Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements, P4

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 Regional Office for the Arab States (ROAS) manages UN-Habitat’s project portfolio in the Arab States. It ensures that country priorities are in alignment with the UN-Habitat’s organizational policies and strategic objectives and brings through its Regional Representative to the attention of the Executive Management Committee (EMC) opportunities and challenges in the region, allowing for timely feedback and responses to urgent demands and requests from Member States. This post is located in UN-Habitat/ROAS at the Riyadh duty station, and the incumbent will report to the Head of Country Programme and under the full guidance of the Regional Director for the Arab States. The primary focus of the position is to lead the implementation of an ongoing multi-year project in collaboration with and funded by the Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH). The project is specifically focusing on delivering 4 main workstreams: (1) development of a Spatial Planning Act; (2) the development of a National Urban Policy; (3) the classification and reclassification of the municipal system; and (4) the establishment of a National Urban Lab. The incumbent will also support broader programme implementation of the UN-Habitat Office in Saudi Arabia, including programme development, monitoring, and reporting. This will span a diverse portfolio covering housing, informal settlements, urban planning, urban economy, urban legislation, urban information management, and other thematic areas aligned with the priorities of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, Saudi Vision 2030, and UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan.

Within delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Head of Programme in Saudi Arabia the Programme Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • 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 urban 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. • 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, 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 other related duties as required.

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. The ability to analyze and interpret data, research, other information sources 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. 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. PLANNING AND 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.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in architecture, urban planning, public administration, geography or related field is required. A first-level university degree with an additional two (2) 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.

Not available.

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible work experience in human settlements, project or programme management and/or development is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience managing multidisciplinary teams across complex development agreements, major urban planning projects, or public–private partnerships is required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a government-related environment providing expert urban planning and management advice to senior officials and decision-makers is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience in urban planning and design in various relevant settings is desirable. A minimum of one (1) year of relevant government experience in complex and multi-stakeholder environments within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is desirable, preferably within ministries relating to UN-Habitat’s mandate. Experience of working in large multi-cultural settings is desirable. Experience in project design, management, and implementation with the United Nations or other international agencies is desirable. Two (2) years or more of demonstratable experience in utilizing data analytics or related fields to inform decision making is desirable. Five years of experience in a government-related environment providing expert urban planning and management advice to senior officials and decision-makers is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

This position is temporarily available for 9 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

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