Urban Planner - Senior Urban Planning Consultant

Result of Service The consultant will provide advisory services of the Ministry of Urbanism, Housing and Territorial Development and produce the macroeconomic and territorial diagnosis of the Republic of Guinea.

Work Location Conakry, Guinea

Expected duration six months

Duties and Responsibilities Organizational Setting: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities with the aim of providing adequate housing for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the United Nations for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps Member States and development partners to turn cities into safer, more resilient, and healthier places with better opportunities. It works with organizations at all levels, including all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector.

National context: Guinea has an urbanization rate that is in line with the African average: 37% in 2014 according to United Nations reports (UNDESA, 2014). This figure, was at 28% in 1990, will probably reach 56% by 2050, that is, the urban population, estimated at 4.4 million inhabitants in 2014, will increase by 67.9% and will reach, according to forecasts, 13.7 million inhabitants by 2050. The country is moving towards its urban transition and must therefore prepare for it. To do this, appropriate measures must be taken, implemented and regularly monitored by the authorities and populations to improve the urbanization process that continues, both in Conakry and in secondary or tertiary towns and villages, mostly anarchically. The new neighbourhoods, which constitute the predominant landscape in many urban agglomerations, are generally composed of precarious and unsanitary housing and suffer from a lack of local public services and the lack of an integrated and well-functioning sanitation system.

In order to contribute to the improvement of urban living conditions in Guinea, the European Union, in collaboration with the Government of Guinea, has adopted urban sanitation as a focal sector in the National Indicative Programme (NIP). The development and urban sanitation programme in Guinea (SANITA) jointly decided by the two stakeholders has two specific results (SO), namely:

(i) Strengthen local and national urban governance to be achieved with the technical support of UN-Habitat (component 1); and (ii) Improve access to basic sanitation services for urban populations in the Conakry and Kindia neighbourhoods with the support of the Belgian Development Agency "Enabel" (component 2).

Component 1 has been approved for a period of 4.5 years and is placed under the supervision of the Ministry in charge of Spatial Planning. The activities are carried out in collaboration with Enabel and with the participation of national and local public or private institutions including community organizations or civil society. Emphasis is being placed on the engagement of women and youth. The expected results of this component of SANITA are:

• Outcome 1 (R1): Institutional capacities for the implementation and monitoring of framework documents are strengthened;
• Outcome 2 (R2): A national urban policy defining the strategic orientations, roles and responsibilities of the different actors is developed and validated;
• Outcome 3 (R3): The implementation of the National Spatial Planning Scheme (SNAT) of 1991 is evaluated and new strategic orientations (white paper) defined and validated;
• Outcome 4 (R4): Capital city planning documents, with appropriate action plans taking into account aspects of climate change, are developed and validated in a participatory manner;
• Outcome 5 (R5): Priority pilot projects are developed and implemented through the creation or strengthening of inclusive consultation spaces and multi-actor dialogue.

Justification: Sustainable development is a cross-cutting pillar of the 2022-2025 Transition Interim Reference Program (IRP). Spatial planning and the sustainable development of national and urban areas are a priority. The objective is to facilitate access to decent housing for as many Guineans as possible, as part of a planned and controlled urbanization.

In addition, the analysis of the country’s macroeconomic framework reveals that economic growth has suffered from the mismanagement of public resources, the lack of transparency in the award of public contracts, the practice of extra-budgetary expenditure, ad hoc exemptions, a lack of political dialogue, and weak capacities of key economic and political actors such as the National Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. This has resulted in low internal and external resource mobilization.

Through the “macroeconomic and financial framework” axis, the specific objectives of the IRP are to: (i) ensure the continuity of the State; (ii) guarantee the quality of public management; (iii) improve financial management and the macroeconomic framework. These will be: (i) to preserve the major financial balances of the State; (ii) to make strategic allocations of budgetary resources; (iii) to increase the efficiency of public spending; (iv) to create an environment conducive to the development of the national private sector; and attractive to foreign investors; and (v) to ensure the regular production of reliable statistics.

Concerning the territorial diagnosis, the National Spatial Planning Scheme (SNAT) of 1991, the urban development plan of Conakry and the master planning and town planning plans of 15 secondary cities (drawn up from 1986) have made it possible to identify various imbalances, including inter- and intra-regional disparities, urban disparities, and differences in urban and rural development. Also, more recent studies such as urban audits, the vision of Greater Conakry and the draft Master Plan of Urban Planning of Greater Conakry provide assessments in light with the new development challenges. However, they are partial, as they do not cover the whole territory and they also do not deal with other issues related to climate change, the productivity of the urban economy, the urban-rural linkages, environmental aspects, social inclusion, etc.

In 1991, Guinea acquired a tool for controlling rapid urban growth, namely the SNAT, whose general purpose was “to modify and optimize the distribution of individuals and their activities on the national territory in order to achieve geographical balance, social development, economic and environmental efficiency”.

This planning tool, which is now obsolete, needs to be updated based on the observed territorial developments since 1991 and also integrate new challenges related to globalization, sustainable urbanization, high demographic pressure, the environment, climate change, as well as health issues, especially in view of the various epidemics hitting the country. To this end, one of the components of the SANITA Sustainable Cities Project has undertaken a participatory examination of the implementation of the SNAT of 1991 and defined and validated new strategic orientations (White Paper) that will need to be taken into account by the new national spatial planning scheme.

The implementation of this component resulted in the preparation of a 115-page report containing the results of the analysis of the development sectors in 1991, describing the development scenario adopted by the Government; the state of implementation of the measures and projects proposed to develop this choice and integrate the various national and international changes that have occurred since its adoption. This evaluation, which was carried out through a review of the existing documentation and extensive consultations with various stakeholders across the territory, made various observations.

In particular, the study finds that the proposed legal, institutional, and planning directives were only partially implemented. Technically speaking, the proposal to divide the territory into 10 regions never took place. Guinea remained divided into four natural regions before being divided into eight administrative regions.

Similarly, the equipment grid proposed for growth poles to become centres capable of driving regional development has not been sufficiently applied; while operationally, if the implementation of the many programmes and projects identified in the SNAT has been sectoral and relatively large, investments in urban development and energy, on the other hand, have been very low.

The study also opted to gather stakeholder perceptions of the impact of the SNAT at seminars, regional fora, or national urban forums with approximately 2,000 people from all sectors (public, private, decentralized authorities, universities, and NGOs). to give them an opportunity to speak out about the document.

In general, the content of the SNAT in its principles, guidelines and strategies is appreciated. However, stakeholders regret the low impact of its recommendations due to several factors, including: the lack of creation of the proposed consultation mechanisms, the poor popularization of the scheme, the lack of resources mobilized for its implementation and the lack of implementation of monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Stakeholders recommended considering the cross-cutting nature of spatial planning and setting the necessary conditions for the close involvement of all stakeholders. The future SNAT must include a clear definition of the means of implementation of measures and actions in the field of spatial planning.

Special emphasis has also been placed on strengthening the capacities of the Inter-ministerial Committee on Spatial Planning (CIAT), the body responsible for consultation, arbitration, decision-making and coordination of planning programmes, the Permanent Secretariat for Spatial Planning (SPAT) and the establishment of the Consultative Council on Spatial Planning.

Furthermore, in terms of recommendations, the participatory evaluation proposes to take into account the national orientations of the «Guinea Vision 2040» and the «National Plan of Economic and Social Development» of the country in the future national spatial planning scheme, as well as the integration of international agreements’ guidelines, including the Sustainable Development Goals, the New Uban Agenda and the International Guidelines on Urban and Territorial Planning.

Finally, the document was amended. This led to the review of the Report of the Participatory Review of the SNAT 1991 (outcome 3) by the Technical Services of the Sectoral Departments concerned and the Regional Directorates and validated in September 2020 by the Permanent Secretariat of Spatial Planning.

In addition, to support the work around the SNAT and the National Urban Policy, a diagnosis of urban development, the implementation of public policies and the challenges of sustainable urbanization in Guinea was carried out in 2020. This report is a work of analysis and prospective; it is mainly the fruit of several diagnostics to renew the view on the present and future challenges of urbanization in the Republic of Guinea.

First, a territorial diagnosis. Whether it is a question of identifying the country’s potential, or analysing its administrative organization and its urban/spatial structure, this work needs also to examine the institutional, legal, normative, and urban development policy frameworks with particular emphasis on land and housing.

Then, an economic diagnosis. Here, the study assesses the various development sectors to weigh their contribution to a sustainable and harmonious development of the country. As for the prospects and challenges of coordinated and sustainable urbanization, the report first proposes an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats before addressing the multiple challenges of urbanization in the country while outlining global, economic and national urban policy perspectives.

The report concludes with a series of strategic guidelines for the various sectors and for cross-cutting issues, including those relating to the development of a national urban policy. These inclusive approaches focus primarily on addressing the two central issues identified: scarcity and high costs of decent housing and poor urban development.

Objective: The consultant will elaborate a macro-economic, territorial, and strategic synthetic diagnosis of the national territory to derive an accurate overview of the Guinean territory of today. The diagnosis will highlight the major gaps to be fulfilled and the potential to be exploited to achieve a harmonious and balanced development of the national territory. It will also reveal the spatial disparities, the level of equipment/infrastructure and the issues faced in the different parts of the territory. It will consider opportunities related to Guinea’s geographical position and the need to strengthen the integration of the national economy into the regional and international market, rural development, and regional development.

Reporting line: The Consultant will work under the supervision of the CTA (Technical Advisor Chief) for Guinea Projects in Conakry.

Duties and responsibilities: The consultant will be responsible for the development of the macroeconomic and territorial diagnosis of Guinea, and notably: - Raise awareness and interact with national stakeholders involved in the process and institutions working in the field of spatial planning in Guinea;

• Set up and facilitate key consultations with dedicated working groups including national and local authorities, as well as resource persons;

• Primary (through the use of the Matrix of Functions) and secondary data collection (through the analysis of literature and charts).

The conclusions of the session on spatial planning and urbanization at the National Urban Forum will be further developed. To this will follow the review of the sectoral master plans and thematic maps (school, university, energy, water, health and disease, industry, mining, archaeology and historic areas, natural and protected areas, corridors, rail and airport, port, sport, culture, major facilities, urban frame and large village center or border town, telecommunications, logistics platforms, tourist development, navigable waterways, and mangrove, etc.).

This will be done in connection with national, sub-regional or international standards.

The consultant will assess the macroeconomic situation and the territorial imbalances. It will be a question of analyzing the territory from the various socio-economic indicators (functions), regional consultations, surveys, and knowledge of the economic fabric.

It will build on the work already done by the IMF, such as the country report for the 2021 Article 4 consultations, and UNDP’s “macro-assessment” diagnoses for country program development. The diagnosis of urban development, implementation, public policies, and challenges of sustainable urbanization in Guinea was carried out in 2020 within the framework of the SANITA Project could also serve as a basis for the macroeconomic diagnosis.

The consultant will have to go further by proposing recommendations and the definition of priority actions to guide the guidelines to be given in the context of writing the White Paper with a view to develop the new SNAT.

In an indicative manner, the diagnosis may include the following topics: i. Legal, institutional and financial framework for spatial planning ii. Socio-economic infrastructure, networks, and facilities iii. Environment, Energy and Climate Change iv. Economy, industrialization, productivity, and trade balance v. Territorial Research and Development Funding: Taxation and Foreign Direct Funds vi. Regional Economic Integration vii. SNAT of 1991: lessons and perspectives viii. Graphic and Mapping Documents of Future Programs and Projects by Sector ix. Outline of vision, principles, and values for the future SNAT x. Definition of Concepts xi. Priority Areas of Focus and Hierarchy of Responsibility for Future SNAT Stakeholders xii. Future SNAT Development and Funding Project

Each part will end with an extract of the legislative and regulatory framework, policy and institutional organization of the sectors. It will include the challenges of coordination, funding and conflict prevention identified in each sector or across fields of study.

An emphasis will be placed on the diagnosis of the evolution of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) by region, the opportunities offered by the realization of large hydroelectric projects, and opportunities for progressive local processing of natural resources to serve the national market.

Proposed Methodology: The indicative working method could be summarized as follows: (a) contributions in territorial economy, sociology, ecology - addressing a territory as a system in the approaches of study, understanding the main laws of development and their interactions; (b) field visits (observation, sensitive approach); (c) meetings with key stakeholders (elected officials, State officials, technicians of local authorities, representatives of associations/NGOs, private sectors representatives, the academia); (d) data collection using the Matrix of Functions (of social, economic and environmental nature); (e) review of existing documentation: public policies, studies and diagnostics, plans and strategies, statistics and existing cartography; (f) validation of collected data through consultations and cross-checking; (h) derivation of key recommendations of the territorial and macroeconomic diagnosis.

For the Matrix of Functions (MoF), it will be: - With the SPAT, validate the list of socio-economic, infrastructure and environmental functions to be collected. - Group the 33 prefectures by region and, through successive trainings, explain how to collect data (existence or non-existence of functions; or functioning or non-functioning of functions). Take advantage of these consultation frameworks to gather information (development potential of the region, thematic debates, etc.). - Prepare the Matrix of Functions (MoF), extract the hierarchy of territorial units (prefectures) and spatialize the MdF through the topography of the functions. - Analyze the territory based on the MdF results and according to the diagnostic characteristics described above. - Validate work with CIAT and through a dedicated Forum

Qualifications/special skills An advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Geography, Urban and Regional Planning, Economics, Territorial Economy, Statistics and Socio-demographic or a related field is required. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

- Five years of experience in the field of activities related to the theme is required - Familiarity with the Matrix of Functions is an asset - Demonstrated experience in developing spatial development framework in the African context is desired

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written French is required

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.