Urban Planning Expert, International ICA (Output based), DS Kyiv, UN HABITAT

Rationaleandcontextofthe assignment

UN-Habitat has been called upon to support early recovery in Ukraine to promote urban and territorial recovery and regeneration towards a greener more resilient healthy and inclusive urban future. The Ukrainian government has a strong ambition to build back better where urban recovery planning and design on territorial town and neighbourhood level can play a vital role in making cities and towns more sustainable and resilient. Aspects such as mixed land use provision ofhousing and public space improved accesstopublicandsocialservicesandfunctionswillbeimportantincludingpromotionoflocaleconomic and housing especially their application on local level for reconstruction of the built environment. UN- Habitats support will inform progress towards implementation of the SDGs and New Urban Agenda.

UN-Habitatssupportbuildsuponthreemaininter-linkedcomponents;1)supporttothenationalgovernment and ministries for the improvement of regulatory frameworks and instruments for a sustainable urban recovery; 2) support to urban and territorial recovery towards more inclusive green and healthy urban recovery in selected regions (Oblasts) and municipalities (hromadas); 3) strengthened urban planning capacity among urban stakeholders and specifically within public institutions.

For component two UN-Habitat and the Urban Lab have provided technical support in urban recovery to several hromadas for the development of urban profiles and the subsequent preparation of urban recovery plans in the short- medium- and long-term development perspective. As a result eight statutory plans including Comprehensive Recovery Programmes (CRPs) and Integrated Development Concepts (IDCs) were developed using a participatory evidence-based and integrated spatial planning methodology.

UN-Habitat Ukraine aims to expand support to hromadas closer to the frontline where the urgency of recovery requires a faster streamlined and scalable planning process. To support this UN-Habitat seeks to develop a rapid methodology for preparing CRPs that enables early identification of priority projects while maintaining a proportionate level of participatory and evidence-based engagement adapted to the realities of near-frontline conditions.

The incumbent will notably contribute to the development of this methodology and must have an urban planning background with specialist expertise within in areas such as urban resilience environment/climate shelter/ housing land and properties or other related area and experience in crisis settings.

Under the overall supervision of the Head of UN-Habitat Ukraine Office and the direct supervision of the Head of Ukraine Urban Lab or his/her designated mandated representative(s) the Urban Planning Expert will:

• Contribute to the development of the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology (selected sections cross cutting themes such as climate adaptation green recovery and environmental safeguards to support sustainable and long term resilient urban recovery outcomes);
• Map out stakeholders engaged in targeted regions (oblasts near the frontline) (incl. humanitarian actors) and analyse current activities and coordination mechanisms institutional capacity and available data;
• Develop new partnerships and engage with potential implementing partners that could support selected sections of the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology;
• Assess relevant technical and coordination capacities at the oblast level and develop a strategy for engaging with oblasts in support of local recovery planning;
• Support the design organisation and facilitation of participatory multi-stakeholder knowledge-sharing events to co-create and disseminate lessons learned and promote best practices as well as the knowledge production;
• Develop a project proposal supporting the delivery of housing solutions for affected households in partner municipalities.

ResultsExpected

The ultimate result of this assignment is to provide strategic and technical support to the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology and UN-Habitats engagement in the shelter/ housing sector.

OutputsandExpectedDeliverables

The assignment is expected to commence on 2^nd February 2026 subject to contract signature in order to meet the output deadlines outlined below.

The duration of the assignment is fixed at two months. No extension of duration or additional remuneration shall be granted beyond the delivery and approval of the outputs listed above. All outputs shall be reviewed and approved by the Head of UN-Habitat Ukraine Office or his/her delegated representative as a condition for payment.

Workinglocationandtravel

The assignment is output-based and requires the expert to perform the work from Kyiv Ukraine due to the nature of the assignment and the need for in-person coordination with national and local counterparts. Travel within Ukraine for site visits technical missions and stakeholder engagement may be required in support of the agreed outputs. Travel within Ukraine will be covered by UN-Habitat in accordance with applicable rules

Competencies

Professional: Technological Awareness. Keeps abreast of available technology understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks shows willingness to learn new technology.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Excellent drafting ability and communications skills both oral and written; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; Ability to prepare written reports that are clear concise and meaningful.

Team work:Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supportsandactsinaccordancewithfinalgroupdecisionevenwhensuchdecisionsmaynotentirelyreflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation:Considers all those to whom services are provided to be clients and seeks to see things from clients point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Planning and Organizing:Ability to prioritize activities and assignments and to easily switch between different projects.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Advanceduniversitydegree(mastersdegreeorequivalent)inArchitectureUrbanDevelopment Urban Planning and Design or a related field.
• Afirst-leveluniversitydegreeincombinationwithtwo(2)additionalyearsofqualifyingexperience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience in the field of urban development environmental resilience and shelter provision (and/or related fields) with direct proven experience of programme/project management is required;
• Strong knowledge of the United Nations system international financial institutions donors and international NGOs engaged in development and humanitarian response; and proven experience in coordinating multiple stakeholders;
• Urban Recovery Planning in Ukraine orfromotherurbancrisis/post-crisiscontextsis required;
• Strong technical knowledge of shelter and settlements including durable housing solutions is required;
• Sound record of methodological tools development in support of urban recovery;
• Proven experience in capacity strengthening of local partners and authorities;
• WorkingknowledgeandunderstandingoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals(andtheir monitoring/evaluation) and of the New Urban Agenda is an asset;
• Working experience with international development agencies and in particular the United Nations is an asset.

Language

• FluencyinwrittenandspokenEnglishisrequired.

SpecialConsiderations:

ThecandidateshouldbefamiliarwithandcommittedtothegoalsofUN-Habitatandhave:

• Clear knowledge and understanding of theories concepts and approaches to urban development planning and design housing provision particularly in an international development context including crisis and/or post-crisis contexts;
• Strongurbanplanningskillsinrelationtoprinciplesforsustainableurbandevelopment;
• Strongcommunicationsskillsincludingwritingpresentingandfacilitatingworkshops;
• Ability to develop methodological tools knowledge products and concept notes;
• Ability to develop strong graphic materials as well assubstantive reports;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team in multi-national/ cultural environment andflexibility in understanding and accepting different assignments;
• Abilitytoleadandprovidetechnicalguidancetoaninternationalteam;
• Ability to work under pressure prioritize and meet deadlines; work well under time constraintswhile retaining attention to detail and;
• Abilitytomanagedatadocumentscorrespondenceandreportsinformationandworkflow.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and as such we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission are valued can thrive and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment exploitation and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment sexual harassment exploitation discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates therefore undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description experience and educational requirements.

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