Director Employment Opportunity: United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT)

Closing date: 13 Sep 2009

Location: Kenya - Nairobi

Global Division, D/2 (Nairobi)

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 Global Division of UN-HABITAT. Reporting to the Executive Director, the incumbent will be responsible for providing leadership and directing the activities of the Global Division.

Specific responsibilities will be as follows:

1. Policy-Making:

• Advising the Executive Director on policy matters;
  
• directing and managing major programmes of the Global Division;
  
• contributing to the formulation of the Division's overall strategies and policies by participating in various committees;
  
• preparing documents on policy issues.
  

2. Management Functions:

• Providing leadership to the development of innovative and/or change management programmes;
  
• formulating and implementing the substantive work programme of the Division,
• determining priorities and allocating resources for the completion of outputs;
  
• overseeing the recruitment of staff for the Division.
  

3. Co-ordination Functions:

• Co-ordinating and overseeing the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies and other policy-making organs;
  
• assisting in the provision of expert and advisory support to Member States, local authorities and other partners in the field of human settlements.
  

Competencies

Professionalism:

• Expert knowledge in the field of housing and urban/regional planning, urban policy development and other human settlements related areas.
  
• Demonstrated professional competence in the management of human and budgetary resources.
  
• Proven ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues.
  
• Ability to review and edit the work of others.
  
• Shows ability to apply UN rules, regulations and procedures in work situations.
  

Client Orientation:

• Ability to identify clients' needs and propose appropriate solutions as well as establish and maintain effective relationships with outside collaborators and other contacts, including representatives of Member States and the public.
  

Communication:

• Ability to defend and explain difficult issues with respect to key decisions and positions to staff, senior officials and members of intergovernmental bodies;
  
• proven ability to communicate complex concepts orally;
  
• ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.
  

Leadership:

• Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives and drives for change and improvement;
  
• provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work and commitment to the goal of achieving gender balance in staffing.
  

Vision:

• Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks;
  
• Generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue the same direction.
  

Judgement/Decision-making:

• Mature judgement and initiative; proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.

Qualifications

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Urban and/or Regional Planning, Urban Management, Urban Economics, Architecture, Civil Engineering and/or other disciplines related to human settlements.
  
• A first level university degree in combination with qualifying extensive relevant experience in the above fields may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
  

Work Experience

• Over fifteen years of progressively responsible experience in the field of housing and urban/regional planning, urban policy development and other human settlements related areas.
  
• Experience in human resources management, business or financial in multicultural institutions as well as programme and project planning, analyses and budgeting.
  
• At least five years of experience in the field of international cooperation.
  
• Work experience in senior officer assignments in an international organization is desirable.
  

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Working knowledge of other United Nations official languages will be an advantage.

Other Skills

Excellent computer skills required. Comprehensive knowledge of UN policies, procedures and operations desirable.

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 reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax.

E-mail: staffing @ un.org, Fax: 1-917-367-0524

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.

People who read this post also read :