 years experiance in spatial planning, City and Regional Planning, Community and
Local Economic Development, urban design, and any other relevant experience, Experience in the UN system
and /or Urban developmet in Arab region and Jordan will be an asset. He/she must have proven track
record in advocacy, and strong networking skills. He/she should have a positive attitude and enthusiasm
about the general UN work and Urban Development Projects. He/she should be able to work in team and
possess good IT knowledge, PMP project management, computer skills and advanced GIS.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post
advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official United
Nations language is an advantage.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Representatives and officials in national and local
governments, non- governmental organizations and consultants. Officers and technical staff within UNHABITAT Jordan Programme, technical advisors within UN-HABITAT headquarters, UNCT, UN
Development Assistance Framework priority working groups.
APPLICATIONS



Interested candidates should complete the United Nations Personal History form (P.11) and together with
their CV’s forward it electronically at the following email address: jobs@unhabitat.org.jo
Please indicate the post and the vacancy number you are applying for.
th
Deadline: 24 February 2015 at 12:00 pm.
Notes:




Equally qualified women candidates are encouraged to apply.
Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Candidates are encouraged to submit their application electronically.
UN-HABITAT reserves the right to re-classify the post.