Urban Planner in Law and Governance

Overview

Strengthen the legal framework for sustainable urban development in Oman

You have:

• Advanced university degree in law, preferably urban planning law, or equivalent experience.
• 5 years work experience in the legal field, preferably dealing with urban law and governance.
• Proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English.
• Knowledge and application of urban legal, planning, governance or regulatory systems and tools.
• Experience working in Arabic countries/cities on urban matters is desirable.
• Previous experience working with the United Nations will be an added advantage.

Result of Service The ultimate result of the service is to strengthen the legal and institutional framework and capacity that can facilitate sustainable urban development to reduce the negative effects of rapid urbanization. This could be achieved by providing a thorough assessment of the legal and institutional framework related to urban planning in Oman with a view to catalyze a discussion that will lead to proposals for an urban law and governance reform.

Work Location Home-Based - Oman

Expected duration The contract will be for five (5) months to start as soon as possible.

Duties and Responsibilities Background and Organizational Setting: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

UN-Habitat is also the lead agency within the United Nations system for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. The Policy, Legislation and Governance Section, within the Urban Practices Branch, coordinates the Agency’s substantive, normative and operational work on various dimensions of Policy, Legislation and Governance, fostering high impact initiatives, programmes, and projects to deliver timely, fit-for-purpose and targeted solutions in these areas.

Through the Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS), UN-Habitat supports Arab countries in their efforts to advance sustainable urbanization as a driver of development and peace. ROAS provides knowledge, policy advice, technical assistance, and collaborative action for eighteen countries across the Arab region and is currently present in thirteen Arab countries, supporting partners through a diversified portfolio centering around the implementation of the 2020-2025 Strategic Plan.

UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), Oman are collaborating to ensure that the country taps into urbanization opportunities to bring about social and economic transformation as well as enhancing effective service delivery and sustainable urban development. This will require assessing the legal and institutional framework related to urban planning with a view to catalyse a discussion that will lead to proposals for an urban law and governance reform. Specifically, the project will focus on a road map for developing an effective spatial planning Act as well as strengthening the institutional framework and capacity that can facilitate sustainable urban development to reduce the negative effects of rapid urbanization. To operationalize this project, the services of a local legal expert will be required, and the incumbent will be based in Oman.

Reporting Line: The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of Legal Specialist, Policy, Legislation and Governance Section and the overall supervision of Chief, Policy, Legislation and Governance Section and Knowledge Management and Reporting Officer, Regional Office for Arab States.

Duties and Responsibilities: The Consultant will have the following responsibilities: 1. Liaise with the Oman Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning (MoHUP), relevant government institutions and stakeholders in Oman to collect pertinent information and current trends in urban planning practice and implementation which will assist the legal drafting of the thematic analytical reports.

2. Translate the legal and policy documents submitted by the Ministry from Arabic to English and vice versa.

3. Undertake the stakeholder mapping to identify all relevant urban planning stakeholders and regulators in Oman which will include government officials specializing in urban development (national, subnational, and local) as well as legal professionals, members of the judiciary, other urban planning and policy experts, urban development professionals and practitioners, private sector, and civil society groups.

4. Coordinate and facilitate the organization of validation workshops and expert group meetings with MoHUP.

5. Prepare the workshop and expert group meeting reports.

6. Using UN-Habitat’s methodology, conduct legal and governance review and analyses on UN-Habitat thematic issues such as related to land, urban planning, building and construction, land-based financing and climate change. The laws will be reviewed to assess their effectiveness in supporting urban processes.

7. Contribute to the preparation of the situational analysis report on the baseline mapping of legal instruments, current institutional/governance planning framework and the planning legal system.

8. Contribute to the drafting of the diagnostic analysis report on the urban planning legal analysis highlighting the legal overlaps, gaps, and ambiguities including the analysis of the overlapping roles, mandates, and conflicts of interest in the institutional/governance framework.

9. Participate in the capacity needs assessment with key stakeholders in Oman, to identify the needs and priorities of stakeholders and support the delivery of the capacity building training sessions.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in law, preferably urban planning law, governance is required. A first-level university degree in combination with three (3) years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: - 5 years work experience in the legal field, preferably dealing with urban law, urban planning, and governance is required. - Knowledge and application of various urban legal, planning, governance or regulatory systems and tools is desirable. - Experience in conducting legal and governance research from various sources and the ability to interpret frameworks, develop and present recommendations clearly and concisely is desirable. - Experience working in Arabic countries/cities on urban matters is desirable. - Previous experience working with the United Nations will be an added advantage.

Language: English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, proficiency in spoken and written Arabic and English is required.

Additional Information Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a competency-based interview.

Skills and Competencies: Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of legal theories, concepts and approaches relevant to land-use planning, slum upgrading, participatory planning, development control, urban governance and pro-poor and gender responsive approaches in the urban field. Ability to develop sound substantive reports; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professionalism rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with challenges; remain calm in stressful situations.

Communication: Excellent written and oral presentation skills in Arabic and English. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; ask questions to clarify and exhibit interest in having two-way communication; tailor’s language, tone, style and format to match the audience; demonstrate openness in sharing information and keeping people informed

Teamwork: Works collaboratively to achieve organisational goals; solicit impact by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; places team agenda above personal agenda; shows credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team's shortcoming.

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.

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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org