Organizational setting and reporting
The National Officer will be located in the Regional Office for Africa at the UN-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the direct supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officers responsible for programmes in Mozambique, Ethiopia, Cabo Verde, Angola, Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, Eritrea, São Tomé e Principe, Guiné Bissau, Guinea Equatorial, Somalia and South Sudan, the National Officer will perform the above specified tasks and liaise with the relevant UN-Habitat programme officers and administrative staff.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The National Officer will provide support to the Senior Human Settlements Officers dealing with the above mentioned countries in the Regional Office of Africa in matters related toproject support, documentation, reporting and information and data management.
The National Officer will provide direct support on the following responsibilities:
1. Project Support:
2. Assist in organizing meetings with partners, and in the dissemination of best practices and expertise to the relevant actors within the country programmes
3. Assist in programme administration, including provision of support in the formulation of consultant and institutional contracts, including Agreements of Cooperation, and subsequent implementation, development of the programme budgets, etc.
4. Monitoring specific aspects of programme/project implementation
5. Liaising with relevant parties/branches and represent the SHSOs in relevant meetings while on mission
6. Identify and follow-up actions whenever needed in the different HQ branches/offices
7. Supporting programme development, including feeding the project details on the Project Accrual and Accountability System (PAAS)
8. Undertaking field missions when needed, including provision of substantive and administrative support to the respective programme/project.
9. Documentation and Reporting:
The National Officer will assist SHSOs in their effort to ensure that there is adequate reporting in the specified countries, thus allowing for greater initiatives to be developed and strengthened into the future. The role of the National Officer will be:
• Preparing various project reports as requested, i.e. project status reports and fiscal reports in coordination with project managers and PMOs.
• Updating project information on PAAS to ensure that all information is available for projects undergoing closure assessment
• Assist preparation and processing of Terms of Reference to recruit individual consultants and Agreements of Cooperation with implementing partners
• Be the PAAS focal point ensuring that all project data is available in the system for purposes of performance monitoring
• Support with regular reporting activities including reporting on the progress of the work programme on IMDIS
• Support managing and maintaining the records for all project activities within the specified countries.
• Prepare concept notes for the dissemination of knowledge and best practices, and presentations for workshops and training programs.
• Reviewing/editing substantively relevant documents and reports, as required
• Data and Information Management:
• Liaising with partners, coordinating and compiling provided data inputs from partners, reviewing and analyzing these regarding usability for the reports
• Assisting in identifying gaps in information and data management in the specified country projects
• Contributes to the maintenance and management of the project records
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to climate change and migration. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) Information Science, Records Management, Communication, Knowledge Management and/or other relevant discipline. Knowledge on Urban Planning and Development will be an added advantage.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years working experience at the international level in project management, research and analysis and in information management. Experience in collaborating with intergovernmental and/or UN bodies would be considered an advantage. Working experience within multi-cultural international institutions and with donor relations would be considered an asset.
Language
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in oral and written English is mandatory.
Other skills
• Ability to work under pressure against deadlines and to work efficiently in a multi-national team;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, gender and cross- cultural awareness;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision, with efficiency, competence, and integrity;
• Good writing and reporting skills
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment
which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
HOW TO APPLY:
All applications should be submitted with subject heading to: Janet Kabatha, UN-HABITAT
E-mail: janet.kabatha@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 11 March 2015 at 1700hrs (Nairobi time)