Urban Planner Baglung, Nepal This assignment has been negotiated in good faith with the Partner Organisation, and the information contained was correct at the time of acceptance of the request. While we take responsibility for matters under our direct control, all assignments and arrangements are subject to change. This assignment may be amended or withdrawn to reflect changes in circumstances. GENERAL DETAILS Assignment Title Urban Planner Partner Organisation Baglung Municipality Website of Partner Organisation www.baglungmun.gov.np Duration of Assignment 12 months Start Date September 12, 2019 Assignment Code 1. PARTNER ORGANISATION OVERVIEW Established in 1997, Baglung Municipality has a population of approx. 57,823 (2011 Census) residing in 14 wards covering an area of 98.71 sq.km. However, the actual number of people living in the municipality is likely to be more than indicated in the 2011 Census and is thought to be close to 70,000, taking into account students, government staff, private sector employees and migrant workers coming into the area from other districts of Nepal. Currently the municipality has 142 staff working in various sections. Vision: A clean, safe, and prosperous Smart City. The main purposes of the Municipality are the following: Promote economic development, environment conservation and disaster management. Infrastructure development, delivery of education and social development services. Poverty reduction, agriculture development, preservation of culture and tourism promotion. Industrial development. Strengthening financial management, collaboration with the private sector, academic and research institutions, civil society organisation and other government institutions. The capacity building of staff is a complementary purpose. The National Planning Commission, Government of Nepal, stresses that localization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at Provincial and Local Government levels for the universal, equitable and inclusive outcome of sustainable development efforts. The federal system of government entrusts many SDGs related to service delivery to the provincial and local 01 levels. These include basic and secondary education, primary health care, water supply and sanitation, agriculture, basic infrastructure and social security. Thus, the programs of the municipality are broadly aligned with SDGs. The municipality has collaborative relationships with civil society organisations, international development agencies and private sector role players (businesses, industries and their associations). 2. ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW Baglung is the second largest city, after Pokhara, in the Gandaki Province of Nepal. The geographical map the Baglung Municipality has recently expanded with the merger of five additional local government units into the municipality. Baglung is a rapidly growing municipality due to increased connectivity with other districts of Nepal. The municipality aims to improve the overall management of facilities and services being provided. In line with the policies and programs approved by the Municipal Council, it needs to design and implement an Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) to steer the long term planned growth of the city based on the optimal use of available resources while considering the social, economic and environmental effects of land use and its impact on the community. The municipality is in the process of engaging a team of multidisciplinary consultants to collect and analyse data to prepare a strategy and plan for urban development, covering: How the physical environment is arranged to support the health, safety, wellbeing and amenity provision to citizens in a way that is inclusive and accessible. How infrastructure supports development/community (i.e. roads, drainage, water supply, sewerage, open space, location of schools, health posts etc.). Distribution of land use to support the economic wellbeing of the community (i.e. protect agricultural land, locate new commercial enterprises in activity centres, location of urban development to ensure efficient use of infrastructure, use of, and development near rivers). The municipality seeks the support of an experienced Australian Urban Planner volunteer for the development of an Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) and related detailed implementation plans. The Volunteer urban planner will work with the municipal executives, planning, social development and technical section staff to develop these plans and to transfer related knowledge and skills. 3. ASSIGNMENT OBJECTIVES Work with the municipality team to design the Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP) with ‘smart city’ objectives Ensure that systems are in place to sustain the capacity developed in the municipality. To ensure the inclusion of all people directly affected by the volunteer assignment in the course of your work with the partner organisation and host community, including implementing strategies that relate to: a. promoting gender equality and empowering women, b. disability inclusion, and c. child safeguarding. 02 4. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE VOLUNTEER In consultation with their line manager and relevant stakeholders, Australian volunteers complete a work plan in the first three (3) months of their assignment. The duties below are an indication of the type of work that may be involved in meeting the Assignment Objectives: Together with the team, review components of the draft Urban Development Plan of the municipality, prepared by the multidisciplinary team. Support finalisation of the Integrated Urban Development Plan (IUDP). Design a phased Master Plan for the implementation of the IUDP. Provide technical support in the implementation of plan. Develop and/or maintain partnerships with local, regional and international organisations, provincial and national government, professional and peer networks. Ensure that capacity development of local team members is central to all the above. 5. SELECTION CRITERIA Qualifications, Essential Skills & Experience Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or Regional Development Planning. Five years’ experience in urban/town planning. Certifications in Planning from recognized authority. Good skills in AUTOCAD, GIS and other planning software. Experience in skill transfer and capacity building, interpersonal skills, communication skills and organizational skills. Desirable Skills & Experience Working experience in a local government setting. 6. ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION Line Manager Mayor. Staff Supervision This role will not supervise any staff.. Working Relationships Municipal executives, Social Development, Planning and Technical section staff. Hours & Days of Employment From 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Sunday to Thursday and 10:00 to 3:00 on Friday. The expectation is that the volunteer will work the equivalent of a 5 day week to a maximum of 40 hours per week. 03 Leave Entitlements All volunteers are entitled to 20 days leave per 12 months, unless otherwise advised. Same conditions and terms as local colleagues apply, including national holidays. Professional Indemnity Insurance Professional indemnity insurance is not provided for Australian volunteers. You should consult your partner organisation about the need for professional indemnity insurance for your role prior to your departure, and where required, you are advised to obtain adequate professional indemnity insurance from a reputable insurance provider. Note: A volunteer must not act as a medical practitioner without adequate professional/medical indemnity insurance. This must be provided by the partner organisation, Australian organisation (if applicable) or self-arranged by the volunteer. This applies to all clinical medical activities undertaken by midwives, nurses, doctors, paramedics, physiotherapists etc.). Other Conditions If required to work after hours, the volunteer is entitled to time off in lieu because there are no overtime pay provisions. Local Language Skills and Level Required Medium Language Support Basic language support is provided during the in-country orientation period. Most often, additional resources for further development later in the assignment will be available if required. 7. LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER Baglung, the administrative headquarters of Baglung District, is 275 km west of Kathmandu. Baglung Bazar is situated on a plateau overlooking the Kali Gandaki Gorge, directly south of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range. Steep cliffs rising from the valley flank the plateau on three sides. Baglung serves as the major center for business, finance, education, service and healthcare for the people of mid-Kali Gandaki Valley. Weather Baglung enjoys warm summers and mild winters. Annual average temperatures range from a maximum of 26.6 °C and a minimum of 19.1 °C. Rainfall is heavily affected by the Monsoon and most rain occurs during the months of June through September. The remainder of the year is mostly dry and sunny. Snowfall is extremely rare in the central city, however, higher elevations within the city limits see occasional snow during the winter months. 04 Connectivity Completion of several road projects have put Baglung at the crossroads of major north-south and east-west highway systems of Nepal. Tracks have been opened for Kaligandaki Corridor Highway connecting Tibet to the north via Mustang and border towns in the south. Similarly, Midhill Highway that connects the eastern and western halves of Nepal passes through the city. A paved highway connects the town with Pokhara, 72 km to the east. There