NUP Placement Programme

Introduction

Purpose

The UN-Habitat NUP Placement Programme aims to give academicians, practitioners and policy makers working on various aspects of urban policy an opportunity to undertake targeted research or tool development activities at UN-Habitat for a period ranging between one and twelve months. Selected experts will provide evidence on urban policy, improvise new tools/innovations to operationalise the NUP process and research into new areas of urban policy.

The NUP Placement Programme provides a world-class research environment through interaction with expert practitioners on a broad range of core subjects of urbanization. Additionally, the interactive nature of the Placement allows the participants to share experiences and exchange ideas, which promote greater understanding and cooperation on contemporary issues of urban policy. The NUP Placement Programme is also intended to enable professionals (government officials, academicians, and practitioners) of relevant topics on urban policy to deepen their knowledge of NUP and its partners.

Vision

To enhance the capacity of PLGS as a centre of excellence, leadership, and innovation in urban policy by creating cutting edge tools and knowledge to support the development, implementation, and review of urban policies.

Mission Statement

The mission of the NUP Placement Programme is to improve learning and knowledge on urban policy through enhanced documentation of cutting-edge tools, capacity development, technical assistance to urban policy activities of UN-Habitat, promotion of partnerships with other institutions and knowledge exchange that broadens exposure to urban policy; that are aimed at enhancing sustainable urban and regional development for all.

Objectives

The objectives of the NUP Placement include research, capacity development, development of new knowledge and tools, promotion of partnerships and technical assistance of experts to workstreams of UN-Habitat, as can be seen below;

To provide a platform for knowledge development and improved learning on urban policy themes through research.
To provide a platform for development of new tools and documentation of new knowledge by practitioners in urbanisation policy.
To develop capacity of the host organisation on area(s) of expertise of experts by facilitating an interactive nature of the on-the-job knowledge transfer that allows the participating experts to share learn, exchange ideas and promote greater understanding and cooperation on contemporary issues of national urban policy with the host organization.
To provide a platform for technical assistance to the host organisation on NUP work
To promote communication, awareness, and partnerships on NUP work.

Information for Applicants

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify for the Placement Programme, candidates must have a substantial urban background with academic, professional or research interests in the field of national urban policy, or a related field.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

The Placement Programme will be conducted in UN official Languages, thus fluency in spoken and written English and/or French is required. Applicants whose mother tongue or language of instruction is not English, or French are required to proof their language fluency (through a language test certificate, or proof of instruction or practice in English/French). Applications without a valid language proficiency proof will not be considered.

Additionally, Placement applicants with an ability to speak additional UN Languages as need may arise will have an added advantage, especially in regions with additional language requirements.

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS, TRAVEL, INSURANCE AND ACCOMMODATION

The Placement will not be funded, experts will be expected to work pro-bono. Applicants should thus be able to cover their travel costs to the Placement location, accommodation in the duty station (Nairobi or regional offices), medical insurance, a monthly stipend and other financial commitments that may arise during the tenure of the Placement.

Office space and other materials that will be required during the Placement will be provided at the duty station by the host agency.

Candidates being sponsored by their organisations needs to provide proof using a letter of support.

Applications

Every applicant must submit an online application form. Applicants will be required to draw a research plan and a career development plan, and both are important. The application form should be typed on A4 paper 1.0’ margins, font size 12 Times New Roman, 1.5 Spacing. The application form available under Downloads must be filled, signed, scanned and submitted during application, together with all the testimonials.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

In developing the Placement proposal, the applicant must address the hypothesis, rationale, experimental design, indicate measurable results and interpretation, the impact his/her ideas will have on the work of NUP.
They should demonstrate how the Placement will develop skills the applicants possess, the new value it adds to the Unit in charge of Urban Policy at UN-Habitat, the United Nations, and other Partners.
Every applicant should indicate the following on the Placement application form:
• Name of applicant
• Contact Details of the applicant
• Academic background of applicant
• Professional details of the applicant
• Research Proposal (Should not exceed 1000 words)
 Title of the applicant’s proposed research activity
 Research objectives
 Background to the topic (context, preliminary results from pilot studies- if there are any)
 methodology
 Impact/outcomes
• Expected results and prospects for future work (Should not exceed 400 words)
 How the Placement will further career (career development plan)
 Contributions to the work of the Policy, Legislation ad Governance Section and UN-Habitat

Applicants for Placement must demonstrate an understanding of NUP and the gaps the proposed Placement activities will fill.

ASSESSMENT OF THE PROPOSAL

Demonstrate to have found out the mission statement for the NUP programme and demonstrate how their research will contribute to the mission of NUP, UN-Habitat and the UN.
Demonstrate to have carefully reviewed and understood the eligibility criteria for the Placement such as the qualifications, length of the proposal, structure of the proposal etc.
Statement of the research question and show how it is relevant to the Placement.
Make a compelling case in the first page (preferably the first paragraph) of the proposal.
Provide enough background to help the Secretariat understand the research question, followed by assessing statement of purpose and significance of the applicant’s research.
Include preliminary results from pilot studies (if there be any).
Show that methods proposed by the applicant to answer the research question are valid and feasible. They should be specific about methodology without being tediously technical.
Demonstrate that the proposed project is manageable within the timeframe of the Placement.
Demonstrate clarity of ideas and expression, seamless flow, and attention to detail.
The proposal format and NUP Placement requirements must be adhered to.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Applications should be accompanied by;

A duly filled and signed application form
a cover letter specifying the applicants’ specific interest in the Placement
An updated CV
academic credentials
two letters of recommendation/support from previous supervisors
Identification documents such as a passport
English/French proficiency certification/testimonial

APPLICATION DEADLINE

The applicants must observe Placement deadlines. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

Placement

PLACEMENT AWARDS

Awards will be made to the most qualified candidates, based on academic credentials, work experience with considerations being made to regional balance, marginalised and vulnerable groups, youth, gender, and persons with disability.

PLACEMENT TOPICS

Various topics will be explored with consideration of urban policy. Applicants need to give a clear research topic in their proposal. Examples of topics could include the following:

The joint identification of urban development priorities towards socially and economically equitable and environmentally friendly urban and territorial development;
The provision of guidance on the future development of the national urban system and its spatial configuration, concretized through instruments such as national and regional spatial plans for territorial development;
The enhancement of coordination and guidance of actions by national actors, as well as all levels of government in all sectors;

The increased and more coordinated private and public investments in urban development and consequent improvement in the following key areas: the productivity of cities, inclusiveness and environmental conditions, subnational and local governments, financial flows, urban planning regulations, urban mobility, urban energy requirements and job creation.

PLACEMENT VENUE

The Placement Programme will be tenable in Nairobi, at the UN-Habitat HQ or its regional offices, for a period of between one month and one year after admission.

PLACEMENT PARTICIPANT ATTESTATION

At the end of the Placement, a Placement Attestation and Letter of Appreciation on completion of the Placement will be awarded to participants who complete the NUP Placement Programme entirely.