CHIEF, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, D1, (NAIROBI)

Org. Setting and Reporting
	The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the 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. This post is located in the Office of the Executive Director (OED) of UN-Habitat.
		Responsibilities
	Under the guidance of the Executive Director, the incumbent’s responsibilities will be as follows: • Directing and managing the OED, ensuring overall coordination of the substantive support to the Executive Director in the implementation of his/her mandate on behalf of the Secretary-General. • Providing strategic planning of the Executive Director’s political and managerial objectives in cooperation with heads of Branches and Offices at UN-Habitat. • Providing policy advice and recommendations to the Executive Director in the exercise of his/her functions. • Coordinating the activities of UN-Habitat Branches and Offices as related to the Executive Director’s responsibilities and monitoring implementation. • Maintaining liaison with high-ranking representatives of Member States, as well as other international organizations and external partners on substantive, political and procedural questions and providing advice to the Executive Director on these issues. • Managing the correspondence of the Executive Director and coordinating follow-up across UN-Habitat. • Overseeing the preparation of and reviewing draft correspondence, official statements and reports for the Executive Director’s signature or clearance. • Conducting relevant research and preparing background papers on matters of concern to the Office. • Formulating and implementing the work programme of the Office, determining priorities and monitoring progress; overseeing the preparation of the budget and processing of human resources matters. • In the absence of the Executive Director, receiving visitors, performing representational functions, organizing and attending meetings on his/her behalf.
		Competencies
	Professionalism: Excellent knowledge of the institutional mandates, policies and procedures of the United Nations; experience in the coordination of the activities of high-level officials and the provision of policy advice on a range of managerial and political questions. Strong analytical skills and proven ability to develop policy options and strategies; ability to establish and maintain contacts at all levels. Sound political judgement and diplomatic skills. Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively. Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources to complete work; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as required. Leadership: Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives. Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support. Drives for change and improvement; does not accept the status quo. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Judgement/Decision-Making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation. Takes decisions with a view to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Makes tough decisions when necessary.
		Education
	Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, Management or other relevant discipline. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
		Work Experience
	A minimum of fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in political affairs and/or management in a politically sensitive environment, including five at the international level in the area of human settlements and/or development assistance. Experience in providing strategic policy advice to senior level officials is required. Experience in executive direction and management of a multilateral organization is desirable.
		Languages
	English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of Spanish, French, Chinese and/or Japanese will be an advantage.
		Assessment Method
	Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
		Special Notice
	Staff members are subject to the authority of Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please send an email to recruitment@unon.org, quoting the job opening number in the subject header of your email.
		United Nations Considerations
	The United Nations shall place no restriction on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
		No Fee
	THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.

CHIEF, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, D1, (NAIROBI)