Human Settlements Officer (HSO)

Human Settlements Officer (HSO) – Temporary Appointment, P-3, (Nairobi),Deadline:6 June 2011
		ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT DUTY STATION: Nairobi, Kenya, with missions to other African countries FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Human Settlements Officer (HSO) – Temporary Appointment LEVEL: P-3 DURATION: 10 months CLOSING DATE: 6 June 2011 BACKGROUND The current UN-HABITAT portfolio of activities in Sudan and Southern Sudan is expanding rapidly. The agency has developed in this region a complex but consistent programme in recent years that addresses sustainable urbanisation, public/basic services delivery, housing development and livelihoods, among other aspects, with activities ranging from policy and strategy making, to studies and assessments, training and capacity development, and implementation of physical interventions at the local level, using participatory approach and alternative construction technologies. Up to now the programme is been implemented in Khartoum State, Southern Sudan and Darfur, and has the ambition to expand to Eastern Sudan, as well as starting national initiatives. An important and promising country programme is starting in Zambia, which needs a considerable initial effort to get the activities at speed. More support is also needed at the regional level in the areas of disaster risk reduction, environment and climate change. For ensuring an efficient delivery and for avoid missing important funding opportunities, it is important to adequately reinforce ROAAS capacity. RESPONSIBILITIES Under the supervision of the ROAAS Task Manager for Angola, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique, Namibia, Sao Tome & Principe, Sudan, Southern Sudan and Zambia, who is also acting as Disaster Risk Reduction and Environmental/Climate Change focal point for the region, and in coordination with other concerned departments of UN-HABITAT, in particular the Disaster and Post-Conflict Section and the Urban Environmental Planning Branch, the Human Settlements Officer (HSO) will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks in coordination with the teams at country level: Support the smooth implementation of on-going projects and activities in the mentioned countries, with special emphasis on Sudan, Southern Sudan and Zambia, including by carrying out field missions; Support programme development in these countries, including fund raising activities; Prepare progress reports to be sent to donors and circulated internally for ensuring greater coordination and information sharing within the agency; Ensure coordination and close collaboration between ROAAS and the other UN-HABITAT departments regarding disaster risk reduction, environment and climate change; Support in the preparation of Terms of Reference, Agreements of Cooperation and other substantive administrative issues. Ensure follow-up on urgent issues while the Task Manager for the above-mentioned countries is travelling/on mission. COMPETENCIES Communication: excellent oral and written communication skills, combined with a proven ability to make presentations and write reports/projects, as well as in conceptualising and implementing strategies for fund-raising. Planning and Organising: must be able to work with a high degree of flexibility and often under pressure; self-organisational capacity and planning skills represent an asset. Professionalism/Technical Skills: should have technical skills in project monitoring, execution and development, as well as recognised technical knowledge in the fields of disaster risk reduction, environment and climate change. Teamwork: must be able to support the UN-HABITAT teams in Sudan, Southern Sudan and Zambia as required, and to integrate well in the ROAAS team. Client Orientation: must be able to understand the needs from partners at country level and provide adequate technical advice by taking care of the cultural sensibilities. EDUCATION Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in management, planning, architecture or a related field. 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 five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in country project management and in areas related to disaster risk reduction, environment and climate change. Experience in the area of resource mobilisation, especially in a UN environment, is required. Proven project management knowledge; experience in UN interagency coordination, and working experience in Africa is an asset. LANGUAGE SKILLS Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of any of the other UN languages is desirable. OTHER SKILLS Ability to communicate with donors and senior management; Sound judgment, analytical skills, networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan and organise work; and report/project writing skills. LANGUAGE English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this function, a good command of English is required. REMUNERATION See UN Website: http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html Applications should include: Cover memo (maximum 1 page) Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: Educational Background (incl. dates) Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments PHP – please download the form (MS word) UN personal history Form (P11) – Vacancy website: http://www.unon.org/vac.php All applications should be submitted to: Mr. Mathias Spaliviero, Human Settlements Officer UN-HABITAT P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: mathias.spaliviero@unhabitat.org Fax: (254) 20 7623328 Deadline for applications: Thursday 6 June 2011 at 17h00 (Nairobi time) 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