Urbanist Expert (H / F)

To support the implementation of the “Sustainable Cities – Phase 1” project, Expertise France is looking for an Urbanist Expert .

Based in Accra, the Urbanist Expert works under the supervision of the Project Manager and in close link with the project Data Scientist. He / she is in charge of leading the activities related to i) supporting the implementation of a national Urban Observatory (UO) and ii) supporting the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Ghanaian municipalities and other relevant institutions (Ghana Statistical Services - GSS, National Development Planning Commission - NDPC) in enhancing evidence based decision-making on urban planning and progress tracking of the urban policy. He / she supports also the project’s activities related to urban planning, and works in close collaboration with other thematic experts (urban planner, water and sanitation etc.).

The key responsibilities of the Urbanist Expert include the following :

Structuring and operationalizing of a national Urban Observatory

• Develop a dialogue and coordination mechanism between national, local authorities and agencies in charge of urban development;
• Develop a comprehensive urban data collection and analysis strategy for the UO, in collaboration with the MLGRD, NDPC and GSS;
• Establish the architecture, operational functioning of the UO and pilot its deployment;
• Identify and select administrative, territorial and climate indicators and datasets, in collaboration with the Data Scientist and relevant partners;
• Support the data collection and management system of the UO;
• Prepare capacity building activities work plan, documents and supervise their implementation;
• Organize and facilitate consultation / coordination meetings and peer-to-peer exchanges with project implementation partners (experts, public and private stakeholders, DP’s etc.) involved in urban planning and city governance;
• Advocate for data-oriented urban planning and policymaking processes at local and national level;
• Participate in the identification, definition of needs, mobilization of short-term expertise (draft of terms of references, recruitment, monitoring of missions etc.) and verify the quality of deliverables;
• Ensure the quality of activities and their technical alignment with expected results, ensuring overall compliance with technical results within the set deadlines.

Cross-cutting activities

With a total population of 30.4 million people in 2019 and more than 55% living in cities, Ghana has a dense network of urban areas mostly concentrated along the Atlantic coast and in the Ashanti Region. The country is halfway through urbanisation, and has benefited from an urban economic network more advanced than other countries in West Africa. While the first period of urbanisation has generated job creation and opportunities, improved living conditions and reduced poverty for many Ghanaians, the country now faces the challenges of economic efficiency and social inclusion within its urban areas, where globally basic services are still lacking. In addition, unplanned spatial expansion of urban and metropolitan areas and their limited connectivity within and across Ghana’s cities is a challenge, increasing social and environmental costs, unequal and inadequate access to basic services, health risks and ecological damages.

To address these challenges, an integrated programme is proposed by the European Union to meet demands in infrastructures and services by working both on the institutional and legislative framework at central level, and on the urban growth at local level.

As the second largest technical cooperation agency in Europe, Expertise France (EF) has been entrusted by the EU with the design and implementation of the “Sustainable Cities – Phase 1” project. The action proposed by Expertise France will address the need for capacity building and data collection of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGRD); at decentralised level the action will target selected Regional Capitals - Wa, Damongo, Nalerigu, Bolgatanga, Tamale – and the secondary city of Yendi.

Objectives of the project

The Sustainable Cities in Ghana – Phase 1 is funded by the European Union (EU) to support both national and sustainable and inclusive cities, with local authorities enhancing sustainable cities in Ghana. The project will support the development of more sustainable and inclusive cities a particular focus on 6 cities of the Northern regions during 60 months.

The Overall Objective of this action is to improve urban prosperity for all. The Specific Objectives of this action are to :

In order to achieve this objectives, Expertise France will pursue the following actions :

Education

Professional Experience

Qualifications and skills

Additional information

Documents to be provided

The selection process will be conducted in two phases :