Job Opportunities at UN-Habitat

This position is located in Office of the Executive Director and the incumbent will report to the Chief of Staff. Within the delegated authority, the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities
Human Resources Management

• Initiates, processes, monitors, reviews and follows-up on actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities, e.g., recruitment, placement, relocation, promotion, performance appraisal, job classification reviews, separation, training etc., ensuring consistency in the application of regulations and procedures.
• Enters, maintains and certifies administrative data and records for time and attendance, performance appraisal, etc. in electronic information systems.
• Reviews entitlements-related claims and reports.
• Provides advice and guidance to staff with respect to administrative procedures, processes and practices, liaising with central administrative services as necessary.
• Maintains and reviews organizational staffing tables; prints and reviews IMIS reports.

Budget and Finance

• Monitors status of expenditures and allotments through IMIS, records variations, updates budget tables.
• Consolidates data received and provides support to higher-level staff with respect to budget reviews of relevant intergovernmental and expert bodies.
• Reviews status of relevant expenditures and compares with approved budget.
• Reviews requisitions for goods and services to ensure (a) correct objects of expenditure have been charged and (b) availability of funds.
• Assists in the preparation of budget performance submissions.
• Prepares statistical tables and standard financial reports.

Contract Administration

• Assists with day-to-day administration of contracts between the UN and external contractors for outsourced services.
• Audits the contractors' invoices against the goods and services provided by the contractor and approved by the UN.
• Processes the payment of contractors' invoices and monitor payments.
• Prepares and processes all UN forms and permissions for contractual and work Unit, Section or Service UN staff, including: UN grounds passes, property passes, UN parking permits, swipe-card access and door keys.

General Administration

• Prepares, processes and follows-up on administrative arrangements and forms related to the official travel of staff.
• Drafts routine correspondence.
• Maintains files of rules, regulations, administrative instructions and other related documentation.
• Maintains up-to-date work unit files (both paper and electronic).
• Coordinates extensively with service units and liaises frequently with internal team members both at Headquarters and in the field.
• Performs other related administrative duties, as required, e.g., operational travel programme; monitoring accounts and payment to vendors and individual contractors for services; physical space planning; identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems; organizing and coordinating administrative arrangements for seminars, conferences and translations.
• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.
• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM : Ability to perform a broad range of administrative functions, e.g., budget/work programme, human resources, database management, etc. Ability to apply knowledge of various United Nations administrative, financial and human resources rules and regulations in work situations. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• PLANNING & ORGANIZING : Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

• Completion of high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Supplementary training on administration or any other relevant field is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of Five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in administrative services, finance, accounting, audit, human resources or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced by two years for candidates who possess a first level University degree.
• Experience in travel management is desirable
• One (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable

go to method of application »

• The Programme Development Branch (PDB) is responsible for the overall coordination of programme development. It brings together normative and operational expertise supporting high-quality integrated programmes that maximize results across the outcomes and the domains of change in the Strategic Plan. It builds on concrete demands of national and local governments, strengthening the capacity of government and urban stakeholders at all levels to address the social, economic, environmental and crisis dimensions of sustainable urbanization. The Branch also focuses on supporting global programme development to strengthen normative capacity and knowledge generation to increase impact and influence, through strategic partnerships.
• The Climate Change and Urban Environment Team provides coordination support for Subprogramme 3 of UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan: “Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environment” aims to develop, coordinate across UN-Habitat and implement policies, norms, guidelines, standards, regulatory frameworks and operating procedures, for strengthened climate change mitigation and enhanced air quality, sustainable production and consumption and circularity, urban nature-based solutions as well as improved urban and community-level climate change adaptation and resilience.
• The position supports the implementation of Subprogramme 3 “Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environment”, with an emphasis on global programmes, knowledge exchange, partnerships with sister UN agencies and other global and regional stakeholders as well as environmental and social governance.

The position is located in the Programme Development Branch, the incumbent will report to the Chief of Programme Development Branch and overseen directly with the subprogramme 3 coordinator will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, evaluates, and assures effective leadership and management of major projects and teams; demonstrates timely delivery of outputs in accordance with overall objectives and policies in Support of Subprogramme 3, Strengthened Climate Action and Improved Urban Environment “. In particular supports intergovernmental processes and mandated meetings pertaining to the Subprogramme as well as partnerships with United Nations sister agencies and global and regional urban stakeholders. Leads key programmes such as the Sustainable Urban Resilience for the Next Generation (SURGe) initiative and ensures strong communication and engagement with Member States, launched at COP27 and Plays a lead role in identifying significant issues and develops well-reasoned, innovative approaches to deal with these issues.
• Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties. Implements internal processes pertaining to Subprogramme 3 such as UN-Habitat’s Environmental and Social Safeguards System and Environmental Management System.
• Develops, implements and evaluates assigned programmes/projects, etc.; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
• Performs consulting assignments, in collaboration with the client, by planning facilitating workshops, through other interactive sessions and assisting in developing the action plan the client will use to manage the change.
• Researches, analyzes and presents information gathered from diverse sources.
• Coordinates policy development, including the review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies.
• Coordinates training and knowledge exchange, including North-South collaboration.
• Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive backstopping to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Initiates and coordinates outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Leads and/or participates in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
• Performs any other duties as may be assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
• COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• EMPOWERING OTHERS: Delegates responsibility, clarifies expectations, and gives staff autonomy in important areas of their work. Encourages others to set challenging goals. Holds others accountable for achieving results related to their area of responsibility. Genuinely values all staff members' input and expertise. Shows appreciation and rewards achievement and effort. Involves others when making decisions that affect them.
• PLANNING& ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, environmental or climate change management, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in designing and implementing urban environment, urban climate change or urban planning initiatives is required.
• Experience in effectively leading, supervising, mentoring, developing and evaluating staff is desirable.
• Experience implementing country-level or organizational climate change or environmental policies, guidelines and standards is desirable.
• Experience coordinating and implementing activities related to environmental or social governance or environmental compliance at country level, or in an organization is desirable.
• Experience in the field of capacity development, institutional reform or training with a focus on sustainable urban development is desirable.
• Experience in gender mainstreaming and/or addressing women’s rights is desirable.
• A minimum of two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.