Programme Management Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an organization established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Since its inception, UN-Habitat has been the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. The organization collaborates with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, aiming to reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty. UN-Habitat has been convening the World Urban Forum (WUF) biannually since 2002, which serves as a non-legislative technical forum that gathers a diverse range of experts, including government representatives, NGOs, academia, and private sector stakeholders. The WUF is recognized as a key platform for supporting the implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) adopted at the Habitat III conference, providing opportunities for stakeholders to share innovative advances in sustainable urban development.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Officer position is directly connected to the Office of the Director of External Relations Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division, specifically within the WUF Coordination Office. The officer will provide substantive support for the implementation and monitoring of programmes and operations related to the World Urban Forum. The role involves working closely with the WUF Coordinator and the Chief of Communications to develop and implement effective communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement, and build support among target audiences. The officer will be responsible for drafting compelling narratives and messaging that engage audiences across various channels, conducting media outreach, and planning press events. Additionally, the officer will monitor and analyze communications strategies to assess their effectiveness and provide insights for data-driven decision-making.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Management Officer include providing insights and analysis from media monitoring, contributing to the development of communications strategies, drafting narratives and messaging, conducting outreach to media outlets, planning press conferences and media events, creating optimized content for various platforms, producing communications products such as press releases and reports, developing strategic communications partnerships, and participating in outreach and advocacy campaigns. The officer will also be responsible for maintaining confidentiality, monitoring communications approaches, coordinating team activities, managing resources, and providing guidance to team members. Additional responsibilities include collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and providing insights through data visualization methods, as well as performing other duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of theories and concepts relevant to communications and international relations. They should demonstrate the ability to identify and analyze issues, conduct independent research, and apply judgment in various contexts. The role requires excellent organizational skills, the ability to manage conflicting priorities, and a commitment to professional integrity. Candidates should also exhibit strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and be able to tailor their messaging to different audiences. The ability to work collaboratively and foster a positive team culture is essential.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, international relations, or related areas is required. Candidates should have experience designing communications strategies and campaigns, preferably for large-scale international conferences. Familiarity with a broad range of public information and communication tools, including new media and social networking tools, is essential. Experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable, particularly for candidates with two or more years of relevant experience.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of proficiency as per the UN Language Framework. Candidates should demonstrate strong reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in English, while proficiency in French is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. The position is classified as a fixed-term appointment limited (FTA limited) in accordance with UN administrative instructions. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants are urged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the stated deadline.