Vacancies

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CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 20th June 2016

BACKGROUND
The UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency responsible for Urbanization and Human settlements mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer and healthier places with better opportunities. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, private sector and the Habitat Agenda Partners.

The position is located in the External Relations Division (ERD), Office of Executive Director and Management. The External Relations Division promotes strategic alliances to support achievement of the goals of adequate shelter for all, and sustainable urbanization and human settlements development. ERD assists to advance UN-Habitat image and relationships with its partners and the public at large, and to build and strengthen partnerships, facilitate policy impact and developmental change, and increase delivery of programmes.

RESPONSIBILITES

objective of the post:
To provide the Director of the External Relations Division with substantive advice and support with delivery of key ERD outputs, including innovative initiatives and preparations towards Habitat III.
scope of work and outputs:
Reporting to the Director of the External Relations Division, the Senior Adviser will provide substantive professional    inputs related to the above-mentioned objective of the Post. He/She will be expected to carry out the following tasks:

• Provide support to UN-Habitat and ERD in matters related to the UN Secretary-General, including drafting of reports, resolutions, and other substantive documentation and activities;
• Provide support to UN-Habitat and ERD in liaising with UN-Habitat Liaison Offices, other UN Headquartered offices, entities, funds and programmes, including ECOSOC, ACABQ, CEB, and others.
• Provide substantive policy and strategic support to the Director in preparation for Habitat III and implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
• Support the establishment of a Multi-Partner Trust Fund for Sustainable Urban Development, including conceptualizing the MPTF framework; recruiting MPTF partners; and mobilizing resources.
• Support resource mobilization efforts to implement ERD’s work, including in relation to implementing UN-Habitat’s Inter-Agency and Partnerships Strategies, and Flagship Programmes/Initiatives.
• Develop and execute implementation plans for Inter-Agency and Partnerships Strategies, including through the development of MoUs, Cooperation Agreements, and other modalities.
• Support ERD to maintain close and regular communications with multi and bi-lateral donor agencies, including development banks, and private foundations, as well as with national governments and local authorities on programme development and coordination and support coherence between ERD Units.
• Provide support to the ERD Director in executing management decisions of the ED in coordination with other senior staff and management, as required.
• Provide strategic policy advice and support to the ERD Director in matters pertaining to the division’s work.
• Draft and/or edit briefs, reports and other written materials, as required.
• Assist in any other area required by the Director.

COMPETENCIES

The candidate should also have the following general competencies and skills:

• Excellent research skills;
• Excellent organizational and planning skills;
• Excellent analytical English writing skills; and,
• Ability to work with various colleagues, independently, and self-motivating.

EDUCATION

University degree in a relevant discipline for urban issues, policy, communications, and/or journalism

WORK EXPERIENCE

The successful candidate should have the following specific competencies and experiences:

• At least 10 years of combined professional experience in the private sector, journalism/communications, and public sector, with relevant knowledge of urban issues;
• Proven technical and advisory experience in both managing global initiatives and coordinating with donors and partners on this topic.

duration and timeframe:
The post is for an initial 6 months, from 1 July 2016 to 31 December 2016. 

reporting structure:
On a day-to-day basis, the Adviser shall report to the Director of External Relations of UN-Habitat. 

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of a second UN language is an advantage. 

REMUNERATION

Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

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