Organization Mission

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency based in Nairobi (Kenya-The Headquarter) and active in over 90 countries around the world (including Nepal). It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and settlements with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks.

Context

This UNV assignment is a part of the “Cities 4 Women” project, stationed at Lamkichuha municipality and under UN-Habitat, with the objective to support integrate equitable and resilient urban planning and design in municipal planning and implementation processes, focusing on public spaces.

Cities in Nepal are growing rapidly, with a significant population moving to urban areas in search of better opportunities. This growth and the increasing environmental vulnerability are leading to significant challenges, including the need for equitable and resilient public infrastructures and urban services. The project assists in addressing these challenges by raising the demand for equitable, resilient public space, piloting public urban infrastructure, and enhancing the urban planning and design capacity of the selected municipalities. Through 4 main Outcomes, the project will increase the demand for equitable and resilient public space, generate proof of concept for participatory public space projects, enhance the urban planning and design capacity of the target municipalities, review the legal framework to provide recommendations for policy review, and facilitate joint participation of municipalities and national knowledge institutions in the generation and exchange of knowledge related to participatory processes, urban planning, resilient social infrastructure, and environment-related initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of Habitat Programme Manager and day-to-day guidance of the Project Coordinator and in close coordination with the project team, the UNV Urban Planner National UN Volunteer – Specialist based in Lamkichuha municipality will:

• Conduct desk review of the existing Municipal planning documents including Periodic Plans, Sectoral Plans, Annual Plans, Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP), Land use Plans, and GESI, DRR and Resilience related plans;
• Review and get fully updated on the progress made in the project till date, specially at the municipality level;
• Conduct consultative meetings and workshops with municipalities, wards, communities in the testing and implementation of Urban Planning Guideline;
• Organize participatory and women-focused workshops, community mappings and data collection in municipality and participate in Seven Step Planning Process;
• Carry out co-design equitable and resilient urban interventions at ward level;
• Contribute in selection of municipal and ward level equitable and resilient infrastructures focusing public spaces and integration within their municipal annual plans based on participatory assessment;
• Support the municipal engineering division/ section to develop technical project proposals (including design concepts and drawings) as proof-of-concept open spaces projects in coordination with other relevant municipal division/ section and focal persons;
• Contribute to the project team in developing project reports, documenting project activities, and preparing concept notes and event reports, as well as capturing project learnings and case studies as best practices for wider dissemination.
• Actively participate and provide guidance and support to the local project implementing partner in implementing and documenting project activities, contribute in knowledge dissemination events, workshops, capacity development activities etc.
• Contribute to the UN-Habitat’s technical team to approve the developed proof of concept projects to be co-financed through the project and municipality to be implemented by the municipalities;
• Contribute in monitoring (including but not limited to site supervision and stakeholders consultations) the approved projects for meeting the expected quality standards;
• Support the municipal engineering division/ section to prepare project package of medium scale investment-ready projects;
• Support and contribute in other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor in line with the UNV skills and the project’s needs.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

• As an active UN-Habitat team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UN-Habitat and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
o Municipal urban planning related documents are improved;
o Seven Step Planning Process strengthened by ensuring active participation of women;
o Ward level equitable and resilient spatial projects co-designed;
o Proof of concept projects prepared, and approved;
o Monthly progress reports submitted.

Required Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience to work with municipalities;
• Demonstrated interest and/or experience in designing inclusive, gender sensitive and climate resilient urban planning, focusing on public spaces;
• Motivated to contribute towards peace and development and to serve others;
• Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills;
• Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team;
• Flexible and open to learning and new experiences;
• Respect for all and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions;
• Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded;
• Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Autocad, 3D design software, GIS, Photoshop, social media, and others).

Core Competencies

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN-Habitat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN-Habitat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN-Habitat in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority;
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary;
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN-Habitat’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living Conditions

The municipalities in Nepal provide for an interesting and enriching environment together with huge learning opportunities of local governance, but also requires a deep understanding of cultural awareness, as well as more resilience and commitment compared to major cities of Nepal, to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.