Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) 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 current portfolio of UN-Habitat activities in Africa is expanding and there is urgent need for strengthening the capacity at country level as part of Regional Office for Africa (ROAf). The position is located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso is a Sahelian country in West Africa with an estimated population of 16.5 million and a population growth rate of 3.1% per year. The urbanization rate, estimated at 22.7% in 2006, should reach 35% by 2025. This urbanization, fueled by migratory and natural balances, has generated urban development issues specific to the country. Cities and towns of Burkina Faso are facing a rapid sprawl, lack of planning, basic services and infrastructure, and weak governance and financial systems, among other challenges. Its speed is an obstacle to the real-time consideration of these issues by public policies.
Climate change effects are evident throughout Burkina Faso. The eastern and southwestern parts of the country, which generally have more favorable weather, are increasingly hit by high temperatures and pockets of drought. The government is helping villagers dig wells and build small water reservoirs to better utilize the country’s scarce water resources. Due to its geographical position, Burkina Faso is characterized by a dry tropical climate which alternates between a short rainy season and a long dry season. Burkina Faso’s climate is prone to strong seasonal and annual variation due to its location in the hinterland and within the confines of the Sahara.
UN-Habitat is committed to continue its long-standing cooperation with the government of Burkina Faso, which started in 1972. UN-Habitat’s technical assistance includes support to the elaboration of a national urban policy, upgrading informal settlements, mainstreaming environmental approaches to urbanization and develop durable urban solutions for displaced populations.
Under the direct supervision of the Technical Advisor, P4, and the overall supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) overseeing Western Africa, the incumbent will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks:
Responsibilities
a) Coordination with national authorities and policy development and implementation:
• Acting as Liaison Officer for the Government and coordinates with Government officials on UNHabitat on-going and planned activities in Burkina Faso by promoting, advocating and raising awareness on the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goal n. 11 and the 2020-2023 UN-Habitat Strategic;
• In coordination with the concerned Government entities, supports and coordinates the work regarding the preparation and implementation of the National Urban Policy for Burkina Faso, and other key policies and legislation in the field of human settlements;
• Supporting the national authorities and other national/local stakeholders in participating and/or holding national and international events related to UN-Habitat's mandate and work, e.g. National Urban Forums;
b) Programme development, management and resource mobilization:
• Provides leadership and support in the formulation of the UN-Habitat Country Programme for Burkina Faso, and supports its implementation and monitoring;
• Identifies programme and project opportunities and actively supports resource mobilization efforts, advocacy and building partnerships;
• Prepares Terms of Reference, Memorandum of Understanding, Agreements of Cooperation and other substantive documents, in particular regarding the initiative for establishing a Centre of Excellence on Housing for the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA);
• Supports the smooth implementation of on-going projects and activities at country level, including reporting and the application of proper administrative processes.
c) Team management, communication and reporting:
• Supervises, manages and monitors part of the UN-Habitat staff and consultants working in Burkina Faso in coordination with the Chief Technical Advisor;
• Shares information on available UN-Habitat reports and tools with national and local government partners;
• Promotes knowledge management through good practices and supports reporting to donors, UN System and Government.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to negotiate with high-level Government, multi and bilateral technical and funding agency officials. Ability to present and debate in public forum and events the main policy and substantive messages related to the development issues identified with the Programme's work. Familiar with UN policies, procedures and practices, including those relevant to technical cooperation projects. Good technical skills in programme and projects monitoring, execution and development, as well as recognised technical knowledge in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management, post-disaster recovery, urban resilience and development. 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 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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in management, architecture, law, urban planning, engineering or a related field, 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.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience on human settlements issues with recent direct experience in the formulation and implementation of human settlements programmes and projects is required.
Experience with procedures related to technical cooperation, programme/project identification/formulation/appraisal/ implementation and evaluation is desirable.
Work experience developing policy approaches and strategic plans for the implementation of human settlements projects, is desirable.
Work experience in Burkina Faso's urban and rural development context is desirable.
Experience in UN interagency coordination or similar international organizations in Burkina Faso is desirable
Experience working in collaboration with several partners and structures at the national and local level is desirable.
Experience with the relevant policies, strategies and plans for sustainable development is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English and French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write and 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
This project post is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Please note that extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.
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. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/ Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.
1. 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. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided.
2. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.
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.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
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The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.