Org. Setting and Reporting
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for human settlements mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities.
UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer and healthier places with better opportunities. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector.
As the main United Nations Agency responsible for ensuring the sustainable development of cities, towns, and other human settlements, UN-Habitat is strategically placed to coordinate the humanitarian and development efforts of multiple actors and policy makers at all levels in the common pursuit of urban resilience.
UN-Habitat’s approach to strengthening urban resilience as a key determinant for ensuring the effectiveness of response interventions during times of crises, and subsequent sustainable development, is embodied in its City Resilience Global Programme (GRGP).
The City Resilience Global Programme goes beyond conventional approaches to risk reduction’, delivering a forward-looking, multi-sectoral, multi-hazard, multi-stakeholder model for building resilience that recognizes the complexities and unique value of cities, and the inherent interdependencies of each part of an urban system.
Fast growing cities and urban areas of the world are engines of growth and wealth accumulation. This growth can have positive social, cultural and educational impacts.
On the other hand, evidence demonstrates that fast economic growth, combined with rapid sprawling population expansion in urban areas, also increases disaster vulnerability and exposure.
The level of urbanization is far higher in the developed world; however, the annual urbanization rate’ is much faster in the developing world.
The primary urban agglomerations with the highest concentrations of people and economic activity mostly overlap with the areas of extreme or high risk related to disasters such as coastal areas, along rivers and in flood plains.
The project works with local government institutions, to plan, coordinate, implement and support the various outlined activities.
The primary and most direct beneficiaries will be local stakeholders, city authorities and civil society. Women, children and other at-risk groups, often disproportionately affected by crises situations, will be engaged and receive additional attention.
The Programme builds on the achievements of the Hyogo Framework for Action Building the Resilience of Nations 2005-2015 and paves the way toward the implementation of the Sendai Framework for DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction) 2015-2030 at the local level, the New Urban Agenda adopted at Habitat III (The United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development) in Quito, Ecuador October 2016.
The City Resilience Global Programme is based in Barcelona, Spain, with the support of the Barcelona City Council and the Regional Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya)on implementing its activity to make cities more resilient.
The cooperation between institutions is for the 2021-2024 period.
Within this phase the CRGP will be key to delivering United Nations operational urban resilience projects, contributing to the achievement of Global Agendas (Agenda 2030 and SDGs, Sendai Framework, Paris Agreement and New Urban Agenda), sharing innovative practices from Barcelona and the region of Catalonia globally and linking Barcelona / Catalonia with global resilience initiatives such as the Making Cities Resilient 2030 and World Urban Forum.
This post is located within the Barcelona City Resilience Global Programme (CRGP). The incumbent will support the deliveries under both Agreements Barcelona City Council and the Regional Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) under the overall and direct supervision of the Head, City Resilience Global Programme, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions :
Responsibilities
identifies and tracks follow-up actions.
and prepares related documents / reports (pledging, work programme, programme budget, etc.).
Competencies
Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues / problems. Ability to conduct 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.
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.
demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban and regional planning, development studies, political or social sciences, economics or communications or similar fields deemed relevant to the subject areas covered by the CRGP Terms of Reference.
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible work experience in project or programme management, partner mobilization, fundraising, outreach, urban management, participatory planning processes or related area, is required.
Working experience with an international organization is desirable.
Work experience in Barcelona and internationally on urban development context and familiarity with the relevant policies, strategies and plans for urban development, and the New Urban Agenda is required
Experience with the United Nations system and knowledge of other global development frameworks such as Agenda 2030 and SDGs, Paris Agreement and Sendai Framework is desirable.
Working experience in an international, multidisciplinary, and diverse team is required.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in written and spoken English, Spanish and Catalan is required.
Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
NOTE : "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand)
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This is a project funded post. The initial appointment is for a period of one year. Extension of appointment is subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds.
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF BARCELONA ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office.
If no suitable local candidate is identified, Kenyan nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case
the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Kenyan in the event of an employment offer.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country.
A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50 / 50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Internal Applicants : When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date.
This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.
The expression "Internal candidates", shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.
16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse
and inclusive environment of mutual respect.
The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities.
Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening.
On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission your application may not have been received.
In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term sexual exploitation means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.
The term sexual abuse means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term sexual harassment means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship.
Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs.
The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity.
By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.
2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on Manuals hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines.
Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11 : 59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
