Job Senior Human Settlements Officer (Urban Planning)

Closing Date: Friday, 18 June 2010

Senior Human Settlements Officer (Urban Planning), P-5
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	18 Jun 2010
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	19 Apr 2010
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	United Nations Human Settlement Programme
DUTY STATION:	Nairobi
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	10-PGM-UN-HABITAT-423883-R-NAIROBI

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered.

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities 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 post is located in the Urban Design and Planning Services Unit, Global Division. Under the general supervision of the Director, the incumbent's duties will be: 1) Provide direction, management and coordination of the implementation of work programme activities of the Urban Design and Planning Services Unit by:a) identifying strategic interventions; b) overseeing the development and review of programme and project documents; c) planning and ensuring the work programme and programmed activities are undertaken efficiently; d)coordinating diverse projects in the Unit, and in liaison with other divisions/sections of the organization, other UN bodies, donors, and partners.2) Provide policy guidance to Programme Directors on the mainstreaming of planning and design principles in all organizational work by:a) playing a lead role in tools development and application in the framework of the Enhanced Normative and Operational Framework (ENOF) of Medium Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) in the area participatory planning and urban design; b) Overseeing in liaison with other Branches/Sections the organization and delivery of policy reviews, expert group meetings, and other technical meetings on sustainable urban development; c) Overseeing the implementation, monitoring and review of pilot projects, and the documentation of lessons of experience with a view to stimulating debates and exchanges on new frontiers on planning and design for sustainable urban development; d) Providing substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports in the implementation of Focus Area 2 of the MTSIP for presentation to the Committee of Permanent Representatives and Governing Council.(3) Contribute to capacity building for sustainable urbanization in the area of urban planning and design by: a) Overseeing in collaboration with the Training and Capacity Building Branch the development and delivery of capacity building programmes including Training modules to Habitat Agenda partners;b) Publishing and disseminating to Habitat Agenda partners tailor made materials on capacity building; c) Organizing capacity building workshops for urban managers, urban planners, mayors and other stakeholders; d) Contributing to the review of University teaching curriculum to include urban sustainability.(4) Carry out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Unit by: a) Preparation of budgets; b) Assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators; c) Reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting; d) Evaluation of staff performance (PAS); e) Recruitment of staff for the Unit; f) Foster teamwork and communication among staff in the Unit and across organizational boundaries; g) Represent the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issue5) Participate in international, regional or national meetings and provide programmatic/substantive expertise.

Competencies Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter in urban planning and design; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organisational goals; places team agenda before personal agenda; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.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.Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; drives for change and improvement; 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.Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Town and Regional Planning, Architecture, Urban Design or Geography (Geographic Information System and Remote Sensing) and Management or other related fields. A first-level university degree with a combination of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Work Experience A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in the area of urban planning, environmental planning, Geographic Information Systems mapping for urban sustainability or local government capacity building and management or other related fields.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of French/Spanish/Arabic is an advantage.

Other Skills

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS.PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: Recruitment@unon.org, Fax: 254-20-762-4212 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.