Terms of Reference

 

Project:                          Southern Africa Sub Regional Hub, ROAf

Post Title:                       Programme Manager, Madagascar and IOC region

Duty Station:                  Antananarivo, Madagascar

Duration:                        12 months 

Starting date:                  1 January 2027

Advertisement Period:   Applications close on 16 November2026 11:59 Nairobi time

BACKGROUND 

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. In October 2016, at the UN Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development – Habitat III – member states signed the New Urban Agenda.  This is an action-oriented document which sets global standards of achievement in sustainable urban development, rethinking the way we build, manage, and live in cities.  Through drawing together cooperation with committed partners, relevant stakeholders, and urban actors, including at all levels of government as well as the private sector, UN-Habitat is applying its technical expertise, normative work and capacity development to implement the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11.

In 2025, UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 was adopted by the member states that streamlining a bold response to the global housing crisis. Building on over five decades of experience, the Strategic Plan places housing, land, and basic services at the heart of sustainable urbanization. The plan sets out five priorities to drive change: integrated urban and territorial planning; participatory multilevel governance; knowledge, data, and capacity development; partnerships and advocacy; and effective resource mobilization.

The UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) established a structure of four sub-regional hubs (East/West/Central/South) to strengthen UN-Habitat presence in sub-regional/country level by engaging sub-regional/country level coordination and activities including the UNCTs, the UN AFPs initiatives, governments, donors, IFIs, development partners, sub-regional entities and any other relevant dialogues.

 

UN-Habitat Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa covers 13 countries including South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius; and the SADC (Southern African Development Community) secretariat based in Botswana; and providing substantive assistance to the country level as well as sub-regional level. This position is based in the Southern Africa Sub regional Hub under the direct supervision of the Head of Southern Africa Sub Region.

In Madagascar, UN-Habitat has been supporting the Government of Madagascar, IFIs, development partners and others to progress adequate housing, urban and coastal resilience, spatial planning, and building back better post cyclone. In addition, UN-Habitat is the part of Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) for the post cyclone Gezani in close cooperation with UN RC, UNCT, WB, EU, and the Government.

Currently, UN-Habitat is closely working with Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) that consists of 5 member states including Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles, and La Réunion; and 

 finalising the MoU and the Action Plan 2026-2031 with the key areas of collaboration including coastal and climate resilience, human settlements and spatial planning, urban resilience, blue and green economy, waste management and IOC regional collaboration.

PURPOSE

 

The purpose of this assignment is to strengthen UN-Habitat’s programme in Madagascar and IOC region by coordinating with the government counterparts/UN/IFIs/development partners, managing ongoing projects, providing strategic advisory support, and developing high-quality project proposals in coastal and climate resilience, human settlements and spatial planning, urban resilience, blue and green economy, waste management, among others. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

 

Under the supervision of UN-Habitat Head of Sub Regional Hub, Programme Manager, Madagascar and IOC region will be responsible for the following:

1. Representation, Partnership Development, and Coordination

Act as the focal point for the UN-Habitat programme in Madagascar and IOC region, to develop partnerships and engage stakeholders to strengthen collaboration for UN-Habitat’s programmes 

  • Represent UN-Habitat in UN country structures (e.g., PMT and thematic Working Groups such as data and analysis, gender), in close coordination with the Head of the Sub-Regional Hub for Southern Africa.

  • Positioning UN-Habitat in the process of UN reform and UN 80

  • Represent UN-Habitat in engagements with national counterparts, including ministries, local governments, and key stakeholders, in close consultation with the Sub-Regional Hub.

  • Coordinate with regional organizations such as the Indian Ocean Commission, in consultation with the Head of the Sub-Regional Hub.

  • Share relevant documents with national counterparts, manage event invitations, and facilitate Madagascar’s participation in international forums such as AUF and WUF.

  • Coordinate missions and visits, including agenda development, preparation of talking points, mission packages, visibility materials and necessary logistical support.

2. Programme Development, Strategic Planning, and Reporting

Provide technical inputs into the overall coordination, development and implementation of UN-Habitat’s programme in Madagascar and IOC region, ensuring alignment with national urban development and climate resilience priorities.

  • Contribute to the development of concept notes and project proposals aligned with UN-Habitat’s mandate, the national development plan and other relevant policies.

  • Contribute to strategic planning processes, including annual work plans and country programme strategies for Madagascar.

  • Support monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of programme activities, ensuring timely submissions to UN-Habitat headquarters and donor agencies (e.g., donor reports, annual reports, reports on New Urban Agenda, country briefs).

  • Contribute to research, publications, and policy papers on climate-resilient urban development and other thematic areas aligned with the UN-Habitat mandate.

  • Contribute technically to the organization of thematic and national events (e.g., National Urban Forum).

  • Provide inputs to the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and support related reporting.

  • Contribute to the preparation of country vision documents led by the national government.

3. Technical Assistance, Knowledge Management, and Capacity Development

Provide technical assistance and policy recommendations to government agencies, municipalities, and urban stakeholders on relevant thematic areas to UN-Habitat programme in Madagascar and IOC region.

  • Develop knowledge-sharing mechanisms and capacity-building initiatives to strengthen the capacity of national and local institutions.

  • Support dissemination of knowledge products, policy guidance, and training materials that reinforce climate-resilient and inclusive urban development practices.

4. Administrative, Financial, and Logistical Support

Support the running of UN-Habitat’s programme in Madagascar and IOC region.

  • Undertake administrative, financial, and logistical tasks required for the implementation of the UN-Habitat programme in Madagascar, including procurement, payments, and related operational processes.

  • Conduct annual inventory of assets and ensure proper documentation.

  • Report on in-kind contributions provided by the national government for UN-Habitat’s programme implementation.

5. Project Implementation 

Oversee the daily management of operational ongoing project activities, ensuring compliance with project deliverables and UN-Habitat’s best practices.

  • Coordinate with government and non-government stakeholders for the implementation of the project

  • Plan and manage operational project activities including facilitation of consultations, stakeholder engagement, data collection, assessment, policy reviews, organization of training workshops, development of training materials, etc.

  • Support supervision and coordination of technical experts for operational projects, as required and in consultation with the Sub-Regional Hub.

  • Lead the documentation and dissemination of project outcomes, ensuring lessons learned are integrated into broader urban policies and strategies.

  • Prepare regular project progress reports, communicate findings with stakeholders, and ensure compliance with UN-Habitat reporting guidelines.

  • Travel to project sites as required to monitor implementation, engage with stakeholders, and provide technical support.

Perform any other duties as assigned by the Head of Sub-Regional Hub for Southern Africa.

Ultimate result of service

The ultimate result of this assignment is to strengthen the agency’s programme in Madagascar and IOC region, and to strengthen the agency’s approach to climate resilience for the most vulnerable urban poor through effective delivery of operational projects and integration of lessons learned into broader policies, strategies and approaches.

 

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: 

  • Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment 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. 

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. 

Client Orientation

  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. 

Education

  • Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in Sustainable Development, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Planning and Management, Climate change, Environmental Engineering or any other field relevant to the assignment. A relevant bachelor’s degree with 2 additional years of experience relevant to the position would be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. 

Language

  • English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Fluency in other UN languages is an advantage. 

Experience

  • For MA/MSC degree in relevant field, minimum 10 years of relevant work experience in environmental impact assessment and planning are required.
  • For BA/BSC degree in a relevant field, minimum 12 years of relevant work experience in environmental impact assessment and planning are required.

  • Proven experiences in social inclusion such as gender, disability, conflict, and fragility in planning context, setting up and implementing integrated strategic planning approaches and participatory mechanisms for multiple stakeholders are required.

  • Substantial knowledge in environmental assessment and planning, climate change and vulnerabilities in urban areas, environmental and social impact assessment, and environmental and social safeguarding, is an asset.

  • Recognized experience and knowledge on consultation/participation methodologies is an asset.

  • Training development and facilitation including experience in drafting and encouraging the implementation of policy/strategic guidance and developing practical tools and resources is an asset.

  • Experience working with the United Nations is an advantage. Experience in the sustainable development sector, including field experience, is an asset.

  • Strong communications skills are highly desirable. 

Application Instructions

  • Applicants are required to submit a concise cover letter or motivation statement highlighting their relevant experience and qualifications in urban resilience, disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and related fields.

  • Complete and sign the Personal History Profile (P11) using the standard template available here.

  • Attach copies of relevant supporting documents, including academic qualifications and evidence of relevant professional experience. Ensure all documents are clearly labelled and submitted in PDF or clear image format.

  • Submit the complete application, comprising the cover letter/motivation statement, completed and signed P11 form, and supporting documents, by email only to agnes.mashonganyika@un.org. Use the subject line: APPLICATION_FOCAL_POINT_MADAGASCAR_AND IOC REGION_[First Name].

  • Applications must be received by 16 November 2026. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

 

 

Duty Station
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Post date
Deadline
Country
Madagascar