Adviser (Settlements Improvement), P-4

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-HABITAT (Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction (UPPR)

DUTY STATION: Dhaka, Bangladesh

FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Adviser (Settlements Improvement)

GRADE: P-4

POST DURATION One Year (with possibility of extension)

CLOSING DATE: 10 February 2011

ASSIGNMENT START DATE 1 March 2011

BACKGROUND

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: UN-HABITAT, the United Nations agency for human settlements, helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live 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 Adviser (Settlement Improvement (SIA)), will report to the Director of the Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific through the Senior Human Settlement Officer responsible for Bangladesh. He/she will work in close collaboration with the National Project Director and the International Project Manager of UPPR and other national and local level project partners.

The focus of the job is on the provision of technical assistance, coordination and facilitation of the settlements improvement component of the Urban Partnerships Poverty Reduction programme aligned with UN-HABITAT’s mandate, objectives, focus areas and expected results.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Adviser (Settlement Improvement (SIA)) will be responsible for the following duties:
• Provides technical assistance and implementation support to the Community Development Committees (CDCs), field staff of the programme and the national staff to ensure successful implementation of Output 2 of the UPPR projects focusing on improvement of living conditions of the urban poor and extreme poor in the informal settlements in 23 (later 30) cities
• Provide support to the project team and CDCs to improve the quality of the physical infrastructure and in contract management
• Provide support to the UPPR staff to improve and strengthen the community action planning process and identification of priority physical improvement activities to be implemented
• Review community contracts submitted by the CDCs for its adherence to UPPR implementation guidelines and recommend for funding
• Provide support to the UPPR staff and CDCs to improve the security of tenure and housing conditions
• Liaise with Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific (ROAP) and HQ for technical and professional support in improving security of tenure, housing financing (ERSO), water and sanitation improvement (WAC), etc.
• Liaise with ROAP for timely approval and disbursement authorization of the community contracts recommended by the project management
• Organise training programmes to build capacity of communities to manage the community contracts and timely implementation
• Organise training programmes to build capacity of the field staff to provide effective and timely support to the CDC in implementing the community contracts
• Liaise with and promote partnership with regional and national level organisations to improve the implementation of Output 2 of UPPR related to improving the living conditions of the poor and extreme poor
• Liaise with the monitoring unit of the project to improve the data collection and regularly update the information regarding Output 2
• Provide inputs in finalizing the project implementation guidelines 1 and 2
• Participate in the team discussions on key policies and strategic issues related to the implementation of Output 1 and 2
• Assist in preparing Work Plan and Budget for utilization of Settlements Improvement Fund in the town
• Provide innovative ideas on improvement of water, sanitation, drainage, footpaths and roads
• Undertake regular participatory monitoring and supervision of project activities related to Output 1 and 2 including collection, compilation, consolidation, processing and analysis of data on different project components, and documentation;
• Contribute to project appraisal, monitoring, review and evaluation, ensuring that all initiatives clearly contribute towards poverty reduction.
• Supervise the work of the settlement improvement assistant(s) and Urban Planners
• Performs other duties as required by the Project Management.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: senior staff members of the Regional Office, the UPPR Programme Manager, project partners, representatives and officials in national and local governments, non-governmental organizations and UN-HABITAT headquarters in Nairobi.

Results Expected: Successful implementation of Output 2 in line with UN-Habitat’s mandate and focus areas.

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.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• 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.
Managerial Competencies
• Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced university degree in housing, urban planning, engineering, environmental management or other field relevant to the respective programme.
Experience: At least ten years of field-based experience in programme/ project planning and implementation, preferably with international organizations. Five years of specialized experiences in community development programmes and technical skills in water and sanitation.
Language: Fluency in English as well as the national language of the respective country (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage
Other skills: Experience in stakeholder driven strategic planning and implementation processes.
Proficient in Database Management, Word, Excel, Email, Internet and preferably programme management applications.
Remuneration
See UN website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

E-mail: habitat.fukuoka@unhabitat.org
Please indicate the post title SIA/Bangladesh in your email subject. Please note that the applications received after the closing dates stated above, will not be given consideration. Only the short listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview. In keeping with UN-HABITAT gender policy, female candidates will be particularly welcome.
Deadline for applications: 10 February 2011.

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