Background Information - Job-specific
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN
General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat 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.
This post is located in the Egypt country programme, Cairo duty station.
The Incumbent will work in close collaboration with the operations team and other
programme units/teams under UN-Habitat Egypt, as well as programme staff from other UN
agencies, UN-Habitat Headquarters, government officials, technical advisors and experts,
multilateral and bilateral donors, and civil society partners to ensure successful
Implementation of UN-Habitat programmes.
Functional Responsibilities
Responsibilities: Under the overall supervision of UN Habitatโs Urban Development Programme Officer, the Programme Associate ensures effective delivery of the programme consistent with UN-Habitat rules and regulations.
The Programme Associate is responsible for the following duties:
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Provides assistance in support of planning and implementation activities/processes for, typically, a large and highly complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives.
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Researches, compiles, analyses, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics.
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Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation; monitors status of programme/project proposals; takes necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval.
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Assists in the preparation and analysis of programme/project budget proposals; provides assistance in the interpretation of budget guidelines; reviews and coordinates submissions of programme proposals and budget estimates, ensuring that requisite information is included and justified in terms of proposed activities; propose adjustments as necessary; prepares reports and ensures that outputs/services are properly categorized.
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Assists in the monitoring and evaluation of programmes/projects; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data related to programmes/projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system; initiates financial authorizations for expenditures.
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Collaborates with programme/project managers on performance reporting; liaises with relevant parties on the interpretation of the activities/services scheduled in the PB and various planning instruments such as the medium-term plan and internal work plans; provides assistance on reporting requirements, guidelines, rules and procedures and ensures completeness and accuracy of data submitted.
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Drafts programme/project summaries, coordinates review and clearance process, and coordinates with editor, translation services, etc. on finalization and publication of report multiple languages.
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Serves as focal point for coordination, monitoring and expedition of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organisational units to initiate requests, prepare standard terms of reference against programme/project objectives, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, organisation of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc.
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Prepares, maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases; designs and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
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Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions and other related issues, as well as prepares unit contributions for a variety of periodic reports.
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Provides guidance and training to new/junior staff.
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Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Results Expected: Provides reliable assistance in the coordination of programme/project planning and implementation activities and advanced research support. Demonstrates understanding of the context of programmes/projects and issues in assigned area and uses increasing independence in processing of work and follow-up actions. Demonstrates initiative in the identification and resolution of issues/problems. Is well organised, produces accurate reports, records and/or data, put together with only general guidance. Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures. Effectively, and in timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.
Competencies:
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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.
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Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing othersโ 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.
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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.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be โclientsโ and seeks to see things from clientsโ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clientsโ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clientsโ 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/Experience/Language requirements
Education: High School Certificate is required. or bachelorโs degree in urban planning, architecture, engineering or related field is desirable
Experience:
6 years of relevant experience in coordinating projects/programme at national or international level in related areas such as urban development, architecture is required for high school certificate holders and 2 years of experience for first degree holders is required. Previous work with international organizations or NGOs is preferable. Experience working with Adobe Creative Cloud programmes (Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator) is preferable Experience with proposal writing and reporting is preferableLanguage:
Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Contract type, level and duration - Contract type: ICA
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- Contract level: Local ICA Support, level 6
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- Contract duration: 12 months (Renewable according to budget availability and performance satisfaction
For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:
https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx
Additional Information
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Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.
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Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.
UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce.
Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.
We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.
Terms and Conditions
For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post.
For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses ( they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here.
All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.
It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.