Programme Assistant

Result of Service

He/she will provide technical advice and support the execution of activities related to the implementation of the abovementioned projects. The Programme Assistant will work in close collaboration with the operational, technical and communications teams of UN-Habitat in Rio de Janeiro and local project teams, staff of other UN Agencies, Government officials, media, multilateral and bilateral donors and civil society.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live 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 Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis in developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government in order to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative and socially fairer urban economic, social and environmental policies. As part of a partnership with the Municipality of São Paulo, the project includes the revision of the Municipal Solid Waste Plan and the elaboration of the Municipal Sanitation Plan. In order to support the implementation of this Project and UN-Habitat’s mandate in Brazil, we are looking for a Programme Assistant (Sanitation). Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Programme Assistant reports to the National Officer for Brazil, who will evaluate him/her. Outputs/Work Assignment The Programme Assistant shall support and advise the implementation of projects activities according to the responsibilities indicated below. Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the National Officer for Brazil, the Programme Assistant will work in the following areas:

• Support technical, administrative and management activities to ensure that projects meet the objectives in terms of deadlines, budget and quality.
• Conduct research on urban issues as well as UN-Habitat methodologies to support the programme development team in the negotiation of new projects.
• Support the systematization and exchange of successful practices and experiences with other offices in the region and with headquarters divisions.
• Support the organization of advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products;
• Conducting technical activities to ensure that projects meet deadlines and quality objectives.
• Contributing to the identification and mitigation of project risks, including relevant challenges or omissions and other situations that could affect the development and implementation of projects.
• Attend to meetings and conferences promoted by UN-Habitat partners.
• Provide inputs for the identification and mitigation of project risks.
• Prepare reports to partners, internal reports, etc. at various stages of the projects.
• Document expert group meetings, training events and other activities related to the planning, development and implementation of ongoing and new projects.
• Be responsible for maintaining an organized and accessible information file.
• Be responsible for ensuring that all activities observe the principles of integrity of the United Nations.
• Participate in missions as requested.

The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses or training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System.

Qualifications/special skills

Academic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Sanitation Engineering, Environment Engineering, Civil Engineering or related fields is required, or additional 3 (three) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement.
• Postgraduate Degree (Lato Sensu or Stricto Sensu) in Sanitation Engineering, Environment Engineering, Civil Engineering, Public Administration, Public Policy, International Relations, Urban Studies, Social Sciences or related fields is desirable.

Experience:

• A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in project/programme management on development or urban related themes.
• Professional and academic experience on themes related to urban policy and development, public policy, social inclusion, gender equality, diversity or human rights in Brazil is required.
• Experience in implementation of participatory workshops and its methodologies is highly desirable.
• Previous experience within the UN System is desired.

Skills:

• Good computer skills in Windows and Office packages and Web search engines is required.
• Good handling of technological tools and use of software and online platforms is desirable.
• Good handling of online event and conference tools is desirable.
• Good knowledge on project management methodologies is desirable.

Knowledge Management 

The person must know the processes, procedures and norms of UN-Habitat, in order to guarantee an adequate quality of the activities described above, following the standards of the organization.

• The person will propose formats and procedures that allow the efficient implementation of the activities related to the project development.
• The person must know the file of the Office, work with it and ensure its proper maintenance, accessibility for all staff and due updating.
• The person will prepare databases related to the project running.
• The person will make sure that all relevant technical information will be adequately shared with the correspondent staff.
• The person will ensure that all produced material will be fit-for-purpose and delivered, in an organized way, for posterior consultation and use of the Agency.

Competencies Professionalism: Experience working in inter-institutional environment, project management, monitoring-evaluation; approaches and strategies with regard to good urban governance and local and regional development. Planning and organization: Professional approach to work, strong sense of responsibility, operate with minimal supervision; proven organizational skills and ability to manage a workload efficiently and within set deadlines. Communication: Ability to write clearly and effectively; listen to others, interpret messages correctly and respond appropriately; show openness in information sharing and keep everyone informed; solid abstract reasoning skills together with a proven capacity to write documents for diverse audiences. Teamwork: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Spanish is the working language of the Regional Office.
• For the post advertised, fluency in Portuguese is required. Spanish and/or English is desirable.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/243079?language=en