United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements - Jobs in Kenya

United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements - Jobs in Kenya

Org. 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. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live in with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The position is located in the Planning, Finance & Economy Section of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) with the Global Solutions Division in Nairobi.

The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools and methodology production and skills centre of the UN-Habitat, that develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through communities of urban practice. It provides technical and policy advice approaches and methodologies to MCOs/CO, government and partners and mainstreams them throughout the programme portfolio. It also ensures that the cross-cutting area of safety and the social inclusion issues of human rights; gender; children, youth and older persons; and disability are developed and mainstreamed across the Agency.

The Planning, Finance & Economy Section is responsible for coordinating the Agency’s substantive, normative and operational work on various dimensions of planning, finance and economy. The Planning, Finance & Economy Section aims to develop, document, pilot/test and disseminate planning policies, norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures and practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels in support of (a) urban and territorial planning at all scales including urban design and public space design; (b) urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance); and (c) local economic development.


The position reports to the Manager of the Public Space Programme. Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities
• Contributes to the implementation of the workplan and activities of the Global Public Space Programme in collaboration with the GPSP team, Section and country offices.
• Develops the public space portfolio and expands the application of tools, as well as the integration between urban planning and design, and finance and economy approaches for the delivery of innovative and effective public space projects. Undertakes resource mobilization activities and analyzes risk and opportunities for increasing the efficiency of delivery.
• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation pubic space projects and activities as assigned;, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Develops high quality normative documents, concept notes, project reports and guidance materials in consultation with clients; performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources; supports local governments in gathering data on safe, accessible and inclusive public spaces at city-wide level as per SDG11.7.1 guidelines.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in or lead field missions, in close collaboration with UN-Habitat’s regional and country offices and by informing the Resident Coordinator’s office, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to Public Space in Urban Planning and Sustainable Urban Development. Ability to identify urban development issues and their relation with the role of public space and urban quality, and capacity to, analyze and participate in the resolution of complex urban development issues. Knowledge of the SDGs, their targets and indicators and the New Urban Agenda. 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. Ability to independently develop planning concepts and proposal and produce high quality planning and design outputs, using relevant software. Familiarity with decision making process, participatory processes and tools for urban planning. 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit.

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.

Education
University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture or urban planning and design, human geography or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in programme and project delivery is required.

Experience in urban development planning and design is required.

Experience in coordinating cross functional teams or offices is required.

Experience with the United Nations or other international organizations is desirable.

Experience in policy development, including the review , preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies is desirable.

Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating public space projects and activities is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

NOTE: "Fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write,speak, understand) and " Knowledge of" equals a rating of " confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements - Jobs in Kenya

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