Organizational Location: UN-HABITAT
Duty Station: Nairobi
Functional Title: Consultant (Strategic Planning Advisor and MTSIP Coordinator)
Post Duration: 6 months
Closing Date: 8 June 2010
Background
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the focal point for human settlements in the United Nations. 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. UN-HABITAT helps the poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity.
UN-HABITAT is in the process of implementing a 6-year Medium Term Strategic and Institutional Plan (MTSIP) 2008 – 2013. The strategic goal of the plan is to support governments and their development partners to achieve more sustainable urbanization, and it aims to promote policy and institutional reform and impact at scale.
Objective of the Consultancy:
To increase the capacity of UN-Habitat in delivering MTSIP planned results effectively and efficiently.
Expected Accomplishments:
Increased culture of change in relation to the MTSIP results framework;
Strengthened roll-out, monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Excellence in Management of the MTSIP;
Improved inter-divisional coordination in rolling out the MTSIP;
Clear leadership in the implementation of the MTSIP;
Duties and Responsibilities:
Under the guidance of the Deputy Executive Director and in close cooperation with all the Divisions of UN-HABITAT, the consultant shall be responsible for the following tasks:
Support the identification and establishment of corporate strategic planning and policy priorities in line with the MTSIP, in close collaboration with the Executive Office, M&E, and all units within UN-HABITAT;
Coordination and devising processed and reporting systems for the overall implementation of the MTSIP in close collaboration with the Executive Office and relevant on-going initiatives;
Establishment and monitoring, in close coordination with the Executive Office, a schedule of implementation of short and medium-term institutional measures to improve management culture and the alignment and cohesion between the normative and operational functions of the Agency;
Establish regular contact and discussion on the implementation of the MTSIP between the newly reconstituted Focus Area Teams; and,
Provide advisory services on strategic planning and MTSIP Coordination to improve the MTSIP implementation and the projection of UN-HABITAT policy and strategic objectives.
Upon initiation of the assignment, a detailed Work Plan will be prepared in close collaboration with the Consultant and the Office of the Deputy Executive Director.
Outputs:
End of assignment report indicating the proposed strategic planning and policy priorities for UN-HABITAT;
Practical suggestions/inputs for the on-going ‘Harmonised Reporting’ assignment;
Implementation schedule for short and medium-term institutional measures in support of MTSIP Implementation;
Proposal for coordination mechanism for MTSIP Focus Area Teams;
Indicators of achievement:
Increased percentage of programmes and projects that are contributing to MTSIP focus area results
Percentage of staff reporting increased horizontal collaboration on the MTSIP implementation
Percentage of staff reporting improved knowledge and information sharing on the MTSIP implementation
Competences:
Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment 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.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; 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; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
Required Background:
Advanced university degree in urban and/or regional planning, social sciences, architecture and related built environment sciences, or relevant;
Minimum 10 years of professional experience in increasingly responsible positions dealing with strategic planning, international/inter-governmental affairs and programme management, with a substantial part of that experience working with bilateral and/or multilateral organisations or agencies. Developing country experience as well as experience from international financial institutions is desirable.
Experience with strategic planning processes;
Experience linked to interacting with a range of local, national and international partners.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Familiarity with UN-HABITAT approaches and strategies;
Proficiency in English, both written and spoken.
Remuneration
See UN website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html
How to apply
Interested consultants should submit their applications in electronic format including CV in the United Nations standard form (Personal History Form P11) to:
Brenda W. Gacheru
P.O. Box 30030
Nairobi, 00100 Kenya.
Tel: (254 20) 7623496
Fax: (254 20)7625015
Room M-320
Email Address: brenda.gacheru@unhabitat.org
Fax: +254-20- 762 5015
Deadline: 8 June 2010
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
