About the Role
Programme development, management and resource mobilization:
Supports the overall operationalization of the UN-Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) for Guinea-Bissau in collaboration with key national and local institutions, implementing partners and civil society organizations, which is coherent with the UN Cooperation Framework and is in line with the UN-Habitat West Africa Strategy.
Ensures that the programmatic implementation of UN-Habitat activities in Guinea-Bissau responds to national priorities as defined in the UN Cooperation Framework which is aligned with Government’s plans.
Monitors and analyses programme/project development and implementation, reviews relevant documents and reports.
Contributes to the determination of programmatic areas of cooperation and o related policy research and ensures advocacy and resource mobilization efforts.
Works closely with concerned Government agencies and coordinates with UN-Habitat HQs through the West Africa Hub.
Identifies entry points for program development across the national urban agenda, including key issues such as access to housing, land, basic and social services and livelihood in urban or urbanizing areas, urban resilience, local economic development, urban planning and management, among other aspects.
Identifies programme and project opportunities and actively support resource mobilization efforts, advocacy and building partnerships;
Negotiates Terms of Reference, Memorandums of Understanding, Agreements of Cooperation and other substantive documents with programme and project-specific partners.
Provides high-level technical oversight for on-going projects in the fields of urban and housing development, as well as associated fields.
Maintain and expand strategic partnerships and support resource mobilization for the Country Programme:
Facilitates strategic linkages with various partners and identify key areas of potential collaboration.
Fosters inter-agency collaboration and support activities related to ONE UN through active participation in UN Country Team meetings and ensuring the work of UN-Habitat is reflected to the best extent possible.
Plays a proactive role in establishing strong partnerships and supports in the maintenance of close liaison with relevant donors and other actors towards the implementation of the urban agenda in Guinea-Bissau.
Maintains close interaction and dialogue with key partners to identify clear resource mobilization opportunities.
Supports the coordination of relevant Joint Results Group(s) under the UN One Strategic Plan and joint UN initiatives in Guinea-Bissau.
Support national authorities and other national/local stakeholders in participating and/or holding national and international events related to UN-Habitat's mandate and work, e.g. National Urban Forums, the Urban October (including the World Habitat Day and the World Cities Day), the World urban Forum, Africities, the Habitat Assembly, among others.
Ensures capacity-building opportunities in fields related to urban and housing development for government officials and other relevant stakeholders are pursued within and beyond the scope of ongoing projects.
Representation, Coordination, Programme Management and Administration in cooperation with the Head of the West Africa Hub:
Represents UN-Habitat in the UN Country Team and related UN Working groups.
Represents UN-Habitat in the UN Security Management Team and participates in related meetings.
Represents UN-Habitat Office in Guinea-Bissau in Meetings/Conferences, with national/regional/global stakeholders.
Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements.
Represents UN/UN-Habitat and participates in relevant country forums and thematic groups involving Government, civil society and development partners.
Contributes to ensuring alignment of organizational program objectives with national priorities/capacities.
Supports in establishing the efficient utilization of resources, adherence to delivery rates in alignment with the country office goals and visions.
Team management, communication and reporting:
Supervises, manages and monitors UN-Habitat team members working in Guinea-Bissau in coordination with the Head of the West Africa Hub.
Supports recruitment and procurement processes to ensure the programme holds the necessary resources for the implementation of projects.
Shares information on available UN-Habitat reports and tools with national and local government partners.
Promotes knowledge management through good practices and supports reporting to donors, UN System and Government.
Data related responsibilities:
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.
Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented.
Requirements
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in management, architecture, law, urban planning, engineering or a related field 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.
A minimum of seven (7) years field experience of managing projects and teams in complex political, environmental and financial settings is required.
A minimum of five (5) years of experience in fund-raising and resource mobilization is required.
Experience in building partnerships and alliances for the implementation of joint strategies and programs is required.
Experience in working with Government partners and counterparts is desirable.
Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
Professionalism
Ability to negotiate with high-level Government, multi and bilateral technical and funding agency officials.
Ability to present and debate in public forum and events the main policy and substantive messages related to the development issues identified with the Programme's work.
Familiar with UN policies, procedures and practices, including those relevant to technical cooperation projects.
Good technical skills in programme and projects monitoring, execution and development, as well as recognized technical knowledge in the fields of disaster risk reduction and management, post-disaster recovery, urban resilience and development.
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.
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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Planning and Organising
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.
About the Company
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 has been actively working in Guinea-Bissau since 2015, with its action embracing a series of areas associated with sustainable urbanisation, including urban resilience, urban and regional planning, urban governance, reduction of land-related conflicts, basic services delivery, affordable housing, urban policy and related legislation, etc.
The Programme in Guinea-Bissau also plays a key role on partnerships with, amongst others, UN sister agencies and the European Union, and especially with the Ministry of Public Works, Housing and Urban Planning (MOPHU), the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Local Government, well as regional and city authorities.
UN-Habitat’s work in Guinea-Bissau is guided by the Habitat Country Programme Document (HCPD) for the 2022-2026 period, building on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) established in 2021, in line with the Government Programme 2020-2023.
For this period, UN-Habitat aims to strengthen its niche position as "thought leader", setting the global discourse and agenda on sustainable urban development, driving the policy discussion, generating expert and cutting-edge knowledge, shaping technical norms, principles and standards, and acting as a multiplier in the exchange of knowledge, experiences and best practices in cities and other human settlements.
This post is located in UN-HABITAT's Regional Office for Africa, in the Guinea-Bissau duty station. Under the strategic guidance and direct supervision of the Head of the West Africa Hub, the incumbent will be responsible for the duties outlined here.