PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER (Fixed-Term Limited), P4

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. UN-Habitat's Knowledge and Innovation Branch, in the Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division is responsible for advancing UN-Habitat’s adequate housing and sustainable urbanization by generating cutting-edge research, data-driven insights, digital innovations and capacity development solutions, while advancing compelling messages, narratives and advocacy collaborating with relevant stakeholders to foster transformative and on-the-ground policy action. About the United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities (UNITAC) The United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities is an innovation lab in Hamburg, established in March 2021 through a collaboration between UN-Habitat, the UN Office for Information and Communications Technology (UN-OICT) and HafenCity University. The Accelerator promotes open and participatory governance of data and digital platforms, innovations related to mapping, spatial analysis and data visualization and people centered smart cities. UNITAC Hamburg is funded by the Government of Germany for four years. The Accelerator is creating a team of urban, technology and innovation experts which will develop technologies to solve the world's most pressing urban challenges and ensure that we speed up progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 11 on sustainable cities and communities. UNITAC Hamburg will work with a bespoke urban technology innovation acceleration methodology that can be used to analyse real urban challenges and urbanization trends. The methodology will be based around three themes: (1) Open, transparent and participatory governance of data and digital platforms (2) Mapping spatial analysis and visualization, and (3) People-centered smart cities. Within these fields, particular emphasis will be placed on how to generate knowledge and use cases on smart city governance and the development of frontier technologies with a special emphasis on developing countries and cities with large informal populations. The solutions developed by UNITAC Hamburg will continue to be tested and piloted through UN-Habitat's networks across the world with a particular focus on less developed countries. Learning will be documented and published through high-quality guides and toolkits that can be used by policy makers to ensure that smart cities are inclusive, sustainable and people-centered. This position is a fixed-term limited post. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch at UN-Habitat. Within delegated authority, the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Supports the implementation of UNITAC operations, including the financial and administrative aspects and donor reporting. • Leads the development, implementation and evaluation of UNITAC operations, including providing technical and coordination support to enhance quality and synergy. • 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. • Supports the governance of UNITAC – Hamburg through the Programme Management Committee and its Thematic Advisory Groups. • Coordinates the projects with UN-Habitat Headquarters, and ensures coherence in knowledge, experience and dissemination on digital technologies, urban knowledge, data and innovation, and sustainable urban development. • Coordinates the collaboration with the three implementing partners, UN Habitat, OICT and HCU, including a close collaboration with the UNITAC scientific lead as the main liaison to HCU as well as to the local ecosystem and testbed in Hamburg. • Fosters strategic partnerships and resource mobilization for the growth and scaling of UNITAC operations. • Ensures implementation of gender mainstreaming by assessing the implications for men and women of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes, in all areas and at all levels. • Research, analyzes and programme evaluation 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, • Generates survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions. • Supervises preparation of Organizes and prepares written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc. • Provided substantive support 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; design and conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities. • Leads field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, • 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.). • Supervises UN-Habitat staff at UNITAC ensuring effective guidance, supervision, mentoring and development of staff. • Lead team members’ efforts to 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. • Establishes collaboration and partnerships with key officials at all levels inside and outside the organization. • Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need. • Performs other duties as required.

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. Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required. Experience in people-centred smart cities or urban innovation is required. Experience in establishing partnerships and resource mobilization is required. Experience in the application of digital technologies in cities or experience working in urban innovation is required. Experience in leading or delivering technical assistance for Member States is desirable. Experience in the design and implementation of operational projects is desirable. 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 this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

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