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. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live in with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The post is located in the Somalia Programme, Regional Office for Africa (ROAF)
Somaliland and Puntland are emerging out of a prolonged conflict that had led to a breakdown of public administration systems as well as to large-scale destruction of urban infrastructure, public institutions and services. The conflict, coupled with recurrent natural calamities, also resulted in large-scale internal displacements and rural to urban migration. Both have led to rapid urban growth, congestion and urban sprawl, and informal settlements that lack basic infrastructure and services
The Human Settlements Officer will be under the direct supervision of the Officer in Charge of Somalia Programme.
Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Human Settlements Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
1.Efficient Implementation of EU COVID Response project
•In collaboration with the implementing partners, coordinates the implementation of the EU-COVID project and ensures that the project is in line with the project document
•Provides advice to the Government on the vision and overall strategic direction of the project especially with regard to the documentation of tangible results and strategic operational opportunities to mitigate the impact of the COVID pandemic
•Provide technical and administrative advice on the cash-based intervention
•Develops support mechanisms for strengthening Government ownership, technical leadership and coordination of the project, with a view to ensuring the long-term sustainability of project activities
•Ensures the development and timely preparation of detailed annual work plans and budgets for all project activities
•Ensures that budget projections, spending, and reporting are in accordance with donors requirements and coordinate programmatic and budget revisions
•Devises appropriate strategies and approaches to ensure optimum use of available resources
•Maintains transparent and co-operative relations between key project implementation partners, government counterparts, donor and other national and international partners
2.Effective project execution, reporting, monitoring and evaluation support
•Assumes the role of Secretariat of the Programme Steering Committee (SC), works closely with the SC chair and members, preparing the agenda and inputs for SC meetings, assumes responsibility for follow up; supports the SC actively in its strategic role
•Ensures timely follow up and submission of requests to Steering Committee
Develop project financial and narrative reports and ensure timely submission to the EU
•Develops and periodically reviews the project M & E plan and facilitates the achievement of project results by timely monitoring of the progress of project implementation
3.Effective communication, partnership building and representation of the EU-COVID programme
•Takes the lead in implementing the project’s communication and visibility plan
•Takes the lead in communicating with the EU on behalf of the project
•Facilitates donor missions and media relations, as appropriate
4.Facilitation of knowledge building and sharing
•Synthesizes good practices and lessons learnt
•Develops relevant project information
5.Provide Technical Support to the Somalia Programme
•Provides substantive support to the urban resilience programming within the context of urbanization and displacement in Somalia
•Perform other duties as required
•Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
•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; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
•Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, urban and regional planning, sociology, development studies, economics or physical sciences relevant to urban planning and management. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
minimum of five years of progressive experience in areas related to human settlements, project or programme management and/or development is required
at least three (3) years of post-conflict experience is required
Experience at the international level is required.
Experience in social protection interventions is highly desirable
Experience with the UN is highly desirable
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
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.