Urban Policy and Governance Specialist

Job Title: Urban Policy and Governance Specialist

Organization: United Nations Volunteers (UNV)

Host entity: UN-HABITAT

Assignment country: Kenya

Expected start date: 25/09/2023

Sustainable Development Goal: 11. Sustainable cities and communities

Volunteer category: National UN Volunteer Specialist

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Nairobi

Details

Mission and objectives

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. UN-Habitat is the coordinating agency within the United Nations System for human settlement activities and in collaboration with governments is responsible for promoting and consolidating collaboration with all partners, including local authorities, private and non-governmental organizations in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular, Goal 11 of “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”, as well as the task manager of the human settlements chapter of Agenda 21 and focal point for the monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the New Urban Agenda adopted during the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat III),held in Quito, Ecuador, in 2016.

Context

This UNV assignment is part of the programme support of the Policy, Legislation, and Governance Section (PLGS) which focuses on a broader framework through different scales. The Sections play a critical role in implementing the Agency’s Strategic Plan, flagship programmes, relevant Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. The UNV will be supporting several ongoing and pipeline projects of PLGS UN-Habitat, specifically in Head Quarters, Mozambique, Egypt, Cambodia, Azerbaijan, Iran, Niger State and Myanmar as well as performing other assignments within the scope of his/her responsibility. Key areas of work include urban policy & governance and rural urban linkages research and analysis.

Task description

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief of Section, the UN Volunteer Urban Policy and Governance specialist will support both the headquarters and country offices in: 1. a) Normative work -Developing tools, frameworks, and guidelines, study of cases, policy documents, and/or concept notes related to urban policy, urban-rural linages, and governance to build the PLGS portfolio on Subnational Urban Policy and intermediary cities. - Drafting quarterly and annual reports, background, and research papers on urban policy, urban-rural linages, and governance. -Contributing to written outputs e.g., draft background papers, analysis, reports and studies on urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance, and inputs to publications for the section - Implementing projects on national urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance b) Knowledge and capacity development - Designing and advancing of urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance training, online module, and other capacity development initiatives -Developing Section’s and the Agency and partners' normative capacity regarding urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance -Documenting and disseminating PLGS knowledge including inspiring practices and success stories 2. Advocacy and partnership - Project acquisition, implementation, management, monitoring, and reporting -Establishing partnerships and collaboration between PLGS and various stakeholders, particularly in Kenya, on urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance -Developing Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and other instruments to advance joint agenda with identified partners including in Kenya -In Planning, preparing, and implementing PLGS-related events such as international events, conferences, and knowledge exchange programs on urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance; draft concept notes, proposals, talking points, reports; and support the implementation of specific recommendations arising from these events -Advocating for increased research on urban policy, urban-rural linkages, and governance through strategic collaboration with research institutions to build PLGS portfolio and resources Performing other relevant duties as required.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 - 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in policy and governance, sustainable development, project management, management, research, with at least six months proven experience in Urban Policy and governance Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts, and approaches relevant to Urban Policy, Legislation, Urban-Rural Linkages, and Governance. · Integrated Program Management and Reporting or other relevant programmes as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization. · Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills. · Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing. · Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development. · Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel. · Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment. · Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines. · Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain. · Sound security awareness. · Have affinity with or interest in Policy making at national government level volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise

Architecture and settlements, Development programmes, Communication

Driving license

-

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in public/urban policy, governance, and regional integration, urban and territorial planning, management. Masters/advanced degree would be an added advantage.

Competencies and values

•Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UN-Habitat; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UN-Habitat, PLGS procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; •Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UN-Habitat in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority. •Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; •Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups. •Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary. •Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance, and commitment towards UN-Habitat’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Kenya is an equatorial nation on the coast of East Africa, neighbouring So-malia, Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Indian Ocean. Kenya has two levels of Government; National Government and 47 sub-national Governments called Counties. Coun-ties are further divided into sub-counties. Kenya is a multi-party state with Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. Kenya’s popu-lation of more than 40 million is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%. The country’s GNP per capita estimated at purchasing power parity (PPP) is $975, and the GNP is growing at an av-erage rate of 0.1% annually. More than 26% of Kenya’s people live below the international poverty line of $1 per day. Kenya’s main food crops are “maize, wheat, pulses, roots and tu-bers.” (FAO). Nairobi is a modern metropolitan city where most basic goods and services, health facilities, public transport, telecommunication and banking services and educational facilities are readi-ly available. The city is widely connected through its main airport, Jomo Kenyatta Internation-al Airport and the smaller Wilson Airport. Air transport is also available to many up-country destinations. The city is home to some 3,000 UN personnel mainly attributed to the fact that it serves as the headquarters for both the UN HABITAT and UNEP. The socio-economic and cultural background of the immediate society the UNV would be living and working in is diverse and prevailing security conditions at the place of assignment is modest. The topographic and climatic features of the assignment location is highland cool and warm tropical climate.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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