Country: Mozambique
Closing date: 28 Jul 2017
CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 14/07/2017ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-Habitat**
DUTY STATION:Maputo - Mozambique
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Housing and Urban Policy expert**
DURATION:6 months with possible extension**
CLOSING DATE:28 July 2017**
BACKGROUND
Mozambique is a low dense, agriculture based country that is exposed to impacts from recurrent climatic-related hazards. Although most people still live in rural areas, the pull towards cities to find better job opportunities and better facilities is high. This leads to unprecedented urban growth with the progressive accumulation of risk in cities and towns and unexploited economic potential, largely due to weak urban governance capacity to manage rapid expansion. Much of the population expansion has been taking place outside, or in the absence of, official planning frameworks. As a result, large numbers of people satisfy their housing needs in informal settlements, often located in high risk areas exposed to a range of natural and man-made hazards and without the access to facilities and jobs due to long distances and poor quality of public transport.
In this context, the United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UN-Habitat) provides technical access, guidance and on-site assistance to know-how for supporting sustainable urbanisation practices with a focus on promoting sustainable urban planning, resilience building to city governments, NGOs, UN, local and national authorities and communities in Mozambique. UN-Habitat supports the government at all levels to unlock the economic potential of cities and regions by working in a participatory way to improve design, develop strategies to enhance municipal finance and to develop the legal framework that is needed to implement, for example through increased access to land and improved land tenure security.
The share of urban population in the country is growing from one third now to 50% over the coming 30 years, resulting in an absolute growth from 9 million urban dwellers now to 30 million by 2050. This will bring a high pressure on the housing stock and quality of housing, as well on the planning of cities and infrastructures. For Mozambique, being a country highly exposed to the impacts of climate change and having more than 60% of its population living near rivers and seas and thus in flood prone areas, climate change adaptation and living with floods is top of mind, especially in high dense areas, thus cities and rapidly urbanising rural areas. Throughout the passed years, the awareness and willingness in the country to work in the field of urban development and housing has been growing and has resulted in the organisation of a National Urban Forum late 2016.
UN-Habitat has been working with the government of Mozambique for more than 15 years, among others in support to preparing a housing policy in 2004 and currently it is supporting the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources with a Global Housing Strategy (GHS). The National Urban Forum, the high exposure to climate change and the rapid urban growth in the country have stressed the need to develop alternative strategies to ensure dignified housing for all. It is estimated that between 70-80% of the Mozambican population lives in informal settlements, so solutions that work at scale in the context of Mozambique need to be found.
In order to get a better insight in development needs and to set the stage for structural improvements in housing and urban development sector, upon request from the government, UN-Habitat will work on the development of a National Housing Sector Profile and work on an Urban Diagnostic. Since UN-Habitat is convinced that a more holistic approach in the housing sector – good and affordable housing being a result of good urban planning and has a very strong relation with land use planning and basic urban service provision – these two are highly interlinked.
The Housing Sector Profile will be developed by a team of national and international experts, in close collaboration with UN-Habitat’s Housing and Slum Upgrading Branch.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Head of Programme of UN-Habitat Mozambique and in day-to-day coordination with the Housing Experts from UN-Habitat’s Housing and Slum Upgrading branch, the consultant will support the development of the Housing Sector Profile. The consultant will work in close collaboration with a senior housing expert. The following tasks are foreseen:
Coordinate the day to day development process of the Housing Sector Profile
Facilitate review of key policy documents and other relevant document
Conduct interviews with samples of stakeholders, board members, and staff
Compile various reports prepared by the national profile team, identify information or analysis gaps, and prepare a first draft profile report
Undertake the drafting of the Housing Sector Profile
Undertake 1st public consultation of the draft Housing Sector Profile.
Organising feedback and finalising Housing Sector Profile
Undertake 2nd public consultation and presentation of the final draft of the report
Prepare the presentation of the final draft of the Housing Sector Profile report by the senior housing expert, submit it again to public scrutiny, discussion and validation of its findings and recommendations, and submit to critical review.
Support the senior Housing Expert in editing final Housing Profile and prepare publication report
Launching the Housing Profile report and organising housing policy dialogue
Ensure the coordination between policy development in the housing and urban sector
**
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of practical disaster risk reduction architecture and adaptation. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Knowledge or understanding of countries in transition (especially Mozambique) and adaptation related challenges and priorities. Ability to conduct data collection and technical assessment using various methods, including field missions and interviews. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is 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 and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Judgment/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
EDUCATION
Advanced University Degree, (Master's degree or equivalent) in Urban Planning, Urban Development, Policy Development, Housing and Land Management or related field of study, with a focus on policy development. A first university degree with a combination of at least six years professional experience in the field of Housing and Urban Policy Development and academic qualifications may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
WORK EXPERIENCE
At least 5 years of working experience in housing and urban development, preferably in Mozambique
In-depth knowledge of the context of Mozambique;
Profound understanding of the housing sector and/or practical experience in developing affordable housing
Good understanding of housing financing
Experience in policy formulation
Experience in working with high level Institution representatives, Ministries, academia and national or local authorities.
Willingness to field travel. Exposure to and working experience in small towns and rural areas, including public consultation and community involvement and capacity to deal with local community representatives and local builders
Experience in planning and urban development
Proven writing skills
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluency in Portuguese is a must and working knowledge of English is required.
OTHER SKILLS
Ability to quickly identify training needs and tailor make training units for various types of audiences;
Good communication and negotiations skills with government authorities and local communities at the provincial and district levels;
Ability to work productively in a multicultural environment and willingness to work in difficult conditions;
The consultant will be based in Maputo. Travel to other parts of the country is required.
REMUNERATION
The total fee (132 days) will have to be determined. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
How to apply:
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
- Educational Background (incl. dates)
- Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
- Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
- Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
- Expectations regarding remuneration
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
Please also be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
All applications should be submitted to:
Mr. Joost Möhlmann
UN-HABITAT MOZAMBIQUE
Email: jorgina.muananoua@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 28 July 2017
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org