Architect

Architect (Urban Planner -GESI,Climate adaptation)

Job categories: Urban Development, Urban Planning/Design, Climate
Vacancy code: VA/2023/B5516/26309
Department/office: AR, SAMCO, Nepal
Duty station: Kathmandu, Nepal
Contract type: Local ICA Specialist
Contract level: LICA Specialist-8
Duration: Open-ended subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and/or satisfactory performance

Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement.

Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.

General Background

UNOPS is an operational arm of the United Nations, supporting the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian, and development projects around the world. Our mission is to help people build better lives and countries achieve sustainable development.

UNOPS Nepal context:

During 2015 – 2022 UNOPS Nepal has engaged closely with the Government of Nepal and several development partners in the reconstruction efforts of the government of Nepal including assessment of damaged buildings and enrolment of beneficiaries into housing grant schemes. UNOPS supported homeowners engaged in the reconstruction process, modernization and improving policing services, retrofitting damaged houses and reconstruction of disability-friendly schools, and delivering some essential equipment to support COVID-19 response efforts. The functional objective of UNOPS Nepal is to deliver its projects efficiently and effectively in alignment with government priorities following UNOPS rules and regulations, to achieve the outcomes sought by the Government and funding partners, and contribute to the achievement of SDGs.

While ensuring gender, diversity and inclusion is mainstreamed in all its projects, UNOPS Nepal is currently working on several new engagements to support the government of Nepal under Health, Rule of Law, Climate Change, DRR, Urban development, procurement support among others and create new opportunities and jobs for the people of Nepal.

Assignment Context

In alignment with government priorities, the UNOPS Nepal country office looks forward to providing long-term strategic and advisory support to the country by enhancing the capacity of national and sub-national governments and partners within all three tiers of government. By prioritizing evidence-based planning, capacity building, and developing model projects for creating sustainable and inclusive cities UNOPS Nepal country office also aims to build strong relationships with urban municipalities at the local level. Aiming to create sustainable cities by promoting a green and resilient, climate adaptive, and socially inclusive development approach the assignment will focus on integrating urban planning and design in municipal infrastructure implementation processes, focusing on public spaces.

Position Objective:

The Urban Planner supports the Project Manager to implement climate adaptive and GESI inclusive approaches for creating sustainable cities. The project assists in addressing these challenges by raising the demand for quality public space, piloting public urban infrastructure, and enhancing the urban planning and design capacity of the selected municipalities. He/she will support the Project Manager in technical and capacity-building activities based on the results obtained through stakeholder engagement. Work packages may include desk research, policy recommendations, development and review of technical project documents, stakeholder engagement, field observation, etc.

Please note that the job offer is subject to signing of the project agreement and availability of funds.

Functional Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Urban Planner in collaboration with the team members and the project stakeholders will perform the following tasks:

Summary of functions:

• Infrastructure development
• Community engagement and participatory design
• Policy Review and Recommendations
• Knowledge Management

Infrastructure development:

• Produce and review technical documentation for infrastructure development focusing on public space in order to ensure the project designs are innovative, inclusive, and climate-resilient.
• Study and disseminate municipal plans such as Integrated Urban Development Plans, Urban Transportation Master Plans, and Local Adaptation Plans for Action – among others- to ensure the project infrastructure development is aligned with the municipal policies and plans

Community engagement and participatory design:

• Conduct participatory design processes in selected municipalities to ensure the final project designs meet the expected quality standards.
• Document learnings of the participatory design approach in order to inform project designs.
• Support the project team to develop technical project documentation in coordination with municipal engineering units.

Policy Review and Recommendations:

• Analize the results of the project’s stakeholder engagement initiatives such as workshops, consultations, and informal meetings -among others- in order to identify gaps and best practices to inform the project team.
• Desk review of current municipal plans, federal urban policies, and strategies in Nepal to inform the project’s policy review team.

Knowledge Management:

• Support the organization of architectural design competitions focusing on inclusive and resilient public spaces, maximizing the quality of their outputs and enhancing their visibility.
• In coordination with the project team and the academia, identify global best practices in the area of inclusive and resilient urban design to be implemented in Nepal.

Impact of Results:

The effective and successful achievement of results by the Urban Planner directly affects the intervention of UNOPS to create sustainable cities enhancing climate adaptive and gender and social inclusion approach. This enhances UNOPS’ competitive position as a partner of choice in sustainable development and project services in the country/region served.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, architecture or physical planning from a recognized University is required;
• Master’s degree in urban planning, architecture or physical planning from a recognized University or equivalent is desirable but not required.

Experience:

• Minimum of four-year experience in urban planning and design is required.
• Previous experience in participatory planning and design processes will be an asset.
• Experience working with the UN or other Humanitarian/Development agencies will be an asset.
• Previous experience in working in municipal urban planning and/or design in Nepal will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English, and Nepali is required.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.
• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.
• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).
• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.
• Open to change and flexible in a fast paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.
• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.
• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreements (LICA)
Contract level: LICA Specialist 8

Contract duration: Ongoing ICA – Open-ended, subject to organizational requirements, availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. For more information on a retainer contract here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

Application period: 07-Jul-2023 to 23-Jul-2023