Vacancies

 VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

                                                                                                                       Issued on: 07 march 2019

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

The Programme Division is responsible for the overall coordination of UN-Habitat’s project portfolio and oversees both regional offices and the thematic organizational units. The Division directs the whole project management cycle, from project strategy development, resources, formulation, and approval to implementation and monitoring.

The Project Advisory Group as a review structure is a strategic management tool that aims at strengthening alignment, compatibility and coherence between the Strategic Plan, the biennial Programme of work and all other programmes and projects of UN-Habitat.  The PAG reviews enable validation of the overall focus and conceptual approach for portfolios of project concepts with the aim of achieving results in a coherent manner across the organization.  More specifically, the review mechanism ensures high quality in project design at entry, including embedment of Theory of change and Results-Based management (RBM) principles. The reviews examine projects at a technical level and provide overall guidance as well.  To further strengthen the quality assurance process, technical experts are invited to PAGs to critique submitted projects before they are approved to ensure high quality of the project at design stage.  Such peer reviewers are sought from anywhere across the organization and if desired, can be from other UN agencies or partners considered experts on the subject matter of the project under review.  All in all, the ultimate goal of the PAG mechanism is to strengthen efficiency and effectiveness of programs and projects.

The PAG review mechanism contributes significantly to “silo breaking” by creating synergetic inter/intra-branch linkages and regional collaboration and cooperation, all of which are critical for programmatic coherence and effective programme delivery.  The process improves learning and creates a concerted energy towards realizing organization results.  These workflows are automated in the Project Accrual and Accountability System (PAAS).

In view of the above background, the Programme Division wishes to recruit a Secretary of the PAG with the overall responsibility of reviewing projects at entry for quality compliance, overseeing and coordinating PAG meetings at the Headquarters and in the regions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The dedicated Program Advisory Group (PAG) Secretary is the linchpin of the whole of UN-Habitat project review mechanism, a coordinator and participant in all the review structures (including the regional ones) and repository of all project-related information going from RPAGs and the Project Office.  The Secretary will read all the documents submitted to PAG and to the RPAGs and will provide comments on all as necessary. Periodic reports identifying trends, patterns and issues related to Branch Portfolios will be submitted to the PAG through the Chair as planned.  The PAG Secretary will also coordinate project implementation mid/end PAG reviews of selected projects for the purposes of organizational learning and harvesting of best practices.

Specific Tasks

Among other things, and under the supervision of the Project Office Monitoring Branch Coordinator, the PAG Secretary will undertake the following tasks;

SUPPORT TO THE PAG

• Be the Secretary to the HQPAG and coordinator of all other PAGs to ensure all UN-Habitat project review and quality and approval standards procedures have been adhered to.
• Review documents and prepare comments and briefings for the PAG;
• Ensure linkages with regional Offices (ROLAC, ROAP, ROAf, ROAS)
• Providing training to staff on the PAG process project formulation and project approval related procedures and policies;
• Providing training to staff on Theory of Change, Logical Frameworks, and RBM to strengthen project formulation
• Guide staff in ensuring coherence of their projects, and meeting project targets;
• Provide information to all staff, including maintaining a functioning internal communication system on PAG and approved projects;
• Support Branches and regions to enhance the quality of projects developed.
• Liaise and support regional offices on matters and procedures related to project approval and implementation monitoring.
• Contribute to project data reconciliation exercises within Regions and with the Project Office;
• Brief new staff/consultants on the PAG and Project office policies, strategies and procedures;
• Ensure a smooth running of the PAG and coordination of peer reviews mechanism.
• Develop yearly outputs for Programme Division related to the PAG Secretariat.
• Provide on-going feedback on performance and guidance on work plan implementation;
• Coach and mentor staff for capacity development in project formulation;

SUPPORT SERVICES TO PROGRAMME DIVISION

• Respond to audit queries related to the PAG process and design of projects
• Assist the Programme Division in identifying trends, patterns and early warning of issues related to the branch portfolio size, shape and relevance (including Regions);
• Provide inputs to relevant policy and information documents;
• Create Quarterly reports for CPR
• Assist Programme Division in enhancing and tracing projects-at risk and the general risk management system;
• Ensure effective internal and external communication on PAG related matters;
• Respond to requests for information from branches and Regional offices.

ON-GOING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PEER REVIEWS

• Establish and implement a comprehensive peer monitoring system for all on-going projects approved by the PAGs, (HQ PAG and Regional PAGs) including coordinating responses to the Branches in collaboration with the Evaluation Unit
• Assist in preparing regular monitoring reports.
• Liaise with the UN-Habitat’s Evaluation Office on all requests related to independent evaluations of projects.
• Coordinate the preparation of regular reports.
• Take the lead in ensuring corporate knowledge management informs project design
• Perform other corporate tasks as requested by Programme Division Director;

COMPETENCIES

Professionalism: 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;

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.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

The PAG Secretary shall be an experienced expert in international development. Must be proficient in Results-Based Management, Theory of change, and Project Cycle management elements.  He/she should be familiar with UN-Habitat global agenda. The preferred candidate should hold at least Master’s degree in International development studies, project management or any other relevant social sciences.

WORK EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 7 years professional experience in programme planning, programme/project management and results-based management required.   At least 5 of these years should be in the UN system.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, strong command of the English language is required, both oral and written. Knowledge of another UN language will be an asset.

OTHER SKILLS

Excellent communication skills both oral and written. Proficiency in computer skills.