The Senior Architect/Settlement Planner will report directly to the International urban planner and work under the supervision of the National Program Manager. They will also support in UNHABITAT “participatory process” with communities and liaise closely with thematic experts, field staff, and external stakeholders, including community mobilizers and social organizers, to ensure architectural and settlement planning objectives align with the project outcomes.

Duties & Responsibilities

Responsibilities:

Project Design and Planning

• Develop architectural designs and settlement plans tailored to address the needs of vulnerable communities.
• Prepare technical documentation, including architectural layouts, drawings, and spatial planning guidelines like needs assessments, strategic maps for infrastructure projects.

Technical Oversight and Supervision

• Support the implementation of construction activities, ensuring designs are executed according to the approved specifications and sustainability principles.
• Support and join site visits to monitor ongoing works, ensuring adherence to timelines, quality, and safety standards.

Collaboration and Coordination

• Collaborate with field teams to ensure the participatory approach in planning processes.
• Participate in capacity-building sessions on spatial planning and community-led infrastructure development to empower local stakeholders.
• Coordinate with cross-disciplinary teams, including engineers, social organizers, and urban planners, to develop integrated design solutions.

Sustainability and Compliance

• Incorporate climate-resilient approaches into architectural planning.
• Ensure all designs comply with local regulations, UN-Habitat guidelines, and environmental and social safeguards (ESSS principles).
• In line with JICA’s principles, the architect must integrate sustainability into their designs based on BBB approach, including disaster resilience, energy efficiency, and the use of environmentally friendly materials.

Results expected.

• Completion of technical designs, BoQs, and settlement plans that align with project objectives and address the targeted communities’ needs.
• Support smooth implementation of infrastructure projects within the stipulated timeframe with quality maintained.
• Improved technical capacity of field teams and community representatives involved in settlement planning processes.
• Integration of climate-resilient and people-centered approaches into settlement planning and design outputs.

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.

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.

Job Requirements

Qualifications

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in architecture, Urban and Regional Planning, Civil Engineering, or a related field is required. At least 4 years of work experience in relevant field, including technical design, site supervision, and quality assurance, especially in disaster-affected, IDP, or returnee settings.

Experience: 

• A minimum of 5 years of practical experience in architectural design and urban planning, preferably in post-conflict or fragile settings.
• Proven experience in community-based infrastructure planning and participatory design processes.
• Ability to work on multi-sectoral infrastructure projects, including public amenities, WASH, roads, and public utilities.
• Strong familiarity with climate resilience, human settlement planning, and community engagement methodologies.
• Experience with GIS applications and other spatial analysis tools is desirable.

Language:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Local/National Language of the duty station is required.

Other:

• Build support with national counterparts, during the project period; Ensure high-quality and timely achievement of relevant activties and targets; Support capacity development efforts with project partners for the required components; Support UN-Habitat’s contribution to multi-stakeholder national 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

Submission Guideline

Submission guidelines

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.      An update and signed P11 form for the 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 (09 April) will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications meet the above criteria will be contacted for an interview.

Note: Subject line must be: (2025-03-246) or your application may not be considered.

Submission Email: hr-kbl-hab@un.org

For more details about UN-HABITAT and UN-HABITAT Afghanistan Country Programme refer Website: www.unhabitat.org and www.unhabitat.af