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Consultant – Reporting on WUF11 Activities

Duties and Responsibilities
BACKGROUND

• The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. The World Urban Forum Coordination Office is located within the External Relations Strategy Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) of UN-Habitat. One of the Division’s key mandate is to promote strategic alliances to support achievement of the goals of adequate shelter for all, and sustainable urbanization and human settlements development. The World Urban Forum (WUF) is UN-Habitat’s key stakeholder flagship platform.
• The WUF is a non-legislative technical forum convened by the UN-Habitat biannually since 2002. The forum gathers a wide range of experts from every walk of life. Participants of the forum include but are not limited to national, regional and local governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, professional, research institutions and academia, professional, private sector, development finance institutions, foundations, media, United Nations organizations and other international agencies. The WUF is recognized as the foremost global arena for interaction among policymakers, local government leaders, non-governmental organizations and expert practitioners in the field of sustainable urban development and human settlements. The WUF has been identified as a key platform to support implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) adopted at the Habitat III conference. The WUF provides opportunities for stakeholder organizations of all kinds to come together to share the latest in innovative advances in sustainable urban development and projects showcasing the implementation of the NUA.
• Directly connected to the Office of the Director of External Relations Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division, the WUF Coordination Office seeks a Programme Officer to support the preparations for the Eleventh Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF11).

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Under the overall supervision of the WUF Coordinator, and the general guidance of the Chief of Communications Section, the incumbent will be required to perform the following functions:
• Editing of the final reports on the implementation of WUF11, and revision of text. Proofreading final layouts including the inclusion of picture credits and captions.
• Preparing social media and online messages for the presentation of the WUF11 report.
• Preparing for online presentation a summary of the WUF11 declared actions.
• Preparation of online stories for a short online Urban Dictionary.
• Preparation of a short story text describing the WUF to a general audience, that will in turn serve as a compelling way to communicate about the WUF.
• To edit and finalize a WUF12 background paper of no more than 20 pages to be used as a basis to communicate the rationale behind the WUF12 theme selection.
• To edit and finalize the WUF12 text description for all sessions including Dialogues, Special Sessions, Assemblies, Roundtables etc; including format, key issues, objectives and questions to Member states, donors, UN-Habitat partners and the wider public.

Qualifications/special skills

• A university degree in communications and/or journalism; sociology; international development and any other related course is required.
• At least 2 years of combined professional experience in the private sector, development organizations, communications is required.
• Technical experience in writing on various development topics and coordinating with donors and government officials is required
• Editorial skills with demonstrated ability for logical and analytical writing and editing is an advantage
• Familiarity with international development issues is desirable, particularly Sustainable Development Goals is required

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage

Programme Management Officer, P3

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of assigned programmes/projects, etc. and provision of quality technical support to global, regional and country programmes/projects; monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and proposes corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; identifies and tracks 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.
• Assists in analysis of issues and trends, stakeholder mapping, in alignment with relevant areas of the Strategic Plan, etc.
• Undertakes survey initiatives; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identifies problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
• Prepares various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, etc.
• Provides substantive support to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Undertakes outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
• Participates in or lead field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
• Coordinates activities related to budget and funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).

Performs other duties as required.

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to focusing on urban crisis prevention and response, including issues of migration and displacement. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. 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. 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.
• TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• PLANNING & 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban and regional planning, business administration, management, economics or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in working on issues of migration and displacement is required.
• Experience in concrete programme or project experience related to migration or displacement in particular in developing countries is desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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