Director, Human Settlements Financing Division, D2

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. The post is located in the Human Settlements Financing Division of UN-HABITAT.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director, the incumbent will be responsible for providing leadership in formulating the Division's periodic work programmes and implementation strategy, in support of the Organization’s Strategic Framework and in achieving the overall objective of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation. Specific responsibilities will be as follows:

1. Directing and managing major programmes of the Division; contributing to the formulation of the Division's overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees; preparing documents on policy issues; ensuring that the Organization is able to identify and forge partnerships globally and at the country level with financial institutions and national governments as a way of mobilizing private and domestic capital, with special emphasis on increasing pro-poor investment in slum upgrading, water and sanitation, housing and municipal finance.

2. Designing fund-raising strategies for the Foundation; negotiating with multi-lateral/bilateral donors for resource mobilization and promoting/coordinating joint fund-raising activities.

3. Providing leadership to the development of innovative and/or change management programmes; formulating and implementing the substantive work programme of the Division, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs; undertaking or overseeing the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division; preparing budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparing inputs for results-based budgeting.

4. Coordinating and overseeing the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and other policy-making organs; providing substantive support to the Office of the Deputy Executive Director in the management and strengthening of the United Nations Habitat and Human Settlements Foundation. Assisting the Executive Director/Deputy Executive Director in convening technical and/or, policy advisory groups or panels on substantive-related issues.

5. Overseeing the recruitment of staff for the Division.

6. Performing other related duties as may be required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Expert knowledge in the field of housing finance, urban planning, urban policy development and other human settlements related areas. Demonstrated professional competence in the management of human and budgetary resources. Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues. Ability to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations and procedures in work situations.

Communication: Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.

Leadership: Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change and improvement; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving 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.

Judgement/Decision-making: Mature judgement and initiative; proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in urban planning, finance, economics, business administration, management or related area. A first level university degree in combination with qualifying experience in the above fields may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning, housing finance, development economics or related area. Experience at both operational and policy development level is required. Experience in multicultural environment, including in developing countries, is required. Experience in formal urban and infrastructure finance system and project investment planning is desirable. Experience in fund-raising and resource mobilization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of other United Nations official languages 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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