Programme Management Officer Human Settlements Vacancy-Job Ref: JKZWUNHABITAT/2010/202637

Programme Management Officer Human Settlements Vacancy-Job Ref: JKZWUNHABITAT/2010/202637

Pretoria (South Africa)

Job Description
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. UN-Habitat, as the lead agency for sustainable urbanization within the UN system, plays a pivotal role in South Africa’s journey toward achieving its development goals.

The Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) for South Africa 2024-2028 has been crafted to align UN-Habitat’s global expertise with the country’s priorities, building upon a longstanding partnership with the Government of South Africa. This collaboration aims to address the challenges and opportunities of urbanization, ensuring cities and human settlements are inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable, in line with SDG 11. By working closely with the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and under the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), the HCPD integrates urban themes into the national agenda.

This approach emphasizes sustainable human settlements, affordable housing, and resilient infrastructure, guided by South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP) 2030 and the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IUDF). The HCPD serves as a platform to enhance collaboration between UN-Habitat, South African institutions, and diverse partners such as NGOs, academia, and private sector stakeholders. It prioritizes holistic urban interventions to catalyze sustainable development outcomes across various dimensions, including integrated planning, housing, urban resilience, and social inclusion.

For the implementation of the HCPD, in partnership with the Government of South Africa and the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator (RCO), UN-Habitat is establishing a full presence in South Africa. For the management of the office in South Africa, UN-Habitat is hiring a program manager to lead the implementation of the HCPD, as the Programme Management Officer. Under the supervision of the Head of Southern Africa Sub Region, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities
Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.

Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies,
Support the country programme in resourcing mobilization and establish resources mobilization strategy and donors’ coordination.
Establish stakeholders’ coordination mechanisms to allow concerted actions for the implementation of the country program including relevant ministries, SALGA, civil society, academics and others.

Provide technical support and serve as an interface with relevant ministries dealing with urbanization in South Africas includingDHS, CoGTA, National Treasury, and others.
Representation to the United Nations Country Team and for the implementation of the United Nations Cooperation Framework, with assuring participation to relevant working groups.
Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.

Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Follow up regional trends on urbanization and human settlements and provide support to SADC secretariat to elevate the urban agenda.
Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to project or programme management or related area. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.

Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

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.

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 that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision. Makes tough decisions when necessary.

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
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, urban and regional planning, climate change, local government, land management, municipal finance, economics or physical and political sciences relevant to development and management of human settlements or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in human settlement, project or programme management, or related field is required. Experience leading and coordinating complex, cross-functional teams, driving collaboration, accountability, and successful delivery of strategic objectives is required. Experience working with government agencies/departments is desirable. Experience or knowledge of the Southern Africa context is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required.

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

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