Chief of Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an organization established by the UN General Assembly with a mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat collaborates with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities, advocating for urbanization as a transformative force that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The organization operates globally, focusing on urban development and sustainability, and has a significant presence in numerous countries, working towards improving living conditions in urban areas.

Job Overview:
The Chief of Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit will lead the unit within the Corporate Management Division of UN-Habitat, located in Nairobi. This position is crucial for advising and coordinating strategic and policy matters related to the Programme's objectives, results-based programs, budgets, and resource mobilization. The incumbent will oversee corporate monitoring and the development of UN-Habitat's strategic plan and results framework, ensuring alignment with the four-year Strategic Plan. The role involves identifying strategic growth potential, addressing emerging urbanization issues, and developing policy positions for sustainable urban development. The Chief will work closely with various stakeholders, including other UN organizations, donors, and agencies, to ensure effective implementation of strategic plans and annual work programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Chief of Strategic Planning and Monitoring Unit will be responsible for coordinating multi-year strategic plans and annual work planning processes, ensuring adherence to timelines and guidelines. This includes guiding the development of results frameworks, leading corporate monitoring and reporting on the Strategic Plan 2026–2029, and providing inputs for project design. The incumbent will manage the work program of the Strategic Planning Unit, supervise staff, and ensure high-quality outputs. Responsibilities also include preparing position papers and reports for intergovernmental bodies, managing budgets, and recruiting staff while promoting gender balance and institutional values. The Chief will represent the organization at inter-agency meetings and analyze data to provide insights for decision-making and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in budget, finance, strategic planning, policy analysis, or a related area. Additionally, three years of experience in preparing high-level institutional strategies and reports for senior leadership is required, along with three years of experience in monitoring and evaluating organizational strategic plans. Experience in conducting presentations on strategy and planning matters, providing strategic advice to senior management, and overseeing services in UN field locations is desirable. Supervisory experience and familiarity with data analytics are also advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, finance and budget, or a related area is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of relevant experience, with at least three years focused on high-level institutional strategy preparation and reporting. Candidates should have experience in monitoring and evaluating strategic plans and results-based management frameworks, as well as experience in providing strategic advice to senior management and overseeing multidisciplinary teams.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level II in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is also a working language of the United Nations, but proficiency in French is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
This appointment is temporary and available only until 10 August 2027, with no expectation of renewal. The position is subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, and staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. Reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities may be provided upon request. The recruitment process does not involve any fees, and candidates must ensure that their applications are complete and accurate.