Senior Programme Officer - Human Settlements

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) was established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urbanization and human settlements. It operates globally, focusing on building inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat collaborates with various partners to address urbanization challenges and reduce inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The organization is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to its mission of improving living conditions in urban areas.

Job Overview:
The Senior Programme Officer will be situated in the Planning & Finance Section of the Planning, Finance & Policy Branch within the Global Solutions Division. This role is pivotal in providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and ensuring the effective delivery of its Strategic Plan. The officer will oversee the development of normative guidance and tools related to urban planning, finance, and local economic development. The position requires collaboration with various organizational units within UN-Habitat and external partners to ensure high-quality outputs and the successful implementation of projects. The officer will also be responsible for capacity development and training of staff and stakeholders, ensuring that urban planning and finance practices are effectively integrated into the agency's work.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will plan, oversee, and manage the work programme of the Planning & Finance Section, ensuring timely execution of activities. Responsibilities include coordinating diverse projects, ensuring high-quality normative outputs, and leading a Community of Practice on Planning, Finance, and Economy. Administrative tasks such as budget preparation, performance monitoring, and staff recruitment will also be part of the role. The officer will provide policy guidance, prepare inputs for work programmes, assist in project development, and represent UN-Habitat at various meetings. Additionally, the officer will lead data collection and analysis efforts to support decision-making and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of urban development, planning, finance, and economics. They should demonstrate the ability to produce high-quality reports and papers, analyze data, and apply relevant rules and regulations. The role requires excellent communication skills, accountability, and leadership capabilities. The officer should be able to foster teamwork and manage performance effectively, ensuring that all staff members understand their roles and responsibilities.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, urban planning, regional planning, urban design, public policy, or related fields is required. A first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Completion of programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in urban development, planning, finance, or public policy is required. Candidates should have experience managing large teams in multicultural environments and should be familiar with research, capacity building, and financial resource mobilization. Experience working with the United Nations and International Finance Institutions is also desirable, along with a background in data analytics.

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 UN, and proficiency in it is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The appointment is for an initial period of one year, subject to extension based on the availability of the post or funds. The position emphasizes gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The UN Secretariat is committed to diversity and inclusion, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. Candidates must adhere to the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, and those with a history of violations of law" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">international law or misconduct will not be considered.