Org. Setting and Reporting

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 in Sudan has developed in recent years a complex but consistent programme that addresses sustainable urbanization, public/basic services delivery, housing development and livelihoods, among other aspects, with activities ranging from policy and strategy making, to studies and assessments, training and capacity development, and implementation of physical interventions at the local level, using participatory approach and alternative construction technologies. Up to now the programme is been implemented in Khartoum State, Southern Sudan and Darfur, and has the ambition to expand to Eastern Sudan, as well as starting national initiatives. The Agency is currently engaging with the Federal Government in the preparation of a national conference on sustainable urbanization. This post is located in UN-HABITAT at the Khartoum duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Director, Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS), the incumbent will be responsible the following functions.

Responsibilities

1. Leadership and representation: 
Promote a positive and accurate image of UN-HABITAT within the UN Sudan Programme including engagement in high level policy dialogue and participation in strategic policy and programme forum; Build strong partnership with relevant Ministries of the Government of Sudan to support policy formulation and capacity development related to sustainable urbanization; Represent UN-Habitat at the Sudan UN Country Team meetings and ensure that UN-HABITAT is able to provide state of the art technical expertise to strengthen urban planning governance, housing, land and urban infrastructure dimension in the Government programme and policies in the country; Foster partnerships and collaboration with donors and other international agencies to mobilize resources for projects and programmes on sustainable urbanization; Build strategic alliance with Habitat Agenda partners and other development agencies in Sudan. 

2. Programme Development and Management: 
Lead in the development and monitoring of UN-Habitat’s contribution to the National Development Plan and support to the Government in its implementation; Promote and guide the development of effective joint programme with other agencies to address human settlements issues within the framework; Provide strategic guidance on the programme development in the area of urban planning and governance, land management and administration, pro-poor housing and urban infrastructure for sustainable urbanization with Sudanese partners at federal, regional and local level; Supervise communications including timely and high quality visibility through websites, publications and consolidated programme data. 

3. Financial and Human Resource Management:
Ensure management, career development and security of staff under his/her supervision, in with delegation of Authority; Ensure proper financial management and timely reporting on programme/project resources; Ensure effective and efficient management of partnership with all key development partners.

4. Effective Implementation of UN-HABITAT’s programme: 
Develop and ensure the timely implementation of annual work plans; Define contracting requirements and lead the timely recruitment of consultants and firms and other resources required to deliver project outputs; Monitor programme implementation, and ensure quality and timely delivery of programme outputs; Undertake systematic evaluation of programme outcomes and results; Ensure timely and quality reporting to donors, national counterparts and UN Country team.

5 .Perform any other related duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to develop and manage implementation of a complex multidisciplinary programme covering a range of technical areas from policy development in urban governance, land and housing. Implementation of urban planning, architectural and construction projects as well promoting new programmatic areas such as safer cities, public private partnerships and durable housing solutions. Proficient in Database Management, Word, Excel, Email (Lotus Notes), Internet and preferably programme management applications 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 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.

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.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban or Regional Planning or related fields. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years’ of progressively responsible experience in the area of urban planning and management, housing, land or urban infrastructure in progressively responsible posts in managing development programmes, including field-based experience with an international organization is required. Experience in stakeholder driven strategic planning and implementation processes is an advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required. A good working knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfill the lateral move(s) requirements, or geographical to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral or geographical move(s) in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover note. 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. This is a project post and is funded for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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 resubmit the application, if necessary. 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.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.