Background

UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and resilient towns and cities. It is the focal point agency for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat envisions well- planned, well-governed and efficient cities and towns, with adequate housing, infrastructure and universal access to employment and basic services such as water, energy, and sanitation. Responding to crisis and post-crisis context is part of UN-Habitat’s mandate and strategic plan.

In Ukraine, UN-Habitat is supporting national and subnational governments in their recovery efforts, linking short term reconstruction needs to longer term resilience solutions. At national level, UN-Habitat provides support to the government of Ukraine on the development of national policies and instruments that guide regional and local governments’ recovery. The programme also strives to increasing Ukrainian urban planning and design capacities, through support to academia, think tanks and practitioners among others. At local level, UN-Habitat provides support to recovery planning efforts of local governments, through its Urban Lab established in Kyiv.

The Urban Planning Lab (Urban Lab) is an entity for UN-Habitat to promptly respond to and support national and local governments in achieving sustainable urban development. The Urban Lab is the integrative facility of the Agency where innovative processes and partnerships are translated into tangible and transformative solutions to complex urban challenges, including urban recovery processes.

he Urban Lab brings together multidisciplinary teams of local and international urban planners, environmental, data-science, mobility, legal and financial experts, providing holistic and proactive approaches to sustainable urbanization in cities and towns globally. Hence, the Urban Lab embeds the necessary thematic disciplines, experts, actors and stakeholders to respond to requests, also in crisis and post- crisis contexts. The Urban Lab acts as a neutral broker, managing knowledge in complex stakeholder settings to resolve multi-sectoral, multi-scalar and multi-stakeholder challenges.

The Urban Lab applies an integrated approach to systemic and strategic urban planning to deliver transformative change for sustainable urbanization and to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the New Urban Agenda.

The Urban Lab addresses the complexity and challenges of cities and regions by translating these global and other development frameworks into concrete actionable solutions into the built environment through development of local strategies and plans for urban transformation, and by bridging the gap between policy and physical implementation. Informed by evidence-based data analysis, spatial and non-spatial strategic responses and solutions are developed in partnership with stakeholders to ensure sustainable urban development outcomes. 

Rationale and context of the assignment

UN-Habitat has been called upon to support early recovery in Ukraine to promote urban and territorial recovery and regeneration towards a greener, more resilient, healthy and inclusive urban future. The Ukrainian government has a strong ambition to ‘build back better’, where urban recovery planning and design on territorial, town and neighbourhood level can play a vital role in making cities and towns more sustainable and resilient. Aspects such as mixed land use, provision of housing and public space, improved access to public and social services and functions will be important, including promotion of local economic development. Similarly, there is a need to revisit and update instruments and frameworks for urban planning and housing, especially their application on local level for reconstruction of the built environment. UN- Habitat’s support will inform progress towards implementation of the SDG’s and New Urban Agenda.

UN-Habitat’s support builds upon three main inter-linked components; 1) support to the national government and ministries for the improvement of regulatory frameworks and instruments for a sustainable urban recovery; 2) support to urban and territorial recovery towards more inclusive, green and healthy urban recovery in selected regions (Oblasts) and municipalities (hromadas); 3) strengthened urban planning capacity among urban stakeholders, and specifically within public institutions.

For component two, UN-Habitat and the Urban Lab have provided technical support in urban recovery to several hromadas, for the development of urban profiles and the subsequent preparation of urban recovery plans in the short-, medium- and long-term development perspective. As a result, eight statutory plans, including Comprehensive Recovery Programmes (CRPs) and Integrated Development Concepts (IDCs) were developed using a participatory, evidence-based, and integrated spatial planning methodology.

UN-Habitat Ukraine aims to expand support to hromadas closer to the frontline, where the urgency of recovery requires a faster, streamlined, and scalable planning process. To support this, UN-Habitat seeks to develop a rapid methodology for preparing CRPs that enables early identification of priority projects while maintaining a proportionate level of participatory and evidence-based engagement adapted to the realities of near-frontline conditions.

The incumbent will notably contribute to the development of this methodology and must have an urban planning background with specialist expertise within in areas such as urban resilience, environment/climate, shelter/ housing, land and properties, or other related area and experience in crisis settings. 

Under the overall supervision of the Head of UN-Habitat Ukraine Office and the direct supervision of the Head of Ukraine Urban Lab or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the Urban Planning Expert will:

Contribute to the development of the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology (selected sections, incl. on cross cutting themes such as climate adaptation, green recovery, and environmental safeguards to support sustainable and long term resilient urban recovery outcomes); Map out stakeholders engaged in targeted regions (oblasts near the frontline) (incl. humanitarian actors) and analyse current activities and coordination mechanisms, institutional capacity and available data;  Develop new partnerships and engage with potential implementing partners that could support selected sections of the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology;  Assess relevant technical and coordination capacities at the oblast level and develop a strategy for engaging with oblasts in support of local recovery planning;  Support the design, organisation and facilitation of participatory, multi-stakeholder knowledge-sharing events to co-create and disseminate lessons learned and promote best practices, as well as the knowledge production; Develop a project proposal supporting the delivery of housing solutions for affected households in partner municipalities.

Results Expected

The ultimate result of this assignment is to provide strategic and technical support to the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology and UN-Habitat’s engagement in the shelter/ housing sector. 

Outputs and Expected Deliverables

The assignment is expected to commence on 2nd February 2026, subject to contract signature, in order to meet the output deadlines outlined below.

No. Outputs

TIMELINE

(working months)

and tentative dates

1

Advisory note on how UN-Habitat/Urban Lab could best engage in frontline contexts

Analysis of the stakeholders landscape near the frontline areas, portfolio and data 

Strategy to work with Oblasts in support of local recovery planning

One working month,

by 28 February 2026

2

Selected sections of the Rapid Recovery Planning Methodology

Project proposal supporting the delivery of housing solutions

Knowledge management prep & reports inputs

One working month,

by 31 March 2026

The duration of the assignment is fixed at two months. No extension of duration or additional remuneration shall be granted beyond the delivery and approval of the outputs listed above. All outputs shall be reviewed and approved by the Head of UN-Habitat Ukraine Office or his/her delegated representative as a condition for payment.

Working location and travel

The assignment is output-based and requires the expert to perform the work from Kyiv, Ukraine, due to the nature of the assignment and the need for in-person coordination with national and local counterparts. Travel within Ukraine for site visits, technical missions and stakeholder engagement may be required in support of the agreed outputs. Travel within Ukraine will be covered by UN-Habitat in accordance with applicable rules

Competencies

Professional: Technological Awareness. Keeps abreast of available technology, understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office, actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology. 

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; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed; Excellent drafting ability and communications skills, both oral and written; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; Ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful. 

Team work: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 

Planning and Organizing: Ability to prioritize activities and assignments and to easily switch between different projects.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Urban Development, Urban Planning and Design, or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

A minimum of seven years of relevant work experience in the field of urban development, environmental resilience and shelter provision (and/or related fields) with direct proven experience of programme/project management is required; Strong knowledge of the United Nations system, international financial institutions, donors, and international NGOs engaged in development and humanitarian response; and proven experience in coordinating multiple stakeholders; Urban Recovery Planning in Ukraine or from other urban crisis/post-crisis contexts is required; Strong technical knowledge of shelter and settlements, including durable housing solutions, is required;  Sound record of methodological tools development in support of urban recovery;  Proven experience in capacity strengthening of local partners and authorities;  Working knowledge and understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (and their monitoring/evaluation) and of the New Urban Agenda is an asset; Working experience with international development agencies and in particular the United Nations is an asset.

Language

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Special Considerations:

The candidate should be familiar with, and committed to the goals of UN-Habitat, and have:

Clear knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches to urban development, planning and design, housing provision particularly in an international development context including crisis and/or post-crisis contexts; Strong urban planning skills in relation to principles for sustainable urban development; Strong communications skills, including writing, presenting and facilitating workshops; Ability to develop methodological tools, knowledge products and concept notes; Ability to develop strong graphic materials as well as substantive reports; Ability to work independently and as part of a team in multi-national/ cultural environment and flexibility in understanding and accepting different assignments; Ability to lead and provide technical guidance to an international team; Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines; work well under time constraints while retaining attention to detail, and; Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates must submit an email quoting in the email subject the post title and the duty station to the UN-Habitat Ukraine Programme, email address:

with the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

1. Cover letter addressing precisely how the applicant meets the qualifications and requirements.2. Completion of a CV in P11 Form which can be downloaded at: The CV shall include information on the past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.3. Financial Proposal. The offeror's letter including form for the financial proposal can be downloaded at: 4. Diplomas and copy of Passport or ID Card Deadline for applications: 15 January 2026 Please note that applications received after the closing date stated below, will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview. 

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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