United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the agency for human settlements and sustainable urbanization. It is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

This position is located in the Planning, Finance & Economy Section of the Urban Practices Branch within the Global Solutions Division at the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, Nairobi, Kenya.

The Global Solutions Division (GSD) is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training to staff members and supports capacity development of Member States and partners.

The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools and methodology production and skills center of the UN-Habitat, that develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through communities of urban practice. It provides technical and policy advice approaches and methodologies to Country Offices, government and partners and mainstreams them throughout the programme portfolio. It also ensures that the cross-cutting area of safety and the social inclusion issues of human rights; gender; children, youth and older persons; and disability are developed and mainstreamed across the Agency.

The Planning, Finance & Economy Section (PFES) is responsible for coordinating the Agency’s substantive, normative and operational work on various dimensions of planning, finance and economy. The Planning, Finance & Economy Section aims to develop, document, pilot/test and disseminate planning policies, norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures and practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels in support of (a) urban and territorial planning at all scales including urban design and public space design; (b) urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance); and (c) local economic development.

The Section also aims to identify the strategic challenges and opportunities which inform planning strategies for settlement affected by the conflict induced migration. The significant part of this work is focused on the promoting sustainable urban planning for the refugee settlements, supporting local governments and humanitarian partners to develop the “New Way of Working” which aims at better coordination between humanitarian and development actors in pursuit of “enhancing the protection of persons of concern and building measurable progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.” The Section contributes to respond to humanitarian crisis in urban areas and to the development of approaches in the humanitarian-development nexus.

The focus of the job is the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of programmes, operations and other activities in an assigned functional area. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Planning Finance and Economy Section and will perform the following duties:

•Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects related to UN-Habitat’s strategy for the Sub-programme 4: Urban Crises prevention and response. S/he monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions, all in line with the priorities of the SP4, in order to support the humanitarian, development and peace nexus (HDP) work of the agency.
•Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
•Contributes to the implementation of the Urban Lab workplan and activities in collaboration with the Urban Lab team and with Regional, Multi-Country and Country Offices on urban and territorial planning projects and to the work on urban planning in humanitarian and HDP contexts.
•Oversees for quality and coherence the work of projects with a view of ensuring consistent standards and the translation of UN-Habitat vision and objectives into practice and concrete recommendations and policy support to cities and other partners.
•Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
•Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
•Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
•Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
•Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
•Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
•Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
•Develops high quality planning and design outputs, concept notes and guidance materials in consultation with clients
•Develops the PFES portfolio and expands the application of tools, as well as the integration between urban planning and finance and economy for the delivery of innovative and effective urban projects. application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), data analysis, drone mapping, remote sensing and automatization of urban planning data workflows
•Undertakes resource mobilization activities and analyses risk and opportunities for increasing the efficiency of delivery.
•Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
•Performs other duties as required.

•PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to strategic and statutory planning, urban design and regional planning; Good understanding of urban spatial dynamics and their relation with sustainable development and of the linkages between urban planning and institutional and capacities development. Ability to identify, analyze and participate in the resolution of complex urban development problems and to identify strategic spatial dimensions of development at local and regional level. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, utilize different source of data and inputs for decision making, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

•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.

•TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning and design, architecture or a related field that is relevant to sustainable urban development and urban planning and design.

A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

A minimum of five years of substantive professional experience, including 2 years at the international level, in urban planning and design and/or academic teaching and research on the subject, preferably gained in various continents is required.

Experience in working in large multi cultural environments is desirable.

Experience in human settlements development fields, project design and implementation and with the United Nations or other International Agencies is desirable.

Experience with UN or similar international organizations' policies, procedures and practices is desirable.

A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

NOTE: ''Fluency'' equals a rating of ''fluent'' in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ''Knowledge of'' equals a rating of ''confident'' in two of the four areas.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the 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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Candidate Profile (CP) and motivation statement.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

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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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.

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