Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Country Manager - UN-Habitat (Apply by: March 04, 2016)

Location :
New Delhi, INDIA
Application Deadline :
04-Mar-16
Additional Category
Management
Type of Contract :
Other
Post Level :
Other
Languages Required :
English
Duration of Initial Contract :
12 months

Background

Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, otherwise known as UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency responsible for human settlements.  UN-Habitat is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities, with the goal of providing adequate housing for all. 
UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.  Its partners range from governments and local authorities to a wide international cross-section of Non-Governmental Organisations and civil society groups.

In accordance with its work programme, UN-Habitat’s operational activities are focused on the following:

  • Promoting Housing for All;
  • Improving urban planning, governance and finance;
  • Reducing urban poverty;
  • Improving the living environment, including urban infrastructures and services; and
  • Managing disaster mitigation and post-crisis rehabilitation.

UN-Habitat is focused on supporting governments in the formulation of policies and strategies to both create and strengthen a self-reliant management capacity at national, subnational and local levels. Technical and managerial expertise is provided for:
  • The assessment of human settlement development constraints and opportunities;
  • The identification and analysis of policy options;
  • The design and implementation of housing and sustainable urbanization projects;
  • External support for improving human settlement conditions.

Located in the New Delhi, the Country Manager will be heading a new national office and will be accountable to the Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific (ROAP).  He/She will coordinate with the UN Resident Representative for India and work in close collaboration with our line institution, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (HUPA).  Supervision of the work performed by the Country Manager will be provided by the Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific of UN-Habitat.

The focus of the position is on substantive and operational responsibilities through active participation in activities at the country and state levels, aligned with UN-Habitat’s mandate, objectives, focus areas and expected results.  The Country Manager is responsible for the overall management, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of all programmes and projects implemented by UN-Habitat within India. A key focus of the role is the understanding of and liaison with local government partners and for this reason, Indian nationals are best suited.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Country Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

Contribution in Implementation and Policy Development (40%)
  • Act as the in-country liaison officer for UN-Habitat, with reference to the implementation of the Habitat Agenda (housing for all and sustainable human settlements), advocacy and coordination of the norms and principles of the global campaigns and implementation of global programmes;
  • Apply a common administrative and financial framework for all projects operating under UN-Habitat;
  • Participate in the formulation and implementation of multilateral programming instruments to ensure that Government key sectorial concerns and priorities are adequately reflected, to bring to bear UN-Habitat substantive knowledge and potential contribution, and to strive to place UN-Habitat within the framework of the programming instruments. 

Contribution to Resource Mobilization (30%):
  • Identify and promote programme opportunities, resource mobilization and extension of operational/organizational support to all UN-Habitat activities on sustainable settlements and urbanization;
  • Contribute to project development, negotiations, implementation and monitoring of the activities. 

Running the National Office (15%):
  • Represent the institution vis-à-vis the authorities and other partners (e.g. HUDCO, HSMI, NIUA, NHB, FICCI, CII, CIDC...);
  • Plan, manage and monitor work of staff/consultants to be recruited.    

Coordination (10%):
  • Assist the Government and the broader sectorial constituency in policy related work and multilateral programming instruments;
  • Support the national authorities and other stakeholders in participating and/or holding national and international events related to UN-Habitat’s mandate (e.g. Habitat-III, Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing & Urban Development (APMCHUD), World Urban Forum, World and National Urban Campaigns, etc.);
  • Promote partnerships to contribute to the United Nations Development Assistance Framework and UN delivering as ONE in India;
  • Mainstream global programmes, at the country level, including pro-poor housing, disaster risk reduction and climate change initiatives, gender equity, tenure, urban development and poverty reduction;
  • Strengthen linkages and information flows between UN-Habitat, local partners and the government through representation, liaison, networking and attendance at meetings.    

Capacity Building (5%):
  • Share information on the availability of training and capacity building tools with external partners and assessing the degree of interest in applying them;
  • Design and implements a results-based monitoring and evaluation system for normative activities such as policy support;
  • Promote knowledge management through good practices and reporting;
  • Perform other duties as required.     

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
  • National counterparts, UN agencies, partner agencies, state government partners, and urban local bodies, Senior Human Settlement Officers, Programme Management Officers, Branch/Regional Managers, Programme Support Division and relevant units at regional office and headquarters.

Results Expected:
  • UN-Habitat in-country office and activities are properly managed and coordinated.  Preparation of programme documents such as Habitat Country Programme Document, and the inclusion of UN-Habitat interventions in the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) of human settlements policies, related to the urban sector, urban governance and urban management, disaster risk reduction, shelter, post disaster/conflict reconstruction, slum upgrading, urban environment, plantation sector communities, water and sanitation, rural-urban linkages and local economic development.

Competencies

Professionalism: 
  • Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field;
  • Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems;
  • Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities;
  • 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 on-going 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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 
  • Advanced university degree in architecture, urban planning or any other fields (economics, engineering, urban/municipal planning, international development, public and business administration);
  • Possession of a relevant postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.

Experience:

Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in formulation and implementation of development programmes including housing and urbanization programmes and projects, international relations and coordination.

Language:
  • Fluency in English as well as one of the national languages of India (both oral and written) is required;
  • Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Other Skills:

Proficient in Database Management, Word, Excel, Email, Internet and preferably programme management applications.

Reporting Arrangement:

The Country Manager shall report to Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) based in ROAP.

United Nations Considerations

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). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.  Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

No Fees:

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.

The application should comprise:
  • Completed UN Personal History Form (P11). Please download the form (MS-Word) from UN-Habitat/ROAP-vacancy website:www.fukuoka.unhabitat.org
  • A Statement of Interest (cover letter) for the position.

All applications should be submitted to:

UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, ACROS Fukuoka, 8th Floor, 1-1-1 Tenjin Chuo-ku, Fukuoka, 810-0001 Japan.


Please indicate the Post Title: “IND/CM” in the Subject of the E-mail

Please note that applications received after the closing date stated will not be given consideration. Only short-listed candidates whose applications respond to the above criteria will be contacted for an interview. The fee will be determined according to the qualifications, skills and relevant experience of the selected candidate. In line with UN-Habitat policy on gender equity, applications from female candidates will be particularly welcome.

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