International Technical Advisor

Result of Service

The C2CC aims at supporting the implementation of the CBD Urban Regeneration Programme (CBDURP).

Work Location

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Expected duration

12 months

Duties and Responsibilities

UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is the leading agency dedicated to promoting sustainable urbanization and adequate shelter for all. The organization focuses on improving the living conditions of people in cities and towns, fostering social inclusion, and promoting environmentally responsible and economically viable urban development. Within the framework of UN-Habitat's global mission, the Regional Office for Africa plays a pivotal role in advancing urbanization goals on the African continent. By working in partnership with governments, local authorities, civil society organizations, and the private sector, UN-Habitat's Regional Office for Africa strives to address the complex urban challenges faced by African cities and towns, namely those in Sierra Leone. Freetown, the capital and largest city of Sierra Leone, located in the west of the country, contributes to approximately a third of the country’s Gross Domestic Product despite housing only 15% of its population (a bit more than 1 million people). Its economy revolves around harbours, tertiary sector services (finance, transport, hospitality, trade, tourism, etc.) as well as construction, manufacturing, fishing and peri-urban agriculture. As most of African primary cities, Freetown attracts a lot of population from inland, especially the youth in search for better opportunities. The growth of the city was exacerbated by the 1991-2002 civil war. As consequence, the city has grown mainly in an unplanned way, experiencing a tenfold growth over the past 50 years, with various negative implications in terms of social, environmental and health risks. This rapid growth has resulted in a high density and the expansion of informal settlements (corresponding to approximately 35-40% of the city population), which have primarily developed along three major spatial patterns; coastal settlement, sprawling inland settlements, and hillside settlements. Given the geological and topographical characteristics of these areas, erosion, landslides, flooding, fires, as well as building collapses are common phenomena. Other challenges are, among others: inadequate infrastructure and basic services provision, frequent power cuts, water and soil pollution due to poor waste management, and a general lack of institutional capacity. There is also socio-economic pressure provoked by the unemployed youth, and lack of dialogue and cooperation between the city administration and the central government. Since the civil war, the infrastructure and built environment of the Central Business District (CBD) has fallen into a bad state of repair both caused and exacerbated by the relocation of many public institutions and businesses to safer and more amenable areas of the city. This has led to falling property values coupled with a reluctance by property owners to pay property taxes, leading to further dilapidation of the built environment. At the same time, the CBD is faced with a growing informal economy. The traffic infrastructure and public transport system are inadequate and inefficient to ensure an adequate movement of high volumes of goods and people. Roads and footways are in poor conditions, and street lighting is lacking. All these factors compel people to resort to private means of transportation which leads to heavy traffic congestion and irregular parking. The few public spaces available and pedestrian areas are taken up by cars, street traders and commercial institutions resulting in limited walkability and safety for pedestrians. In response, Freetown City Council (FCC), the city of Zurich, and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) have joined forces to implement a City-to-City Cooperation (C2CC) Programme focusing on the urban regeneration of Freetown's Central Business District (CBD) based on the wider “Transform Freetown” agenda. Within this framework, UN-Habitat acts as the Cooperation Partner to facilitate the implementation of the C2CC, in collaboration with the GOAL NGO as local implementing partner. For this purpose, UN-Habitat needs to urgently recruit a capable International Technical Advisor who will be stationed within the FCC premises and will support the overall implementation of the C2CC initiative in coordination with FCC and in collaboration with GOAL. He/she will be supported by a small technical and administrative team. 2. Contextualisation of the Project The C2CC aims at supporting the implementation of the CBD Urban Regeneration Programme (CBDURP). It contributes to the overarching statement of the CBDURP that reads: “Freetown’s CBD is an economically thriving city centre with employment opportunities for all income levels and offers safe and inclusive public and green spaces for social, cultural and recreational activities for the city’s residents and tourists alike, while at the same time maintaining an ecological environment”. This is broken down into a set of four subordinate outcomes, namely: Outcome 1: Strengthening the policy framework for integrated urban planning and sustainable development. Outcome 2: Promoting diverse economic activity and income opportunities. Outcome 3: Establishing safe and efficient transportation and mobility. Outcome 4: Enabling safe and inclusive public spaces and a green environment. The C2CC is meant to contribute to the achievement of these outcomes – namely outcomes 1, 3 and 4 – by implementing the following regeneration measures in a defined area of the CBD, namely: • Improving pedestrian areas; • Renewing street lighting; • Introducing a regulated parking system; • Landscaping and greening; • Creating more inviting public space. As part of these infrastructural measures, population and stakeholder concerns will be addressed through participatory engagement and safeguarding measures. The C2CC will also aim to strengthen the FCC’s technical capacities in the areas of urban regeneration, project management and governance, as well as to create synergies with other ongoing initiatives. In addition, an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) will have to be prepared. The C2CC Concept envisages a two-pronged approach: (i) to develop and implement a concrete project as a sustainable solution to urban regeneration of the CBD; (ii) to promote both a technical exchange, including knowledge creation and capacity building, and a policy dialogue. 3. Tasks and Responsibilities The International Technical Advisor will be recruited through a consultancy contract and will work effectively as the Technical Team Leader of the above-described project. He/she will report directly to the Senior Human Settlements Officer, Head of the West Africa Hub, and work in close coordination with the FCC and support the reporting to/liaison with the City of Zurich. He/she will be responsible for directly supervising the work of the main Implementation Partner, GOAL. He/she will carry out the following tasks: 1. In terms of project management: • Elaboration of a project results framework, carry out impact assessment, ensure the overall financial/fiduciary responsibility and accountability on the funds provided by the City of Zurich, and risk assessment & management. • Set up the UN-Habitat technical team responsible for supporting the implementation of the C2CC initiative in Freetown, including the recruitment and identification of local/international consultants/staff. • Ensure effective communication and coordination between the UN-Habitat local technical team, FCC, GOAL, the City of Zurich and the UN-Habitat West Africa Hub, ensuring a smooth implementation among key partners; in particular, ensure close coordination with the FCC Project Manager and the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). • Prepare and update detailed work plans including an appropriate division of labour among key stakeholders and clear timeframe for intermediate and final deliverables. • Coordinate technically the C2CC project activities; producing project progress reports; reviewing relevant documents and reports; identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions. • Monitor the activities and ensure the quality of the deliverables to be undertaken by GOAL, as the main Implementing Partner, based on the terms of the Agreement of Cooperation (AoC); ensuring the review, approval and processing of payments to GOAL. • Organise C2CC Strategy Group meetings every six (6) months comprising senior representatives of the partner cities, UN-Habitat, as well as representatives of the PIU. • Coordinate with the FCC Project Manager to facilitate the CBDURP Steering Committee meetings. 2. In terms of technical expertise: • Organise capacity building activities targeting FCC officials in the areas of urban regeneration, traffic infrastructure and management, project management and governance. • Coordinate and support activities to prepare the Action Plan for Area 1 through participatory planning, within the framework of the overall CBD Action Plan; this will include engagement with the concerned stakeholders and inclusion of the population. • Coordinate inputs in the review of existing urban policies and by-laws to enhance local revenue generation. • Coordinate the preparation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), including safeguarding measures. • Organise working sessions to facilitate the dialogue between the central and the local levels. • Contribute to the publication on best practices and lessons learnt extracted from project implementation. 3. In terms of resource mobilization: • Participate in meetings, workshops, and other relevant forums to engage potential donors/development partners in FCC and UN-Habitat related activities. • Lead project development on sustainable urbanisation in Sierra Leone. • Conceptualise and undertake outreach and advocacy activities in Freetown. 4. Perform other duties for UN-Habitat in Sierra Leone as required.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in urban planning, architecture, geography, engineering, land management, sustainable development, social sciences, or any other related field. Minimum 7 years of relevant professional experience at the regional and/or international/regional level on human settlements in the areas of urban planning, urban development or urban regeneration, preferably in developing countries is required. Proven ability to lead and manage technical teams. Good understanding and knowledge of urbanization issues/the Humanitarian-Development-Peace nexus.

Languages

English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. Fluency in oral and written English language is required.

Additional Information

N/A

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.