Project Manager PFES

To provide project management, administrative and Human Resources support to Planning Finance and Economy Section

Nairobi,Kenya

6 months

Organisational Setting and Reporting
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 United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. The position is located in the Planning, Finance and Economy Section of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) with the Global Solutions Division in Nairobi.

The Planning, Finance & Economy Section aims to develop, document, pilot/test and disseminate planning policies, norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, operating procedures and practices at global, regional, national and sub-national levels in support of (a) urban and territorial planning at all scales including urban design and public space design; (b) urban finance (municipal finance and urban development/projects finance); and (c) local economic development. A cross-cutting workstream is initiated to develop normative guidance on the urban dimension of social inclusion and human rights.

The Urban Planning and Design Lab (Urban Lab) of UN-Habitat is an initiative to promptly respond to the requests of national and local governments to support sustainable urban development. The Urban Lab is the integrative facility of the Agency where innovative processes and partnerships are translated into tangible and transformative solutions to complex urban challenges.

Under the overall coordination of the Chief of the Planning, Finance and Economy Section, and direct supervision of the Head of the Urban Lab the incumbent will perform the following duties to enhance programme delivery:

Duties and Responsibilities
Program Management and coordination:
.Provides support in the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and projects, including providing on an ongoing basis technical expertise, systemic approaches and leadership to project managers and project teams
.Provides advise to Project Managers to improve a consistent and coordinated programme management approach and programme delivery
.Develops a human resources development strategy and plan for the PFES and the Urban Lab, including preparing standard terms of reference against programme and project objectives. Serves as focal point for the PFES internship programme and provides guidance to recruitment, onboarding, and guiding/monitoring interns.
.Provides support to PFES on preparing, maintaining, and updating files (electronic and paper) and internal databases.
.Drafts correspondence and communications related to all aspects of programme/project management and administration, including work plan and budgets, revisions, and other related issues.

Project Development:
• Supports programme/project planning and preparation; monitors status of programme/project proposals and pipeline of potential programmes/projects; takes necessary action to ensure project documents are completed and submitted to relevant parties for approval.
• Assists in the development of a programme/project, including supporting the development of project proposals, budgets, etc.including internal processes, such as the Project Review Committee and external processes issuing all institutional agreements and legal instruments with external partners and consultant contracts.

Project Implementation:
• Supports the day-to-day implementation of program and project activities.
• Guides Human Resources processes of consultants and contractors, including recruitment and appointment of personnel, prepare terms of reference against programme and project objectives, onboarding and monitoring of personnel.
• Guides Administrative processes involving extensive liaison with a diverse organizational units to initiate requests, obtain necessary clearances, process and follow-up on administrative actions and resolve issues related to project implementation, e.g, travel arrangements, organization of and participation in training/study tours, authorization of payments, disbursement of funds, procurement of equipment and services, etc.
• Guides Information and Communications Technology system processes, including ensuring procurement, coordination and monitoring, e.g. software licences, procuring ICT equipment, etc.
• Supports in the monitoring and evaluation programmes and projects during implementation; categorizes, updates, tracks and analyses data related to programmes and projects, e.g. accounting records, outputs, resources utilized, deviations/revisions, etc.; carries out periodic status reviews, identifies issues and initiates requisite follow-up actions.
• Guides programme and project budget planning; prepares revised budget estimates; reports on budget revisions, expenditures and obligations, verifies availability of funds; follows up on financial authorizations for expenditures.
• Ensures necessary approval and entry in computerized budget system (e.g. UMOJA, incl. the Integrated Planning, Management and Reporting) and administrative system (INSPIRA)

Section, Programme/project Evaluation: reporting, knowledge management:
• Produces periodic and ad hoc reports for the PFES and oversight bodies, including statistical tables, graphic content, and other background materials/notes to facilitate inspection and other reviews.
• Supports the generation of a variety of periodic and ad hoc reports of programmes and projects

Work implies frequent interaction with colleagues within UN-Habitat:
• Planning, Finance and Economy Section’s Senior officers, technical staff and consultants in relevant programmes and projects.
• Planning, Finance and Economy Section’s Human resources, administrative and accounting staff
• Supporting PFES colleagues with providing technical input and guidance to accelerate internal processes with staff in the Management, Advisory and Compliance Services (MACS) of UN-Habitat, including Human Resources, administrative and accounting staff.

Academic Qualifications: Advanced University degree in Project Management, Human Resources Management, Urban Management International Development or related field is required. A first‐level university degree in combination with two additional years may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience: A minimum of seven (7) years of progressive responsible experience working in the field projects/programmes management, including development, implementation and evaluations, or related area is required.

Experience in using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems such as Umoja and PeopleSoft platforms, such as Inspira or equivalent is desirable.

Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised,fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.