JOB VACANCY

As an international cooperation enterprise for sustainable development with worldwide operations, the federally owned Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH supports the German Government in achieving its development-policy objectives. It provides viable, forward-looking solutions for political, economic, ecological and social development in a globalised world. GIZ promotes complex reforms and change processes. Its corporate objective is to improve people’s living conditions on a sustainable basis. For more information see: www.giz.de

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, program Kosovo for Green is seeking to fill the position of:

Urban Planning Advisor (national level)

The overall purpose of the post

The Urban Planning Advisor (national level) will play a key role in supporting Kosovo’s transition towards sustainable and climate-resilient, biodiversity-friendly urban planning in alignment with the national goals under the Kosovo for Green program. The advisor will provide strategic guidance and expert advice on national-level urban planning policies, spatial development, and legal framework revisions. This position focuses on enhancing the capacity of national institutions to integrate climate-sensitive and sustainable principles into urban planning while ensuring alignment with European standards.

The advisor will provide guidance and coordinate the work of implementing partners to ensure they contribute to the realisation of their assigned specific outputs of the program.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

The Urban Planning Advisor (national level) will be responsible to:

• Provide sector-specific technical advice for the implementation of the program activities on the national level, including spatial planning national policy drafting/revision, legal framework assessment and revision. Advise further the program partners on sector-specific matters as required
• Support the implementation of the urban planning component within the Kosovo for Green program, ensuring alignment with national priorities and policies, monitoring progress, and recommending adjustments as needed to achieve program objectives, under the guidance of the Component manager
• Support the revision of national urban planning policies and legal frameworks to align with EU standards
• Act as a liaison between national authorities and program partners, ensuring effective communication and coordination across all levels of government
• Provide expert advice to national authorities on urban planning regulations and policies, with a particular focus on sustainability and climate resilience
• Support the design and implementation of training programs aimed at enhancing the technical capacity of national government officials in spatial planning, urban resilience, and sustainable development practices
• Facilitate workshops, seminars, and knowledge-sharing platforms on national-level urban development topics
• Ensure alignment between national and local urban planning initiatives and policies.
• Drive the adoption of digital transformation practices in national urban planning processes to ensure more effective, data-driven decision-making
• Support and develop spatial planning concepts, and terms of reference. Provide support, advice and steer the selected consultants and contractual parties on their assignments
• Contribute to the program’s knowledge management, PR, and communication and contribute to other tasks as agreed with the Head of Component and Head of Program.

Other duties/additional tasks

• Providing guidance to the Program Manager and Program Component manager on the strategic approach towards national processes and activities
• Support positioning of the program strategically towards partners and stakeholders
• Continuing personal development, ensuring capacity compliance with the needs of the assigned function and the associated tasks and obligations
• Perform other duties as required by the Programme Component Manager.

Required qualifications, competencies and experience

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, or Architecture and Urban Planning, Urban Design, Urban Management, or a closely related field.

Professional experience

• At least six years of professional experience in an advisory position: i.e. work experience in the field of urban planning
• Experience in local governance, democratization, public services and performance management,
• Experience in institutional development and knowledge management
• National and/or international advisory experience related to national policy development and legal framework
• Profound knowledge and experience of urban planning on central and local level, development processes of built environment and its associated sustainable principles.

Other knowledge, additional competences

• Excellent working knowledge of English; knowledge of German is an added value
• A solid understanding of land-use policies, and EU or similar environmental standards
• Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office programs
• Understanding of Geographic Information Systems and data analysis tools
• Highly motivated, structured and strategic thinking, well organized and independent working style,
• Knowledge about the value of the environment, ecosystem and biodiversity
• Service-oriented attitude and interpersonal skills, including adapting communication to different recipients and networking in Kosovo and with the international community
• Able to establish a good and considerate working relationship with all staff in the organization, demonstrating respect for their respective roles and responsibilities
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management
• Willingness to upskill as required by the tasks to be performed – corresponding measures are agreed with management
• Willingness to facilitate regular partner interaction and exposure to on-the-ground waste management service provision.

Location: GIZ Office-Pristina

Expected start date: January/ February 2025

How to apply?

Interested and, suitably qualified and experienced candidates are invited to submit their electronic application in English, in PDF version, to [email protected]

• CV (Europass template is recommended)
• Letter of motivation
• Diploma(s), references/recommendations
• Exclusively to ensure transparency and avoid any potential conflict of interest, please provide the name(s) of any individuals who are related to you or you may know that have either previously worked for or are currently employed by GIZ, to the best of your knowledge (GIZ, in this case, will act in accordance with Article 13 of the Law No. 06/L –082 on Protection of Personal Data)
• Subject of the email: Name & Surname Urban Planning Advisor(national level) K4G

Applications that do not meet these rules will not be considered!

Deadline for the application: 18th of November 2024

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted and invited to the next stage of recruitment.

GIZ encourages female candidates, candidates from ethnic communities, and candidates with a disability to apply.

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Declaration of Consent

You agree that your personal data will be used for the purpose of the recruitment process, only. The information will only be accessed by recruitment staff and panel members. You understand that your data will be held securely and will not be distributed to third parties. You have a right to change or access your information. You understand that your personal data will be deleted after six months when this information is no longer required for this purpose.