Programme Assistant

Result of ServiceThe Programme Assistant reports to the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office. He/She shall duly and timely perform his/her obligations, under this Terms of Reference. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the UN-Habitat’s operational and technical teams. Work LocationBelo Horizonte, Brazil Expected durationEight (8) months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis in developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. Through a partnership with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Municipality of Belo Horizonte, UN-Habitat is working as Implementing Agency to implement the project named “Urban Qualification in a Key Neighbourhood of Belo Horizonte”. UN-Habitat will focus on the outcome \"Improved Belo Horizonte Municipal infrastructure and tools to develop effective options for social housing and urban planning in Izidora”, which aims to enable Izidora´s population to have safe and sustainable access to community infrastructure and affordable housing. The region of Izidora corresponds to an area of about 9.5 km², in the northern vector of the city, next to the southern border of the city of Santa Luzia. This area is located in the largest green area of the city, counting around 280 water sources and 64 creeks, including part of the watershed that is Belo Horizonte’s main source of water. Part of Izidora has been squatted and is divided into four urban informal settlements - Esperança, Vitória, Helena Greco and Rosa Leão – totalizing approximately 1.5 km² and hosting about 4,200 precarious homes (which could be up to 7,000 families, given that there are no precise numbers since 2010), with families in situations of extreme poverty and without any available public infrastructure and relative services, as many Brazilian cities. During the Habitat III Conference in 2016, Izidora was highlighted as one of the most serious urban land conflicts in Latin America. Therefore, the new efforts of the municipality are a recognition of the issues, as well as the urgency of acting. The interest of the Municipal Administration is to implement works and actions so that Izidora becomes a model under the principles of sustainability and resilience. This is a chance to promote an innovative experience in using the precepts of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level to reverse a situation of socioeconomic and territorial vulnerability. To properly implement this project, a Programme Assistant is required to ensure the good execution of the work programme. Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Programme Assistant reports to the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office, who will evaluate him/her. Responsibilities The Programme Assistant will support the implementation of the project, and its activities, with the following responsibilities: a) Support technical, administrative and management activities to ensure that projects meet the objectives in terms of deadlines, budget and quality. b) Analyse basic urban infrastructure, slope containment and social housing projects and review technical analysis reports. c) Support the systematization and exchange of successful practices and experiences with other offices in the region and with headquarters divisions. d) Support the organization of advocacy campaigns, events, trainings, workshops and knowledge products. e) Attend to meetings and conferences promoted by UN-Habitat partners. f) Provide inputs for the identification and mitigation of project risks. g) Prepare reports to partners, internal reports, etc. at various stages of the projects. h) Document expert group meetings, training events and other activities related to the planning, development and implementation of ongoing and new projects. i) Be responsible for organize and maintain accessible information files. j) Be responsible for ensuring that all activities observe the principles of integrity of the United Nations. k) Participate in missions as requested. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System. Outputs/Work Assignment The Programme Assistant will support the implementation of the project. The consultant shall be paid a monthly allowance, upon presentation and approval by the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office of monthly activities’ report. Qualifications/special skillsEducation Required: • Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urbanism, Civil Engineering, Geology, Geotechnics or related fields, or additional three (3) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement. Desired: • Postgraduate Degree (Lato Sensu or Stricto Sensu) in Architecture and Urbanism, Civil Engineering, or related fields. Work experience: • A minimum of two (2) years of experience in designing, reviewing or implementing project/programme related to urban planning and infrastructure, to favelas and urban communities or to social housing. • Professional or academic experience on themes related to urban policy and development, public policy, social inclusion, gender equality, diversity or human rights in Brazil is required. • Experience in participatory processes and community relationship is an asset. • Professional and academic experience on themes related to public administration, sustainability, social and urban development, public spaces, articulation and coordination of stakeholders on implementation of policies and projects is an asset. • Previous experience within the UN System is desired. Skills: • Good computer skills in Windows and Office packages and Web search engines is required. • Goods skills in AutoCad e GIS technologies is desirable. • Good handling of technological tools and use of software and online platforms is desirable. • Good handling of online event and conference tools is desirable. • Good knowledge on project management methodologies is desirable. Competencies • Professionalism: Experience working in an inter-institutional environment, project management, monitoring-evaluation; approaches and strategies regarding good urban governance and local and regional development. • Planning and organization: Professional approach to work, strong sense of responsibility, operate with minimal supervision; proven organizational skills and ability to manage a workload efficiently and within set deadlines. • Communication: Ability to write clearly and effectively; listen to others, interpret messages correctly and respond appropriately; show openness in information sharing and keep everyone informed; solid abstract reasoning skills together with a proven capacity to write documents for diverse audiences. • Teamwork: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments. Knowledge Management • The person must know the processes, procedures, and norms of UN-Habitat, to guarantee an adequate quality of the activities described above, following the standards of the organization. • The person will propose formats and procedures that allow the efficient implementation of the activities related to the project development. • The person must know the file of the Office, work with it, and ensure its proper maintenance, accessibility for all staff, and due updating. • The person will prepare databases related to the project running. • The person will make sure that all relevant technical information will be adequately shared with the correspondent staff. • The person will ensure that all produced material will be fit-for-purpose and delivered, in an organized way, for posterior consultation and use of the Agency. • The person will only share the information produced with the team agency, assuring the privacy of the content. Languages• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat, and Spanish is the working language of the Regional Office. • For the post advertised, fluency in Portuguese is required. • Working knowledge of English or Spanish is desirable. Additional InformationTravel details: Applicable The consultant must be available to travel to the places related to the activities in the country, if requested by the Head of Brazil Office and OiC for Southern Cone Office. Missions will be coordinated and finances by UN-Habitat, according to the United Nations travel rules and guidelines. Remuneration (SB-3/1): BRL 4.891,53 (net amount) UNDP Brazil Salary Scale Notes Appointment against this post is on local basis and only nationals from Brazil or external candidates who hold a permanent visa in Brazil may apply. The extension of this contract is subject to availability of funds and/or performance. Any contract extension is not automatic. It is required for all the curricular information to be inserted in the system, which may take a few hours. Only complete applications in English will be considered. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Applications should be submitted through INSPIRA and must include all documents required at the system, please be ready to include the following information at the “Candidate Profile” (CP) at Inspira: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Educational Background (incl. dates) • Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) • Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments • Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)* * Please note that Internships, self-employment and part-time count as 50%. In addition to it, note experience not relevant to the position will not be considered. All applications should be submitted to: Inspira UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning people or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org. No FeeTHE 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.