- Support participatory settlement/urban needs assessment reports and spatial plans for target neighbourhoods for UN-Habitat projects in Afghanistan.
- Support the different projects in the identification, design, planning and implementation of essential services and infrastructure projects at provincial level and for the UN-Habitat main office, including the integration of gender-sensitive approaches.
- Support participatory, community driven processes and Community Action Planning (CAPs) for prioritized, costed, and climate-adaptive infrastructure/community initiatives based on spatial planning considerations.
- Provide technical assistance on urban/spatial planning and basic services to DS partners and stakeholders as applicable for the joint programme in NE and other projects.
- Assist the Provincial Team Leaders in the development and implementation of project workplans, as well as monitoring and quality control of infrastructure projects.
- Support the co-ordination and consultation with DS partners and stakeholders in consultation with the Provincial Team Leader.
- Support technical guidance documents underlining the role of spatial planning for re-integration and population growth, climate adaptation, gender mainstreaming, and community engagement as applicable.
- Provide inputs to joint program monitoring and evaluation reports.
- Contribute to the development of new ideas, concepts, innovations and approaches for the delivery of DS program at provincial level, advocating for spatial planning as a tool for coordination of sectoral interventions.
- Advance any other spatial profiling related work assigned by program teams.
- Carry out any other tasks assigned by the Provincial Team Leader, National Program Manager or the International Program Manager
Competencies:
- Professionalism: Ability to identify sources for data collection as needed for spatial planning. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors’ language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect their own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
1. Education:
- A bachelor’s degree in architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Design Urban Studies, related fields with 6 years of relevant work experience are required including in emergency/ post-crises or conflict settings
2. Experience:
- Minimum 6 years of experience in managing and coordinating field activities, particularly in post-conflict/developing country contexts, 2 years relevant experience with master’s degree, if possible working experiences with the UN.
- Previous work experience in community-based development programs is highly desired.
- Demonstrated expertise in participatory planning, community infrastructure, gender mainstreaming, and climate adaptation.
- Knowledge of relevant settlement design software like AutoCAD, Adobe package, 3D modelling software like Sketchup. Knowledge of GIS is an added value.
- Previous work experience in settlement planning and/or infrastructure rehabilitation and development is required.
- Proficiency in the use of computer packages and internet for project work and communication is required.
- Previous work experience in community-based development programs is required.
3. Skills:
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure in politically and culturally sensitive environments.
- Excellent problem-solving, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
- Willingness to travel extensively in challenging conditions.
4. Language:
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and a Local/National Language of the duty station is required.
5. Other:
- Build support with project partners and relevant stakeholders as needed ensure high-quality and timely achievement of relevant activties and targets; support UN-Habitat's contribution to multi-stakeholder / interagency coordination and advocacy forums; Support 'learning by doing' capacity development efforts throughout the programme period with programme partners for improving local safety and security, especially for women, youth and marginalised urban groups; Support coordination with other partners’ programmes in target cities
Interested Afghan National Candidates should submit the following required documents.
1.A cover letter that shows how your qualifications and experience meet the VA requirement. 2.Update P11 form for individual contractor (IC) that contains all your information to the
(hr-kbl-hab@un.org) indicating on the SUBJECT line the vacancy number of the position, please note that applications received after the closing date (05 July 2025) will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview.
Note: Subject line must be: (VA 2025-06-250) or your application may not be considered.
UN-Habitat Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Programme is a strategic partner of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in promoting sustainable urban development. Since 1992, UN-Habitat has worked closely with the government, municipal and local authorities, especially Afghan communities, contributing to the physical and social reconstruction of the country. Our work has focused on assisting the government in the development of urban policies and regulations; strategic urban planning; increasing municipal revenue; establishing community-based organizations; addressing the land and housing needs of IDPs and returnees and contributing to the provision of basic urban services.
The fall of the government in the August 2021 event has led to a decline in human rights especially for women and girls. The international community also stopped much needed aid affecting public expenditure and socio-economic activities triggering a dire need for humanitarian and basic human needs assistance. Climate change, natural disasters, and forced returnees from Pakistan have also increased the needs for humanitarian assistance and basic human services. According to the Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2024, an estimated 27.3 million people need humanitarian assistance with $3.06 billion required to support over 17.3 million people. Furthermore, OCHA Natural Disasters Overview May 2024, stated over 20,308 people have been affected by natural disasters with 62 dead and 37 injured since January 2024. IOM Afghanistan Situation Report March-April 2024 reported over 548,900 returnees have been documented with the Afghanistan HNRP 2024 estimating an additional 423,000 returnees and 60,000 refugees from Pakistan projected in 2024.
Insecure Housing, Land and Property (HLP) rights have resulted in frequent evictions for residents of informal settlements. across Afghanistan, harming already vulnerable populations. Consequently, averting evictions is a priority to arrest a worsening humanitarian crisis. As well as evictions, insecure HLP rights constrain lifesaving service and infrastructure investments in informal settlements, leading to unsafe physical environments (unlit streets, exposure to disease, unsanitary/unavailable/inadequate WASH), and increasing safety risks, particularly for women. The proposed action deploys a community-based approach to strengthen HLP rights and make gender safe investments in informal settlements in two Afghan cities. This action will reduce the threat of eviction and increase women’s safety in the cities of Kabul and Herat where the 2023 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) shows high HLP and GBV risks, as well as overall humanitarian need. Vulnerable returnee households and drought affected communities living in informal settlements lack basic services that exposes them to protection risks. The need to assist such households has been exacerbated by the worsening security situation, forced return, economic shocks due to recent conflict, and the increased severity of natural disasters. Considering the high cost of shelter repairs, and the already negative net income of households, reconstruction and recovery process comes at a high cost that may not be affordable for most people. These challenges are exacerbated by the limited involvement of female humanitarian works.