Senior Technical Adviser

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the agency for human settlements. It 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. 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 post is located in UN-HABITAT at the Baghdad duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director for the Arab States (ROAS), the incumbent will perform the following functions: Responsibilities1. Leadership and Representation: Promote a positive and accurate image of UN-HABITAT within the UN Iraq Programme including engagement in high level policy dialogue and participation in strategic policy and programme forum; Build strong partnership with relevant Ministries of the Government of Iraq to support policy formulation and capacity development related to sustainable urbanization; Represent UN-Habitat at the Iraq UN Country and Humanitarian Team meetings, aligning the work of UN-Habitat with the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and ensure that UN-HABITAT is able to provide state of the art technical expertise to strengthen urban planning governance, housing, land and urban infrastructure dimension in the Iraqi Government programme and policies; Foster partnerships and collaboration with donors and other international agencies to mobilize resources for projects and programmes on sustainable urbanization; Build strategic alliance with Habitat Agenda partners and other development agencies in Iraq. 2. Programme Development and Management: Lead in the development and monitoring of UN-Habitat's contribution to the National Development Plan and support to the Government in its implementation; Promote and guide the development of effective joint programme with other agencies to address human settlements issues within the framework; Provide strategic guidance on the programme development in the area of urban planning and governance, land management and administration, pro-poor housing and urban infrastructure for sustainable urbanization, gender mainstreaming throughout the interventions with Iraqi partners at federal, regional and local level; Supervise communications including timely and high quality visibility through websites, publications and consolidated programme data. 3. Financial and Human Resource Management: Ensure management, career development, enhanced gender parity and security of staff under his/her supervision, in line with the delegation of authority; Ensure proper financial management and timely reporting on programme/project resources; Ensure effective and efficient management of partnership with all key development partners. 4. Effective Implementation of UN- HABITAT's programme: Develop and ensure the timely implementation of annual work plans; Define contracting requirements and lead the timely recruitment of consultants and firms and other resources required to deliver project outputs; Monitor programme implementation, and ensure quality and timely delivery of programme outputs; Undertake systematic evaluation of programme outcomes and results; Ensure timely and quality reporting to donors, national counterparts and UN Country team. 5. Lead team members eff orts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensure that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. 6. Perform other related duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Ability to develop and manage implementation of a complex multidisciplinary programme covering a range of technical areas from policy development in urban governance, land and housing. Implementation of urban planning, architectural and construction projects as well promoting new programmatic areas such as local climate action, safer cities, public private partnerships and durable housing solutions. Proficient in Database Management, Word, Excel, Email (Microsoft Outlook), Internet and preferably programme management applications. 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. 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. 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. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff. Appraises performance fairly. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban or Regional Planning, Political Science, Business Administration, Economics, or any related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying 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 desirable. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in urban planning and management, local development, housing, land, urban infrastructure, or related fields is required. Experience in managing development programmes is required. Experience with the United Nations or another international organization is required. Experience in humanitarian or post-conflict settings is required. Experience in stakeholder-driven strategic planning and implementation is desirable. Experience working on governance, planning, human security, or policy issues related to human settlements is desirable. Two (2) or more years of experience in data analytics or a related field is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is desirable. 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).