Programme Management Officer, Human Settlements at UN Habitat

JOBS IN KENYA, PROGRAMME MANANGEMENT JOBS, UN JOBS,

• Job Opening ID: 263302
• Job Network : Economic, Social and Development
• Job Family : Human Settlements
• Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-4
  Duty Station : NAIROBI
• Department/Office : United Nations Human Settlements Programme
• Date Posted : Aug 27, 2025
• Deadline : Sep 10, 2025

Org. Setting and Reporting

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. The position is located in the External Relations & Partnerships Branch of the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) of UN-Habitat in Nairobi. ERSKI is responsible for corporate strategic planning, monitoring and reporting on global urban trends and conditions, global advocacy, communications and partnerships as well as digital urban innovation. The External Relations and Partnerships Branch is responsible for the development and promulgation of coherent organizational messages that are closely aligned with the strategic priorities, the development and monitoring of the integrated resource mobilization strategy and the management of the resource allocation. The Advocacy & Campaigns Unit is responsible is responsible to coordinate UN-Habitat’s overall advocacy strategy, aimed to raise awareness, influence policy and galvanize urban stakeholders for action on implementation of the UN-Habitat strategic plan, the New Urban Agenda and urban related SDGs and to monitor and report on the impact of campaigns. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the External Relations & Partnerships Branch, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements and evaluates global advocacy activities and public information campaigns.
• Conceptualize, design and execute the advocacy and campaigns strategy for UN-Habitat.
• Prepares and implements a multi-level advocacy for sessions of the World Urban Forum.
• Monitors and analyzes programme/project development and implementation; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
• Prepare advocacy and campaign documents, e.g. draft background papers, analysis, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications, article, and stories for specific audiences and the general public. etc.
• Provides substantive backstopping on advocacy and campaigns to consultative and other meetings, conferences, etc., to include proposing agenda topics, identifying participants, preparation of documents and presentations, etc.
• Conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities, analyse results of events to orient further activities.
• Liaise with relevant parties and a wide range of organizations to engage them in advocacy and campaign related activities; design protocols of engagement with organizations and conclude partnerships with targeted organizations to support activities.
• Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Advocacy and Campaign Unit including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on /programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates.
• Coordinates activities related to budget funding (programme/project preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepares related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
• Recruits staff for the Unit taking due account geographical and gender balance and other institutional values.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision.
• 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.
• Performs other duties as required

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the urban development sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. 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. Able 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, architecture, international development, communications, management, economics 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area is required.
• Experience in developing and executing high-level advocacy and campaign strategies and activities that align with global agendas is desirable.
• Experience in global partnership building, including government and non-government stakeholders, on SDG priorities is desirable.
• Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four areas.

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