UN Habitat Project Officer Job in Kenya

BACKGROUND

Attaining the Millennium Development Goals depends to a large extent on the effective delivery and provision of basic pro-poor urban services. This delivery is directly linked to the capacity of local authorities to effectively manage and regulate the provision of basic services. The strategic result of this project is to further empower local authorities in the provision of pro-poor urban services through knowledge gained from a systematic review and assessment of existing policies and legislation and the degree to which they are being applied to support the attainment of the MDGs. The project’s final goal, is therefore, to improve access to basic urban services for all.

The direct beneficiaries of the project are the local, intermediate and national government in selected countries. Key partners to this Project are the Spanish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Barcelona Province, the Federation of Latin American Cities and Municipal Associations (FLACMA), the Federation of Spanish Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) as well as UNESCO Division for Monitoring and Research. In order to fulfill this objective, the project will identify a series of policy experiences in key countries in close cooperation with the project partners for possible further support to on-going UN-HABITAT projects in the field.

Specific outputs of the project include the identification of institutional reform and capacity building needs and priorities for effective delivery of basic urban services, and empowered local authorities in the Latin American and Caribbean region through capacity building and best practices exchange. Identified needs will be matched with existing expertise
and best practices through international networking and decentralized forms of cooperation. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

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 Monitoring and Research Division (MRD), UN-Habitat.
Under the direct supervision of the Human Settlements Officer, Best Practices Section, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Overall management of the project in close cooperation with UN-Habitat Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Habitat Programme Managers of the selected pilot countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Supervision of the project personnel (periodic consultants locally based, and two longer-term consultants based in Madrid).
• Design the contents of the training activities.
• Design and oversight of training activities.
• Liaise with Governments and associations of local government in order to maintain and increase their involvement in the project.
• Assuring the coordination with all the institutions involved.
• Assuring the financial contributions for continuity in 2012 – 2013.
• Coordinating and liaising decision making with the Steering Committee of the project composed by the Spanish Government, the Spanish Cooperation, the Spanish Municipal Association and UCLG.
• Assuring the incorporation of the identified best practices in the overall approach of UNHABITAT to urban planning and governance.
• Organisation of the Observance of the World Habitat Day in Spain.
• Identification and compilation of best practices and policies on access to basic urban services for all from the selected countries.
• Contribute to strategies and actions of MRD and UN-HABITAT on MTSIP Focus Area1, 2 and 4.
• Mobilise European local governments to support city-to-city cooperation activities in the field of urban planning and governance.

  COMPETENCIES

Professionalism:

• Good conceptual, analytical and evaluative skills, ability to conduct independent analysis, identify issues, formulate options and make recommendations.
• Evidence of ability to think strategically, to express ideas clearly, to work independently and in teams, and to demonstrate cultural and gender sensitivity.

Planning and Organizing:

• Ability to establish priorities, plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan.
• Ability to work under pressure against deadlines, while ensuring compliance with appropriate rules and procedures.

Communication:

• Good communication (spoken and written) skills.
• Ability to draft/edit a variety of written reports, studies and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style.

Teamwork:
Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in management or public/business administration.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in international cooperation, urban management or urban planning.
• Experience in advocacy and fund-raising, with particular focus on fostering partnerships
• Experience in project management.
• Familiarity and knowledge in development and technical cooperation.
• Experience in interacting with a range of local and national governments.
• Experience in the work and activities of the UN system in the area of human settlements is desirable.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post, proficiency in spoken and written English, French and Spanish is required.

Closing Date: Monday, 18 July 2011

Applications should include:

• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• Summary Personal History Profile (PHP)

All applications should be submitted to:
Ms. Beatrice Ngine
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: Beatrice.ngine@unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 18 July 2011      

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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