Urban Planning and GIS Assistant. Full Time

Validated geospatial datasets, climate-smart suitability and hazard maps, and contributions to the Regional GIS Planning Atlas are available to inform settlement planning and investment decisions in Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Local authorities are supported to interpret and use these products in planning for inclusive, climate-resilient settlements and durable solutions for displacement-affected communities.

Assosa, Beninshangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

12 months

Background The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for human settlements mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat works with governments, local authorities, development partners and communities to support sustainable urbanization, inclusive governance, climate resilience and sustainable human settlements development. The position is located within the UN-Habitat Ethiopia Country Programme under the Regional Office for Africa. UN-Habitat Ethiopia is implementing the European Union-funded Regional Programme “Operational Support to the IGAD Platform”, which seeks to strengthen institutional capacities to manage forced displacement and returns through integrated planning, durable solutions programming, climate-smart development, land governance and environmental service delivery interventions. Within Ethiopia, activities focus on displacement-affected communities in Amhara and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions. Under Output 1.5.1, the programme will develop integrated climate-smart suitability and hazard mapping products to inform settlement planning, service delivery investments and climate resilience interventions in displacement-affected areas. Activities include GIS database consolidation, field validation missions, suitability analysis, hazard mapping and the development of a Regional GIS Planning Atlas. The programme also supports City Leaders Training, settlement planning, tenure security assessments and climate-resilient development planning. UN-Habitat Ethiopia seeks to recruit a Junior Urban Planner / GIS Expert to support geospatial data management, spatial analysis, mapping, field verification and evidence-based planning activities in Benishangul-Gumuz Region. Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager and in close collaboration with the Ethiopia Programme team, the consultant will undertake the following: A. GIS Database Development and Management • Compile, organize and consolidate spatial and non-spatial datasets from government agencies, development partners and project sources. • Develop and maintain a geospatial database covering settlements, infrastructure, services, environmental features and hazards. • Prepare metadata and apply data management procedures to ensure consistency, traceability and accessibility of datasets. • Maintain backup copies and version control, and support appropriate data sharing and knowledge management. B. Spatial Data Collection and Validation • Conduct field verification, GPS surveys and geospatial data collection in project target areas. • Verify settlement boundaries, infrastructure locations and environmental features. • Support community consultations and participatory mapping exercises. • Document field observations, validate collected spatial information and integrate findings into the GIS database. C. Climate-Smart Suitability Mapping • Support the development of settlement suitability assessment criteria and undertake multi-criteria spatial analysis using agreed methodologies. • Analyse infrastructure accessibility, service coverage, and environmental and climate-related constraints. • Prepare suitability maps and settlement development scenarios to inform planning and investment decisions. • Contribute maps, spatial analysis and explanatory notes to the Regional GIS Planning Atlas. D. Hazard and Climate Risk Mapping • Support the preparation of flood, heat stress and other relevant environmental hazard maps using available data and agreed methodologies. • Analyse the exposure of settlements and infrastructure to identified hazards, incorporating available climate projections where appropriate. • Contribute spatial evidence to climate-resilient planning recommendations. • Prepare clear maps and other visual products for consultations, validation and decision-making. E. Settlement Planning Support • Assist with settlement profiling and urban and territorial planning assessments. • Provide geospatial inputs for infrastructure planning, service delivery assessments and settlement growth scenarios. • Contribute to planning reports and technical recommendations informed by spatial analysis and field findings. • Support the application of durable solutions planning approaches that reflect the needs of displacement-affected communities. F. Capacity Development and Training Support • Support GIS capacity development activities for local authorities, including the preparation of training materials and technical presentations. • Demonstrate GIS applications and explain mapping outputs during workshops and training sessions. • Prepare maps and planning evidence to support City Leaders Training activities. • Assist with peer-learning and knowledge-sharing activities on the use of spatial information in planning. G. Coordination, Reporting and Knowledge Management • Liaise with regional bureaus, municipalities, woredas and partner institutions to obtain data, validate findings and coordinate assigned activities. • Participate in technical meetings, workshops and field missions relevant to the assignment. • Prepare technical reports, maps, presentations and progress updates on assigned activities. • Maintain geospatial repositories and supporting documentation, and document lessons learned and good practices.

A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Additional training in urban planning, regional planning, human settlements, territorial planning, urban development, architecture or a related field is desirable. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in GIS, spatial planning, geomatics, remote sensing or a related field is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree. Experience in developing and managing spatial databases is required. Experience in field-based geospatial data collection and GPS surveys is required. Experience in suitability analysis, hazard mapping and geospatial modelling is required. Experience supporting development, humanitarian, displacement, resilience or local government programmes is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of Amharic is an advantage.

Not available.

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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