Individual Contractor for the NUA Platform for Africa

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements and ensuring adequate shelter for all. Established in 1978, UN-Habitat has been at the forefront of addressing urban growth issues and has developed extensive knowledge of urban development processes. The organization has been active in Morocco since 1995, collaborating with the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy to support sustainable urban development efforts. The New Urban Agenda (NUA), adopted in 2016, serves as a global framework for sustainable urban development, and UN-Habitat plays a crucial role in its implementation, particularly in Africa, where it aims to enhance urban policies and governance.

Job Overview:
The position of Individual Contractor for the NUA Platform for Africa involves ensuring the effective implementation, coordination, and impact of the NUA Platform in alignment with the UN Habitat mandate. The contractor will be responsible for developing annual work plans, coordinating with various stakeholders, overseeing project implementation, and preparing monitoring reports. The role requires a strong focus on planning, monitoring, evaluation, and communication, as well as the ability to mobilize technical and financial partners. The contractor will also support capacity-building initiatives and ensure the platform's operational viability through continuous partnerships and training cycles. This position is critical for promoting best practices in urban development and ensuring stakeholder engagement in New Urban Agenda-related issues.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The selected candidate will undertake a variety of tasks, including: developing annual work plans and drafting terms of reference for project-related missions; ensuring coordination with Ministry focal points and UN-Habitat headquarters teams; overseeing day-to-day project implementation; preparing periodic monitoring reports; ensuring technical management of the New Urban Agenda Platform; representing UN-Habitat Morocco in meetings and workshops; promoting the use of UN-Habitat technical tools; developing capacity-building plans; mobilizing new technical and financial partners; monitoring the work of experts and consultants; reporting project progress to the Steering Committee; ensuring proper archiving of project documentation; preparing a final report; supporting office activities; preparing briefing notes and content for workshops; supporting budget management and logistical organization; contributing to internal and external communication; and supervising communication on project activities and achievements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master or higher) in Urban Development, International Relations, Political/Social Sciences, International Development, Economics, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. A minimum of 5 years of significant experience in project management, data/knowledge management, partnership mobilization, or related areas is required. Substantial experience in local development, international cooperation, and strategic monitoring is also necessary. Experience with United Nations organizations, particularly UN-Habitat, or other international organizations, along with relevant professional experience in Morocco, is desirable. Additionally, experience in developing capacity-building programs is a plus, and strong project and program management support skills, as well as knowledge of UN rules and procedures, are required.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced university degree (Master's or higher) in fields such as Urban Development, International Relations, Political/Social Sciences, International Development, Economics, or related disciplines. Candidates with a first-level university degree may be considered if they have two additional years of qualifying experience. This educational foundation is essential for understanding the complexities of urban development and the implementation of the New Urban Agenda.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of significant experience in areas such as project management, data/knowledge management, and partnership mobilization. Candidates should have substantial experience in local development and international cooperation, as well as strategic monitoring. Experience working with United Nations organizations, particularly UN-Habitat, or other international organizations is desirable, especially if it includes relevant professional experience in Morocco. Additionally, candidates should have experience in developing capacity-building programs, which is considered an asset for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in French and English is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Candidates must possess strong drafting skills in both languages. Knowledge of Arabic is considered a strong asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in the region and engage with diverse stakeholders.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 9 months, and it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. The organization is committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in its recruitment practices.