PROGRAMME MANAGEMENT OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe 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. Since 2015, UN-Habitat Syria Programme has worked closely with Syrian cities and communities to rebuild urban resilience and recover cities in Syria. UN-Habitat supports local authorities and communities (1) to collect better urban data and conduct urban analysis to reach a common understanding on urban recovery needs; (2) to identify neighbourhood and municipal area-based recovery priorities – from life-saving humanitarian, to resilience, to recovery - as a recovery plan; and (3) to support rehabilitate and rebuilt infrastructure and basic services, housing, urban environment, and urban cultural heritage. UN-Habitat Syria currently has offices in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, and Deir Azzor. The UN-Habitat Syria programme operationalises projects across Syria. This post is located in UN-Habitat Syria at the Damascus duty station, and the incumbent will report to the Deputy Head of Syria Country Programme. Under the overall guidance of the Head of Country Programme and direct supervision of the Deputy Head of County Programme, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Responsibilities1. Engagement, Coordination, and Networking with Stakeholders: • Establish and maintain strong working relationships with government ministries, agencies, and local authorities. • Coordinate and collaborate with local community, civil society, NGOs, academia, private sector actors, and other relevant partners. • Support and facilitate effective engagement and joint initiatives with government, UN agencies and other local and international partners. 2. Supervision of the Unit: • Manage and supervise the work of the Unit responsible for restoration of basic services and housing - including oversight of administrative, personnel, procurement, and financial matters to ensure timely, high-quality, and effective delivery of project activities. • Support regular follow-up on project progress, delays, and challenges, ensuring issues are identified early and addressed in coordination with management, ROAS, and donors/stakeholders (in coordination with Programme Management Unit). • Together with the Programme Management Unit, Ensure the improvement, harmonization, and implementation of project management and progress monitoring systems across all projects. 3. Contribution to Policy and Strategy Development: • Support the development of UN-Habitat’s overall policies, strategies, and programmes in alignment with organizational priorities and country-level needs, in particular through liaison with government partners. 4. Data-related responsibilities: • 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. • Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. 5. Perform other related duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to progarmme management in urban development. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to assist with 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. The ability 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. PLANNING & ORGANISING: 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments. Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards. Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules. Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments. Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in social science, engineering, architecture, urban planning, management or any other field relevant to the UN-Habitat programmes 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. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in urban analysis, project/programme management, and coordination with authorities and local communities for recovery planning is required. Experience working in a multicultural environment and establishing working partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders is required. Experience in housing finance, urban planning and urban policy development is required. Experience in strategic planning and overseeing the implementation of plans is required. Experience in project/programme management and monitoring at the managerial level is required. Experience and expertise in managing and supervising large and diverse teams of staff and contractors is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Arabic is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).