BACKGROUND:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations 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.
While working under the UN-Habitat’s Programs Division, and with the guidance of the Project Advisory Group (PAG) secretary ( 80 %), and Africa Regional Office –travel Unit (20%) the primary objective of this position is to support project implementation monitoring and project closure by having someone systematically track the results chain (planned activities are causing Outputs, and that Outputs causing planned Outcomes, and hence realizing the project’s objective as designed in the project’s Logical Framework) in all on-going projects and closing projects. All on-going project data is entered into UN-Habitat’s Project Accrual and Accounting System (PAAS) data base and it is expected that most of the project implementation data will be mined from this system for analysis and reporting.
This assignment will be in keeping with the Program Division’s responsibility for the overall coordination of UN-Habitat’s project portfolio by supporting implementation of the project management cycle from project strategy, resources, formulation, approval, and implementation to monitoring, including closure. Among other things, it is supposed to establish and implement a comprehensive monitoring system for all on-going projects approved by the Project Advisory Group (PAG), conduct performance progress monitoring on on-going projects to ensure progress and achievement of planned results, and assist in preparing regular project monitoring updates and closures. This role will further involve the monitoring and analyzing of the projects portfolio data, collation of lessons on good practices on a regular basis to enhance learning and to support and inform formulation of new projects.
Continuous implementation feedback to Branches on the performance of the project will enhance learning and adaptive management and hence enhancing the likelihood of success in projects.
Activities and Responsibilities
The monitoring and project closure support consultant will perform the following duties during the 6 monthscontract period:
1. PAAS project monitoring and follow up by email on and all projects undergoing closure assessment and ensuring the templates are returned within a week’s time after dispatch and filled out as required. Follow up on incomplete reports and having them fully completed accordingly. Support the ROAF travel unit as requested.
Output for months 1 to 4 :******Project report for the month on on-going ,closed and assessed projects categorized by Branch – filling up complete reports for easy retrieval (80% time). Including a 1 page separate report outlining support to the ROAF travel unit (20% time).
1. Support project monitoring through the PAAS. Following up completion of activities and outputs on on-going projects. Support the ROAF travel unit (20% timeas requested.
Output for month 5:******Status report on****project activities and output completion****, including any discrepancies between planned and actual deliverables. Including a one page separate report outlining support to the ROAF travel unit (20% time).
1. Follow up by email on and all projects undergoing closure assessment and ensuring the templates are returned within a week’s time and filled out as required. Consolidate and have a final updated version on the status of on-going projects. Support the ROAF travel Unit as requested.
Output for month 6:******Final report on project closure and monitoring and a data base for the various projects. A final report on support to the travel Unit.
COMPETENCIES:
• Professionalism: Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. Experience with administrative and financial computer based system. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
EDUCATION
Completion of secondary education. Post- secondary qualification. University degree in accounting, statistics or management, Knowledge Management or a related field is a distinct advantage.
Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of Information management, records capture processes, and classification skills
WORK EXPERIENCE
At least one year experience in data capture and data bases
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage
OTHER SKILLS
Understanding and use of MS Excel, MS Word, database management software & application, and familiarity with the UN Secretariat Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) are strong advantage.
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
1. Educational Background (incl. dates)
2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
5. Expectations regarding remuneration
All applications should be submitted not later than the deadline to:
Ms. Monica Gakindi
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: monica.gakindi@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 4 March 2015