INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued 30 July 2013
ORGANIZATIONA LOCATION: UN-Habitat Headquarters DUTY STATION: Nairobi FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Individual Contractor – Interagency Coordination POST DURATION: 4 months VACANCY CLOSING DATE: 14 August 2013 STARTING DATE: 1 September, 2013
BACKGROUND:
The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for Human settlements mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer and healthier places with better opportunities. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector.
UN-Habitat’s Partners and Interagency Coordination Branch (PIACB) is part of the Office of External Relations (OER) and provides strategic leadership and guidance to all partners; provides an organized framework of engagement with partners; acts as a clearing house for Habitat Agenda Partners to participate in policy dialogues and normative and operational programmes; manages the accreditation process; catalogues, categorizes and maintains a data base of Habitat Agenda Partners; Coordinates UN system-wide work on sustainable urbanization and human settlements development and provides inputs to the Secretary-General’s reports to the General Assembly; builds the capacity of partners by providing UN-Habitat policy guidelines, programme information and advisory services.
Purpose of the assignment: To provide effective technical support and facilitation to all activities relating to partnerships and interagency coordination. Within the context of existing UN-Habitat frameworks and guidelines, the incumbent will assist the Head, Partners and Interagency Coordination Branch (PIACB) to strengthen interagency relations with UN system organizations and regional groupings as well as regional intergovernmental agencies by providing strategic advice and coordinated technical support.
Description of Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Head, Partners and interagency Coordination Branch as first reporting officer, and the overall guidance of the Director, Office of External Relations as second reporting officer, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
- Provide organizational support for promoting sustainable urban development in the UN System through support to policy development and implementation, monitoring and reporting, research and knowledge management, including the preparation of the Report of the Secretary-General on the Implementation of the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) and strengthening of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in particular, making inputs into reports by the Secretary General to the General Assembly on subject areas touching on the mandate of UN-Habitat, and the preparation of annual reports and briefs on UN-system-wide work on sustainable urbanization and human settlements development .
- Support UN-Habitat efforts to strengthen partnerships and cooperation with entities of the UN System through regular contacts to review progress in implementation, and promote initiatives for increased collaboration including development of a UN System-wide strategy, action plan and accountability mechanism on sustainable urban development.
- Provide written and verbal briefs and advice to UN-Habitat colleagues on the challenges emerging in implementation of the Habitat Agenda within the UN system to ensure timely and effective in-house response.
- In collaboration with Various UN-Habitat Branches collect, analyze and disseminate data and information on UN System-wide work on sustainable urbanization, trends, progress and challenges.
- Organize, service, prepare reports and briefs on meetings between UN-Habitat and various UN entities including regular focal point meetings.
- Support UN system organizations’ engagement in Habitat III process by elaborating an interagency strategy and guidelines for engagement, service the interagency steering committee for Habitat III, and provide information and advice, where relevant, to requesting UN agencies on sustainable urbanization and human settlements development.
- Provide input into establishment of a UN system-wide network of focal points, and development of a data base with full contact details, and provide background information on possible options in terms of content, regular update and engagement.
- Support the organization of e-debates on Habitat III, virtual conferences, expert group meetings, strategy forums, consultative interagency platforms and backstopping policy dialogues; drafting interagency collaboration agreements.
- Provide support in the drafting and safe keeping of cooperation agreements and memorandum of understanding between UN-Habitat and UN organizations, funds and programmes.
- Provide support for UN-Habitat inputs into country-level coordination mechanisms such as, UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF).
- Provide and update intra- and internet content for the PIACB webpages.
- Undertake any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor from time to time.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Master’s degree in international relations, economics, development studies, social sciences, computer science, urban planning, sociology, law, environmental studies, law or related fields.
Work Experience: Minimum 2 years of relevant experience with increasing levels of scope and responsibility. Knowledge and understanding of data bases and of the UN system, its interagency coordination history, mechanisms and processes in general.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language, would be an advantage.
COMPETENCIES:
The principle competencies required to carry out the duties of the job are:
Professionalism Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrated ability to think strategically, to analyze complex information and offer creative, practical solutions, is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges, remains calm in stressful situations and promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN-Habitat.
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; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed, Excellent drafting ability and communications skills, both oral and written; proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.
Teamwork Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; 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 and organizing Able to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for contingencies in planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
REMUNERATION The level of remuneration will be based on educational qualifications, experience and the assignment to be undertaken. The schedule of payment will be paid as per agreement.
How to apply:
All applications in electronic format including covering letter (1 page) and PHP 11 should be submitted to:
Ms. Florence Bunei UN-Habitat P.O. Box 30030 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254207623119 Email:florence.bunei@unhabitat.org
UN-Habitat is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e- Roster through the following link:http://e-roster.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 Deadline for applications: 14 August 2013
