UN-HABITAT Junior National Urban Designer

Job ID/Title :UN-HABITAT Junior National Urban Designer
Brand :UN-HABITAT
Application Deadline : 25-Nov-14
Duty Station :Ramallah
Languages Required :Arabic,English,    
Duration of Initial Contract :Six months
Expected Duration of Assignment :Six months

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Background:
The National Urban Designer will work under the overall supervision of the International Chief Technical Advisor / Team Leader for the occupied Palestinian territory, and the direct supervision of the International Urban Planner/Project Manager.
He/she will be part of UN-HABITAT's Support Team to urban planning related projects. He/she will take the lead on specific expected results assigned to him/her.
He/she will build up and maintain a network of local organizations and professionals working on planning related matters, liaise with relevant counterparts with the Palestinian Authority, sister Agencies and project partners on project activities, as requested by the Project Manager.
 
Description of Responsibilities:

The overall goal of the aforementioned programme:
-Preparation of statutory plans and development frameworks for Palestinian communities to realize authorized increases in building rights, enhance sustainable development and build resilience through participation in planning processes;
-Enhanced Palestinian capacity for planning in Area C;
-Coordinated advocacy for changes in the restrictive planning system of Area C based on comprehensive information and monitoring system.
-Existing plans are benchmarked against international ‘quality standard’ and Advisory Board pronounce on planning system applied.
-Real time, spatially accurate information available on plans and their approval for effective advocacy, in the form of a database and digital platform within the Ministry of Local Government.
-10 Design Schemes for Community Infrastructure prepared.
-Up to 10 Community-driven Plans and/or Development Schemes prepared for vulnerable communities (including Bedouin/herding communities), including up to 6 statutory Local Outline Plans.
-2 Pilot Development Schemes for Economic Hinterlands of already planned built-up areas prepared and for a cluster of localities prepared.
-1 Pilot Regional Development Scheme for a central section of Area C, as contribution to the National Spatial Plan 2025 for Independent Palestine
-10 Communities including Village leaders and their Councils strengthened to take up development control role.
-Effective involvement of women and youth in all participatory activities related to this project through the implementation of a specific gender strategy.

Responsibilities  
-The Urban Designer will contribute in particular to the community guided urban and landscape designing processes and projects in the selected communities in Area C.
-The Urban Designer shall demonstrate a higher level of planning skills, serving as a mentor to the planning staff (consultants and UNVs). The individual’s greater focus shall be on preparing creative landscape and place making site designs and innovative solutions for complex and unique projects in Area C, derived from various degrees of site diversity, community consultation through participatory methods.
-The Urban Designer is expected to be able to efficiently address and adapt to unique project challenges as the design progresses through the municipal and client approval processes.
-The Urban Designer should be an active resource for the interpretation of complex planning limitation in Area C and project specific restrictions.
-The Urban Designer should be seeking new opportunities to keep themselves and the planning team current and above standards. The individual should have a general understanding of ongoing projects in the office and actively seek opportunities to mentor sites design development.
-The Urban Designer should be helping with the implementation of the “Planning Support Programme to Palestinian Communities in Area C”;
-The Urban Designer should be working closely with the Management and Technical Team of the implementing partners.
-The Urban Designer should provide day-to-day administration of the planning practice.
-The Urban Designer is responsible for the successful execution of the defined objectives and plan.
-The Urban Designer is responsible to monitor and maintain an appropriate level of accountability.
-The Urban Designer is expected to organize and conduct field visits on regular basis.
 
Impact of Results
The Junior National Urban Designer will support the Project Manager in proper knowledge management with regard to urban planning issues in the occupied Palestinian territory, and strengthen information flow between UN-HABITAT HQ and local HABITAT partners through representation, liaison, networking, and attendance at meetings, workshops and conferences. 
Competencies :
-Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seek to develop oneself professionally and personally; contribute to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; show willingness to learn from others; seek feedback to learn and improve;
-Communication: strong conceptual skills combined with a proven ability to write technical and normative documents addressing a variety of audiences;
-Teamwork: must be able to operate in multicultural teams in a flexible manner;
-Accountability: should be able to perform her/his duties under pressure and with deadlines.
-Excellent urban and landscape designing skills
-Good analytical skills, which means the ability quickly to identify the key subject(s) in complex and dynamic situations
-Good creative skills, that translate problems into opportunities and generate pragmatic proposals
-Good motivation and collaborative skills
-Experience with capacity building activities (teaching, consulting, programs similar to this one)
-Experience with facilitating inter-institutional cooperation, stakeholder involvement and working with teams
-Good oral and written communication skills; proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English, while oral communication skills in Hebrew would be considered a great asset.

Qualifications :
Education:
- BA Degree preferably in urban design and landscape architecture, or related field/or a bachelor degree
Experience:
- Minimum of three (3) years working experience on urban and or landscape designing, urban planning and development issues,
Other  Requirements:
-Command of and availability of technical tools (i.e. CAD drawing software, etc.)
-Proficient in website and internet applications, database management, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), image and publishing software (Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).
-Valid driving license
 

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“UNDP/PAPP is an equal opportunity employer: applications from both internal and external men and women will be considered equally”
 
UNDP actively supports the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations General Assembly
 
Important message to all applicants!
-Please be aware that the UNDP/PAPP will review your application only if you have uploaded Personal History Form (P.11) to your application. Please download the form from the following link: http://jobs.undp.ps.
-You will get the opportunity to upload the P-11 at when you apply for the position.
-Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applications that are under consideration will be contacted.
-For more detailed information about UNDP/PAPP please visit our website at www.undp.ps.

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