Project Development Expert at United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Job Description

The consultant will be responsible for the following duties:
1. Develop proposals and reports to enhance/expand humanitarian and development projects in response to the situations of the countries particularly in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Eswatini, Madagascar and Comoros.
a. Identify and pursue strategic opportunities for programme expansion;
b. Develop reports and draft policy documents, including the desk review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies in the field of urban development, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields;
c. Research, analyze and present information and recommendations on assigned topics/issues gathered from diverse sources; e.g., information from the Government, UN agencies, NGOs, news clippings, surveys, information from field monitoring, and land issues releases;
d. Develop project documents/concept notes, and other working documents with relevant partners (programme/project preparation with potential partners and submissions to donors), on the topics of sustainable urban development, land, housing and property rights, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields;
e. Develop assessment reports on UN joint project formulation in the field of urban development, land, housing and property rights, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields;
f. Develop strategic planning documents for specific countries and the Sub-Regional Hub in general to align countries’ priorities and UN-Habitat response in urban development, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields g. Provide substantive inputs in the development of annual work plans for monitoring progress activities, achievements and regular updates.

2. Advocate and facilitate knowledge building, knowledge management and communication.
a. Draft press releases, media briefs, talking points, newsletters, brochures, presentations, human interest stories, and donor visibility materials;
b. Prepare drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books;
c. Organize the timely dissemination of communication materials to target audiences, and evaluation of their impact;
d. Respond to inquiries and information requests internally and externally and prepare related correspondence and reports;
e. Coordinate conferences, seminar, press briefings, interviews etc. and prepare briefing materials for senior officials to their participation in such events;
f. Identify key contacts/constituencies and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate communication efforts and maintain working relationships with the same; and Identify and propose information opportunities, activities and approaches taking into account the situation/topic and target audience. g. Represent UN-Habitat in meetings as needed in coordination with the Head of Sub-Regional Office.

Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning or a related field is required. A first level university degree in addition to two more years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of three years of progressive experience in multi-disciplinary human settlements development assistance, field project coordination, project management or related field is required. Good computer skills in Windows, knowledge of internet communications and command of MS Office applications (Power Point, Word, Excel) is required. Proven experience with the UN-Habitat or other UN agencies is desirable.