Programme Officer (SB-4)

Background
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all, support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals as well as facilitate the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat is the UN organization mandated to promote environmentally and socially sustainable human settlements and adequate housing for all. The Sustainable Development Goal 11 aims to “make cities safe, resilient and sustainable” and the New Urban Agenda, the outcome of the Third UN Conference on Human Settlements, Habitat III (Oct 2016) seeks to maximize the potential of urbanization as a force for sustainable development. UN-Habitat is thus concerned with the sustainable development of cities and urban communities and provides support in urban policy and spatial planning at different levels (national, regional and local), reconstruction and housing, rehabilitation of infrastructure, and the promotion of equitable land rights and tenure security.

UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS) manages UN-Habitat’s project portfolio in the Arab region It ensures that country priorities are in alignment with the UN-Habitat’s organizational policies and strategic objectives and brings through its Regional Representative to the attention of the Executive Management Committee (EMC) opportunities and challenges in the region, allowing for timely feedback and responses to urgent demands and requests from Member States.

The successful candidate will be working under the direct supervision of the Representative of UN-Habitat Regional Office for Arab States S/he will be coordinating programs and project operations in Morocco and working closely with a wide variety of local, national and international partners in the country.
Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities under the supervision of the Régional Représentative for Arab States the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:Ensures development, implementation, and monitoring of assigned programmes and projects; ; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
Provides technical insights and advises on issues related to human settlements, cities resilience and projects management.
Ensures the effective management of the portfolio under responsibility by focusing throughout the programming cycle on quality control and timely delivery of the outputs, from formulation to implementation of the Programmes/Projects.
Supports the development of new partnerships and strengthening the existing institutional relationships with the wide variety of stakeholders.
Takes part in resource mobilization, donor relations, and relevant tasks including development of concept notes and project proposals.
Participates in inter-agency coordination mechanism to represent UN-Habitat and represents the Agency in the meetings and events when required by the Head of the National Office.
Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan which the client will use to manage the change.
Keeps informed of international and national updates and news in the area of intervention of the office and identify opportunities for portfolio development.
Conducts researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
Assists in policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications.
Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of statements, documents and presentations.
Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities
Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries
Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget).
Performs other related duties as required

Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Strong conceptual skills. Shows pride in work and in achievements. demonstrates professional competence and mastery in the UN-Habitat focus areas of Urban Planning and Design, Housing and Cities development; 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.

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 short comings.

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.

Functional Competencies:

Able to provide high-quality project and programme management support. Knowledge of the project management cycle. Knowledge of UN rules, procedures and practices.

Experience with multi-tasking and working independently on project management tasks.

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines; work well under time constraints while retaining attention to detail.

Good IT skills. Ability to manage data, documents, correspondence and reports information and workflow.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, public and business administration, Law or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree

Experience:

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic planning, project or programme management, organizational development, urban development or related area is required.

Substantive project management experience, including RBM and other project management tools.

Prior experience with UN agencies or other international organizations and relevant work experience in Morocco will be an asset.

Languages:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in French and good knowledge of English including good drafting skills are required. Arabic is a strong asset.

Other Skills:

Extensive knowledge and experience with the various computer software including MS Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.

Assessment:

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

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval.

Important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders)
Under US immigration law, acceptance of a staff position with UNDP, an international organization, may have significant implications for US Permanent Residents. UNDP advises applicants for all professional level posts that they must relinquish their US Permanent Resident status and accept a G-4 visa, or have submitted a valid application for US citizenship prior to commencement of employment.
UNDP is not in a position to provide advice or assistance on applying for US citizenship and therefore applicants are advised to seek the advice of competent immigration lawyers regarding any applications.
Applicant information about UNDP rosters
Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.
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