DIRECTOR, PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT, D2 at UN-Habitat

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. This position is located in the Office of Executive Director (OED) of UN-Habitat in Nairobi duty station. The position manages UN-Habitat’s Regional Programmes Division, oversees the UN-Habitat’s regional and national programme portfolio and its implementation through regional and field offices. The incumbent is a member of UN-Habitat’s Senior Management Team and contributes to shaping and leading overall corporate strategic directions. This position directs and manages the overall policy and ongoing regional programme and country office operations of the regions to address priorities and achieve outcomes. The incumbent is accountable to the Executive Director of UN-Habitat and within delegated authority, the Director will be responsible for the following:

 

• Directs and manages the Regional Programmes Division of UN-Habitat; • Contributes to the formulation of UN-Habitat’s overall strategies and policies by participating in senior management committees, preparing documents on policy issues, and acting, as required, in an advisory capacity to the USG/ASG; and contributes to the overall management of UN-Habitat’s activities and operations; • Oversees Regional Offices, providing guidance to the Regional Directors and other senior managers in Country Offices; • Leads the formulation and implementation of the substantive work programme of the Regional Programme Division, determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; • Leads the review and implementation of UN-Habitat’s regional architecture including the coordination and support at sub-regional level and multi-country presence. Ensures that the new subregional and country offices receive the required support on strategic and operational aspects, including resource mobilization; • Provides overall guidance to regional and country offices to align with the United Nations Development System Reform at regional and country levels. This includes technical and political support to produce country programme documents and engage in the UN Common Country Analysis and UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework at country level. • Ensures effective coordination and knowledge sharing among HQ, regional and country offices including joint programming/projects and exchanges of best practices, balancing normative and operational aspects • Oversees the implementation of projects with the International Financial Institutions, Multilateral Development Banks and regional banks and engages effectively with these institutions; • Oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Division, ensuring timely and efficient implementation of progamme activities; coordinates work within the Division and across UN-Habitat, and with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and relevant agencies; • Leads partnership and resource mobilization efforts in alignment with UN Habitat's resource mobilization strategy and represents the organization with donors, as required; • Coordinates and oversees the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and UN-Habitat Assembly and governing bodies as appropriate; • Reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance and on programmatic/substantive issues, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports; • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Division maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data; and that all outputs comply with the relevant mandates and UN-Habitat’s strategic plan; • Undertakes or oversees the programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Division, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, inputs for results-based budgeting, staff performance evaluations (PAS), job interviews and candidate assessment; • Oversees the recruitment of staff for the Division taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values; • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff ; fosters teamwork and communication among staff within the Division and across organizational boundaries; • Chairs meetings, seminars, and other events on substantive issues; represents the Organization at international, regional, inter-agency meetings, seminars and conference; provides programmatic/substantive expertise; and engages /s on organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions; • Performs other related duties as requested by the senior management of the Organization. . Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

 

PROFESSIONALISM : Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Shows ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. ACCOUNTABILITY : Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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. EMPOWERING OTHERS : Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work; encourages others to set challenging goals; holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility; genuinely values all staff members’ input and expertise; shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort; involves others when making decisions that affect them. JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING : Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary

 

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban development and human settlements related studies, business or public administration, finance, accounting, law, social sciences or related areas is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

At least fifteen years of experience in managing complex development operations, interagency and international cooperation; ten of which should be at the leadership level is required. A minimum of ten years of proven record in negotiation of partnerships and substantial mobilization of resources is required. Five years of substantive experience in urban development and human settlements, including management of programmes, at the international level is desirable Experience in an international organization or the UN system both at HQ or Regional and country levels is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable

 

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "Knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

 

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.