Job Openings at UN-HABITAT (The United Nations Human Settlements Programme)

DURATION: One year renewable

CLOSING DATE: 6 June 2018

RESPONSIBILITIES

Within limits of delegated authority, the HR Consultant at this level will be responsible for the following duties:

• Coordinates various actions related to the administration of all human resource activities, including recruitment, placement, promotion, relocation, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation, etc, ensuring consistency in the application of regulations procedures. Liaises with central administration/executive services as required.
• Provides information and advice to staff/consultants with respect to conditions of service, duties and responsibilities, and privileges and entitlements under the Staff rules and Regulations on UN-Habitat Consultant contracts and UNOPS Individual Contractor Agreement
• Coordinates with PMOs to review the monthly Payroll Certification Table(s) (COP) for accurate data and successful payment of monthly fees for all personnel.
• Maintains contract records of all UNOPS ICAs and FTAs, ensuring that all correspondence, documentation and/or periodic reports are properly kept both electronically and hard copies.
• Liaises regularly with PMOs to ensure contracts requested by them have adequate funding provided to UNOPS
• Responds or drafts responses to routine correspondence and other communications; uses standard word processing package to produce a wide variety of large, complex documents and reports.
• Proofreads documents and edits texts for accuracy, grammar, punctuation and style, and for adherence to established standards for formats.
• Assists in maintenance of the job description database by scanning and posting onto the database.
• Reviews, records, distributes and/or processes mail and other documents; follows-up on impending actions.
• Perform any other duties as assigned.

Results Expected: Effectively delivers of a wide range of administrative and office support functions under moderate supervision. Regularly assists in drafting routine correspondence and other communications. Accurately and in a timely manner, produces a range of documents, reports and other outputs. Appropriately applies relevant policies, guidelines, procedures and processes. Establishes effective working relationships with internal and external contacts at all levels.

COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism – Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away.
• Experience: Experience in Human Resources or administrative functions is desirable.
• Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

REMUNERATION

Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

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BACKGROUND

The Housing and Slum Upgrading Branch develops strategies, policies, and programmes to provide access to adequate housing for all, improve the living conditions in existing slums, and curb the growth of new slums. It focuses on improving the supply and affordability of serviced land and new housing opportunities, while also implementing city-wide and national slum upgrading programmes to improve housing and quality of living conditions of the poor.

The Housing and Slum Upgrading Branch has two Units: the (a) Housing, and (b) Slum Upgrading which are handling in a cross-cutting manner the following programmatic areas: (i) housing policy including housing delivery systems and finance mechanisms, (ii) housing rights, (iii) urban poverty reduction and slum upgrading and prevention, (iv) sustainable building materials and construction technologies and (v) community development.

The Slum Upgrading Unit also manages the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP), which is a joint effort of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, the European Commission (EC) and UN-Habitat. The PSUP was launched in 2008 and this consultancy will contribute to the implementation of the Third Implementation Cycle of the PSUP (PSUP III 2017-2021) that is expected to be launched by the beginning of February 2018.

To date, the programme has reached out to 35 ACP countries and 160 cities, and has provided the necessary enabling framework for improving the lives of slum dwellers. The PSUP’s approach is grounded on its emphasis on integrating slum dwellers into the broader urban fabric and adopting a positive stance towards slum dwellers and in-situ slum upgrading, using city-wide participatory planning methods. ACP Member States have joined the programme with the aim of addressing the challenge of slums and improving living standards of urban poor by adopting the integrated strategies and systemic change fronted by the PSUP as well as benefit from inter-regional technical exchange achieved in each other’s efforts.

The PSUP Phase III is designed to cover at least 40 ACP Countries. PSUP lies at the heart of the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) philosophy and directly contributes to the five areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet by 2030: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership. The PSUP, as a global programme, acts as a unique vehicle to deliver on the concept of “Leaving no one behind of the 2030 Agenda”. It is tailored to specifically deliver on SDG 11.1 “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums”, as well as SDG 1, SDG 5, SDG 6, SDG 7, SDG 10, SDG 16, and SDG 17. The programme further responds to the framework established under New Urban Agenda (NUA) demonstrating through actions on the ground, that indeed it is possible to transform the lives of the people living in slums, thus motivating countries to further dedicate efforts and resources to upgrade slums and prevent their formation, aiming at solving this dire problem over the period covered by the 2030 Agenda.

The programme provides a unique opportunity for a participant country to access global best practices by participating in regional and global training, global conferences, expert groups, access to global experience sharing through the MyPSUP platform. PSUP aims to leveraging seed funds for unlocking sustainable financial resources, country specific financial models for slum upgrading, global advocacy with the aid of the Global Urban Campaign "Up for Slum Dwellers" to change mind sets and policy priority at all level of governance, and finally, technical support for community managed funds and execution of transformative pilot projects implemented by local actors, community, women and youth groups. The programme will leverage its sources to create enabling environment for partnership by engaging diverse strategic partners at national, local and community levels to aim for grater impacts and transformation of slum areas for a better urban future.

THE PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

This consultancy is envisaged as support to the implementation of the new phase of the PSUP goal; to programmatically launch the PSUP III in 2018. This is informed by the requirements to deliver training to the countries and communities participating in the next phase of the programme. Further, the consultancy is informed by a need to come up with a guide on youth and livelihood as well as a guide on Community Managed Funds based on challenges and experiences gained during the implementation of PSUP II. The consultancy will also provide requisite support to the compilation of country implementation reports to the ACP and EC as instructed by country/regional focal persons responsible for all the implementation countries.

The consultant will also coordinate the production of a report on Enhancing the Informal Economy through Participatory Slum Upgrading, based on the impacts of livelihood creation through the community managed funds projects and other relevant case studies. The report is commissioned by UN-Habitat’s flagship Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP), under the Slum Upgrading Unit Leader, and in close collaboration with Cardiff University and will be launched in February 2018.

The consultant will be the focal point for Community Development in the Unit and will coordinate with colleagues from regional offices in creating new partnerships geared towards Community Development Activities in Slum Upgrading programmes.

CONSULTANCY PLANNED ACTIVITIES AND DELIVERABLES

The consultant, in collaboration with the unit coordinator and the team will be expected to deliver on:

• Finalise a quick guide for urban managers on youth and livelihoods.
  
  • Output: A guide on the role of youth in slum upgrading and the importance of livelihood creation to economically empower slum dwellers, providing analysis of the approach, the focus, beneficiaries, location and the impacts.
  • Using the compilation of CMF from implementing countries and through evaluation of other community based project implementation for slum upgrading in other cases as documented in other literature, assist in the development of a Community Managed Funds Guide that will detail the key considerations for successful implementation of CMF, the institutional requirements as well as mechanisms for community mobilisation and empowerment.
  • Output: Compiling a first draft of the Community Managed Funds Implementation Guide based on PSUP II which can be reviewed by other team members and partners
  • Output: A report on Enhancing the Informal Economy through Participatory Slum Upgrading.
• Support to the PSUP “up for slum dwellers campaign” by linking partners to different communities benefitting from the programme through managing a CMF component,
• communication and information dissemination by supporting team members in posting, updating and generation of content for mypsup.org and other social media platforms throughout the consultancy and during global events (WUF, GC) and any other event as requested.
  
  • Outcome: Updated information on PSUP activities on world urban campaign website, social media (Facebook, twitter etc.) throughout the consultancy period.
• Provide technical support to PSUP Countries during the launching period of the new phase. The activity will involve supporting Focal persons with finalisation of inception reports per the approved templates and online file sharing platform.
  
  • Output: Inception reports meeting publication standards and layout as requested by Country Focal persons
• Assist in organising events, workshops and meetings including for Kenya – in view of opening the new PSUP programme.
  
  • Outputs: workshop reports, logistics, cost estimates etc. and whatever needed.
• Assist in coordinating the partnership with UN-Habitat’s Youth programmes and focal person for Progamme Advisory Group (PAG)
• Quick guide on youth in slums
• PAG meeting reports
• Focal point for Slum Upgrading Interns
  • Assist the Unit leader in selection, hiring and induction of new interns to support the SU Unit
  • Intern’s hiring reports

TIMEFRAME

The assignment will be undertaken for a total of 6 months, during the period of 1st July 2018 to 31 December 2018.

COMPETENCIES

• Good written and verbal communication skills and ability to articulate complex ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to present the content of the thematic area in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to prioritise activities within a team to support a range of activities. This includes ability to use time efficiently in the context of competing deadlines.
• Good organisational skills to liaise with stakeholders of different capacities towards a common goal

EDUCATION

• University degree in a field relevant to development and urban planning, public policy, social sciences, international development, political science, or similar.
• Demonstrated level experience in slum upgrading sector or previous consultancies in this area.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• UN experience in country operations especially in programmes dealing with poverty alleviation
• General knowledge and experience stakeholder engagement (especially slum resident communities) for slum upgrading and;
• Minimum of 4 years’ experience of working in the field of slum upgrading projects or programme.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

For the consultancy advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Kiswahili will be an advantage for Kenyan projects.

OTHER SKILLS

High motivation to support the Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme (PSUP).
Social media communication experience
Ability to train government officials and community members

REMUNERATION

As discussed with the consultant

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RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer of HSUB, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Assisting in Generating Umoja and IMIS financial reports for projects in HSUB and assist the project Administrator in preparing budget revisions, monthly and donor financial reports for the projects under HSUB.
• Assists in reviewing financial data derived from IMIS and Umoja and liaises with UNON Budget and Financial Management Section (BFMS) to ensure that donor reports are accurate and assisting in budget implementation and performance.
• Assisting in cleaning of budget for HSUB and closing pending commitments and Adjustments for erroneous commitments charged from the wrong grants
• Lay out and producing clear, concise Excel table for all the Funding received Expenditures and the balances to spend on weekly basis and Grants End dates to ensure efficiency in operations.
• Regularly updates the database on grants status and all Consultants contracts monitoring to ensure no outstanding funds not paid and facilitating funds transfer from one grant to another.
• Assist in reviewing and analyses of various accounting data and Grant extension request and Travels Expense reporting
• Performs other related duties as required by the Programme Management Officer

The consultant will be responsible for the following outputs:

• Budget revisions are to be prepared in timely manner in consultation with Project Administrator
• Review financial data to ensure budget implementation and performance
• Cleaning of all open items and ensure all the payables have been paid and closed
• Set out clear Financial framework updated with current data and coding blocks to ensure no errors in creating grants commitments,
• Providing updates to the Unit Coordinator on funds committed for all items and consultants list
• Ensure all travels have been captured in the budget and all the necessary submission of travel documents have been done to clear the budget.

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism

Knowledge of general office and administrative support including administrative policies, processes and procedures. Excellent knowledge of Excel and Word. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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

A first University degree in Social Sciences, Public, Finance/ Business Administration or other related areas

WORK EXPERIENCE

The consultant should have experience in the following areas:

• At least 1 year of experience of which preferably; experience in providing assistance in project management.
• Experience in Microsoft Excel is highly desirable; other analytical tools would be an asset.
• Experience in processing accounts payable or receivables will be highly desirable
• Demonstrated experience in Financial management and monitoring, excellent organizational skills, analytical skills and attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Prior knowledge and experience at UN-Habitat is encouraged
• Commitment to UN values.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Fluent in English. Knowledge of another UN language is a strong advantage.

REMUNERATION

Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant.

The fees will be paid as per agreement

go to method of application »

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UEFB Coordinator, the mid-level consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and outputs under FSCP: Support the lead financial analyst in data collection and research Assist in guiding the junior consultants in FSCP Assisting in guiding the outputs of Spacescape to FSCP and harmonizing with the Planning Lab based in Nairobi Leading analytics core to project preparation, including the economic and financial analysis for various subcomponents under FSCP: City Profile: Deliver UEFBs portion of City Profile reports (17 cities in total: 5 in-depth and 12 abridged) with contribution from other consultants Municipal financial assessment: Conduct revenue and expenditure analysis Provide recommendations for revenue enhancement: general endogenous tools and land-based tools Provide exogenous financing options for urban development Assess financial implication for the proposed tools Urban economic assessment and productivity analysis: Identify economic activities with growth potential Conduct spatial economic analysis Recommendations Demonstration Project Feasibility analysis & Cost-benefit analysis for 2 demonstration projects Workshops Prepare and analyze presentation material for workshops to be held in all cities Support Riyadh-based consultants in delivering workshop in KSA

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.
• 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.
• 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.

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, spatial economics, economic development, finance, public policy, or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

The consultant should have experience in the following areas: Minimum of 3 years work experience in economic development, finance, or related field Previous working experience in international development agencies or the United Nations is desirable and will be an added advantage Demonstrated experience in working with governments and in developing countries Previous working experience in the areas of urban economic development and municipal finance

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic would be an added advantage.

REMUNERATION

Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

go to method of application »

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this consultancy is to ensure all the FSCP components under the remit of UEFB are carried out and delivered

RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the UEFB Coordinator, the junior consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and outputs under FSCP:

• Data collection and research
• Supporting project preparation, including the economic and financial analysis for various subcomponents under FSCP:
• City Profile: assist in delivering UEFBs portion of City Profile reports (17 cities in total: 5 in-depth and 12 abridged)
• Municipal financial assessment:
• Conduct revenue and expenditure analysis
• Provide recommendations for revenue enhancement: general endogenous tools and land-based tools
• Provide exogenous financing options for urban development
• Assess financial implication for the proposed tools
• Urban economic assessment and productivity analysis:
• Identify economic activities with growth potential
• Conduct spatial economic analysis
• Recommendations
• Demonstration Project
• Feasibility analysis & Cost-benefit analysis for demonstration projects
• Workshops     
• Assist in preparing and analyzing presentation material for workshops to be held in all cities
• Support Riyadh-based consultants in delivering workshop in KSA

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.
• 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.
• 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.

EDUCATION

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, spatial economics, economic development, finance, public policy, or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE

The consultant should have experience in the following areas:

• Minimum of 2 years work experience in economic development, finance, or related field
• Previous working experience in international development agencies or the United Nations is desirable and will be an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in working with governments and in developing countries
• Previous working experience in the areas of urban economic development and municipal finance

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic would be an added advantage.

REMUNERATION

Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.