VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

BACKGROUND

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 Sub-Regional Hub in Dakar, which covers 16 countries in West Africa, was established in November 2023. The sub-region is particularly sensible considering that it is urbanising very rapidly, mainly through urban sprawl and the consolidation of urban areas that 20-30 years ago were considered small towns or even rural villages. Since 2010, out of over 40 coups and attempted coups in Africa, some 20 occurred in West Africa and the Sahel, which demonstrates that the region is politically unstable and needs attention. Out of West Africa’s 16 countries, 12 are still falling into the category of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) today, facing a myriad of urban-related challenges, ranging from housing, mobility, waste management, amongst others.

Housing has been historically an issue of high relevance for governments and partners alike. Recently, also in line with UN-Habitat’s new Strategic Plan for the 2026-2029 period, the demand from governments and counterparts for UN-Habitat’s support in housing policies and strategies, structuring of housing and slum upgrading projects, along with associated topics, including urban planning, local finances, etc., has been increasing. As examples, in Senegal, UN-Habitat has been working with the Social Housing Fund (FHS) on a green fund for housing – similar request made by the government in Cabo Verde; in Togo and Guinea-Bissau, governments are requesting support on new social housing projects; in Cote d’Ivoire, for a new housing strategy – same for Ghana; in Nigeria, a EU-funded programme focuses on housing for internal displaced people (IDPs) in the northern states.

To respond to the increasing demand on housing and urban policy and to assist the West Africa Hub in ensuring a coherent approach at the sub-regional level, UN-Habitat is looking at strengthening its team in Dakar through the recruitment of an International Technical Advisor, who will report to the Head of the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub, Regional Office for Africa (ROAf).

RESPONSIBILITIES

The International Technical Advisor (ITA) will provide technical oversight and assistance for UN-Habitat’s West Africa Hub’s portfolio on housing and urban policies, effectively function as the liaison within the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub with the Land, Housing and Informal Settlements Section (LHISS) and the Policy and Legislation Section (PLS) at UN-Habitat HQ. The ITA will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub based in Dakar, Senegal, and in close collaboration with LHISS and PLS at the headquarters (HQ) and the concerned country teams in the sub-region. More specifically, he/she will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:

Technical Assistance (70%)

• Providing technical support to projects in the sub-region in the topics of housing and urban policy in different projects and initiatives at the local and regional levels, in close collaboration with the Land, Housing and Informal Settlements Section (LHISS) and the Policy and Legislation Section (PLS) at UN-Habitat HQ.
• Coordinating the elaboration of housing and urban policies, including diagnostic studies, associated strategies and plans, at national, regional and local levels.
• Supporting governments and counterparts in structuring housing and urban projects, including institutional and financial components, with the aim to mobilise necessary resources for their implementation.
• Providing technical assistance for the implementation of established policies, strategies and projects in housing, slum upgrading and related topics, ensuring principles of inclusion, sustainability and resilience are adhered to.
• Linking technical expertise from the corresponding UN-Habitat HQ sections to the demands of country programme (CP) projects concerning housing and urban policies.
• Promoting collaboration between different CPs and between CPs and HQ concerning expertise in housing and urban policy.
• Contributing to elaboration of knowledge products, such as reports, publications, articles, based on the work carried out at the sub-regional level.

Programme development (30%)

• In collaboration with the corresponding CPs, supporting UN-Habitat efforts in the development of concept notes and project/programme documents, in particular concerning housing and urban policies, creating synergies with existing programmes.
• Supporting in the technical articulations with potential bilateral/multilateral donors.
• Supporting implementation of associated project activities at the local level, including building the technical capacity of local teams in housing and urban policies, supporting project management, allocation of resources, amongst others.
• Supporting associated monitoring and reporting processes, including project progress reports to be sent to donors and circulated internally for ensuring greater coordination and information sharing within UN-Habitat.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: 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.

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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

WORK EXPERIENCE 

A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in housing and urban policies.

Expertise in analysis of financial, economic and social aspects of the elaboration and implementation of urban and housing policies, and associated topics (e.g., land, basic services).

Expertise in institutional development, with experience in the development of intergovernmental institutional arrangements for urban and housing delivery.

Experience in implementation of physical interventions at city and neighbourhood level.

Good knowledge on project and programme management, with experience in fundraising, management of resources and monitoring & evaluation.

Experience working with UN agencies or other international organizations; working experience in Africa, in particular West African countries, is highly desirable.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised,  Fluency in English and Good Working Knowledge of French and 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.

OTHER SKILLS

• Ability to communicate with partners such as donors and other stakeholders as well as with senior management.
• Sound judgment, analytical skills, networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan and organise work.
• Strong reporting and project writing skills.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION

Those interested in this position should send their application, including a CV, cover letter, and letter of recommendation, to the following address: yasmine.baamal@un.org, with the subject line “International Technical Advisor – Dakar” before March 03, 2026.