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. This post is located in UN-Habitat/ROAS at the Beirut duty station and the incumbent will report to the Senior Human Settlements Officer in the Regional Office for the Arab States and under the full guidance of the Regional Representative.
In Lebanon, UN-Habitat has taken the lead in the UN Country Team (UNCT) in applying an ‘area-based approach’ to programming at urban and regional levels to address the impact of the massive influx and presence of refugees. Particularly in complex urban settings and at a time when programming is shifting focus from humanitarian action to recovery along a humanitarian - development nexus, it is vital for urban management and urbanization processes to be more resilient, inclusive, safe and sustainable. In this regard, UN-Habitat has been instrumental in coordinating efforts by various partners and in aligning resources to findings and priorities derived from analysis of urban information and data across all sectors.
UN-Habitat is seeking to appoint an International Human Settlements Programme Officer, who technically will complement and amplify the United Nations country programme work-streams in order to address vulnerabilities in urban settings through an area-based approach to programming. (S)he will optimize the ease of access to the primary hub of inter-agency coordination. The Programme Officer will support UN-Habitat’s mandate in terms of project development, resource mobilisation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation related to UN Habitat programmes.
Under the direct supervision of the SHSO in ROAS and in close coordination with the UNCT in Lebanon the incumbent will contribute to the UN Country Team (UNCT) efforts in localizing the relevant global urban agendas (New Urban Agenda, urban targets of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, Sendai Framework and Paris Agreement, among others) at the country and urban levels, including through the United Nations Strategic Framework (UNSF) implementation, national development frameworks, and specific programmes and projects related to urban development. The incumbent will be responsible for and perform the following functions:
Responsibilities
1. Promoting, developing and supporting implementation of the area-based approach to programming at the urban and regional levels. As required by the RC, the Human Settlements Officer will actively participate in relevant UNCT activities and (s)he will work closely with a wide variety of local, national and international partners.
2. Project Management and Implementation: Ensure effective and efficient execution of UN-Habitat projects and management of the project resources through resource mobilization activities, technical guidance, quality, cost control and ensure support of the project resources as per approved project document and substantive work plan; Coordinate overall work plans and budgets; Prepare relevant documentation and reports related to projects; Initiate recruitment of human resources; Liaise with partners to ensure quality and timely delivery of UN-Habitat's projects and programmes.
3. Technical Assistance, Advisory Services and Outreach: Review and analyze issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies to develop policies; Technical Assistance: Provide technical assistance and implementation support to the Government of Lebanon, project partners and key stakeholders to ensure successful implementation of projects and programmes; Build regional capacity for improved management. Conduct training workshops and seminars; make presentations to local institutions and Government; Provide quality technical input into project activities as well as to national institutions in line with the Strategic Plan and the relevant thematic area.
4. Representation and Liaising with key stakeholders: Manage, develop and maintain close working relationships with relevant national and international partners, stakeholders, and other UN Agencies in the duty station; Coordinate the implementation and monitoring of the Habitat country programme documents; Support/stimulate the inter-divisional cooperation at country level through the enhanced normative operational frameworks.
5. Perform other related duties as may be assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to area-based approaches and urban development. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with data collection using various methods. 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. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits 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.
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 architecture, urban planning, social sciences or any other field relevant to the respective programme (engineering, geography, urban/ municipal planning, public and business administration) is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Possession of a relevant post-graduate qualification will be desirable.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of working experience in areas related to human settlements, project or programme management and/or development, including at least four years at the international level is required.
Experience in post conflict areas is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. For this position, knowledge of Arabic as another UN official language is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official 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.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
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United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
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No Fee
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