Senior Human Settlements Officer, P-5
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	01 Jul 2006
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	02 May 2006
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
DUTY STATION:	Fukuoka
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	06-PGM-UN-HABITAT-409476-R-FUKUOKA

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities Within a team of professionals of the UN-Habitat Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific located in Fukuoka, Japan, and under the general supervision of the Director of the Regional Office, the incumbent will perform the following tasks: - Programme implementation: Ensure the implementation of the vision of the Organization, work-programme, operational and resource mobilisation strategies in countries assigned to the incumbent by promoting broad-based policy dialogue with relevant partners, providing inputs to human settlements analyses and needs assessments, co-ordinating relevant activities within the work programme and with national/local partners, and facilitation of dissemination of information. - Project/programme Development: Develop programmes and projects of strategic value in partnership with in-country UN agencies, bilateral/multilateral donors and national partners by identifying priority interventions, developing project proposals, participating in the appraisal, revision, and approval of project designs, and overseeing/modulating/directing negotiation with donors and national partners to successful conclusion. - Project management: Ensure effective and efficient execution of UN-Habitat executed projects and programmes by providing appropriate technical and management support to the projects through field visits, training and evaluation, monitoring of project activities, recruitment of local and international staff. - Advisory service: Ensure quality advisory services to national and local governments, in-country UN agencies, bi-and multilateral donors on issues of priority concern to human settlements development by (i) contributing to in-country exercises such as the Common Country Assessment (CCA), UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), national planning, sector-review being carried out by bilateral or multi-lateral agencies, (ii) undertaking technical support and advisory missions and high level consultations, (iii) assisting governments in organizing relevant meetings, (iv) representing the Organization in major development programme exercises at the national as well as regional and international levels, and (v)advising the Executive Director on programme policy and issues. - Office management: Contribute to effective and efficient functioning of the office by (i) liaising with the Programme Management Officer on financial and administrative issues related to project/programme implementation, (ii) preparing relevant documentation and reports related to projects under incumbent’s purview, (iii) supervising the performance of assigned professional and support staff, and (iv) participating in periodic review of office performance and resulting actions.

Competencies CORE COMPETENCIES: Communication: strong conceptual skills combined with a proven ability to write technical and normative documents and presenting them to various audiences; Planning and Organizing: must be able to work independently with a high degree of responsibility, accountability and with minimal supervision, and be able to perform her/his duty under pressure and with deadlines while upholding tenants of UN rules, regulations and principles; Teamwork: must posses a high degree of interpersonal skill, ability to forge unity in an otherwise diverse team, and impart a sense of ownership of all members on common goal and vision. MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES: Leadership and Respect for Diversity: Must have the ability to work in multi-cultural working environments and ability to lead diverse group members by imparting unity of purpose, ability to resolve interpersonal issues amongst team members; Managing performance: Result-oriented management of internationally/locally recruited project staff in his/her countries of assignment.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (MSc degree or above) in urban and/or regional planning, architecture, civil engineering, economics or allied science or a first university degree with a relevant combination of professional and academic qualifications.

Work Experience At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in multidisciplinary human settlements projects and programmes at the national level, of which least five (5) years of similar experience at the international level. Incumbent must demonstrate proven experience in policy analysis, programme design and management, and understanding of institutional dynamics pervading development; Work experience in the region either in public, private or external sector is a prerequisite; Experience of working in the United Nations at a comparable position would be a distinct advantage.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Working knowledge of one or more national languages of the region would be an asset.

Other Skills - Research background as a measure of a probing mind, - Specific knowledge of working in human settlements issues related to poverty reduction issues, disaster preparedness, post-conflict analysis, urban management, and space-economy - Application of computer software in data analysis and mapping - Ability to analyse issues from social and economic perspective - Knowledge of development economics

The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).   English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.  The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: Recruitment@unon.org, Fax: 1-(254)-2-624-212 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying. There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the process.