2021-05-11

Terms of Reference for Technical Coordinator (Urban Planning) at MPWRH – Hirshabelle State, Somalia

Hirshabelle State, Somalia
Posted on May 11, 2021

UN-Habitat

Terms of Reference for Technical Coordinator (Urban Planning) at MPWRH – Hirshabelle State, Somalia

ANNEX D

Terms of Reference

Terms of Reference for Technical Coordinator (Urban Planning) at MPWRH – Hirshabelle State

BACKGROUND

The Hirshabelle State Ministry of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing (MPWRH) is the responsible line ministry that deals with urban planning, formulation of policies and regulations and provision of technical support to the national and local governments on public infrastructure and urban management. Its headquarters are located at Jowhar and the ministry has regional and district level offices across the state. In recent years, the rapid urbanization has accelerated in Hirshabelle State, driven by high natural growth migration, conflict and climate change, putting a strain on basic urban services and making it difficult to manage the growth of urban centres. The State government and local authorities have been unable to adequately cope with most of these challenges partly due to lack of qualified technical personnel in the public sector, who are able to solve complex urban management and integrated land use planning, and lack of planning standards for sustainable urban development with clear roles and responsibilities for inclusive and participatory urban planning processes.

The Ministry of Public Works Reconstruction and Housing receives technical support for capacity building to fulfil its mandate through the UN Joint Programme on Local Governance, Somalia Programme (JPLG), jointly implemented by the following agencies: ILO, UNCDF, UNDP, UNICEF, and UN-Habitat.

Major activities of the cooperation between the Ministry and UN-Habitat related to Urban Planning in 2020/2021 are the following:

Implementation urban planning activities including technical trainings for ministerial and district staff related to urban planning and urban management;

Technical support for MoPWHR to strengthening its capacity in spatial planning (data collection and resilience planning); and Support for public awareness related to urban land management.

The Technical Coordinator (Urban Planning) consultancy will be supported through an Agreement of Cooperation between MPWRH and UN-Habitat, represented by its Somalia Programme, Regional Office for Africa (ROAF), under JPLG.

The Consultant will be working under the overall coordination of the Director General at MPWRH. She/he will be responsible for the management and coordination of various projects and capacity development activities linked to urban land management legislation and urban planning.

She/he will report to the Director General.

Due to many cross-cutting issues, it is expected that the Urban Planner will work closely with other departments of the ministry, as well as with district councils and the UN-Habitat

National Programme Officer in Hirshabelle and the assigned Human Settlement Officer from UN-Habitat’s Somalia Programme.

The selected candidate should be willing to undertake frequent missions to project districts.

The consultant will be paid upon agreed deliverables (workplan).

RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizing Urban Planning Capacity Building activities within the ministry and for technical staff of selected Hirshabelle’s districts;

Collaborating with other technical coordinators at MPWRH and contributing to the collection, validation, updating, maintenance and storage of data related to urban development, urban risk and resilience;

Within the delegated authority, the Technical Coordinator (Urban Planning) will be responsible for the following duties related to the above listed fields:

Managerial and coordination duties

Report on progress of assigned project work to supervisors and administration of funds committed to project work.

Coordinate with other departments in the ministry and other ministries, development partners and agencies, involved into urban planning matters.

Provide administrative and substantive support to planning consultative and training workshops, conferences etc., including agenda topics, identifying facilitators and participants and handling logistics.

Act as liaison with consulting professionals in urban planning and land management legislation and policy matters.

Liaise with assigned UN-Habitat staff on technical matters.

Capacity Development related activities

Develop a work plan for training activities on urban planning for technical staff of the MPWRH, staff from supported districts and staff from ministries crucial to urban development planning and coordination of infrastructure works;

Provide substantive support in the preparation of training materials and presentations related to urban planning.

Support capacity development activities for districts, for example preparation of trainings and training materials.

Provide technical assistance and training of assigned ministerial staff in urban planning matters (in-house, training-on-the-job).

Evaluate the effects of various capacity development related activities and makes proposals for further improvements.

Urban Planning analytical and technical work

Develop project design and organise field and site visits; organise coordination meetings related to participatory urban planning with ministry supported districts, mainly focused on but not limited to Jowhar and Beledweyne to review resilience plans, Community Action Plans, and other relevant urban development plans and strategies and support the finalization and approval of the documents.

Support Mogadishu Visioning Exercise by making substantive contributions to the Mogadishu Metropolitan Area’s spatial strategies.

Provide technical support in spatial and socio-economic data compilation for urban planning purposes, for example urban profiles.

Prepare background study reports / development proposal reports or assist in the production of documents, in close collaborate with districts and other concerned ministries.

Design and develop map contents and produce basic maps, for example mapping of projects and stakeholders.

Provide technical expertise on reports, concept notes etc. and provide substantial inputs to development plans at various levels (district, regional and national level).

Assist in preparation of meetings of urban planning stakeholders and follow-up on activities related to assigned urban planning projects.

Other duties

Other assignments may be given upon request of the Ministry, for example technical advice to Director General and Minister on urban planning matters.

DURATION

The consultancy is expected to run through the duration of the Agreement of Cooperation between MPWRH and UN-Habitat with an expected completion by December 2021 and follows its implementation schedule. A comprehensive workplan will be elaborated and approved with the supervision of MPWRH and UN-Habitat ‘s Somalia Programme, with the definition of detailed deliverables.

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism:

Knowledge and understanding of basic theories, concepts and approaches relevant to Urban and Development Planning;

Have conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis;

Familiar with various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases;

Ability to conduct, process and apply spatial- and socio-economic data and reflect critically on their usage for production of analytical maps and planning proposals;

Have spatial sense and ability to think strategically;

Ability to manage assigned work in professional manner, e.g. structured, forward looking, in time;

Shows pride in work and in achievements; and also, persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;

Service oriented and loyal to employer.

Communication:

Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;

Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;

Can adjust communication style to various situations, for example presentation, planning discussion, inter-ministerial working group;

Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Teamwork:

Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;

Willing to learn from others;

Places team agenda before personal agenda;

Supports and acts in accordance with decisions, 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 and workplan;

Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for time contingencies; adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently;

Report in time when challenges occur that hamper accomplishment of assigned tasks; foreseeing risks and allowing for contingencies when preparing work plans and project timelines;

Maintain a close collaboration to project partners (service-oriented) and UN-Habitat.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

A first-level university degree in urban planning or architecture and civil engineering with specialisation in urban and regional planning and urban management or engineering management.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years working experience in urban planning and management of development related projects and programmes. Work experience in government sector is an advantage.

Language

Strong written and oral skills in both Somali and English are a requirement.

Other skills

Knowledge of basic computer programmes such as Word, spread sheet, email and internet search functions is essential. The same is for presentation skills and experience in moderation and mediation. Profound ARC GIS and / or AutoCAD knowledge is an advantage.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. The recruitment process will be done in close collaboration of MPWRH and JPLG.

Gender

Applications from qualified women will be highly welcomed.

All applications should be submitted to:

Officer-in-Charge

UN-Habitat Somalia

P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya

Email: Officer-in-Charge, UN-Habitat Somalia: unhabitat-som@un.org

Deadline for applications: 24 May 2021