Programme Management Officer (HAPSO) – UN Habitat at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Programme Management Officer (HAPSO) – UN Habitat

Job ID: 31356
Location: Abuja
Practice Area – Job Family: Peace Building – Programme Management
Grade: NOC
Vacancy Type: FTA Local
Posting Type: Common System
Contract Duration: 1 Year with possibility for extension

Background

• The 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. The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) established a Country Office in Abuja, Nigeria (UN-Habitat Programme Support Office, UN HAPSO) to promote cooperation between the Government of Nigeria and UN-Habitat. HAPSO’s management activities date back in Nigeria since 2003 and the current portfolio activities are expanding to cater for achieving the goals of the New Urban Agenda (NUA), the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the response to COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria.
• The objective includes collaborating with relevant partners to transform human settlements into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live in with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all levels and arms of Government, civil society and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. This position is located at the HAPSO in Abuja, Nigeria.
• HAPSO key collaborations with the Government of Nigeria include the development of city structure plans, production of technical reports, mainstreaming energy and resource efficiency measures into building codes, building policies and building practices in Nigeria, etc. UN-Habitat seeks to continue this engagement through the development of further projects addressing various challenges such as WASH, Youth, ICT, IDPs rehabilitation and reintegration, housing, resilience planning, urban economy, capacity building, and land management.
• UN-Habitat’s activities in Nigeria shall take full advantage of the organisation’s extensive experience with projects conceptualization, development and implementation in Africa, and around the world.  The institutional expertise, within both the Regional Office for Africa and related technical branches shall be leveraged towards resuscitating and re-positioning UN-Habitat’s presence in Nigeria.
• Under the overall supervision of Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) for West Africa and the direct supervision of the Human Settlements Officer for Nigeria (HSO) based in the Regional Representation for Africa, the National Officer will be responsible for carrying out the following tasks in coordination with the teams at country level

Duties and Responsibilities
Contributing to Programme Implementation and Policy Development:

• Acting as the in-country liaison officer for UN-Habitat, with reference to the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, SDGs and UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2020-2023 (housing for all and sustainable human settlements), advocacy and implementation of the UN-Habitat global flagship programmes;
• Supporting the application of the UN Secretariat Rules and Regulations during the implementation of UN-Habitat projects and programmes in Nigeria;
• Participating in the formulation and implementation of national/sub-national policies related to human settlements and ensuring that Government key sectorial concerns and priorities are adequately reflected, bringing to bear UN-Habitat substantive knowledge and potential contribution, and striving to place UN-Habitat within the framework of the programming instruments;
• Supporting the smooth implementation of planned and on-going UN-Habitat projects and activities at country level, including by carrying out field missions when necessary;
• Representing UN-Habitat adequately in the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) activities in line with the UN ‘Delivery as One’ concept and ensure active participation in the preparation and implementation of the UN Common Country Analysis (CCA) and in the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF);

Supporting Programme Development, Management and Resource Mobilization:

• Providing leadership for the identification, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the projects and activities included in the Habitat Country Programme Development;
• Identifying and promoting programme and project opportunities, resource mobilization and extension of operational/organizational support to all UN-Habitat activities on sustainable human settlements and urbanization;
• Providing leadership for development and management of partnerships, and mobilization of resources for implementation of the Habitat Country Programme Development;
• Ensuring the adequate preparation of Terms of Reference, Memorandum of Understanding, Agreements of Cooperation and other substantive administrative issues including liaising with
• Regional Office for Africa and thematic UN-Habitat Branches.

Coordination of HAPSO and Representation vis-à-vis Government institutions:

• Providing management leadership and be responsible for the day-to-day running of the UN Habitat office in Nigeria;
• Providing supervision and support to the UN-Habitat staff, consultants, interns and technical assistance teams recruited and deployed under on-going projects/activities;
• Representing UN-Habitat vis-à-vis the national, sub-national and local authorities and other partners;
• Liaising with Government and United Nations system at country level to promote sustainable urbanization in Nigeria, including enhancing collaboration and strengthen inter-agency processes;
• Supporting the national authorities and other stakeholders in participating and/or holding national and international events related to UN-Habitat’s mandate;
• Mainstreaming global flagship programmes at the country level, including pro-poor housing, disaster risk reduction, building back better, integrated post-disaster recovery, urban resilience and climate change initiatives, gender equity, land tenure, urban development and poverty reduction, among other issues;
• Strengthening linkages and information flows between UN-Habitat, donors, UN System, local partners and the government through representation, liaison, networking and attendance at meetings.

General Duties:

• Sharing information on the availability of training and capacity building tools with external partners and assessing the degree of interest in applying them;
• Designing and implementing a results-based monitoring and evaluation system for normative activities such as policy support;
• Promoting knowledge management through good practices and reporting;
• Undertaking special assignments identified by ROAf, as required;
• Supporting elaboration of reports to be sent to donors, UN System and Government, ensuring quality control;
• Performing any other related duties as required, including a variety of administrative tasks necessary for the final delivery of UN-Habitat services in Nigeria;
• Undertaking on-the-job and other training activities, both internally and externally.

Competencies    
Professionalism:

• Ability to negotiate with high-level Government, multi and bilateral technical and funding agency officials.
• Ability to present and debate in public forum and events the main policy and substantive messages related to the development issues identified with the Programme’s work.
• Familiar with UN policies, procedures and practices, including those relevant to technical cooperation projects.
• Good technical skills in programme and projects monitoring, execution and development, as well as recognised technical knowledge in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management, post-disaster recovery, urban resilience and development.
• 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.

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.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Advanced University Degree in Urban and Regional Planning, Engineering, Architecture or any other related Social Sciences field

Experience:

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience on human settlements issues with recent direct experience in the formulation and implementation of human settlements programmes and projects is required.
• Experience with procedures related to technical cooperation, programme/project identification/formulation/appraisal/ implementation and evaluation and of programme management is desirable.
• Familiarity with the relevant policies, strategies and plans for sustainable development in Nigeria is an advantage.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat.
• For the position advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.

Application Closing Date
7th July, 2020.