Project Officer -Individual contractor

Result of Service

The ultimate result of this mission is to ensure the effective implementation, coordination, and impact of the NUA Platform for Africa, in alignment with the UN Habitat mandate and the New Urban Agenda.

Work Location

Rabat, Morocco

Expected duration

9 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Background: The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations agency working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements and to ensure adequate shelter for all. In October 2016, during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development – Habitat III – Member States adopted the New Urban Agenda (NUA). This action-oriented document establishes global standards to achieve sustainable urban development by rethinking the way we build, manage, and live in cities. Through cooperation with committed partners, relevant stakeholders, and urban actors—including all levels of government and the private sector—UN-Habitat mobilizes its technical expertise, normative work, and capacity-building efforts to implement the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11: making cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. Mandated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1978 to address issues related to urban growth, UN-Habitat has developed extensive knowledge of urban development processes and remains attentive to the aspirations of cities and their inhabitants. For more than forty years, the organization has worked in human settlements worldwide, focusing on building a better future for villages and cities of all sizes. Since 1995, UN-Habitat has been active in Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of National Territorial Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy, supporting government efforts in sustainable urban development. A Host Country Agreement was signed with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco in 2016, and a Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) was developed in 2019 for the period 2020–2023. Context: The New Urban Agenda (NUA) is a major accelerator of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Cities can be powerful agents of positive change if they are well planned, built, and governed. This requires effective urban policies, integrated urban and territorial planning, sustainable and innovative financing, inclusive governance, and infrastructure investment. The Regional New Urban Agenda Platform for Africa, hosted by Morocco, will serve as a regional hub for monitoring and guiding national reporting, promoting best practices, developing capacities, and improving data-driven urban monitoring and planning, while ensuring stakeholder engagement on New Urban Agenda-related issues. Objectives of the African New Urban Agenda Platform: • Establish a robust governance framework, conduct a regional needs assessment, and develop a partnership architecture to ensure institutional sustainability and long-term operational viability. • Design a multilingual, inclusive, and accessible digital platform, tested and integrated with monitoring tools aligned with New Urban Agenda reporting standards. • Ensure the platform becomes fully operational, regionally supported, and sustainably managed through continuous partnerships, training cycles, and monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, while maintaining the capacity to progressively integrate new countries. Duties and Responsibilities : The selected candidate will be responsible for the following tasks: Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation • Develop annual work plans and draft terms of reference for project-related missions. • Ensure coordination with Ministry focal points, UN-Habitat headquarters teams, and stakeholders, with the support of the Head of Office. • Oversee day-to-day project implementation and ensure timely delivery of outputs in line with the work plan. • Prepare periodic monitoring reports in accordance with applicable standards (dashboards, semi-annual reports, indicators). • Ensure technical management of the New Urban Agenda Platform in close consultation with stakeholders. • Represent UN-Habitat Morocco in meetings and workshops organized under the project and report on actions and results. • Promote and support the use of UN-Habitat technical tools. • Develop capacity-building plans and technical modules based on identified needs. • Ensure multi-stakeholder coordination and institutional governance of the project. • Mobilize new technical and financial partners at national and international levels. • Monitor the work of experts and consultants in line with their terms of reference. • Regularly report project progress to the Steering Committee. • Inform and consult the Head of Office regarding project implementation and provide necessary guidance. • Ensure proper archiving of project documentation. • Prepare a final report covering the entire project period. • Support related office activities in close collaboration with the country team. • Perform any other relevant tasks requested by the supervisor. • Event Organisation Support • Prepare briefing notes and develop content for workshops and events (concept notes, participant lists, agendas, presentations, reports). • Support the administrative and financial officer in budget management and logistical organization. • Support logistical arrangements for workshops and meetings. Communication • Contribute to internal and external communication, including preparation of presentations, briefs, and key information materials. • Supervise communication on project activities and achievements, develop innovative infographics, presentations, layouts, and visual materials to maximize visibility in line with donor and UN-Habitat communication guidelines. Reporting Line The Individual Contractor will work under the supervision of the Head of Programme of UN-Habitat Morocco and will be responsible for implementing the NUA Platform for Africa.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master or higher) in Urban Development, International Relations, Political/Social Sciences, International Development, Economics, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • Minimum 05 years of significant experience in project management, data/knowledge management, partnership mobilization, or related areas.is required • Substantial experience in local development, international cooperation, and strategic monitoring.is required • Experience with United nations organizations such as UN-Habitat, or other international organizations, and relevant professional experience in Morocco is desirable • Experience in developing capacity-building programmes is desirable. • Strong project and programme management support skills and Knowledge of UN rules and procedures is required

Languages

French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in French and English (including strong drafting skills) is required. Knowledge of Arabic is a strong asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.