Project Officer

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Position Title: Project Officer
Location: Kakuma
Country: Kenya
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is an organization established by the UN General Assembly to promote sustainable urbanization and human settlements. It serves as the focal point for urbanization matters within the UN system and collaborates with various partners to create inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat's mission includes reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty through urbanization. The organization operates globally, with headquarters, regional, and country offices, and engages in numerous technical cooperation projects, including the construction of essential facilities such as water and sanitation systems and shelters. The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) and the Planning, Finance & Economy Section (PFES) are key components of UN-Habitat, focusing on developing planning policies, urban design, and local economic development. The organization is committed to addressing global challenges such as the Global Compact on Refugees and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The Project Officer position is located in the UN-Habitat Office in Kakuma and involves working under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer in the Planning Finance and Economy Section. The incumbent will play a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of UN-Habitat's project coordination, focusing on sustainable development goals. This includes providing analytical support, assisting in the design and implementation of projects, and contributing to the development of strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, including UN entities, government counterparts, and civil society. The role also encompasses monitoring and reporting on project results, supporting knowledge management, and capacity development related to urban planning and infrastructure development. The Project Officer will be expected to keep abreast of emerging development issues and contribute to the overall mission of UN-Habitat in promoting sustainable urbanization.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide analytical support for the development and implementation of UN-Habitat project coordination, including data and research strategies. This involves designing and implementing project designs in alignment with the Country Common Analysis (CCA) and UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), conducting empirical analysis, and preparing reports on sustainable development topics.
• Assist in developing and expanding strategic project partnerships with UN entities, government counterparts, research institutes, and civil society. This includes facilitating engagement with national planning systems and contributing to communication and coordination with partners.
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting on UN-Habitat project results, including preparing monitoring and evaluation frameworks and serving as the project focal point for M&E initiatives.
• Support knowledge management and capacity development related to urban planning and infrastructure development by sharing best practices, participating in knowledge-sharing forums, and contributing to the identification of good practices.
• Other responsibilities include collecting and analyzing data, identifying trends, and providing insights through data visualization methods for planning and decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of sustainable development theories and concepts, with the ability to conduct research, analyze data, and make recommendations. They should demonstrate professionalism, efficiency, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work. The ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and effectively manage time and resources is essential. Candidates should also have experience in developing clear goals and adjusting priorities as necessary.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable development, civil engineering, or a related area is required. 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. Certification or training in green infrastructure and sustainable construction, as well as inclusive infrastructure frameworks for informal settlements and refugee settlements, is also desirable.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant experience in providing strategic engineering support to research and data analysis, knowledge management, or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation is required. Experience in multidisciplinary engineering infrastructure, including roadworks, building works, water and wastewater systems, and telecommunication infrastructure, is essential. Experience working in hardship areas such as Kakuma and Dadaab refugee settlements is desirable, as is experience within the United Nations System or similar organizations. One year or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as it is one of the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of Kiswahili/Swahili is desirable, and knowledge of another United Nations official language is also considered an asset. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while knowledge is defined as a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This is a project post with an appointment period of 364 days, which may be subject to extension. The position is open to nationals of Kenya only, and candidates must be recruited within the country or commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kenyan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, but they will be responsible for any travel and relocation costs. The position is subject to local recruitment, and staff members in the General Service and related categories must be recruited in the country or commuting distance of the office. 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.