Spatial/Urban Planner with United Nations - HABITAT Kosovo Dead Line 10 April 2011‏‏

Spatial/Urban Planner with United Nations - HABITAT Kosovo Dead Line 10 April 2011‏‏

UN-HABITAT has been actively assisting Kosovo institutions in the field of
governance, spatial planning and municipal administration since 1999. This
assistance is now conducted under the “Municipal Spatial Planning Support
Programme” with financial support of the Swedish Government. The Programme is
implemented in the municipalities where some of Kosovo’s secondary cities are
located (Pejë/Peč, Prizren, Gjilan/Gnjilane, Ferizaj/Uroševac and Mitrovica).
The Programme is working also in smaller municipalities: Junik, Hani i Elezit,
Mamusha/Mamuša, Graçanicë/Gračanica and Partesh/Parteš.
The UN-HABITAT staff in each office works with their municipal counterparts as
the MuSPP team on the various projects. Components and objectives of the Municipal Spatial Planning Support Programme MuSPP2’s overall development objective is to contribute to improved and sustainable living conditions of the citizens of the participating
municipalities through enhanced municipal spatial planning and development.
The specific objective of this Programme is to build capacity and institutional
structures for improved and inclusive municipal and urban development planning.
The resulting plans should guide public and private investments and sustainable
municipal and urban development. http://www.scholarshipandphd.blogspot.com/

Purpose of the Post
The general purpose of the post is work together with municipal planners, the
Municipal Planning Team, civil society and key stakeholders in formulating and
drafting a Municipal Development Plan (MDP)/ Urban Development Plan (UDP) for
the Municipality of Graçanicë/Gračanica. Whilst the post is primary to work with
the Municipality of Graçanicë/Gračanica it is expected that the incumbent will
also assist on demand basis the Municipality of Partesh/Parteš with spatial
planning related activities.

Skill Sets Required
A range of skills will be required in: spatial and urban planning; project
management; development control; transport and mobility planning; urban design;
environmental planning; infrastructure planning; local economic development
planning; rural planning; stakeholder and civil society participation; housing
policy & finance; informal and unplanned settlement regularisation; disaster
risk assessment and management; and law relating to planning and development.
All the professional officers are expected to build the skills, experience and
knowledge of their counterparts through a variety of means but primarily
involving learning by doing, side by side in-service training methods.

Main tasks
Under the direct supervision of the International Planning Advisor based in
Prishtina/Priština, as coordinated with the Prishtina/Priština-based Planning
Unit Coordinator the Spatial/Urban Planning Officer, will mainly be responsible
for the Municipality of Graçanica/Gračanica but will also assist the
Municipality of Partesh/Parteš in performing the following main tasks:

1. Provide technical on-the-job assistance and guidance to the municipal
planners and municipal planning bodies, on a daily basis, using an inclusive
planning process.
2. Provide technical support and advice in the formulation and drafting the
Municipal Development Plan (MDP) and Urban Development Plan (UDP) for
Graçanicë/Gračanica Municipality, this will include;

· Assist in the establishment of MPT and other necessary groups,
· Work with municipal planners to develop a detail project plan for drafting the
MDP/UDP,

· Draft the Municipal Profile jointly with Municipal planners and the MPT,
3. A major objective of the post is to build the skills and experience of our
counterparts.

4. Assist with translation and interpretation, both verbal and written, when
required or as instructed by the SE regional office supervisor/the CTA. Provide
language quality checks of written materials.

5. Assist in building the skills and experience of our counterparts, institution
building of municipal planning units, promoting dialogue among local authorities
and civil society and other key stakeholders;

6. Provide logistical and administrative support and performing any other
functions and task as required.
7. Provide monthly progress reports for the Prishtina office.
8. Perform any other functions and tasks which may be required by the nature of
the programme’s activities and as assigned by the Head of the South East Region
Office/the Planning Coordinator/the CTA.

Duty Station
The work shall be performed from the Municipality Graçanicë/Gračanica, with
travel to Partesh/Parteš Municipality as required. It is also expected that the
National Spatial/Urban Planner would reside in the Graçanicë/Gračanica
Municipality or the vicinity thereof. Transport to and from work will be the
staff member’s responsibility.

Competencies
Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject
matter. Good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Conscientious and
efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.
Communication: Excellent and effective written and oral skills; ability to
persuade people with varying points of view and to present information in a
concise and accurate manner, ability to clearly communicate links between the
organizations. Planning and Organizing: Proven ability to plan, coordinate and
monitor own work and that of others. Ability to work under pressure and uses
time efficiently. Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjust
priorities as required. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to
achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by valuing others ideas and
expertise and is willing to learn from others.

Qualifications and requirements
NOTE: The quality and extent of the person’s qualifications, skills and
experience in the requirements below will determine the grade/level to which a
successful applicant will be appointed

· University degree in spatial planning, environmental planning, urban design,
architecture or equivalent academic degree, plus professional practical
experience in related field;
· Familiar with the Law on Spatial Planning and other relevant legislation
within the field of urban and spatial planning.
· Good knowledge and understanding of best practices within the field of urban
and spatial planning. International experience would be an advantage;
· Experience with innovative participatory planning approaches and modern
planning techniques; understanding of European trends and concepts in planning.
· Capable of working in a team and who undertaking initiative to ensure smooth
relations and open communication within the team and with partners
· Good analytical, solution defining and creative skills.
· Computer skill is a requirement and working knowledge of GIS will be advantage

· Good command of English – reading, writing and speaking.
· Proficient command of Serbian is an essential requirement
· Knowledge of other languages spoken in Kosovo is an asset.
· It is essential that the candidate be able to meet deadlines for reporting and
all project work.

Special considerations
The candidate should be:
· Familiar with, and committed to the goals of UN-HABITAT
· Willing to take responsibility, act professionally at all times, and make sure
tasks are fully completed
· Sensitive to gender issues and issues of concern to vulnerable groups
· Flexible and prepared to pursue goals through teamwork
· Willing and flexible to work particularly in smaller Serb majority
municipalities as well as any other partner municipalities in Kosovo.
· Express enthusiasm and willingness to continue learning new skills and share
experiences with other members of the team
Applications
Applications should be submitted by email. The application should consist of: a
completed United Nations personnel form–P11 (available at
http://www.unhabitat-kosovo.org/vacancies/form.asp) and a covering letter that
addresses how the applicant meets the Qualifications & Requirements as well as
the Special Considerations. Such persons may be asked to present their
portfolio of work in the interview. They will also be required to submit at the
interview originals of their degree certificates. Note that applications without
the P11 form cannot be considered

Applications quoting the vacancy number should be submitted to:
recruitment@unhabitat-kosovo.org

Closing date: 10th April 2011. Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Please note that applications received after the closing date will not be
considered.