Chief of Branch, Programme, D1 at United Nations Human Settlements Programme

Job Description

Responsibilities
1. Assist the Executive Director in the overall direction and management of the Department, translating strategic intent and high-level organizational direction into viable tasks; work with Divisions and the Executive Office to support effective implementation and resourcing. 2. In collaboration with relevant offices, lead the identification of emerging human settlement policy issues. Undertake research and provide briefings to the Executive Director and the Leadership Team. 3. Assist the Executive Director and Leadership team with expert advice on the substance, design and implementation of forward-leaning strategies and approaches. 4. Offer strategic policy guidance and contribute to the development of coherent, impact-based programmes. Support the integration and emerging human settlements issues in UN-Habitat’s programme of work and across substantive offices. 5. Draft, finalize and present policy briefs and papers on emerging human settlements issues for consideration by the Executive Director and the Leadership Team. 6. Prepare policy statements and speeches for the Executive Director in coordination with the relevant divisions and offices. 7. Ensure strategic alignment of the divisions and field programme of work with UN-Habitat vision and priorities. Coordinate and oversee results-oriented planning, ensuring that inputs and actions are aligned. 8. Lead and coordinate selected reform processes as directed by the Executive Director, particularly in the areas of programme coordination, results-based management, resource planning, and information and communication. Drive organizational change and identify associated risk mitigation strategies. 9. On behalf of the Executive Director, support the building of high-level alliances with key UN-Habitat partners (UN agencies, IGOs, Governments, municipalities, NGOs, Regional and National institutions academia and private sector) to enlist their support and engagement in development of human settlements policy system. 10. Provide support on behalf of the Executive Director to the Office of Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships for UN-Habitat’s funding raising activities. 11.Coordinate UN-Habitat’s reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget and programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. 12. Lead and coordinate the monitoring and evaluation functions to ensure compliance with UN policies and procedures; Oversee strategic and thematic evaluations, and promote knowledge management, including lessons learned and best practices in human settlements. 13. Oversee the legal function to ensure that outcomes support the Department’s objectives.
14. Formulate and implement the work programme of the Office of the Executive Director. Determine priorities, allocate resources for output completion, and ensure timely delivery. Assist the Executive Director in developing and implementing strategies and actions to enhance coordination and coherence across the Office of the Executive Director.
15. Ensure that the outputs produced by the Office of the Executive Director maintain high standards of quality, clarity, objectivity and are based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs produced by the team meet the required mandates and standards. 16. Assist the Executive Director in developing and implementing their compact with the Secretary General.
17. Recruit staff, ensuring due consideration geographical representation and gender balance.
18. Manage, guide, develop and train staff under supervision.
19. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.

Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of administrative support work in the UN system in general and of specific experience in either financial or human resources management. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.

Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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.

Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, public administration, Management, Urban Development, finance, economics, accounting, law, social sciences or related area 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.