Programme Manager, P/4

United Nations Human Settlements Program (UN-HABITAT)
United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT
Closing date: 27 Apr 2010
Location: Sudan (the) - Juba, South Sudan

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION: Juba, South Sudan
FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Programme Manager
GRADE: P-4
POST DURATION:1 year (renewable)
CLOSING DATE: 27 April 2010

BACKGROUND

The North-South war in Sudan has resulted in some 2 million deaths, the internal displacement of approximately 4 million people and an estimated half-million refugees. While various historical, economic, social, religious and political reasons have been identified as contributing to the conflict, access to – and control over – land and natural resources is clearly a root cause. If not addressed, land issues may lead to renewed conflict. If addressed systematically, however, the resolution of land disputes and the prevention of land conflicts can reinforce peace and contribute to state-building and improved governance.

While land issues vary from State to State, common types of land-related issues include the following: (i) community boundary disputes, some of which take on the character of historical grievances; (ii) livelihood and mobility-related tensions – primarily concerning access to water and grazing land – between pastoralists and agricultural groups and/or between pastoralist groups; (iii) multiple layers of conflict-induced displacement and occupation of land in rural, urban and peri-urban areas; (iv) tensions between Government and communities regarding investment promotion and wealth-sharing in rural areas; (v) differences between Government and communities regarding urban planning and land-use, which may result in eviction and/or relocation, particularly for residents of informal settlements; (vi) lost, destroyed or stolen land records, as well as multiple issuing of leases for the same plot; (vii) land grabbing and/or irregular land allocation by powerful individuals or groups; and (viii) intra-family disputes regarding inheritance, particularly for rural widows who access land and property rights through male relations. These issues have been documented extensively in a variety of studies, some of which include: UNHCR/FAO/NRC 2005; ODI 2008; USAID/Creative Associates 2007; South Sudan Land Commission 2007; NRC 2009; IRC 2009; PACT 2009, etc..

In response, UN-HABITAT is preparing a programme of capacity-building support including five components: (i) strengthened land coordination at the level of the Government of South Sudan (GoSS) and in 3 selected States; (ii) improved information and outreach regarding land issues; (iii) support to the South Sudan Land Commission (SSLC); (iv) strengthened capacity to address land disputes in 3 selected States; and (v) strengthened land administration capacity in 3 selected States. The programme will be implemented in three pilot states (to be determined). In addition, the project will coordinate and collaborate with on going UN Habitat projects in the field of informal settlement upgrading in Juba, Rumbek and Bor, as well as current capacity building programmes for the ten state of southern Sudan in several fields of planning and administration, in collaboration with UNDP. Specific linkages will be identified between these on going UN Habitat activities and the specific activities of the land project.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Regional Office for Africa and Arab States in Nairobi and the Disaster Management Programme in coordination with other relevant sections of UN-HABITAT, the Programme Manager will be responsible for programme implementation, project management and administration and reporting. The Programme Manager will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

Advisory services: Provide quality advisory services to national institutions, including the South Sudan Land Commission, the Ministry for Housing, Physical Planning and the Environment (MoHPPE), the Ministry for Physical Infrastructure, etc. Advisory services may include: (i) support to policy processes and providing policy inputs as required; (ii) providing technical advice on land related issues covered under the programme; (iii) support to technical seminars and trainings; (iv) on-the-job capacity-development; (v) undertaking technical visits to the field; (vi) assisting relevant institutions in other relevant tasks related to the implementation of the programme; (vii) representing the organization in major development programming exercises and advising the Regional Office for Africa and the Arab States and the UN-HABITAT Disaster Management Programme on programme development and programme policy

Project management: Ensure effective and efficient execution of the project by working in close collaboration with the relevant institutions at the GoSS, State and local levels and providing appropriate technical and management support through policy advice, advisory services, field visits, monitoring of activities, and recruitment and training of local and international staff

Programme implementation: Ensure the implementation of the project work-programme, budget, operational and resource mobilisation strategies in South Sudan, in coordination with the relevant authorities at the GoSS and State levels;

More specifically, the Programme Manager will:

develop and maintain a close working relationship with key institutions in South Sudan, including the South Sudan Land Commission (SSLC), the Ministry for Housing, Physical Planning and the Environment (MoHPPE), the State Ministry for Physical Infrastructure (MoPI) and other relevant stakeholders.
develop and maintain close working relationships with the relevant national and international partners in Juba and in the field
develop and maintain close working relationships with relevant UN agencies, especially as these relate to policy development and capacity building activities
undertake scoping and monitoring missions to assess local conditions, possible sites for project activities, establish working relations and monitor progress of activities in the field
prepare detailed progress reports for the Government of South Sudan, project donors, UN-Habitat, the UN Resident Coordinator and other partners
Ensure adequate coordination and collaboration with on going UN Habitat projects, particularly in the fields of informal settlement upgrading and capacity building.
Ensure regular coordination and share relevant information with the International UN-HABITAT Expert or Chief Technical Adviser based in Khartoum
undertake any other duties specified by UN-HABITAT

COMPETENCIES

1. Professionalism: Substantive knowledge of issues and challenges related to land and housing in Post-Conflict contexts, preferably in Africa and post-conflict countries.
Knowledge and understanding of approaches relevant to particular sector or specialized field. Proven experience in providing policy and technical support to government and local authorities; Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. 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.
2. Client Orientation: Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

3. Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities

4. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Advanced degree (Masters or equivalent) in a land-related field or relevant social science discipline.

Work Experience

Minimum of seven (7) years working experience in areas related to human settlements, land management, development, including management experience, or others, including at least five (5) years of experience at the international level.
Proven management experience and excellent interpersonal skills.
Proven programme and work-plan formulation experience.
Solid and proven experience in interagency coordination in particular UN and bilateral donor organizations and experience in multi-stakeholders coordination processes.
Familiarity with UN operations and procedures and previous experience of working with the UN and in particular the substantive area of Land is a distinct advantage.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post excellent oral and written English required.

Other skills.

Familiarity with UN procedures preferable, and UN-HABITAT in particular;
Be willing to work in a challenging environment and able to undertake extensive field visits under difficult physical conditions;
Sound judgment, excellent analytical skills, strong networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan, organize and coordinate work and to cope with a demanding workload is expected;
Excellent analytical and evaluation skills; and
Demonstrated report writing skills
Remuneration

See UN website http://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html
Applicants should note that the post is based in Juba, South Sudan and is a non-family duty station.
How to apply
All applications should be submitted in electronic format to:

UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030 00100
Nairobi, Kenya

Email: mathias.spaliviero@unhabitat.org and szilard.fricska@unhabitat.org
Fax: +254-20-7623715

Deadline for applications: 27 April 2010