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 position is located in Global Reports and Trends Unit of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch within the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) of UN-Habitat in Nairobi. ERSKI is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda in the UN system and for coordination of Emergency Programmes.
The Knowledge and Innovation Branch is responsible to lead the development of policies and procedures on results-based management and coordinates the preparation of the strategic plan, programme and budget plans and monitors and reports on policy implementation; it leads and facilitates an enabling environment for innovation. The Global Reports and Trends Unit is responsible for coordinating and supervising the preparation of the World Cities Report incorporating regional and substantive inputs, regional and national cities reports, the Quadrennial Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and other report/reviews and to provide key findings and messages of the World Cities Report, Regional Reports, National Reports and the Quadrennial Reports of the NUA, including information on urban trends.
Under the direct supervision of the Chief, Global Reports and Trends Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
Responsibilities
• Assists in identifying and reporting on urban trends in various regions, countries and at the global level.
• Selects and evaluates a variety of documents, summarizes pertinent information, collects and analyses information on urban trends and prepares background materials for urban reports, papers, studies and briefs.
• Prepares well-researched inputs for the World Cities Report, Regional and National Cities Reports, and the Quadrennial Report on the Implementation of the New Urban Agenda.
• Collaborates with research institutes, universities and other academic institutions and thinktanks to collect and analyze information on urban trends.
• Collaborates with other units and branches within UN-Habitat, and other UN agencies and programmes as it relates to the work of the Global Reports and Trends Unit.
• Designs, prepares and maintains an urban profile for countries in different regions.
• Prepares a variety of reports, presentations, tables, lists, charts, datasets, and/or diagrams for information to facilitate the in-depth analysis of urban trends for various users.
• Prepares, maintains and updates information on urban and generates a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports, statistical tables, charts, graphs, and other background materials/notes to facilitate urban dialogue and other reviews.
• Drafts report summaries, coordinates review of research reports and coordinates with editor and design team the on finalization and publication of reports.
• Identifies the organizational requirements for Expert Group Meetings and assists in the preparation of documentation and reports for these meetings.
• Attends a variety of meetings to follow discussions, takes notes and prepares summary report.
• Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of urban tends, urban research methodologies, data collection analysis and presentation. Ability to undertake supervised research on the social, economic, political, spatial and planning dimensions of urban trends at the local, national and international levels. Ability to identify, extract, analyze and format data from a wide variety of standard and non-standard sources. 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.
Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
Education
High school diploma or equivalent is required. Supplemental training in Urban Planning, Urban Development, Urban Geography, Human Geography, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Urban Governance, Regional Planning, Architecture or related field is desirable.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Successful passing of the Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) in English at the United Nations Headquarters (UNHQ), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG), United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) may be
accepted in lieu of the GGST. The GGST is administered to applicants when required before the administration of a written assessment and/or interview.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in researching and collecting data across various areas of sustainable urbanization or related area is required.
Experience in reviewing articles, reports, scientific literature or policy documentation is desirable.
Experience in analyzing documentation on urbanization 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 official United Nations language is desirable.
NOTE: ‘Fluency’ equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and ‘Knowledge of’ equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.
