Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 224444
Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
Job Family : Human Settlements
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-4
Duty Station : BISSAU
Department/Office : United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Date Posted : Jan 29, 2024
Deadline : Feb 27, 2024

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 mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote, monitor, and report on progress in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, with the twin objectives of housing for all and sustainable urban development. UN-Habitat works and cooperates with governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and other agencies in promoting sustainable urbanization and the reduction of urban poverty. Its work involves norm-setting, operational activities, capacity-building, monitoring, advocacy, and partnership building at global, regional, national, and local levels.

The Programme Management Officer (PMO) / International Technical Advisor (ITA) will mainly focus on the implementation of the Green and Inclusive Cities programme in Guinea-Bissau. This position is located at UN-Habitat Office in Guinea-Bissau. Under the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat West Africa Portfolio Manager based in Dakar, Senegal, and in close collaboration with the National Country Manager, the incumbent will be specifically responsible for carrying out the following duties and responsibilities:
Responsibilities
Programme Implementation:
• Leading and coordinating the smooth implementation of the EU-funded Green and Inclusive Cities (GIC) programme in Guinea-Bissau, making sure that overall project management procedures are in place and are followed to guarantee quality of implementation.
• In coordination with the National Country Manager, providing technical and managerial support to the GIC project team.
• Facilitating the implementation of project activities at the local level, including staff and work planning, development of Terms of Reference, negotiation of Agreements of Cooperation with implementing Partners, ensuring efficient use of resources.
• Preparing progress reports to be sent to donors and circulated internally for ensuring greater coordination and information sharing within UN-Habitat.

Programme development :
• In collaboration with the National Country Manager, leading UN-Habitat efforts in the development of concept notes and project/programme documents for Guinea-Bissau, creating synergies with the GIC programme.
• Leading in the negotiations with potential bilateral/multilateral donors.
• Supporting and overseeing the internal project acquisition process through the UN-Habitat Project Committee Review and approval of projects related to Guinea-Bissau.

Representation and partnerships’ building:
• Representing UN-Habitat vis-à-vis the UN Country Team in Guinea-Bissau, while coordinating with the National Country Manager who will be representing UN-Habitat in the UN Programme Management Team (PMT).
• Facilitating UN joint programming with other UN Agencies.
• Developing, maintaining and managing close working relationships with bilateral/multilateral partners and stakeholders, including through the established multisectoral working groups.

Management:
• In collaboration with the National Country Manager, supporting the overall management of the Guinea-Bissau UN-Habitat office, ensuring staff motivation, supporting problem-solving at the workplace in an atmosphere of mutual respect under the UN values.
• Carrying out recruitment and hiring processes, especially in the frame of the GIC programme, including staff onboarding processes; facilitating the induction of new staff, introducing UN-Habitat’s mandate, project portfolio, and institutional and administrative procedures.
• In collaboration with the National Country Manager, support UN-Habitat staff management by ensuring the implementation of UN-Habitat Policy and Plan for Inclusion, Gender Equality and Empowerment.
• Playing the role of Requesting Officer for Guinea-Bissau in the acquisition/procurement of goods/services and financial authorization processes through UNDP, which ensures UN-Habitat local administration.
• In collaboration with the National Country Manager, supervising local project operations, including running costs management through petty cash.
• Ensuring coordination with the UN security focal point in the region to implement the UNDSS requirements and work to comply with safety and security standards.
• 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.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to programme/project coordination & implementation ,programme/project development, management and/ or partnership building. 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.

JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly. Gathers relevant information before making a decision. Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them. Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization. Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information. Checks assumptions against facts. Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

PLANNING AND ORGANISING: 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; provides 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning and management, architecture, engineering, urban sociology or a related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying work 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.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively increasing experience in country project management or in areas related to urban and housing policies, strategic and spatial planning at national and local levels is required.

Experience in team leadership is required.

Experience in community engagement and implementation of physical interventions at city and neighbourhood level is required.

Field experience in managing projects and teams in international humanitarian response to natural disasters and/or complex emergencies is desirable.

Experience in fund-raising and resource mobilization, especially in the UN environment or similar international organization is desirable.

Experience in building partnerships and alliances for the implementation of joint strategies and programs is desirable.

Experience working in Africa is desirable.

A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English or Portuguese 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