Openings at UN-Habitat

Responsibilities

Daily responsibilities will depend on the individual's background; the intern's assigned office as well as the internship period.

Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Communication, the intern will:

• Support the Chief of Communication to review, record, distribute and/or process e-mail, hard copy correspondence and other documents; follow-up on impending actions.
• Assist in monitoring processes and schedules related the Chief of Communication Section's work plan and calendar; where applicable, assist in the verification of receipt and accuracy of requisite documents, approvals, etc.
• Provide secretarial, administrative and logistics support to meetings, boards, committees, conferences; Assist in planning and organization of meetings and presentations.
• Respond or draft responses to routine correspondence and other communications.
• Take minutes of meetings, boards or important committees.
• Support in development of presentations or briefing notes as requested by the Chief of Communication Section.
• Perform any other tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the team.

Competencies

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.

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

Applicants must at the time of application meet one of the following requirements:

• Be enrolled in a graduate school programme (second university degree or equivalent, or higher);
• Be enrolled in the final academic year of a first university degree program (minimum Bachelor's level or equivalent);
• Have graduated with Bachelor's degree, Masters, PhD or equivalent
• Be computer literate in standard software applications such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Have strong drafting skills in English.
• Have demonstrated keen interest in the work of the United Nations and have a personal commitment to the ideals of the Charter;
• Have a demonstrated ability to successfully interact with individuals of different cultural backgrounds and beliefs, which include willingness to try and understand and be tolerant of differing opinions and views.
• Preferred areas of studies: Journalism, Communications, Digital Media, Marketing, and International Relations or related fields.

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Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Associate Programme Management Officer, Urban Planning, will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the day to day development, implementation and evaluation of Project activities .; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
• Performs consulting assignments, including managing short-term consultants that will support specific Project activities in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources and formulates ideas for further research and publication of findings.
• Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; collects, reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support to implementing partners and contractors on specific activities related to urban planning, consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Liaise with county and local governments on relevant activities, maintaining close working relations with the JKP secretariat
• Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM : Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Urban Panning; Regional Planning; Architecture; Environment; Environmental Management; Geography; Project Management; or related area 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 two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in Knowledge management in relation to designing of data collection tools, carrying out research, data analysis, and interpreting responses to identify problems and prepare conclusions is desirable.
• Experience in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects and monitoring their implementation is desirable.
• Experience in preparation of written reports, studies, publications etc, while ensuring the inputs of various stakeholders are captured in the reports is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Kiswahili / Swahili (both oral and written) is required.

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Qualifications/special skills

Competency: Professionalism: Has extensive knowledge and understanding of programme design and evaluation, results framework and land governance issues in the developing countries and the potential innovative solutions or strategies to address them including on fit-for-purpose land administration. Has the ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Has the ability to collect data using various methods. Has 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. Has the 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.

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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively in English; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; 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.

Judgement/Decision Making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation; and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; and makes tough decision when necessary.

Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in land administration, project management, development economics, agriculture, rural development, sociology or related area is a requirement..
• A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

• A minimum of ten (10) years' related experience in programme evaluation in developing countries particularly in areas of land administration, agriculture and food security and natural resource management at the international level is required;
• At least five (5) years of experience in programme design and/or implementation of land and natural resources management programmes in developing countries is desirable preferred;
• Knowledge in addressing land sector issues in developing countries through policy and institutional changes, land tenure security, land tools and innovations is desirable;
• Previous experience with UN and/or international organization is desirable;
• Knowledge of the Arab Region would be desirable.

Language: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of Arabic is desirable.