Urban Infrastructure Solutions Specialist

Organizational Setting

Eswatini still faces several Readiness gaps and barriers which limit the potential for climate change adaptation and mitigation particularly in urban and peri urban communities, which limits the potential to mainstreaming green cities indicators which intend to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The gaps include limited availability and applications of baselines and indicators, limited role/capacity of Eswatini Local Government Association (ELGA), limited knowledge on actions/interventions for/on urban agriculture and food systems, infrastructure and technologies, weak capacity, absence of knowledge and guidelines on advisory and extension services, absence of an updated policy environment and incentive framework, lack of awareness on how to make urban and peri urban spaces more resilient and adapted to climate change. Therefore, there is a need to prepare Eswatini’s urban and peri-urban communities for public and private investment towards attaining a sustainable green cities status. This is through developing a set of green cities national indicators, strengthening observatory, monitoring and evaluation systems and capacity of the Eswatini Local Government Association (ELGA) and promote advisory and extension services in relevant departments for sustainable agriculture and agribusiness in urban and per-urban spaces. The GCF Readiness activities are being implemented by FAO as delivery partner in close collaboration with the Ministry of Housing and Urban development and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment as NDA. The position is located in Eswatini, Mbabane.

Reporting Lines

Under the overall supervision of the FAO Representative in Eswatini, (FAOR), guidance of the Assistant FAOR and the technical supervision of the National Programme Coordinator. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with FAO officers that will form a project management team task force consisting of the Lead Technical Officer (FAO Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa).

Technical Focus

The technical areas/profiles covered will be as follows: The incumbent will be responsible for defining key parameters, assumptions, definitions, methodologies, data sources and models in use and needed for strengthening management of municipal infrastructure improvement plans and reforms, with a focus on waste management, energy, water and sanitation infrastructure towards climate action for adaptation and mitigation in cities Infrastructure which is a priority sector in the revised NDC.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Conducts a climate resilience assessment/situational analysis of municipalities infrastructure including waste management, energy, water and sanitation infrastructure; • Assess the mainstreaming of low carbon development and climate resilience in the infrastructure sector policies and development strategies; • Documents polices and strategies reforms/strengthening recommendations for mainstreaming of low carbon development and climate resilience for ELGA; • Situational analysis/assessment on integrated Water & Sanitation solutions for Inclusive, Liveable and Climate Resilient Cities to identify existing gaps on enabling policy frameworks and technical aspects. • Access potential of inter-sectoral capacities and recommend practical non-sewered sanitation solutions. • Access opportunities of tapping into urban water flows like rainwater, storm water run-off or treated effluent for urban greening. • Profiles enabling frameworks for sustainable waste management, comprehensiveness of waste management plans towards GHG emission reduction; • Analysis of current conditions and indicators relevant for waste management (at local, cantonal and entity levels) with reference to the other planning documents (particularly those related to spatial and climate change mitigation planning). • Proposes action plan for the reduction of upstream waste, promotion of recycling, composting and material recovery to reduce emissions from the waste. • Assess and profile solid waste value chain key actors, processing capacities and technologies, infrastructure, products from solid waste recycled/re-used, their market viability and possibility of developing new products (Circular economy). • Conducting feasibility studies on viable sources of renewable energy and prepare concise reports on research results. • Makes recommendations on how to promote renewable energy sources in the electric grid mix by deployment of centralized and distributed renewable energy such as rooftop solar or appliance standards. • Recommends effective energy management plans for municipalities after careful analysis of current plans and should mainstream how initial planning of new buildings must be done to ensure that cost-effective and sustainable energy systems are catered for. • Planning of new buildings, new urban developments, and greening of existing facilities to meet corporate, government and international sustainability guidelines, while harmonizing issues of access and safety to the public. • Recommend how energy efficiency in building stocks can be improved in urban buildings (municipal, residential and commercial) through energy-efficiency standards in new buildings, retrofitting old building envelopes; regulatory measures, such as building codes; • Access policy incentive towards promoting green buildings, the use of eco-friendly, resource and energy efficient materials for building structures. • Access extent of integration of multifunctional and innovative projects around plants into urban development plans and construction standards; • Documents recommendations for mainstreaming of low carbon development and climate resilience in municipalities extension/development plans (integrated plans) including specifications for waste management infrastructure, energy efficient infrastructure, energy clean transport and water and sanitation infrastructure. • Proposes mobility patterns with an integrated approach to reduce emissions by ensuring better access to a range of attractive, affordable and low-carbon mobility options. • Develops training manual for capacity building in low carbon development and climate resilience infrastructure for municipalities, with actions and interventions for ensuring mainstreaming of green infrastructure on the established core indicators. • Conducts situational analysis and profile sustainable, Low Carbon urban Transport policies and climate mitigation policies in transport sector • Develops concept notes focusing on green buildings, solar energy and transport for low carbon development and climate resilience interventions in cities

CANDIDATES WILL BE ASSESSED AGAINST THE FOLLOWING

Minimum Requirements

• Advanced Degree in Engineering, Environmental Science, Urban Planning, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related field; • At least 5 (five) years of experience in municipal infrastructure assessment and development for climate mitigation or adaptation. • Working knowledge (level C) of English, working knowledge of Siswati will be an added advantage • National of Eswatini or a legal resident of Eswatini

FAO Core Competencies

• Results Focus • Teamwork • Communication • Building Effective Relationships • Knowledge Sharing and Continuous Improvement

Technical/Functional Skills

• Commitment to inclusiveness and gender equality with demonstrated experience in integrating gender and diversity issues; • Be committed to and able to meet the deadline. • Strong facilitation and coaching skills as well as be familiar with participatory approaches.