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.
UN-Habitat has been active in the Somalia urban sector for more than 20 years and currently is implementing a portfolio of interventions worth USD 50 million with communities, local authorities and central government. The activities have evolved from responding to immediate local needs for reconstruction to systematic attempts to address sustainable urban development through integrated human settlement programmes. Somalia is faced with one of the highest urbanization rates across Africa and beyond, and there is a strong link between urbanization and displacement caused by natural disasters, civil unrest and other internal conflicts.
Currently, UN-Habitat’s portfolio and interventions are being aligned with the changed political and socio-economic context in Somalia in general and towards response to the needs of new member states and urban centers affected by rapid growth and large-scale displacement in southern and central Somalia in particular.
UN–Habitat is an active member of the UN Country Team (UNCT) and works in support and the Somalia National Development priorities and the Somali land NDP II as well as contributes to the Pillar Groups, and Durable Solutions initiatives. UN-Habitat Somalia provides support across the following thematic fields; local governance, shelter and protection in the context of urbanization, livelihoods, infrastructure and return and integration linked to durable solutions.
Under the direct supervision of the UN-Habitat Director of the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf), and working in active consultation with the relevant Branches as well as with members of the Somalia UNCT and Somali partners, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:
Responsibilities
•Takes the lead to develop, implement and evaluate assigned programmes/projects, etc.; directs subordinates in programme/project development, implementation, monitoring and assessment; directs review of relevant documents and reports; identifies priorities, problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and initiates follow-up actions.
•Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming guidelines by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels.
•Promotes a positive and accurate image of UN-Habitat within the wider UN Somalia Programme, the Integrated Mission of UNSOM and the UNCT, including through engagement in high-level policy dialogue and through participation in the UNCT and relevant strategic policy and programme.
•Builds strong partnerships with relevant Ministries of the Federal Government and member States of Somalia to support policy formulation and capacity development related to sustainable urbanization.
•Represents UN-Habitat at the Somalia UN Country Team meetings, SMG meetings and ensures that UN-Habitat is able to provide state of the art technical expertise to strengthen the urban planning, local governance, housing, land and urban services, infrastructure and livelihood dimensions in emerging Somali policies, legislation, and programmes.
•Fosters partnerships and collaboration with donors, and other international agencies to mobilize resources for projects and programmes on sustainable urbanization.
•Directs research and programme evaluation and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
•Coordinates policy development; reviews the assessments of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or research activities and studies,
•Leads in the development and monitoring of UN-Habitat’s contribution to the Somalia National Development priorities and the Somaliland NDP II and support to the Government and notably the local authorities in their implementation.
•Provides strategic guidance on programme development in areas of urban planning and governance, land management and administration, pro-poor and IDP housing and urban infrastructure, services and livelihoods for sustainable urbanization with Somali partners at federal and local levels.
•Supervises communications including timely and high-quality visibility through website, newsletters, other publications and consolidated programme reporting to various internal and external stakeholders.
•Manages outreach activities; designs and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc., makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
•ensures proper financial management of and timely reporting on programme/project resources.
•Ensures effective utilization, supervision and development of staff; Guides, evaluates and mentors staff.
•Support the expansion of the Regional Office for Africa at country level.
•Perform other duties as may be required.
Competencies
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.
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.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Architecture, Urban Planning, or similar discipline relevant to sustainable urbanization and international development or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the area of urbanization, housing, and livelihoods is required.
Experience in post-conflict environment is required.
At least 5 years field-based experience with an international organization is desirable.
Experience with the UN, national government or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) dealing with post-conflict programme management is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment against this post is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.
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.
The United Nations is Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line 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. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link
Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis
for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional
and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.
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