National Programme Expert

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, commonly known as UN-Habitat, was established by the UN General Assembly with the mission to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Its primary goal is to provide adequate shelter for all, focusing on transforming urban areas into safer, healthier, and greener places. UN-Habitat collaborates with various organizations, including government entities, civil society, and the private sector, to facilitate sustainable urban development. The organization operates in multiple countries, with a significant presence in Africa, where it has established a structure of four sub-regional hubs to enhance its coordination and activities at the country level. The Southern Africa hub covers 13 countries, including Botswana, and aims to address urban challenges through partnerships and collaborative efforts.

Job Overview:
The National Programme Expert position is crucial for advancing sustainable urban development in Botswana, particularly in the context of the country's rapid urbanization and the challenges it faces. The expert will be responsible for establishing collaborative platforms among various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and development partners. This role involves providing normative support and technical assistance on urban planning, housing, waste management, and climate change. The expert will also work to strengthen the capacities of national and subnational institutions, ensuring effective urban management and development. The position requires a proactive approach to engage with regional collaborations and enhance UN-Habitat's presence in the Southern African sub-region, leveraging Botswana's strategic position as the host of the SADC Secretariat.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Establish a platform for strengthened collaboration and cooperation between UN-Habitat, Government of Botswana entities, civil society organizations, private sector, and development partners working towards achieving national, regional, and international sustainable agendas.
• Provide normative support, advisory services, and technical assistance to Government of Botswana entities on issues related to urban planning, adequate housing, people-centred smart cities, waste management, and climate change.
• Strengthen capacities and capabilities, especially through academic partnerships, of national and subnational institutions for improved, effective, and efficient urban management and development.
• Strengthen regional collaborations through the SADC towards sustainable urbanization through knowledge exchange and resource mobilization, leveraging Botswana’s unique position as host of the SADC Secretariat, and UN-Habitat’s engagements in countries in the southern African sub-region.
• Engage on strengthening UN-Habitat's presence in the Southern African Sub Region.

Required Qualifications:
A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of progressive experience in multi-disciplinary human settlements development assistance, field project coordination, project management, or a related field. Proven experience with UN-Habitat or other UN agencies is desirable, indicating a strong understanding of the organization's operations and objectives.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Architecture, Civil Engineering, or Urban Planning. A first-level university degree may be considered if accompanied by additional relevant experience, demonstrating the candidate's capability to perform the required duties effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of progressive experience in areas related to human settlements development, project coordination, and management. Candidates should have a proven track record of working in multi-disciplinary environments and should ideally have experience with UN-Habitat or similar UN agencies, showcasing their ability to navigate complex programmatic challenges and contribute to sustainable urban development initiatives.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and French is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of another UN official language would be considered an advantage, enhancing the candidate's ability to communicate effectively in a diverse international environment.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 12 months, and while specific additional notes regarding contract duration, seniority level, or compensation were not provided, it is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. This includes application, interview, or training stages, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.