Local Development & Urban Economy Policies Programme Assistant

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. This post is located in the Egypt country programme, Cairo duty station. Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Local Development & Urban Economy Policies Programme Manager.

UN Habitat in Egypt

Established in 2005, UN-Habitat Egypt Programme has been providing technical support to national counterparts on a wide range of urban issues. Adopting an integrated approach, UN-Habitat Egypt has supported reforming and improving urban planning and management through three main sub-programmes, namely, urban planning and design; urban policies, legislation and governance; and urban basic services and mobility.

The project aims to improve water efficiency through designing modern irrigation systems in Assiut, Sohag, and Qena. These systems are designed to optimize water efficiency, increase agricultural productivity, and strengthen the resilience of small tenure holders. The project aims at introducing water efficient modern irrigation techniques in addition to land consolidation. Key activities include conducting topographical surveys and designing water efficient irrigation networks, land use consolidation, and establishing 166 Field Schools for participatory extension and climate-smart training. The project also provides comprehensive training on efficient water use and management, irrigation operation, and value chain standards while strengthening public-private-community partnerships and rural-urban linkages. These efforts aim to enhance water productivity, agricultural output, and livelihoods for smallholder communities in Upper Egypt.

• Assists in the coordination of programme/project planning and preparation work for, typically, a medium-size and complex component of the departmental programme/project initiatives; monitors status of programme/project proposals and receipt of relevant documentation for review and approval.

• Compiles, summarizes, and presents basic information/data on specific programmes/project and related topics or issues.

• Reviews project documents, especially cost plans/budgets, for completeness and compliance with relevant rules and procedures prior to submission for final approval and signature; identifies inconsistencies; distributes project documents to relevant parties upon approval.

• Reviews budget revisions; verifies availability of funds; ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system.  

• Serves as focal point for administrative coordination of programme/project implementation activities, involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational unit to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions, e.g. recruitment and appointment of personnel, travel arrangements, training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc.

• Compiles, summarizes and enters data on project delivery; drafts related status reports, identifying shortfalls in delivery, budget overruns, etc., and brings to the attention of management.

• Drafts correspondence on budget-related issues and prepares and updates periodic reports, briefing notes, graphic and statistical summaries, accounting spreadsheets, etc.

• Provides general office assistance; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; reviews, logs and routes incoming correspondence; sets up and maintains files/records; organizes meetings, workshops; handles routine administrative tasks, such as maintaining attendance records, assessing telephone billing, etc.

• Provides guidance/training to new/junior staff. 

• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.

• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Provides reliable administrative coordination of programme/project planning and preparation activities and general office support services.  Processes work and requisite follow-up accomplished under some supervision, seeks advice from and/or reporting to supervisor as needed.  Accurately prepares reports.  Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures. Effectively and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.

Required: High school diploma.

Desired: Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree in engineering, international development, business administration, Public Policy, economic, Social Sciences, or related field.

Required: 1 year of experience in related areas for first degree university holders. Working with UN or international organizations is required.

Desired: 5 years of experience in developmental projects coordination, technical cooperation or related area in agriculture, land use consolidation, capacity building is required for high school degree holders. 

Working with governmental entities is desirable.  

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes. 
• Please note that UNOPS will at no stage of the recruitment process request candidates to make payments of any kind.
• Applications to vacancies must be received before midnight Copenhagen time (CET) on the closing date of the announcement. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. 
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments. 
• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 
• Qualified women and candidates from groups which are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities. 
• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 
• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few mandatory courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. Refreshers or new mandatory courses may be required during your contract. Please note that you will not receive any compensation for taking courses and refreshers. For more information on a retainer contract here. 
• For more details about the contract types, please click here.
• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda. 
• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.