Mission and objectives

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency based in Nairobi (Kenya-The Headquarter) and active in over 90 countries around the world (including Nepal). It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable cities and settlements with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development, and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks.

Context

This UNV assignment is a part of the “Urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Climate-resilient Development in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal (Urban-EbA)” project, intending to support the integration of equitable and resilient urban planning and design in municipal planning and implementation processes, focusing on developing projects that incorporate ecosystem and nature-based solutions. The overarching objective of this project is to build the resilience of communities in the Kathmandu Valley against the impacts of climate change, such as flooding, landslides, and drought. The project interventions aim to mainstream EbA into planning frameworks, budgeting, and implementation mechanisms of the KVDA and five target municipalities, as a demonstration to decrease the climate-induced impacts, particularly urban floods, drought, and heat, and build climate resilience. Project interventions directly benefit 82,400 people in the selected wards in the target municipalities where EbA interventions will be demonstrated, while the entire municipal population will be the indirect beneficiaries of the project, through institutionalization and mainstreaming of the EbA in the municipal and KVDA’s annual planning processes. Moreover, the project adopts a proof-of-concept approach to i) enhance groundwater recharge; ii) improve soil stability; iii) check urban flooding surge; iv) reduce urban heat effect, and v) build the resilience capacity of urban households. At the same time, the entire Kathmandu population will benefit indirectly through the institutionalization and mainstreaming of the EbA in the municipalities and KVDA’s decision-making and annual planning process. Additionally, the project will produce socio-economic and environmental co-benefits to the city dwellers; there will be research-based evidence for the efficacy, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of urban EbA measures leading to the policy, planning, and programming integration of EbA as an adaptation approach into future urban planning in Kathmandu Valley.

Task Description

Under the direct supervision of Habitat Programme Manager and day-to-day guidance of the Project Coordinator and in close coordination with the project team/specialists, the three UNV National Municipal Technical Officer ), each based in a municipality within Kathmandu valley will: • Assess existing policies, strategic plans, by-laws, and development budgets of the municipality to identify entry points for urban Ecosystem-based Adaptation/Nature-based Solution (EbA/NbS), while engaging private sectors and multi-stakeholders to align requirements and validate findings. • Conduct consultative meetings and workshops with municipalities, wards, communities to identify Urban EbA/NbS- related available resources, and resource gaps; • Support the project team undertaking Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA) of municipalities and specific sites, and provide technical and coordination support where necessary; • Support the municipality in developing locally adoptable technical designs for rainwater harvesting for household use and groundwater recharge at public properties and private homes. • Support the municipality in drafting the EbA/NbS (rainwater harvesting) implementation standards or procedure. • Undertake Urban EbA mainstreaming in municipal planning process, review Training roll-out and training content materials (module based and for targeted audience); • Support Urban EbA Project Management Unit at kathmandu valley development authority (KVDA) with logistics and coordination for EbA/NbS-related training and workshops. • Design and development of projects for funding through the municipal budgeting system and further blended financing; • Support the municipal engineering and environment division/section to mainstream EbA interventions in municipal projects; • Collate information on recurring climate hazards, their impacts, and future risks (on ecosystems and people) in the municipality and develop issue briefs to lobby municipal leadership for climate action. • Contribute to impact documentation by assisting the Urban EbA Project Management Unit (KVDA) and UN-Habitat Nepal in preparing impact stories in the light of investments by the Urban EbA Project in that particular municipality. • Support the municipality in preparing the methodology/framework to develop a municipal ecosystem inventory and lead the urban ecosystem inventory development for that particular municipality accordingly. • Prepare event reports, meeting minutes, progress reports, and presentations related to the project in close coordination with the UN-Habitat Project Team and EbA Expert/Senior Policy Expert. • Support and contribute to other related tasks in the respective municipality as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible • As an active UN-Habitat team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to UN-Habitat and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Preparation of assessment reports o Preparation of event reports o Mainstreaming EbA in municipal planning (including project planning and execution).

Competencies and values

Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN-Habitat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN-Habitat procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN-Habitat in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. Planning and organising: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UN-Habitat’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

The municipalities in Nepal provide for an interesting and enriching environment together with huge learning opportunities in local governance. Stationed within the municipality office, the position provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as stamina and commitment. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work within municipality system and structure is essential.