Urban Planner in Law and Governance

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.