Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements, Chief Technical Advisor

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UNHabitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. The current portfolio of UN-Habitat's activities in Africa is expanding and there is need for strengthening the capacity at country level, as part of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf). Nigeria is Africa's largest country population and is undergoing rapid demographic growth. In addition of being a federation of 36 states, which adds complexity in terms of governance, institutional capacity for urban planning and management is generally weak. As a result, the country faces a series of urban challenges which UN-Habitat can contribute to address through proper policy/strategy development and implementation at the various levels. UNHabitat enjoys a good relationship with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the UNHabitat Project Support Office (HAPSO) in Abuja. In particular, the Federal Ministry of Urban Development and Housing has requested to strengthen UN-Habitat's technical support. As an entry point, UN-Habitat has recently led the development of a Joint Programme funded by the European Union which is being managed by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and also includes the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The programme covers Adamawa, Yobe and Kano States in Northern Nigeria and is meant to enable the design and implementation of durable solutions through local integration of displaced populations in urban and urbanizing areas by adopting a multi-scale, integrated and area-based territorial approach. In addition, a number of States are requesting UN-Habitat's technical assistance to improve their capacity in urban planning and management and attract financing. Therefore, there is a lot of potential for UN-Habitat to expand its country programme in Nigeria. RPD is responsible for consolidating and enhancing the linkages between UN-Habitat's activities in the field with the Strategic Plan, the 2030 Agenda, and the UN-Habitat's overall future priorities and to make sure that they are appropriate to the country context. ROAf manages UN-Habitat's project portfolio in the African region, now structured into four sub-regions: East, West, Central and Southern Africa. Nigeria falls under the portfolio of the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub. ROAf ensures country priorities are in alignment with UNHabitat's organizational policies and strategic objectives. This position is located with the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) of the Regional Programme Division (RPD) of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UNHabitat), and based in Abuja, Nigeria. Under the overall supervision of the Director of ROAf, and the direct supervision of the Head of the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub located in Dakar, Senegal, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: Responsibilities1.Leads programme implementation • Coordinates and monitors the implementation of ongoing projects and programmes in Nigeria, especially the United Nations Joint Programme on durable solutions for displaced populations; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions. • Provides senior technical guidance to Government and United Nations officials in Nigeria on issues related to sustainable urbanisation and human settlements, including by facilitating capacity building and participatory planning workshops or other interactive sessions to assist in developing adequate policy and programme implementation strategies; leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc. • Proposes viable and contextualised solutions to complex challenges in the fields of sustainable urbanisation and human settlements; researches, analyses and presents information gathered from diverse sources; generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyses and interprets results; organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.; initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.). 2.Overall management and development of the Nigeria country programme • Manages and supervises a multi-disciplinary team in Nigeria, composed of national/international staff/consultants, working in the different thematic areas of the country programme, and oversees both programmatic and administration/finance work. • Takes the lead in developing project proposals within the country programme and in fund raising efforts; leads the negotiations with Government and other counterparts; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions. • Represents UN-Habitat in Nigeria and liaises with donors, national and city government officials, UN partners and other relevant parties; sits in the UN Country Team of Nigeria and advises the UN Resident Coordinator on sustainable urbanisation and human settlements issues. • Directs research and assessments related to urbanisation in Nigeria; guides the design of data collection, as well as their review, analysis and interpretation; provides recommendations for the way forward. • Supervises preparation of various written outputs, e.g. progress reports, Terms of Reference, contractual agreements, studies and publications. • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming policies by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including while reviewing legislation, policies and/or projects/programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Coordinates outreach activities, training workshops and seminars, and makes interventions in representation to UN-Habitat in key events. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • May perform other related duties in support to the Nigeria country programme and to UNHabitat in general, as required. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of sustainable urbanization and human settlements, with demonstrated ability to lead complex programmes, provide technical guidance, conduct research and analysis, manage multidisciplinary teams and budgets, and develop contextualized solutions. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; provides 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in urban planning, architecture, engineering, geography, socioeconomics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area, at international level, is required. Experience of managing projects and teams in response and recovery interventions to complex crisis situations generated by forced displacement or natural hazard is required. Experience in fund-raising and resource mobilization, especially in a UN environment is required. Experience in building partnerships and alliances for the implementation of joint strategies and programmes is required. Experience of designing and supporting the implementation of public policies is required. Experience in sub-Saharan Africa is desirable. Experience in negotiating legal agreements is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).