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VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-HABITAT - Office of the Executive Director
DUTY STATION:Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Programme Manager
LEVEL:P-5
DURATION:One year with possible extension
BACKGROUND
Sustainable urban development is the theme of UN-HABITAT’s Medium Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) and henceforth remains a key priority in Agency’s normative and operational work. In this context, sustainable urban development is an overall framework within which UN-HABITAT is addressing more specific priorities.
Through the MTSIP 2008-13, UN-HABITAT aims to contribute in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), more specifically in halving, by 2015, the proportion of the population without sustainable access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation (Target 7.C) and in achieving a significant improvement in the lives of at least 100 million slum dwellers, by 2020 (Target 7.D).
Within the framework of the Medium Term Strategic Institutional Plan (MTSIP) 2008 – 2013, the Executive Director has identified three programmatic areas to prioritize UN-HABITAT’s work, namely urban planning (partially under Focus Area 2 and 4), urban institutions and governance (partially under Focus Area 1, 2 and 3), and urban economy and finance (partially under Focus Area 1, 4, and 5).
The identification of priority areas comes in a time when Member States and governing bodies have made a continuing and urgent call for more prioritization of the agency’s work. Clear evidence of this were the discussions at the last Joint Annual Consultations in October 2010, where donors recommended for UN-HABITAT to further sharpen the programme’s focus and work towards more strategic prioritization of activities, including - if need be - dropping activities and allocating resources according to the prioritization.
Furthermore, the last MTSIP Peer Review Report included a recommendation for UN-HABITAT to define clearly and transparently what UN-HABITAT’s policy and programme priorities are for the short- and long-term, stating that although the MTSIP has helped to establish a clearer vision and a number of thematic priorities based on UN-Habitat Agenda, there is no evidence that major activities have been dropped and resources redirected.
The proposed strategic and programmatic priorities reflect UN-HABITAT’s mandate – as well as significant global trends – and are also fully aligned with both with the Work Programme and Budget for 2012 – 2013 and the MTSIP Results Framework. While a new organizational structure is conceived for UN-HABITAT, the strategic prioritization of programmatic areas will continue to follow the framework provided in the MTSIP 2008 – 13.
Strengthening UN-HABITAT’s capacity to deliver in key components of its agenda will enable it to support more effectively member states and local authorities in achieving sustainable urban development.
The overall objective of the programme is to increase UN-HABITAT’s capacity to support effectively Member States in achieving sustainable urbanization. The focus of the programme will be on the strengthening of UN-HABITAT’ substantive work in the four priority areas announced by the Executive Director, such as:
1. Urban Planning,
2. Urban Mobility and Energy
3. Urban Governance and Legislation, and
4. Urban Economy and Finance.
The programme is expected to achieve:
* Improved policies, legislation and strategies to support inclusive urban planning, management and governance (SP 1, EA a)
* Strengthened institutions promote sustainable urbanization (SP 1, EA b)
* Cities implement inclusive urban planning, management and governance (SP 1, EA c)
* Improved awareness among Governments, and Habitat Agenda partners of the contribution of urban economic development and finance to poverty reduction and sustainable human settlements development (SP 2, EA d)
* Improved sustainable urbanization policies from local to regional levels (SP 3, EA a)
* Improved urban planning, management and governance at the national and local levels (SP 3, EA b)
* Increase in activities in municipal finance and affordable housing finance (SP 4, EA d)
While the Programme proposes to continue increasing the capacities of Member States to address the challenges of sustainable urban development in the specific areas of strategic planning and urban mobility, urban legislation and municipal finance, the principle components of the implementation strategy are the following;
* Strengthening synergies and integration of normative and operational components (Enhanced Operational and Normative Framework);
* Improving knowledge management, cross-project learning and best practice transfer to influence policy development and normative production; and
* Ensuring inter-divisional collaboration in programme planning and implementation.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Within the prerogative of the Executive Director in streamlining the work programme of UN-Habitat, the primary responsibilities of the Programme Manager will be to assist and inform the Executive Director in ways and means of enhancing cost effectiveness, realising efficiency gains using innovative means of management to achieve this.
This role will involve facilitating strong internal coordination and involvement of various Divisions of the Agency, namely Global Division, Human Settlements Financing Division, Monitoring and Research Division, Regional and Technical Cooperation Division and Programme Support Division.
The Programme Manager’s responsibilities will include interaction both internally, at the level of Directors of Divisions and Heads of Branches, and externally, with member states (including the Committee of Permanent Representatives) and donor countries.
Under the guidance of the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT, the Programme Manager, in cooperation with the programme units and stakeholders, will be responsible for the following tasks:
1. Programme planning and coordination
* Facilitate inter-divisional coordination in support of the development of the programme’s work plan for the first year of implementation;
* Maintain regular consultations with the substantive/technical units in charge of the programme development, including Regional Offices;
* Coordinate the planning and setting priorities for the implementation of activities and the allocation of inputs, in close collaboration with programme partners;
* Monitor emerging needs and trends and, in consultation with partners, cooperating agencies and UN-HABITAT Programme Management Unit, review Programme activities accordingly;
* Coordinate overall Programme implementation for the components, provide guidance – as required - to the experts responsible for the implementation of activities under each component and coordinate output production;
* Undertake regular consultations through the UN-HABITAT Programme Management Unit (PMU) on the programme progress and related issues, and provide timely updates as requested by the UN-HABITAT Executive Director; and
* Ensure continuous coordination with relevant sections of UN-HABITAT for linking activities to UN-HABITAT mandate and policies.
2. Programme implementation and management
* Ensure close inter-divisional coordination on the implementation of Programme activities through an established coordination mechanism and platform;
* Maintain regular consultations with the substantive/technical units in charge of the programme implementation, including Regional Offices;
* Strengthen partnership and coordination with partners and stakeholders within the context of the Programme implementation;
* Provide guidance and facilitate access to knowledge created at all levels of the programme to all involved units in the programme;
* With the support of relevant divisional input, provide guidance on management, operational and administrative matters;
* Ensure accountability towards the United Nations and donors for activities related to the Programme;
* In close cooperation with the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit, support the monitoring of programme progress and performance in relation to established work plans and objectives and propose corrective measures as required;
* Take part in the selection and recruitment of local and international programme staff, including inputs into the ToRs, selection process, briefing and debriefing of staff, etc;
* Coordinate and negotiate with donors and partner agencies on proposals for the development of the Programme and funding; and
* Convene meetings and working groups with partners to discuss Programme activities and perspectives as required.
3. Reporting functions
* Works collaboratively with Divisional Directors and Heads of Branches and reports directly to the Executive Director;
* Coordination and consolidate regular or ad-hoc reports on the Programme activities when requested, to CPR and donor countries;
* Undertake any other duties and responsibilities which are within the incumbent's expertise and experience and which can be reasonably expected from the Programme Manager to improve Programme implementation and the projection of UN-HABITAT policy and strategic objectives; and
* Coordinate and ensure timely delivery of internal/external evaluations of the programme as required.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism:
* Demonstrated professional experience in the use of innovative management tools and instruments to improve efficiency, effectiveness, accountability and transparency;
* Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN-HABITAT;
* Skills in results-orientated programme development and implementation;
* Demonstrated professional experience working with donor countries and developing countries;
* Strong analytical skills
Planning and 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;
* Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/cases.
Communication:
* Strong analytical, writing, and advocacy skills;
* Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team
Management and Leadership:
* Proven experience in advising organisational leaders in change management
* Ability to set priorities and produce timely, quality outputs within a complex reform process;
* Proven track record of excellence in management and ability to delegate appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority;
* Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff.
EDUCATION
* Master’s degree in economics, law and/or business management.
WORK EXPERIENCE
* Ten years of practical experience in implementing, managing and evaluating projects from difference socioeconomic environments, with a particular focus on using innovative methods of management
* Extensive experience in advising organisational leaders in private and public sector in change management and organisational transformation
* Experience in diplomacy, advocacy and fundraising, with particular focus on fostering partnerships
* Experience in finance, economic analysis and knowledge management will be valued.
* Field experience in working in a wide range of countries in both the developed and developing worlds
* Familiarity and knowledge in development and technical cooperation
* Outstanding experience in interacting with a range of local, national and international partners.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
* English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, proficiency in spoken and written English and Spanish is required. Good oral and written communication skills.
All applications should be submitted to:
Ms. Helen Odera
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: helen.odera@unhabitat.org
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
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