Human Settlements Officer, Nairobi

Closing date: Friday, 15 May 2015

Posting Title: Human Settlements Officer, P4
Job Code Title: Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements
Department/ Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 15 April 2015-15 May 2015
Job Opening number: 15-PGM-UNHABITAT-41613-R-NAIROBI (E)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This position is funded for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In his context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 1. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 2. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira 'Need Help?' link.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. This post is located in the Nairobi duty station. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Branch or Regional Director on day to day operations and works closely with Senior Human Settlement Officers, Programme Management Officers, Branch/ Regional Managers, Programme Support Division and other units at headquarters.
Responsibilities
Under the general supervision of the Chief of Branch or Regional Director, the incumbent will perform the following duties

• Provide technical and management support in Human Settlements analysis, needs assessments and other activities, participating in advisory missions to carry out high level consultations and other activities aimed at development of human settlements policies, strategies and programmes.
• Ensure the effective and efficient execution of projects and programmes, within the limit of the allocated resources, by providing appropriate technical support to projects through project design, field visits, training and evaluation, coordination and monitoring activities related to one of the following areas: effective advocacy, monitoring and partnership, participatory urban planning, management and governance, land and housing, environmentally sound urban infrastructure and services and strengthened human settlements finance systems.
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinate policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Generate survey initiatives, designs data collection tools, reviews, analyze and interpret responses, identify problems/ issues and prepares conclusions.
• Organize and prepare written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies and inputs to publications.
• Initiate and coordinate outreach activities; conducts training workshops and seminars, makes presentations on assigned topics/ activities.
• Provide capacity development support through documentation of knowledge management, tool development and facilitating networking with partners and programmes contributing to the enhancement of the policy dialogues at UN-HABITAT and globally.
• Participate in the strengthening of inter- divisional collaboration to achieve better linkages between normative and operational support to better coordinate and support the implementation of the organization's work programme.
• Development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/ projects, monitors and analyzes programme/ project development and implementation, reviews relevant documents and reports, identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions, liaises with relevant parties, ensures follow-up actions.
• Perform consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Provide substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences.
• Lead and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries.
• Coordinate activities related to budget funding and prepares related documents/ reports
• Perform other related duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism

• Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field.
• Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
• Ability to conduct data collection using various methods.
• Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
• Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Shows pride in work and in achievements;
• demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter;
• is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
• is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
• shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
• remains calm in stressful situations.
• Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork

• Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
• solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise;
• is willing to learn from others;
• places team agenda before personal agenda;
• supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
• shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning& Organizing

• Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
• identifies priority activities and assignments;
• adjusts priorities as required;
• allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
• foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
• monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary;
• uses time efficiently.

Client Orientation

• Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view;
• establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
• monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
• keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
• meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, urban and regional planning, sociology, economics or physical sciences relevant to development and management of human settlements.
• A first level university degree in combination with relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in human settlements projects and programmes at national level and at least two years of similar experience at the international level.
• Proven experience in human settlements development fields, projects/ programme design and implementation with the UN or other international agencies is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
• For the post advertised, fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage.

Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on 'The Application Process' and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on 'Manuals' hyper-link on the upper right side of inspira account-holder homepage.
Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.

More information and application details