Associate Programme Management Officer - job opening (364 days)

Entry Programme & Policy

Overview

Provide support for sustainable development initiatives in urban settings

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in statistics, investment management, economics, education or related area.
• At least 2 years of progressively responsible experience in technical project management, project administration, technical cooperation or related area.
• Knowledge of UN procedures related to technical cooperation, programme/project identification and implementation, and programme/project management is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required; knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.
• Experience working on sustainable urban development issues in a developing country context is desirable.

Contract

This is a NO-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as National Professional Officers. It is normally only for nationals. It's a staff contract. More about NO-2 contracts.

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.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for human settlements activities and in collaboration with governments responsible for promoting and consolidating collaboration with all partners including the private sector, local and sub-regional governments, non-governmental organisations, in the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs), especially SDG 11 -Make Cities and Communities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable, and focal point for monitoring implementation and reporting on the New Urban Agenda (NUA). UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer and healthier places with better opportunities.

The position is located in the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation (ERSKI) Division of UN-Habitat in the Knowledge and Innovation Unit and typically reports to the Coordinator of the Innovation Unit.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the Associate Project Management Officer, will be responsible of the following duties:

1.Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of the joint UN-Habitat and OECD Cities Connect initiative in Kenya and selected Counties

•Assists in the design and implementation of; •Compiles and analyses information on the latest developments of the use of new types of data sources and tools (e.g. big data) for sustainable development; •Provides substantive and analytical support to the Knowledge and Innovation Unit in preparing and positioning the UN to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Kenya, including the drafting of reports, as well as analytical and position papers; •Contributes to research and development of tools and methodologies related to knowledge and innovation at the National level of Kenya; •Keeps abreast of emerging development issues to optimize Knowledge and Innovation Unit’s analytical capacity to respond to the national priorities; •Contributes substantively to the development and implementation of peer review and quality assurance mechanisms for Knowledge and Innovation Unit’s research products; •Administers the planning, monitoring and reporting system and contributes to the development of the One UN Country Results Report for Kenya.

2.Assists in the development and expansion of strategic research and partnerships in Kenya, including with UN entities at regional and HQ level, government counterparts, research institutes, leading global thinkers on development, and civil society, among others.

•Supports the UN’s work with national data and knowledge systems, facilitating engagement with national entities and knowledge systems; •Communicates and coordinates with existing partners and helps form new partnerships with UN agencies, academia, the private sector, and governmental agencies to further the use of data for knowledge and innovation development. •Communicates and coordinates with internal and external partners on data collection and project implementation; •Supports the convening of key thinkers on sustainable development and 2030 Agenda to provide inputs on, advise and steer the knowledge and innovation data agenda in Kenya. •Assists in strengthening the partnerships with research institutions and similar entities in Kenya across the UN system though concrete collaboration on areas of the 2030 agenda.

3.Undertakes monitoring and reporting of Knowledge and Innovation Unit project results in Kenya under the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF)

•Supports inter-agency efforts on results and progress monitoring and reporting specifically for Kenya; •Assists in preparing the knowledge and innovation unit’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework and reporting results at county, country and global levels. •Contributes to independent evaluations of the knowledge and innovation work in Kenya related to monitoring, evaluation and reporting;

4.Supports knowledge management and capacity development projects in Kenya related to data and monitoring

•Assists in the sharing of best practices within the unit in the (sub)region and globally, based on a solid understanding of the incentives that people need to utilize knowledge. •Advocates for knowledge sharing, inspiring others within the unit to contribute their expertise through internal and external platforms and tools, working closely with colleagues at the regional level to ensure usable knowledge is shared between and applied. •Assists in the identification of good practices and lessons learned at the different levels of the UN System (national, regional and global) and share findings with HQ, Regional and country colleagues so that best practices benefit UN’s work; •Contributes to the UNCT’s exchange of best practice, trends, knowledge and lessons learned with external partners. •Provides substantive support for assigned thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate. •Contributes to knowledge sharing (including through training and peer exchange) amongst UN staff on issues related to UN strategic planning frameworks, methodologies and tools; •Draws upon other UN experiences, lessons learned and knowledge networking to provide contributions to strategic planning processes.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify and develop sources for data collection. Ability to undertake research, analyze data, make recommendations and write draft reports on sustainable development issues. 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 and 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.

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.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in statistics, investment management, economics , education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of 2 years of progressively responsible experience in technical project management, project administration, technical cooperation or related area is required Knowledge of UN procedures related to technical cooperation, programme/project identification /implementation and programme/project management is desirable. Experience in grants, project and fund management related modules in Umoja is desirable. Experience organizing workshops with national/local government officials and local community participants is desirable. Experience working on sustainable urban development issues in developing country context is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. Fluency in Kiswahili /Swahili is desirable.

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

Special Notice 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.

THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF KENYA ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kenyan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kenyan in the event of an employment offer.

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 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.

Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Should a General Service staff member who is currently holding a fixed-term appointment be selected for this post, he/she would need to resign from his/her General Service appointment before receiving a new appointment at the National Officer level. Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements.

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

Internal Applicants: When completing the 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.

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.

United Nations Considerations 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.

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.

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Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org