TEMPORARY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 23 March 2015
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:****UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:****Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:****Programme Management Officer, Land & GLTN Unit
GRADE:****P4
POST DURATION:****364 Days
CLOSING DATE:****07 April 2015
BACKGROUND
The Land and GLTN Unit, located within the Urban Legislation, Land and Governance (ULLG) Branch of UN-Habitat, has the mandate to develop, test and disseminate pro-poor and gender responsive approaches in regard to urban land, innovative residential tenures, affordable land management/administration systems, and land related regulatory/legal frameworks and tools. The Unit hence focuses on research and tool development also to supply technical advice to Member States and backstop the Regional offices and other sections of UN-Habitat. Land tools provide a resource for enabling action. While there has been extensive global discussion around land policies that work for the poor, there has been insufficient attention paid to the development of methods for developing and implementing these pro-poor land policies. Consequently what are required are land tools that are affordable and accessible for all sections of the population in countries around the world. This is essential for creating societies with sustainable, equal access and use of land. Work has already started on these approaches, both for developing and post-conflict societies. Incremental expansion of this work over time, as capacity is developed, will take place through the Global Land Tool Network (GLTN), the Secretariat of which is located at UN-Habitat (seewww.gltn.net)).
A key GLTN tool is the continuum of land rights. In terms of this tool, land rights are viewed as lying on a continuum. At one end are formal land rights, where the owner is an individual, who holds a set of registered rights to a parcel of land that are enshrined in law: the parcel is delineated on a map held in a record office; the owner has the right to occupy the land, build on it (subject to approvals), sell it, rent it out, transfer it to his or her heirs, and prevent other people from coming on to it. At the informal end of the continuum are informal rights: a group of individuals (such as a clan) may have traditional rights to use a piece of land. The boundaries of the land may not be clearly marked on the ground or on a map, and there may be no official paperwork certifying who owns or has what rights to the land. In between these two extremes are a wide range of rights. In reality, the rights do not lie on a single line, and they may overlap with one another. Tenure can take a variety of forms, and “registered freehold” (at the formal end of the continuum) should not be seen as the preferred or ultimate form of land rights, but as one of a number of appropriate and legitimate forms. Registered freehold, for example, requires a sophisticated (and costly) administration system, a reliable survey of the land parcels, good land governance, and so on. GLTN research has shown that the most appropriate form depends on the particular situation: customary rights, for example may be superior to registered freehold in certain situations. Pro-poor, gender responsive land tools have to take this continuum into account.
A key GLTN tool is the continuum of land rights. In terms of this tool, land rights are viewed as lying on a continuum. At one end are formal land rights, where the owner is an individual, who holds a set of registered rights to a parcel of land that are enshrined in law: the parcel is delineated on a map held in a record office; the owner has the right to occupy the land, build on it (subject to approvals), sell it, rent it out, transfer it to his or her heirs, and prevent other people from coming on to it. At the informal end of the continuum are informal rights: a group of individuals (such as a clan) may have traditional rights to use a piece of land. The boundaries of the land may not be clearly marked on the ground or on a map, and there may be no official paperwork certifying who owns or has what rights to the land. In between these two extremes are a wide range of rights. In reality, the rights do not lie on a single line, and they may overlap with one another. Tenure can take a variety of forms, and “registered freehold” (at the formal end of the continuum) should not be seen as the preferred or ultimate form of land rights, but as one of a number of appropriate and legitimate forms. Registered freehold, for example, requires a sophisticated (and costly) administration system, a reliable survey of the land parcels, good land governance, and so on. GLTN research has shown that the most appropriate form depends on the particular situation: customary rights, for example may be superior to registered freehold in certain situations. Pro-poor, gender responsive land tools have to take this continuum into account.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Programme Management Officer will be administratively accountable to the Office of Management. However, on a day to day operations and administration, he/she reports to the Unit Leader, Global Land tool Network, Urban Legislation, Land and Governance Branch. The focus of the position is on financial and administrative tasks associated primarily with the GLTN Programme Phase II implementation and management, including the correct interpretation of policies, procedures and practices, financial and administrative rules and regulations, ensuring quality assurance in monitoring project budgets and certifying fund availability, and priority setting on financial and budgetary matters in accordance with UN-Habitat’s mandate, objectives, focus areas and expected results.
Specific duties and responsibilities are as follows:
- Programme Implementation Functions:
Coordinating the administrative and management support to the development and implementation of programme and projects; Supporting and guiding the unit leader, project leaders and other staff in preparing project documents and revisions and ensuring they are consistent and coherent particularly with respect to financial matters and UN financial rules and regulations; support and guide an increased focus to inter-unit and inter-branch and inter-agency cooperation; keep abreast of the unit’s project work-plan and work closely with the unit leader and project leaders to ensure consistency between the Unit’s substantive tasks, resources available and implementation of the Agency’s Strategic Plan; participate in the formulation of policies, guidelines and operating procedures regarding the administrative management of the Land & GLTN Unit, the ULLG Branch and the agency as a whole; and contribute to the development of policies, guidelines and operating procedures to improve business processes for programme and project delivery in line with the Land & GLTN vision and relevant strategic plan focus areas.
- Financial & Budgetary Functions:
Coordinate the budgetary management, control, monitoring and reporting of the projects executed by the Land & GLTN Unit including preparing of project budgets, preparation of mandatory and other budget revisions as required, liaison with other units in the ULLG Branch and other offices as required; certification of commitments and expenditures against budgets in accordance with the United Nations rules and regulations; focal point for all financial and administrative matters for the Unit’s work programme and budget, provision of guidance and advice on financial and administrative matters in relation to UN financial rules and regulations to the Unit Leader, project leaders, officers and staff; coordinate and implement disbursement planning for the Unit’s work; and support the smooth and successful implementation of IPSAS and UMOJA.
- Management/Administrative Functions:
Advise the Unit Leader and project leaders on all administrative, financial and personnel aspects of the management of the Unit and the project; supervise the Unit’s staff assigned to administrative and fund management matters; maintain liaison and coordination with donor representatives, management team, substantive financial and administrative matters related to programme and project initiation, implementation, closure and reporting; coordinate the administration of all contracts, consultancies, procurement requests and procedures of bids, manage personnel issues, including carrying out of hiring manager recruitment procedures, preparing and/or reviewing Terms of reference for staff and consultants, staff planning, performance management and assignments of support staff; organize and administer office matters, including office information systems; and advise Unit Leader and project leaders on all financial and administrative issues including personnel.
- Reporting Functions:
Review and analyze financial and administrative aspects of projects within the Unit and its related activities, providing regular reports on programmes/project financial implementation within UN-Habitat and with external partners, including donors; supervise the preparation of donor reports and budget revisions ensuring compliance with donor agreements; liaise with the Office of Management and the United Nations Office in Nairobi with regard to financial reporting to donors; undertake forward-looking assessments of the Unit’s staff and financial position; and undertake any other duties and responsibilities which are within the incumbent’s expertise and experience which can be reasonably expected form a senior PMO.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism:
Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations rules and regulations in any work situation. Ability to conceptualize analytical and independent research. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations to senior management. Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Show persistence when facing challenges. Remain calm in stressful situations.
Professionalism:
Knowledge of administrative, budgetary, financial and human resources policies and procedures. Ability to apply various United Nations rules and regulations in any work situation. Ability to conceptualize analytical and independent research. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations to senior management. Demonstrate professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Show persistence when facing challenges. Remain calm in stressful situations.
Planning and organizing:
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required and align priorities to resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning, monitoring and adjusting plans. Ability to supervise support staff in meeting the goals of agreed strategies.
Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments, adjust priorities as required and align priorities to resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning, monitoring and adjusting plans. Ability to supervise support staff in meeting the goals of agreed strategies.
Accountability:
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed plan and in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates and provide oversight and takes responsibility for delivery of outputs and for his/her own shortcomings as well as those of the work unit, where applicable.
Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed plan and in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates and provide oversight and takes responsibility for delivery of outputs and for his/her own shortcomings as well as those of the work unit, where applicable.
Teamwork:
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and with staff at all levels. Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for cultural diversity.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries and with staff at all levels. Ability to establish and maintain effective relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds with respect for cultural diversity.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, or related area. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance, accounting, or related area. A first level university degree in combination with two (2) years qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, human resources management or related field and at least two years of similar experience at the international level. Extensive experience in the application of UN Rules and Regulations is desirable.
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in administration, finance, human resources management or related field and at least two years of similar experience at the international level. Extensive experience in the application of UN Rules and Regulations is desirable.
Language
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. Proficiency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Other skills.
Familiarity with IMIS is required. Knowledge of ERP will be an added advantage. Ability to use Microsoft office applications is essential.
Familiarity with IMIS is required. Knowledge of ERP will be an added advantage. Ability to use Microsoft office applications is essential.
Remuneration
The rate is per UN salary scales
The rate is per UN salary scales
See UN website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html
HOW TO APPLY:
All applications should be submitted to:
UN-Habitat
P.O. Box30030 Nairobi**, Kenya**
P.O. Box30030 Nairobi**, Kenya**
Deadline for applications: 07 April 2015
