Urban Economist & Livelihood Specialist (International)

Reporting Relationships:

The Urban Economist & Livelihood Specialist will report directly to the Program Manager and consult with ROAP and HQs (Planning, Finance & Economy Section) under the overall supervision of the Country Program Manager.

Background:

Afghanistan is facing multiple crises such as COVID-19, the impacts of drought and floods, and rapidly increasing poverty and food insecurity. Since the Taliban takeover of government on 15th of August 2021 and given the increasing numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs), the operational and programmatic context for the UN system in Afghanistan has changed significantly. The level of programmatic and institutional risk is much higher. The provision of basic needs and preserving livelihoods are critical for reducing the rapidly growing demand for humanitarian aid and emergency relief. The gradual progress that has been made over the last 20 years including gains in human rights, education, gender equality, health, social protection, and livelihoods are at risk of being lost, especially for women and other vulnerable groups. These factors not only impact the economy, human security, and social cohesion, but are also potential drivers of further conflict and violent extremism.

Learning from the experience in the last 20 years, and recognizing the realities of the current context, the UN in Afghanistan has outlined the need for an integrated, innovative and highly agile approach, one that puts people first, targets the most vulnerable and meets local needs by focusing on saving livelihoods. The AreaBased Approach to Development Emergency Initiatives (ABADEI) strategy has been designed by the UN as a response to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan. The strategy is a tailored area-based integrated programming approach to support basic human needs, complementing short-term humanitarian life-saving assistance with the safeguarding of livelihoods and the strengthening of community resilience. The strategy is centred around addressing the worsening poverty and vulnerability, supporting community resilience and social cohesion, and enabling the rehabilitation of small-scale infrastructure vital for basic human needs. The Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (STFA) has been established to serve as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors to channel their resources and coordinate their support to the ABADEI strategy and the UN joint programs developed under it.

The eight administrative regions of Afghanistan have been chosen as the hubs for the coordination of ABADEI interventions. Separate area-based joint programme will be developed for each region, responsive to the context-specific needs and vulnerabilities determined by natural resources, population distribution and other diversities. While there is some variation between the regions, as a minimum, interventions for each region will need to address five key issues that support basic human needs at the community level i.e. (i) Food Security, (ii) Water, (iii) Energy, (iv) Health, and (v) Livelihoods and Employment. Cross-cutting themes such as gender equity and risk reduction will be addressed both through mainstreaming and targeted interventions. United Nations Human Settlements Programme Afghanistan Programme UNOCA Complex, Kabul, Jalalabad Road www.unhabitat.org 2 Taking these five issues into account and the differences across provinces, the focus of ABADEI interventions will be on prioritized support in each of four key pillars: (i) Provision of essential basic services and infrastructure: the rehabilitation of essential infrastructure and services is key to establishing and maintaining livable conditions in vulnerable areas, (ii) Community livelihoods and local economic activities: the revitalization of local economies is an important dimension of the ability of communities to cope in the current environment while also addressing the drivers of the vulnerabilities they face, (iii) Disaster and climate resilient critical infrastructure: due to years of environmental degradation and dependence on agriculture and natural resources for sustenance, Afghan communities are highly prone to intense and recurring natural hazards such as flooding, earthquakes, snow avalanches, landslides, and droughts, and (iv) Community planning for resilience and social cohesion: to protect development gains, ABADEI interventions will support the development of community-led needs-based socio-economic assessments and recovery plans that promote reconciliation and prevent conflict, improve access to justice, support alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and protect the rights of women and girls.

The Urban Economist will contribute to strategy, partnerships and knowledge-sharing for the country office, provide technical inputs and quality assurance for project management and provide urban economy expertise for implementation of the ABADEI project.

Responsibilities

(i) Undertake urban socio-economic studies and/or study existing socio-economic profiles of households and businesses in the project regions (e.g. level of education, incomes, expenditure, HH size, energy/fuel source, livelihoods, access to basic services, etc) and guide the project teams as well as ABADEI JP partners on appropriate interventions.

(ii) Guide the community action planning process to produce community socio-economic recovery and resilience plans working together with the Urban Planner and in collaboration with CDCs and ABADEI JP partners.

(iii) Review project proposals and provide technical inputs on the potential socio-economic impact of the infrastructure projects prioritized by CDCs on essential services e.g. health, education, waste management, transport, etc.

(iv) Lead technical discussions and contribute to the development of methodologies and best tools for the enhancement of livelihoods and improvement of local economies in project locations in consutation with ABADEI JP partners.

(v) Ensure best practice and contribute to organisational knowledge by gathering case studies and best practice examples on essential services and infrastructure, as well as livelihoods and local economic development.

(vi) Conduct field missions to assist with workplans, to monitor the implementation of projects and to advise on quality, progress and potential for collaboration with ABADEI JP partners and mitigation of operational risks.

(vii)Attend meetings and activities, and perform all tasks under the ABADEI/STFA’s Human Rights Technical Working Group (TWG) as focal point for UN-Habitat.

(viii) Undertake other tasks as instructed by the Country Program Manager or Program Manager.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Ability to identify and resolve budgetary problems and identify sources for data collection. 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.

Planning & 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.

Accountability:

Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: Advanced university degree (Master or equivalent) in Economics, Sociology, Urban Economics, Economic Geography, Urban Studies, Development Studies or related field is required; A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of progressive and relevant work experience is required; Demonstrable experience in the design and implementation of urban socio-economic studies including analyses of public investment in basic services/infrastructure is required; Previous work in the economic value chains across the rural-urban continuum is highly desired; Work experience in conflict and/or post-conflict contexts is an asset.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the UN secretariat. For the advertised post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of a local language is an asset.

Remuneration In compliance with UNOPS and UN-Habitat policy.