Enabel is the Belgian development agency. It implements Belgium’s governmental cooperation. The agency also works for other national and international donors. With its partners in Belgium and abroad, Enabel offers solutions to address pressing global challenges - Climate Change, Urbanisation, Human Mobility, Peace and Security, Economic and Social Inequality - and to promote Global Citizenship. With 2,000 staff, Enabel manages about 170 projects in twenty countries, in Belgium, Africa and the Middle East.
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Background
Enabel is about to start the implementation of a new cooperation portfolio (NCP) for Palestine. This program will on the one hand build on the successes of governmental cooperation over the past decade and on the other hand, also provide a response to the Palestinian and global challenges of this decade.
Belgian development cooperation has supported the Palestinian territories since 1993 - initially through delegated cooperation. Direct governmental cooperation was started in 1997 for an amount of 15 million euros and the fourth and provisionally last agreement (2011) evolved to 71.6 million euros (2012-2015). This program was extended in December 2020 with an additional budget of 10 million euros. The new portfolio is proposed for a period of 5 years (2022-2026). An indicative budget of 70 million euros is allocated for the new 2022-26 portfolio.
The new portfolio, titled “Empowered youth in a green Palestine” (EYGP) will focus on 2 pillars: The first pillar focuses on the empowerment of youth based on a continuum between developing competencies, skills, access to employment and entrepreneurship, while the second pillar is dedicated to climate action, based on support to the development of an emerging green and circular economy with the view to contribute to a sustainable and inclusive Palestinian society, and reduce environmental hazards and dependency on non-renewable natural resources.
In parallel, Enabel has been implemented several third-party funded projects, mainly for the European Union. One of this project, Resilience in Schools of East Jerusalem, aims at increasing the resilience of communities in East Jerusalem by providing support to school infrastructure and teaching and developing public and semi-public spaces in a variety of neighbourhoods.
Enabel Palestine is seeking to recruit a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of “Urban Planning Expert”, which will contribute to the implementation of urban planning and urban design-related activities of the new portfolio and other projects, including (but not limited to):
“Resilience in Schools of East Jerusalem” (RiSE) - Ongoing
Development of 6 public and semi-public spaces in East Jerusalem
Education and Learning (New Portfolio)
Development of 1 youth-friendly public space in EJ
Green West Bank and PSE22005 - Green Gaza (New Portfolio)
Support to spatial urban planning of the 5 selected cities and their hinterland, through academic research and design studios, in collaboration with local and Belgian universities
Support the governorate level to strengthen regional planning
Support to LGUs lacking a master plan or in need of revision
Provision of equipment for data collection and analysis to LGUs
Development of public spaces in West Bank and Gaza.
The period of assignment is 4 years.
JOB Descreption
Under the supervision of the International Technical Advisor – Urban Planning and Infrastructure, you will:
Contribute to the implementation of the interventions by providing inputs for planning, execution, coordination, follow-up and monitoring, and evaluation of activities in order to ensure that the results of the programme (outputs – outcomes) are achieved within the set execution deadline.
Provide the necessary technical inputs and expertise in Urban Planning, Infrastructure Planning, and Urban Design in order to achieve technical performance in accordance with national and international norms and standards.
Organise knowledge building and knowledge management in the field of in Urban Planning, Infrastructure Planning, and Urban Design in order to create an inclusive, informed climate of trust within the programme/interventions.
Contribute to change and strengthen the capacities of partners in order to contribute to the improvement of their organisation, processes and systems and of their staff’s competences.
In full coordination with other related interventions and experts, liaise with relevant partners (e.g. MoLG, MDLF, LGUs, Academic institutions, and line ministries).
Your Profile
Required qualifications and experience
You hold a master’s degree in Urban Planning, Spatial Planning, Architecture or a similar relevant degree.
At least 5 years of relevant experience in the field of urban planning, infrastructure planning, and urban design projects and/or consultancies
Experience in relevant projects is essential.
Experience in participatory urban planning exercises involving a variety of public and private stakeholders
Required skills and knowledge
You have excellent knowledge of urban development challenges in Palestine and worldwide.
You have excellent understanding of international trends in urban planning and urban design/public spaces.
You have expertise in the fields of sustainable urban development and green cities.
You master cartography and mapping tools, including GIS and CAD.
You have good skills in leading meetings, workshops and groups.
You are familiar with working in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams
You show you are an initiative builder allowing your colleagues to count on your commitment to the team.
You build strong proposals and bring innovative solutions to issues you encounter.
You are able to work and evolve in a changing environment.
You are familiar with results-based management.
You are familiar with theories of change.
You master knowledge management and knowledge building.
You have excellent analytical and writing skills.
You have a strong affinity with and easily use various digital tools and new technologies.
You are fluent in spoken and written Arabic. Considering the working language of Palestine and the international environment in which you work, excellent knowledge of English is required.
You are also required to commit to the vision, mission, and values of Enabel (https://www.enabel.be/content/enabel-vision-mission-values).
Understanding of the local codes, processes, and procedures relevant to Urban Planning at the local and regional level.