Urban and Regional Planner

Ismaila Babalola Aro

Address: ** * ***** ****** ****** Akute Road Lagos Nigeria

Mobile: +234 802-***-**** Skype: arobabalola Email: **********@*****.***

Education

Advanced studies: Integrated Approach for Upgrading Poor Urban Areas. Graduated 2013 Weitz Centre for Development Studies Rehovot Israel. University of Lagos, Nigeria: B.sc Urban and Regional Planning. Graduated: 2005 Secondary Education: Lagos State Model College Igbonla Epe Lagos Nigeria. Graduated: 1996 Primary Education: Loral Primary School Festac Town Lagos Nigeria. Graduated: 1990 Professional Qualifications

Member Nigerian Institute of Town Planners. MNITP/2921

Member Town Planners Registration Council. RTP/2387 Professional Trainings

Project Management Professional Training.

By Piston and Fusion Nigeria.

Creativity, Innovation and Team Building.

By TOM Associates Nigeria.

Personal Mastery and Superior Customer Delight.

By V.I.P Consulting Limited Nigeria.

Health Safety Environment Training (H.S.E).

By the Nigerian Institute of Safety Professionals. Employment History

Organization: Bridge International Academies Nigeria. Title: Physical Planning Manager

June 2016 – To Date

General Responsibilities:

Managed comprehensive planning activities related to government service delivery and provided project leadership on environmental impact assessment reports as it affects communities of engagement in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws, within the goals and objectives of the organization.

Essential tasks include the following;

Coordinating the planning approval process across all team members and also keeping the rest of development /Bridge updated on progress at every stage.

Take hands-on approach on drafting and compiling planning briefs, keep abreast of all public notices that are in the interest of Bridge, guiding the team and ensuring all necessary documents are available.

Formulate goals, programs, procedures and work schedules while making sure planning approval process proceed as planned.

Apply principles, practices, law and regulations for planning, zoning and land development.

Assign duties and examine work for exactness and conformance to laws, policies and procedures.

Documenting and tracking deliverables.

Provide overall management of division-related planning issues. Achievements:

Reviewed and advised on potential properties of interest suitable for school development brought in by the real estate teams thereby bringing about a change in the types of academies we have:

Managed project expenditures in-line with budget and organizational policies and requirements.

Stream lined the Planning process for a faster turn out rate in getting Government official documents.

Performed supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organizations policies and applicable laws.

Monitored and ensured compliance with local, state and federal laws.

Ensured all construction and renovation going on site progresses uninterrupted and stated timelines for completion is achieved.

Supervised and mentored staff within the department.

Provided engagement level direction to direct reports as well as external consultants towards the accomplishments of getting Building Plan Approvals for the buildings Organization: Heinrich Böll Foundation Nigeria.

Title: Research Consultant

January 2015 – March 2016

Responsibilities:

Coordinate meetings with relevant experts and interview partners for the international consultant.

Coordinate study on "Mega Projects'' in cooperation with international consultants and a team of two students provided by the Departments of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Lagos.

Mentor and aid development of ideas with student teams.

Prepare research report on the legal and administrative planning and the framework for urban planning implementation on Urban Megaprojects within Lagos State.

Conduct Interviews with relevant stakeholders and site visits.

Provide relevant information about laws, regulations as required.

Participate in the validation sessions and focus group discussions.

To show what may be the impact in the short and long-term perspectives of the projects. Achievements:

Coordinated report drafting based on consultations, reviews and research.

Ensured appropriate documentation of various stages of information gathering and knowledge sharing.

Various information gathering through corporate and development partners of the project.

A report on general laws, regulations and guidelines in planning and a research report on

"Mega Projects''

Able to make recommendations for a more participatory, transparent, and gender-balanced governance.

How the role of strategic planning in Lagos is reflected in the urban mega-project of the Lekki Free Trade Zone.

Organization: Fabulous Urban.

Title: Project Coordinator for construction of a Hotspot within Makoko Community for socio-economic purpose

May 2014 – December 2014

Responsibilities:

Proactively manage procedure and interactions with Government Ministries and Agencies in the State.

Ensure construction of hotspot for socio-economic purposes within Makoko/ Iwaya waterfront Community in line with Regeneration plan of the area.

Liaise with SERAC in holding community meetings with all stakeholders within the community.

Interface with the local supplier and lead negotiation on the procurement of materials for the construction.

Coordinate and support site team (Local piling company and resident’s carpenters).

Identify, Plan, coordinate the implementation of recommended actions and execution within the timeframe.

Keep funding partners updated on the progress of the project. Achievements:

The hotspot created a platform for diverse economic and market opportunities for local and external stakeholders.

Able to determine analyses of existing conditions and vibrant models for improving lives and living conditions in the community.

Transform the community into a green and sustainable neighbourhood that promotes living, work and play.

Organization: Lagos State Government

Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency

Title: Planning Officer and Personal Assistant to General Manager LASURA 22

nd

July, 2009 – 25

th

April 2014:

Responsibilities:

Support the General Manager administratively and technically in identification of Renewal programs, seek approval and commence implementation within urban renewal areas.

Coordinate and follow up on administrative assignments as well as maintaining deadlines

Develop and maintain working relationship with relevant international Agencies, corporate bodies as well as other Government agencies within the purview of the agencies mandate.

Inter-phasing with project teams to ensure proper implementation and schedule of project.

Collation of data within renewal schemes around Lagos and selection of blighted communities for upgrading programmes for both internal and external interventions.

Coordinating the preparation of weekly reports on all on-going Urban Renewal projects and also preparation of mid-year/ annual report.

Working with and ensuring local council development officials have an understanding of the Agency’s mandate.

Drafting briefing material and power point presentation for the General Manager in advance of meeting with stakeholders of the projects.

To prepare, review periodically plans and development guide plans for excised villages. Achievements:

Successful preparation of Regeneration plan of a selected area within Lagos Island which was approved by the Governor and implementation of the project started 3rd quarter of 2014.

Worked with relevant stakeholders in playing a supervisory role of the construction of 11-floor apartment Isale Gangan Lagos Island. A regeneration pilot project carried out for 12 families who were living in poor conditions on Lagos Island

Processed development plans for approvals on Urban renewal areas and documented urban renewal projects for the agency

Agege facelift pilot project: this was an upgrade of the physical structures within the area thereby improving the livelihood of the people living in the neighbourhood.

I was part of a technical team involved in a French Development Agency (AFD) funded project in collaboration with consortium team Groupe Huit and EnvironQuest on a path finding mission to carry out needs assessment and feasibility study for slum upgrading in Bariga and Amukoko communities.

Proactively engaged in a facts finding mission with a team from JICA on improvement programme for water and sanitation system in seven (7) slum communities of Lagos State with the aim to improve water and sanitation system in selected slum areas of Lagos State

Selection of pre-qualified consultants, issuance of request for proposal and evaluation of technical and financial proposal for study to be carried out on 12 slums of the state.

Prepared and made arrangement of Stakeholders meeting within communities of intervention.

Monitored, evaluated and prepared outstanding executive summary of all projects carried out annually.

Skills and Competencies

Strong organisational skills with excellent understanding of donor agencies.

Excellent presentation skills with the ability to convey verbal and non-verbal information effectively with good leadership skills.

Excellent experience with stakeholder engagement locally and internationally

Ability to work effectively as a team member in a multicultural environment and to establish and maintain a range of contacts and deal appropriately with counterparts.

Ability to analyse information, deal with ambiguity and handle difficult situations with composure.

Strong computer skills with proficiency in desktop applications and all Microsoft office packages including Microsoft Projects.

References: Available upon request

Contact this candidate