Organizational Location: UN-HABITAT
Duty Station: Nairobi
Functional Title: Database, Information Research & Collation and Report Writing Assistant
Grade: G5
Post Duration: 6 months
Closing Date: 17 December 2010
Background
UN-HABITAT recognizes that good urban governance is characterized by the interdependent principles of sustainability, equity, efficiency, transparency and accountability, security, civic engagement and citizenship.
An important aspect of UN-HABITAT’s normative work is to develop knowledge tools, systems and indicators of good urban governance to help cities identify urban governance priorities and assess their progress towards the quality of city-life.
Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:
This position is located in the Urban Development Branch. Incumbent will report to Head Urban Development Branch.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Database, Information Research and Collation, Report Writing Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: (These duties are not all inclusive nor are all the duties to be carried out by the Assistant).
Administration:
Performs research into versions of IT support for e-governance for local governments. This will be supervised.
Maintains and updates files (electronic and paper) and internal databases.
Reading of documents and collation of report writing.
Recommends acquisition of hardware, software, devices, tools, etc. to facilitate work based on research. This will be supervised.
Performs other duties as required.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
United Nations Information Technology Officers, Telecommunications Officers and Assistants throughout the United Nations system, telecommunications Offices in Nairobi and Mobile companies in Nairobi. Technical personnel of hardware/software vendors and contractors.
Competencies
Technical requirements:
Good IT Skills is a requirement. For example incumbent should be have the ability to draw flow charts electronically; Able to use excel, databases, mobiles; Able to travel within Kenya; Minimum of IT experience required is to understand the basics of e-governance.
Qualifications
Preferred candidate will be enrolled in an IT course or studying administration or similar at university level.
This is primarily an administration role. The purpose is to assist the Urban Gateway and e-governance roles within the branch. The overall objective is to facilitate and increase citizen participation towards inclusive management and governance in cities.
The specific objectives are to identify the gaps in the utilization of ICT for governance, and to determine a course of response and action for UN-Habitat, given its mandate and resources. This is at the G5 level as it is mainly collation of large quantities of information already obtained.
Incumbent will review existing initiatives on the application of Information and Technology for improving local governance. By using internet facilities, and perusal of records, publications and other documents s/he will compile an inventory of applied technologies for improving all components of engagement in local governance processes from decision-making to implementing identified deliverables.
Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence; 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
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.
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.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent.
Work Experience
Several years of experience in administration preferable and proven ability to work with software packages like Excel, Paint, web, etc.
Language
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Other Skills
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.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Remuneration
This will be at the G5 level.
See UN website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html
Reporting:
Incumbent will report to:
Dr Mohamed Halfani, Head, Urban Development Branch
UN-Habitat - Room P-3
UN Crescent, Gigiri
P.O. Box 30030 Nairobi 00100,
Kenya
Telephone: (+254-20) 7624723
(+254-20) 7624723
Fax: (+254-20) 7623715
How to apply
All applications should be submitted to:
Ms. Denise D’Souza
UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030
Nairobi, Kenya
Email: denise.dsouza@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications:17 December 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
UN HABITAT Database, Information Research & Collation and Report Writing Assistant Job Vacancy
