Senior Consultant - Informal Settlements Urban Planning

About the role

UN-Habitat Syria is seeking a Senior Consultant for an informal settlements urban planning assignment in Aleppo, focusing on the areas of Karm Al-Da'daa and Al-Sukkari. The expected duration is 5 months. The consultant will carry out urban, legal and planning analyses, develop upgrading models and provide evidence-based recommendations to support recovery, social cohesion and sustainable urban development in conflict-affected areas.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive urban analysis of the Aleppo Master Plan and the target informal settlements, covering land use, infrastructure, housing conditions, service provision and other urban development aspects.
• Identify key urban challenges and opportunities and propose priority interventions for recovery, rehabilitation and sustainable reconstruction.
• Carry out a legal and regulatory review covering land tenure, planning regulations and urban development frameworks.
• Develop and assess urban upgrading models, considering technical, social, economic, environmental and institutional dimensions.
• Evaluate the feasibility, risks and potential impacts of proposed upgrading scenarios and interventions.
• Prepare technical reports and planning documents summarising findings and proposed interventions.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations for sustainable upgrading and development of the targeted areas.
• Provide technical advice and support to stakeholders and project teams to inform decision-making.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering or urban planning; a first-level degree in a similar field plus two years of qualifying experience may be accepted instead.
• At least 5 years of experience in urban planning, development or control for master's degree holders.
• Proven experience in drafting or reviewing urban research, policy papers and/or planning documents in Syria.
• Experience in urban governance systems at local or national level in Syria is desired; experience with international organisations is also desired.
• English is required; Arabic is desired.