Org. Setting and Reporting

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. The incumbent will be responsible for directing and enhancing the capacity of UN-Habitat New York Liaison Office in providing substantive support to ECOSOC, the General Assembly, relevant General Assembly main committees and other inter-governmental bodies. The incumbent will also be responsible for planning and organizing UN-Habitat’s involvement in inter-agency activities and advise on UN Reform and UN 2.0; and undertake the programmatic and administrative tasks of the New York Liaison Office. This position is located in the United Nations Human Settlement Programme Liaison Office in New York. Under the overall supervision of the Executive Director, and in close coordination with the Deputy Executive Director and Chief of Staff, the incumbent will be responsible for following tasks:

Responsibilities

• In line with UN-Habitat’s mandate, the 2030 Agenda, the New Urban Agenda, current UN-Habitat Strategic Plan and its policy and operational priorities, coordinate and facilitate the Executive Director’s, Deputy Executive Director’s and other senior managers’ participation in and contributions to key UN policy bodies and platforms, including CEB, EC/DC, SMG and other meetings on the principals’, deputies’ or senior officials’ level and the appropriate translation of those bodies’ decisions and conclusions into the work and practices of UN-Habitat for ensuring greater impact of UN-Habitat’s work within the UN system and beyond. • Advise the Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director in ensuring a systematic follow-up to and monitoring of ECOSOC, General Assembly, relevant General Assembly main committees and other bodies’ resolutions, decisions and conclusions including through the harmonization of their work programmes and agendas and in promoting UN-Habitat position and the added value that it is providing. • Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of programmes and initiatives and present UN-Habitat’s views, policies, strategies, and priorities as appropriate in the inter-governmental bodies and inter-agency processes. Contribute to drafting strategic planning and policy documents, including memoranda and other correspondence for the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and other senior officials. • Directing coordinated approaches to assist the inter-governmental bodies in promoting integrated follow-up to the outcomes of major UN conferences, focusing primarily on UN-Habitat’s mandate, the New Urban Agenda and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), working closely with the substantive offices of the Secretariat and the UN-Habitat Headquarters and to promote complementarity, coherence, and synergy. • Promoting the system-wide implementation of intergovernmental policies on operational activities for development through greater interaction between the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and the rest of the UN system. Work towards enhancing existing and building new UN-Habitat’s strategic partnerships with the Member States and Observers, other UN entities and other key stakeholders, including local and regional governments, professional organisations, research and academia, civil society, private sector, etc. • Continuously maintain active interactions and dialogue with Member States and Observers, especially those which are accredited to UN-Habitat from New York, through organising briefings and other events and showcasing UN-Habitat’s tangible contributions to achieving the overall objectives and priorities of the United Nations. In line with UN-Habitat’s mandate provide full secretariat support to the relevant coordination mechanisms of Member States and Observers, such as regional groups, groups of friends and core groups. • Co-ordinate and oversee the preparation of reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Report to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on program-matic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Coordinates and oversees UN-Habitat’s normative and operational work and related offices in North America (Canada and USA), as well as partnerships with North America-based institutions and relations with Canada and the USA. • Contribute to the formulation of the overall strategies, policies and operations of UN-Habitat and formulating recommendations on possible follow-up to policy issues and reporting to relevant counterparts at the UN-Habitat Headquarters, as appropriate, including their potential impact on UN-Habitat normative and operational activities. • With highest dedication, focus and professionalism represent UN-Habitat at high-level meetings, conferences, events and internal UN coordination meetings advocate for sustainable urban development and a better urban future for all. • Directing the work of the office, by providing intellectual, strategic, and operational leadership in planning and implementing the office’s activities. • Identification of issues and events of relevance to UN-Habitat and through interaction with concerned divisions and branches at the UN-Habitat Headquarters, ensure their proper coverage. • Undertake the programmatic and administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the New York Liaison Office, manage and guide the staff. • Lead team members’ efforts to collect and analyze data and provide insights to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensure that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of UN intergovernmental processes. Ability to negotiate with high-level Government, multi and bilateral technical and funding agency officials. Proven capacity to motivate and manage a multi-national team of staff. Ability to present and debate in public fora and events the main policy and substantive messages related to the development issues identified with the Programme’s work. Familiarity with UN policies, procedures and practices, including those relevant to technical cooperation projects. 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. 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. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; anticipates and resolves conflict by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participations of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrated knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance and equitable geographical representation in staffing. VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. 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

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Business Administration, Political Science, Urban and Regional Development, Social Sciences, International Relations, or related areas 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.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible work experience in policy and operational work on development issues is required A minimum of ten (10) years of experience working on governance, planning, human security or policy related issues in the area of human settlements is required. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience with international or intergovernmental organizations at senior level is required. Experience with the intergovernmental machinery of the UN in particular with General Assembly, its main committees and subsidiary organs or in similar international organization is desirable. A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in preparing programmatic reports for the review of intergovernmental or expert bodies is desirable. Experience in liaising with United Nations Member States or other inter-governmental bodies is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of 364 days and may be subject to extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places 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. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

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.