Local Economic Development Expert (Hayenna)

Result of Service

The service will ultimately result in the successful implementation of the local economic development activities of Hayenna Project.

Work Location

UNHABITAT Egypt Country Office

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for housing and 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. This post is located in the Egypt country programme, Cairo duty station. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Urban Governance, Policies and Legislation Programme Manager the incumbent will provide programme support services ensuring high quality, accuracy, and consistency of work. The Local Economic Development Expert will work in close collaboration with the operations, programme and project staff in the Country office, Regional Office and UN-Habitat Headquarters as required to exchange information and support programme delivery. Background UN-Habitat and the New Urban Agenda (NUA) The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. Mandated by the UN General Assembly in 1978 to address the issues of urban growth, it is a knowledgeable institution on urban development processes, and understands the aspirations of cities and their residents. For forty years, UN-Habitat has been working in human settlements throughout the world, focusing on building a brighter future for villages, towns, and cities of all sizes. Because of these four decades of extensive experience, from the highest levels of policy to a range of specific technical issues, UN-Habitat has gained a unique and a universally acknowledged expertise in all things urban. This has placed UN-Habitat in the best position to provide answers and achievable solutions to the current challenges faced by our cities. UN-Habitat is capitalizing on its experience and position to work with partners to formulate the urban vision of tomorrow. It works to ensure that cities become inclusive and affordable drivers of economic growth and social development. In October 2016, at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development – Habitat III – member states signed the New Urban Agenda. This is an action-oriented document which sets global standards of achievement in sustainable urban development, rethinking the way we build, manage, and live in cities. Through drawing together cooperation with committed partners, relevant stakeholders, and urban actors, including at all levels of government as well as the private sector, UN-Habitat is applying its technical expertise, normative work and capacity development to implement the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11 – to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Urbanization is a key driver of development. Hence, sustainable planning and governance of urbanization is crucial to accommodate the rapid population growth, empower cities to optimize the value of urbanization and ensure even development, inclusion and equality. Rapid urbanization presents a unique opportunity to lift millions out of poverty when managed sustainably. However, inadequate urbanization management, doubled with rapid population growth has adversely affected quality of life leading to lack of adequate housing, and increasing inequality. These conditions contribute to diseconomies (e.g. congestion, pollution, displacement) that overtime negatively affects the overall city prosperity, efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. UN Habitat in Egypt Established in 2005, UN-Habitat Egypt Programme has been providing technical support to national counterparts on a wide range of urban issues. Adopting an integrated approach, UN-Habitat Egypt has supported reforming and improving urban planning and management through three main sub-programmes, namely, urban planning and design; urban policies, legislation and governance; and urban basic services and mobility. Urban Policy, Legislation and Governance Programme The Urban Governance, Policies and Legislation Programme in Egypt works towards to tackling the multi-dimensional urbanization context with a special attention to urban management, urban planning, urban economy where all stakeholders are empowered and enabled to engage and play their expected role(s). The programme is working with all stakeholders and on different levels to find new appropriate, realistic and context driven ways of making sure that the urbanization processes are providing acceptable spatial standards and services. The programme is also working towards enhancing the capacity of relevant actors in reforming the legal and institutional framework governing urban development; promoting the empowerment of local government; enhancing land tenure security; establishing processes for participating and inclusive planning process; enhancing local economic development and social entrepreneurs. The programme provides legislation enhancement and policies development support on the national level in order to replicate and scale up all of its successful interventions. Hayenna – Integrated Urban Development Project In 2018, the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, Urban Communities (MoHUUC), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the General Organization for Physical Planning (GOPP), the UN-Habitat and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Cooperation (SECO) signed three different agreements (the project agreement, the separate agreement, and the contract) governing the Hayenna- Integrated Urban Development Project. The project aims at developing a more transparent land management, as well as implementing better-planned and financially sustainable basic infrastructure services that offer an attractive and inclusive alternative to informal settlements and promoting local economic facilities in two pilot Governorates. Qena was selected as the first pilot Governorate, whereas Damietta was selected as the second governorate. The project thereby intervenes in three dimensions: urban planning and design, public finance management and land-based financing, and support to urban legislation and regulation. Project’ interventions take place in two sites in Qena City (which are in Alhumaydat and Almaana), and in one site in Damietta City (which is in Al-Shoara area). Reporting line The Local Economic Development Expert will work closely with the Urban Governance, Policies and Legislation Programme and under the direct supervision of the Programme Manager to: 1. Support the programme manager in developing and overseeing the implementation of Local Economic Development activities within the programme. 2. Support in leading the coordination and communication among the experts and local coordinators regarding local economic development activities and strategy formulation within the project context. 3. Facilitate communication and meetings among the “National Level – Local Economic Development Experts Network” in Qena and Damietta. 4. Support in leading the process of developing a “Local Core Team” of stakeholders at local level to lead the implementation of the Local Economic Development Expert’s strategies. 5. Support in leading the process of developing “Shadow Team” of local authorities to facilitate the knowledge transfer and the sustainability of project interventions. 6. Facilitate communication and meetings among the “Local Level – Local Economic Development Experts Network” in Qena and Damietta. 7. Support the programme manager and the team in the preparation of progress reports to donors, proofreading, editing, and reviewing of program and project documents. 8. Provide support to the programme team in the organization of events, workshops, trainings, and missions. 9. Keep up-to-date and proper knowledge management system on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to the Programme and Projects. 10. As required, prepare (English /Arabic letters and reports) and write meeting minutes for Programme frequent meetings. 11. Provide the required assistance and support to guide the local coordinators and the consultants in regard to the local economic development strategy formulation process. 12. Support the development of publications, guidelines and manuals that are relevant to the local economic development within the frame of the project.

Qualifications/special skills

A High School Certificate is required. A first level university degree in economics, political science or a related field with 3 years of qualifying experience may also be accepted. A minimum of 5 years of experience in Local Economic Development, programme support, microeconomics, research, international development or any related development field is required. Previous experience with National/International NGOs is preferable.

Languages

English and French are the official languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.