Director, Office of External Relations, D2

Org .Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United Nations 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. The post is located in the Office of External Relations within the Office of the Executive Director.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the incumbent’s responsibilities will be 1. Management: Provide leadership, exercising oversight and maintaining coherence in the implementation of the work programme linked to (I) the Secretariat to the Governing Council and World Urban Forum; (II) Resource Mobilization Unit and (III) Information Service Section, In coordination with the work carried out by other divisions, agencies and bodies of the United Nations system. Undertake and oversee the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Office, including preparations of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, evaluation of staff performance, staff recruitment, and preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting. Advisory support, direction and input to the implementation of the Medium Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP). 2. Secretariat to the Governing Council/World Urban Forum: Provide leadership to the development of an innovative change management programme. Specifically, provide policy guidance on the development of UN-Habitat’s strategic plan and long-term programme of cooperation with other/UN organizations and agencies. Define broad strategies to promote and support policy advocacy activities and initiate and coordinate high level policy dialogues with governments; local authorities and other partners. Enhance UN-habitat’s relationship with governments and the Permanent Missions, establishing protocols and ensuring the appropriate platforms for inter-agency and inter-governmental cooperation/exchange towards the achievement of set goals and the identification of new initiatives. Provide overall direction for the effective function of the Committee of Permanent Representatives and its working bodies. 3. Information Services: Provide direction, management and coordination of the work of the Information Service Section to ensure high quality and consistency of the organization’s informational and promotional products and activities with the overall information policy. 4. Resource Mobilization: Participate in and contribute to the organization’s strategic vision and the resulting work programme. Coordinate global programmes, incorporating experience and information into the UN-habitat work programme, through the formulation, implementation and elaboration of a resource mobilization strategy to broaden the UN-habitat’s funding base. Oversee through coordination and monitoring of Un-HABITAT’s funding proposals and progress reports to donors with a view of identifying donor funding opportunities. Negotiate funding agreements with donors. Undertake any other duties as directed by the Executive Director.

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert knowledge and demonstrated ability in analyzing, interpreting, formulating and communication complex policy and strategic issues on a broad range of development areas. Demonstrated professional competence in the management of human budgetary resources. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations and procedures in work stations.

Client Orientation: Ability to identify clients’ needs and propose appropriate solutions as well as establish and maintain effective relationships with outside collaborators and other contacts, including representations of Member States and the public.

Communication: Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies.

Leadership: Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change and improvement. Ability to effectively lead, mentor, develop and evaluate staff. Provides leadership and takes responsibilities for incorporating gender and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue the same direction. Clearly communicates links between the organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, social sciences or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in policy and operational work on development issues required. Experience in inter-agency coordination required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language will be an advantage.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place no restriction 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.

Assessment Method

Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subjected to the authority of Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.

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 send an email to recruitment@unon.org, quoting the job opening number in the subject header of your email.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNTIED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.

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