Assistant Programme 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. UN-Habitat serves as the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, working collaboratively with various partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities. The organization aims to leverage urbanization as a transformative force that reduces inequality, discrimination, and poverty, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all individuals.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Programme Officer plays a crucial role in the implementation of UN-Habitat's urban development programme, focusing on specific thematic and sectoral areas assigned to them. This position involves analyzing political, social, and economic trends to support the design, formulation, management, and evaluation of programme activities. The incumbent will provide policy advice and coordinate activities closely with project staff, operations teams, and various stakeholders, including government officials, technical advisors, and civil society. The role is full-time and based in Cairo, Egypt, under the guidance of the Urban Development Programme Manager (UDPM). The Assistant Programme Officer is expected to ensure the successful implementation of UN-Habitat programmes by leading project activities, developing work plans, and monitoring progress, while also facilitating partnerships and knowledge sharing among stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the implementation of urban development programme strategies, ensuring timely and quality delivery of project goals and deliverables. Coordinate with partners, including government entities, UN-Habitat, development partners, and consultants. Develop work plans and monitor project activities, prepare Terms of Reference (TORs) and contracts, and follow up on progress reports. Organize meetings and facilitate data collection and presentations.
• Manage assigned urban development programme projects, applying Results-Based Management (RBM) tools, establishing management targets, and monitoring results. Support the design and formulation of the Country Office programme, translating UN-Habitat’s priorities into local interventions. Initiate projects, present them to review committees, and manage project documentation and financial monitoring.
• Provide operational, administrative, and financial support to urban development projects, including maintaining project documentation, arranging travel logistics, drafting correspondence, and supporting financial reporting to donors.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with UN agencies, financial institutions, government bodies, and civil society, analyzing donor information and identifying opportunities for new projects.
• Facilitate knowledge building and sharing, capturing lessons learned during project implementation, and organizing training events for project staff.
• Contribute to data-related activities, including data collection, analysis, and visualization for informed decision-making and reporting.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of urban development programme strategies and projects, with the ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making. Professionalism, effective communication skills, and accountability are essential competencies for this role. The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to gender perspectives and the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in urban planning or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work 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.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant experience in urban planning and/or development is required. Candidates should have experience in implementing urban planning and urban design projects, as well as strong writing, reporting, and research skills. Experience working with the United Nations System or similar international organizations is desirable, along with experience collaborating with government counterparts in Egypt. Additional experience in data analytics or related areas is also desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Arabic is required for this position, as these are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Knowledge of French or another official United Nations language is considered an asset. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while 'knowledge of' indicates a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This position is for an initial period of one year, with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds. It is open to nationals of Egypt only, and candidates must be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Egyptian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, with the candidate responsible for any travel and relocation costs. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance in its staff and encourages female candidates to apply. All applicants must ensure that their application is complete and accurate, as this information will be used to assess eligibility and suitability for the position.