Senior Informal Settlements Upgrading Expert

Result of Service The overall objective of the SLSISUP is to contribute to the achievement of SDG11, Target 1 in Saint Lucia ‘’by 2030, ensure access for all adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums” and the concept of “Leaving no one behind”. Principles echoed by the current administration i.e. “Putting People First”.

Work Location Home based

Expected duration 5 Months

Duties and Responsibilities BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the UN agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmen-tally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is implementing the third cycle of a tripartite partnership programme, the Participa-tory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP) in 40 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacif-ic (ACP). Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme Phase III is a partnership between the Euro-pean Commission, the Organization of the ACP Group of States Secretariat and UN-Habitat that builds on previous investments, lessons learnt, achievements and the partnership network of the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme, Phases I and II since 2008. Goal and Objective of PSUP – Phase III The overall goal of the programme is directly linked to "ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums" (SDG Target 11.1). The PSUP Phase III is structured in two specific objectives, which are: ● Specific Objective 1 (SO1): Strengthen global partnerships and policy dialogue for participa-tory slum upgrading and prevention. ● Specific Objective 2 (SO2): Improve knowledge and capacities for participatory slum up-grading and prevention and slum dwellers living conditions.

The PSUP facilitated the development of the Caribbean Strategy for Informal Settlements Up-grading (CSISU) as a response to a combination of factors, including historic requests for spe-cific attention to the Caribbean sub-region, relevant policy and technical advances (including the drafting of a Caribbean Urban Agenda), recognition by the General Assembly of Ministers and High-Level Authorities of Housing and Urban Development of Latin America and the Car-ibbean (MINURVI), ECLAC and UN-Habitat, throughout the preparatory process and negotia-tions during Habitat III, of the need for Caribbean-specific support for urban development planning from UN agencies.

The CSISU focuses on informality in the region as a policy priority that requires dedicated re-sources and collective know-how to respond to this major issue. It produced an opportunity to galvanize broad-based partnership and innovation and ultimately promote inclusive urban de-velopment and build the climate resilience of the most vulnerable, making great strides towards attaining the Sustainable Development Goals and New Urban Agenda in the region.

PSUP is globally promoting six key principles (see below) to ensure coherent and integrated, inclusive and participatory, people-centred, right based and gender-sensitive, and community-managed and driven approaches and solutions are mainstreamed in all programme development and delivery. PSUP's partners (government and non-government actors) embrace and operate on these common principles.

Saint Lucia Context

Based on the 2010 Census, St. Lucia’s population is 166,5262. This represents moderate popu-lation growth of 5% since 2001. The Census also revealed that the number of households in-creased by 24% during the same period, resulting in an average annual rate of household for-mation of 1,261 per year, and indicating that there has been an increased demand for housing in the country. This increase has been concentrated mainly in the urban districts of Castries and Gros Islet due to the high rural to urban migration rate that has been an important demographic characteristic of the country for the last few decades. However, the 2010 Census indicated that while these districts have maintained their position as the most populous parts of the country, there has also been significant population movement in the last ten years to other areas; such as rural areas of Castries and some of the peri-urban districts around Canaries, Soufriere and Vieux Fort. This phenomenon has contributed to the growth of Informal settlements on the pe-riphery of Castries and other towns.

These settlements vary in size with their population ranging from about 300 to about 1,600 de-pending on their proximity to the urban districts. Settlements in or around Castries are large and densely populated while smaller ones are located in the rural areas. Similarly, the number of households, which range from about 100 to 600, vary in relation to their location. However, the households are not very large; average household size for those in the urban areas is about the same as the national average of 2.8 persons, while household size in the rural settlements is about 3. In most cases, women make up the majority of the population. Single parent families are also in the majority, being as high as 70% in some communities. The residents are normally quite youthful, with the percentage of persons under 30 years being over 50% in most cases. Most of the households, therefore, are single parent, female-headed households with children and/or young people. Many of the residents in the urban settlements are either self-employed or work in the tourism industry; their rural counterparts tend to be engaged as small farmers.

Overall living conditions in these settlements are inadequate. There is an absence of basic phys-ical infrastructure such as pathways, drainage and lighting. Poor housing quality, over-crowded conditions and poor sanitation are also issues affecting these communities. Based on the St. Lu-cia Central Statistical Office’s (CSO) Basic Needs Index – a composite score used to depict a community’s standard of living − all the communities in the country are ranked from Quintile 1 (the poorest) to Quintile 5 (the richest). Informal settlements are mostly in Quintiles 1 or 2 with a few, usually the older and more established ones, being in Quintile 3. This denotes that the Informal communities experience generally poorer socio-economic conditions than other com-munities in the country.

Saint Lucia Housing

St. Lucia’s housing sector is characterized by relatively high levels of home ownership (74%) and private rental (18%) as well as significant numbers of Informal settlements.

Surveys by Saint Lucia’s Department of Housing and Local Government (DOHLG) have identi-fied at least 33 Informal settlements on the island comprising over 6,000 households. Some set-tlements have been in existence for over 40 years. The extent of the problem and the limited availability of suitable Crown lands have constrained corrective actions in the sector. The DCA does not have sufficient manpower to effectively police unplanned developments. In order to partially address the enforcement issue, areas to be regularized have been designated Special Development Areas (SDA), and are subject to relaxed planning criteria (e.g. smaller setbacks). DOHLG staff carry out periodic visits to the SDA to ensure that there is no expansion of settle-ments that have already been mapped and also to assist DCA in enforcing SDA regulations as necessary.

The DOHLG and SLNHC are the primary actors in the sector with direct responsibility for hous-ing. However, several other government agencies/ministries are also involved in housing con-struction, regularization, provision of land, and other activities in the sector. No single entity has an effective overview of sector-wide activities, coordination is limited, and there are overlap-ping responsibilities.

Consequently, the Government of St Lucia (GOSL) embarked on addressing the Informal set-tlements in Saint Lucia through a robust national strategy that provides an overarching frame-work and guidance to improve living conditions of the vulnerable group to achieve SDG11.1. SAINT LUCIA STRATEGY FOR INFORMAL SETTLEMENTS UPGRADING AND PREVENTION (SLSISUP) Against this background GOSL has requested UN-Habitat to facilitate a participatory process to support the development of a Saint Lucia Strategy for Informal Settlements Upgrading and pre-vention (SLSISUP).

The overall objective of the SLSISUP is to contribute to the achievement of SDG11, Target 1 in Saint Lucia ‘’by 2030, ensure access for all adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums” and the concept of “Leaving no one behind”. Principles echoed by the current administration i.e. “Putting People First”.

Specific objectives of the SLSISUP are to develop a set of strategic priorities and actionable pol-icy proposals aimed at addressing issues surrounding Informal settlements in Saint Lucia, with the aim to facilitate settlement regularization, relocation where required and reduce the likeli-hood of Informal settlement development.

Scope of the SLSISUP The process to develop the Saint Lucia Informal Strategy for Informal Settlement Upgrading & Prevention Strategy will have three major areas of work. This includes: 1. Situation Analysis Report - Establishing a national stakeholder’s platform (multi-agency and sector) for coordi-nation and participation - Organizing a national workshop to launch the National Campaign to sensitize com-munity and stakeholders including the launch of the participatory process for de-veloping the strategy - Data collection and literature review on Informal settlements in St Lucia - Organizing consultative Workshops - Conducting stakeholder mapping and analysis - Conducting rapid policy and legislation review - Establishing a St Lucia National Informal Settlements Dataset - Conducting a training workshop (if needed for Multi-stakeholder Platform) prior to formulating the strategy 2. Drafting of SLISUSP - Preparing 1st Draft SLISUSP, with key strategies and results from the situation anal-ysis - Preparing 2nd Draft of SLISUSP including implementation strategies and modalities are agreed with stakeholders - Organizing a One-day national workshop to present the implementation strategy and a way forward including agreeing on the rectifying process (road map for adoption) - Preparing a Final Draft of the SLISUSP 3. Launch of SLSISUP - Developing a 15-page concept note for a national programme based on the draft SLISUP - Launching the Strategy

RESPONSIBILITIES The consultancy will be home-based with travel to Saint Lucia when needed. Any official mis-sion travel expenses will be paid for directly by UN-Habitat. The consultant will be contracted by UN-Habitat and jointly supervised by a project team housed at the Government of Saint Lu-cia’s Department of Housing and Local Government (DOHLG). S/he will be working closely with local consultants and staff of the DOHLG to undertake following specific tasks, which are to:

• Designing and facilitating the preparation of the SLSISUP;
• Undertake desk review of existing data, literature review, rapid policy and legislations review in support of and consultation with DOHLG, and development partners in Saint Lucia;
• Design and collection of data, design of participatory process for the development of the SLSISUP;
• Facilitate consultative workshops to engage the stakeholder’s participation and support the coordination of the process;
• Design the consultative workshops - discuss relevant key issues and identify priorities;
• Create the communication and advocacy strategy development to promote and ensure strong buy-in from stakeholders;
• Undertake drafting and fine tuning of the SLSISUP based on guidance from UN-Habitat and the DOHLG;
• Develop a short concept note for a national programme based on a draft SLSISUP;

• Engagement of development partners, local and national key stakeholders for the development process of the SLSISUP.

  Qualifications/special skills Competency: - Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sector, functional area or other specialized fields. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues or problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is mo-tivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes respon-sibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solic-its 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 & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates ap-propriate 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. Skills: Ability to prioritize activities and assignments

Excellent analytical skills in analysing data, legislation and policy framework to extract key issues related to informal settlements. S/he has prepared situation analyses, providing detailed and structured analysis of informal settlements in a small island developing state context. S/he has been open and constructive in discussion with government, the PSUP team and other key stakeholders leading to fruitful discussion. The consultant has excellent writing and interpersonal skills needed to establish connections with the government including mobilization of partners and government agencies.

S/he meets deadlines strictly. Academic Qualifications: Master’s Degree in Urban Development and Planning or related fields is required. First level degree with additional 2 years of relevant experience will be accepted in lieu of a Masters degree. Experience: 10 years’ experience in the following areas: 1. A combination of research and practical experience related to issues of informal settle-ments upgrading including policy development, land tenure, service and infrastructure development, affordable housing development, and community development and stra-tegic planning is required. 2. Experience with UN-Habitat’s principles, particularly on the participatory informal set-tlements upgrading and experience in Saint Lucia or Caribbean region is required, 3. Programme development and design, research skills to analyze data and information critically and identify and document key issues related to the informal settlements up-grading is required. 4. Background on urban planning and participatory urban development is desirable. Language: Fluency in English is a requirement. Proficiency of another UN language is desirable

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.