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. 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. The organization is particularly focused on addressing the challenges posed by rapid urbanization in the Horn and Eastern Africa (HEA) sub-region, which is experiencing significant demographic growth and urbanization pressures. UN-Habitat aims to support national and local governments in strengthening urban planning, governance, and financing systems while promoting integrated approaches to resilience and sustainable development. The organization operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to improving urban living conditions.

Job Overview:
The Programme Management Officer position is located within the Regional Office for Africa at the Horn and East Sub-Regional Hub in Nairobi. The officer will report to the Senior Human Settlements Officer/Head of Sub-Regional Hub and will collaborate closely with project managers and relevant stakeholders across the sub-region. The role involves developing, implementing, and evaluating assigned programmes/projects, monitoring and analyzing their development and implementation, and providing technical advisory support on urban planning and local governance to national and local governments. The officer will also perform consulting assignments, coordinate policy development, generate survey initiatives, and support resource mobilization efforts. This position requires a proactive approach to addressing urban challenges and leveraging opportunities for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Management Officer include:

• Developing, implementing, and evaluating assigned programmes/projects, monitoring their progress, and initiating corrective actions as necessary.
• Providing technical advisory support on urban planning and local governance to national and local governments, including guidance on planning processes and policy development.
• Conducting consulting assignments, facilitating workshops, and assisting clients in developing action plans.
• Researching, analyzing, and presenting information from diverse sources.
• Coordinating policy development, including reviewing and analyzing issues and trends, and preparing evaluations or research activities.
• Designing data collection tools, generating survey initiatives, and interpreting responses to identify problems and prepare conclusions.
• Organizing and preparing written outputs, including background papers, analyses, and sections of reports.
• Providing substantive backstopping to meetings and conferences, including proposing agenda topics and preparing documents.
• Initiating and coordinating outreach activities, conducting training workshops, and making presentations. 1
• Leading or participating in complex field missions, providing guidance to external consultants and drafting mission summaries. 1
• Supporting resource mobilization efforts, including identifying funding opportunities and developing project proposals. 1
• Coordinating budget-related activities and preparing related documents and reports. 1
• Collecting and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making. 1
• Performing other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Programme Management Officer position include:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, civil engineering, urban and regional planning, economics, or physical sciences relevant to human settlements management.
• 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.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management in human settlements or a related field is required.
• Experience in urban planning, design, and local governance is essential.
• Experience in urban resilience, displacement, or durable solutions programming in post-crisis contexts is required.
• Experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and engaging with government counterparts is desirable.
• Two or more years of experience in data analytics or related areas is also desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in a relevant field such as architecture, civil engineering, urban and regional planning, economics, or physical sciences related to human settlements. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Additionally, completion of programs in data analytics or related fields is considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management related to human settlements. Candidates should have experience in urban planning and design, as well as participatory planning processes. A minimum of two years of experience in urban resilience or displacement programming in post-crisis contexts is also required. Experience with the United Nations or similar international organizations in human settlements development is desirable, along with experience in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and engaging with government counterparts.

Languages:
English is the required working language 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, and proficiency in French is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The appointment for this position is limited to the United Nations Human Settlements Programme and is for an initial period of one year, subject to extension based on funding availability. The position is classified as a fixed-term appointment limited (FTA-limited). The renewal of the appointment is contingent upon the continued existence of the mandate and availability of funding. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is open to candidates from under-represented member states, and reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.