Consultancy to Develop a UN-HABITAT’s Strategy on Sustainable Urban Corridors with particular emphasis on low-carbon cities

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Issued on: 13 Oct. 11 ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT DUTY STATION: - FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Consultancy to Develop a UN-HABITAT’s Strategy on Sustainable Urban Corridors with particular emphasis on low-carbon cities DURATION: 5 months CLOSING DATE: 25 October 2011

BACKGROUND Under the framework of the agency's Medium-Term Strategic and Institutional Plan, UN-HABITAT has identified entry points that will allow it to help clients and partners cope more effectively with the rapid pace of urbanization and also maximize the benefits that come with it. The overarching goal of the programme is to increase UN-HABITAT's capacity to effectively support member states in achieving sustainable urbanization. This programme focuses on the areas of urban planning; urban mobility; urban energy; urban governance and legislation; and urban economy and finance. The selection of these areas as strategic entry points is based on experiences from UN-HABITAT field projects and results from global research on sustainable urban development. Furthermore, the demand for these areas has been identified in several country and city participatory prioritization activities, including Urban Profiles developed through city and national consultations in more than 60 cities in Africa, the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Arab states. The same areas have also been prioritized in the Habitat Country Programme Documents, developed jointly by national and local authorities in 32 countries. It is UN-HABITAT’s contention that if the growth of cities is planned at scale, in advance, and in phases to address projected growth over the next 20 to 30 years, fast-growing cities in developing countries will succeed in assuming their role as engines of the national economy – and in the process prevent new slums from being formed. Cities, being home to more than half of the world’s population, consume 60 to 80 percent of the world’s energy resources and produce 70 percent of the world’s anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. Hence, cities must play a major role in improving energy efficiency, using resources more carefully, transforming urban energy systems, enhancing energy security and national prosperity - while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A good understanding of current and projected energy consumption patterns in urban areas as well as their renewable energy generation potentials will provide useful information for urban energy planning. Planning 'low-carbon' cities implies using renewable energy options, as well as using non-renewable energy more efficiently. Some cities and urban communities in the north are aiming to be climate stabilising in energy terms by 2050 or even earlier. The cities of both the USA and the European Union have promoted platforms unifying their energy commitments in order to assist in setting and meeting ambitious targets. Most other regions, however, have untapped renewable energy potential (wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, waste, biomass, etc.) as well as large potential for saving energy. While there is no goal specifically on energy, access to energy services is a prerequisite for the achievement of all the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), while a move to sustainable energy practice support virtually all MDGs. Within this programme, the objective of the focus area on urban energy is to promote approaches, methods, and instruments for promoting sustainable urban energy planning, improving energy efficiency, increasing the use of renewable energy technologies, and improving access to clean, reliable, and sustainable energy services in urban areas. In Sub Saharan Africa, at least 600 million people have no access to modern energy services (World Bank). On the average, access to electricity is limited to 7 % of the population in rural areas and 50% in urban areas. Africa is the fastest urbanizing continent in the world. Urbanization is taking place in the absence of adequate spatial planning, industrialization and sustainable economic development. Rapid population growth and unsustainable management of natural resources is putting more pressure on rural lands, subsequently resulting in massive rural-urban migration and proliferation of informal settlements. Africa is endowed with huge renewable energy potentials (solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower etc.), which are not fully utilized. Development corridors in Africa have unexploited economic and urban development potentials and offer spaces for new urban development. In many places (border towns, small municipalities etc) rapid urbanization is already taking place along these corridors in the absence of planning.

UN-Habitat plans to develop the concept of sustainable urban corridors as a means for promoting sustainable urbanization, green growth and socio-economic development through creating more access to affordable and reliable basic services and economic opportunities.

The planned sustainable urban corridors will take advantage of existing infrastructures – road corridors, power transmission lines, oil and gas pipelines, railways, airports etc. – to create new urban centers with dedicated areas for: industries; business centers; public offices, social services, residential areas etc..

The urban corridors will create a conductive environment for the establishment of industrial hubs that provide manufacturers, commercial and business investors with environmentally sound infrastructure and services, and an economic location from which to produce and add value to national resources (minerals, agriculture products etc) for both domestic consumption and export.

Renewable energy parks that generate additional energy from locally available resources will be created along the corridor. In countries endowed with oil reserves, refineries for domestic market could also be developed along the corridor to generate additional job opportunities.

Development of urban corridors is seen here as a concrete and emerging mainstream urban development strategy for developing countries. Existing transport (railways; highways, airport, ports, waterways) and energy corridors (high voltage lines, oil/gas pipelines etc) have under-utilized economic potential and unexploited business opportunities.

RESPONSIBILITIES  The objective of this consultancy is to develop a Sustainable Urban Corridor Strategy for UN-HABITAT. This document will be used by UN-HABITAT and partners to initiate urban development intervention along existing unplanned urban corridors.  The aim of this consultancy is therefore to develop a blueprint document on sustainable urban corridor.  Under the supervision of the Chief of the Urban Energy Section and in consultation with other UN-HABITAT colleagues, the consultant will be responsible for the development of the Strategy Document. This will include: • Desktop review of existing development corridors in the world with particular attention on developing countries; • Analysis of urban corridors in Africa: assess their characteristics (SWOT). • Identify 2 urban corridors in West Africa, assess them and suggest urban development steps with simulation and spatial planning. • Develop a first draft Strategy Document for review; • Compile a number of case studies (maximum 2 by region) – including best practices - to be used as references in the strategic document. • Contribute to the organization of an expert group meeting and present the draft strategy for comment and inputs; • Finalize the draft taking into consideration comments/inputs received during the expert group meeting or any other document review.

COMPETENCIES  Ability to work independently with a high degree of responsibility, in a flexible manner and under pressure.  Strong writing, inter-personal communication and networking skills, as well as research skills.

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree, relevant to spatial and urban planning, human settlements planning and architecture in developing countries. A post graduate university degree in combination with qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree in a related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE • Excellent knowledge of principles, concepts, policies and strategic orientations of sustainable urban energy and spatial planning. • At least ten years of working experience, research and development in the field of urban planning and design, physical planning of commercial/industrial areas; • Experiences in the formulation of policy documents and strategic plans on sustainable urban planning, basic urban infrastructure and services, and good understanding of their implementation under changing circumstances. • Good understanding of low-carbon cities planning and development.

LANGUAGE SKILLS  Fluency in English (written and oral), and knowledge of any other UN will be an asset.

OTHER SKILLS  Computer literacy in standard office applications (MS Works package: MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel and MS Access) and electronic communications.

REMUNERATION Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

Applications should include: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: 1. Educational Background (incl. dates) 2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) 3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) 4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments 5. Expectations regarding remuneration

All applications should be submitted to: Mr. Vincent Kitio UN-HABITAT P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: Vincent.kitio@unhabitat.org, cc: Sebastian.lange@unhabitat.org

Fax: + 254 20 762 4343

Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link:http://e-roster.unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 25 October 2011

UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org