Exciting urban planning opportunity driving inclusive growth in up to 10 Kenyan municipalities on the 5-year SUED programme.
Application reviewed on a rolling basis, starting date as soon as possible.
Based in Nairobi, with regular travel across Kenya.
The Programme
SUED is a £60 million, five-year programme supported by the British Government through the Department for International Development (DFID). The programme aims to support up to 10 fast growing municipalities to develop sustainable urban economic plans and attract investment for critical infrastructure and value chain projects.
The main programme objectives are to:
Strengthen capacity at municipality level to plan better for urbanisation.
Support policy and legislative changes to enable greater private sector led growth.
Raise investment for critical bankable, climate-resilient infrastructure and value chain projects.
Develop and test capacity at municipality level to maintain key activities after the programme ends.
Create climate-resilient jobs.
Improve rural links with larger markets that were previously difficult to access.
Poise municipalities for climate-resilient and sustainable growth.
The Position
Coffey is looking for an experienced Urban Economic Planning Lead to work on the SUED programme on a full-time basis. Reporting directly to the Team Leader, they will be responsible for leading SUED’s component on engaging and advising Kenyan counties and secondary cities on urban economic development.
The individual will hold significant responsibility in managing, overseeing, and providing quality assurance over the outputs of the subcontractor Urban Economic Planning Firm, Atkins, who will develop integrated urban economic plans to spur inclusive growth. They will also deliver demand-led technical assistance to cities and municipalities to improve business planning, conducive to private sector led growth in urban Kenya.
The individual will be based in Nairobi, with regular travel to towns and cities across the selected municipalities.
The Person
Essential
Advanced university degree(s) (PhD or Masters) in a field relevant to urban development, infrastructure and service delivery, such as urban planning, economics, political science, public policy, engineering or a related field.
At least 8 years of directly relevant experience gained post-qualification on a relevant urban development programme and/or analytical experience in the urban sector in developing countries.
Good command of key technical and policy issues in urban economics and economic geography; ability to develop, analyse and articulate technical issues to policymakers and internal clients in SUED on urban and territorial development, with a specific focus on secondary cities and towns.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to produce high quality analytical reports and to present these in public.
Demonstrated ability to lead a participatory planning process.
Ability to connect analysis to policy advice and operational decisions on territorial development issues.
Ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple tasks; ability to engage effectively internal and external clients in the provision of knowledge and learning, technical assistance and advisory services.
Experience managing a team of local and international experts.
Experience developing and managing large subcontractors (contract value over £2m) including engagement and performance monitoring.
Proven ability to develop and maintain solid networks/relationships with government level officials, donor representatives and stakeholders.
Strong understanding of value-chain and infrastructure development.
Experience delivering pro-poor urban economic planning.
Experience of providing capacity building to government ministries and institutions.
Knowledge of Kenya and legislation related to urban planning.
Desirable
Experience of working with DFID and understanding of the DCED standard.
Track record of delivering local business environment reforms to foster economic growth.
