Job Opening
Job Opening ID: 226083
Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
Job Family : Human Settlements
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-4
Duty Station : NAIROBI
Department/Office : United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Date Posted : Jan 19, 2024
Deadline : Feb 1, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United Nations 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.

External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goal 11 in the UN system. The Knowledge and Innovation Branch is responsible for leading the development of UN-Habitat’s flagship reports, the gathering and reporting on urban data through its Data and Analytic Section, and the production of cutting-edge knowledge and innovation on cities, the processes of urban development and urbanization and its associated effects.

The Innovation Unit is responsible for the development of an organizational strategy and policy on knowledge and innovation, including on finance innovation, smart cities and digital transformation, the development and maintenance of an organizational inventory of innovation initiatives, approaches and practices, and the communication on UN-Habitat’s innovation approaches and initiatives with external audiences, which includes establishing and coordinating strategic innovation partnerships and supporting resource mobilization for innovation.

This position is located in the Innovation Unit of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch, located within the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) of UN-Habitat at its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. The incumbent of this position reports to the Chief of the Branch and will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Analyzes, develops and systematize for knowledge purposes innovative financial and urban economy solutions and translated them into best practices and learning tools.
• Conducts research and prepares policy papers on topics related to innovations in the urban economic field.
• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analyses, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications in innovative solutions, etc.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Plans and facilitates workshops, trainings and interactive sessions aimed at strengthening urban innovation knowledge.
• Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools on innovation components; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Leads and provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, to mainstream innovative solutions, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget 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 related duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or another specialized field, particularly related to finance innovation. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. 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. 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.

CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new, innovative ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, business administration, urban planning, urban development, or a related area is required. 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.
Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in economic research and analysis, urban innovation solutions, urban policy formulation, economic principles in development of programmes or related fields is required.

Experience in project or programme management, design, development, deployment and ongoing delivery of projects involving strategic planning is desirable.

Experience working in digital technology, smart cities or related field is desirable.

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 United Nations Secretariat. For the position 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.