Associate Programme Management Officer Partnerships Vacancy-Job Ref: WJNAUNHABITAT/2207/2025814

Associate Programme Management Officer Partnerships Vacancy-Job Ref: WJNAUNHABITAT/2207/2025814

Windhoek (Namibia)

Job Description

Overview

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. UN-Habitat’s Division of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s focal point role for the New Urban Agenda in the UN system and for coordination of Emergency Programmes.

The Knowledge and Innovation Branch is located within ERSKI, and its overall role is to provide leadership and strategic guidance informed by evidenced emerging challenges and relevant trends and developments within the mandate of UN-Habitat. The branch also promotes strategic coalitions with knowledge and research entities. UNITAC- Hamburg works with a variety of innovation, prototyping and applied research methodologies to develop innovative solutions that accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to cities and urbanization.

These innovative solutions will be tested and scaled through UN-Habitat’s global network of country offices, local governments and other partners, including the private sector and academia. UNITAC-Hamburg is jointly implemented with the HafenCity University (HCU) of Hamburg and the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (UN-OICT). This position is located in the United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities, based in Hamburg (UNITAC-Hamburg) in Knowledge and Innovation Branch. Windhoek, Namibia duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

Provides substantive support for the development and implementation of the UNITAC project in Namibia. • Assists in the design and implementation of the UNITAC’s substantive interventions in Namibia in alignment with the project goal and objectives. • Undertakes empirical analysis, data mining and visualization, as assigned, to assist the Programme Management Officer including the partnership groups, in developing reports and working papers on relevant topics; • Compiles and analyses information on the latest developments of the use of new types of data sources and tools (e.g. big data) for Urban Planning in Namibia to support the UNITAC project;

• Provides substantive and analytical support to relevant officers in preparing and positioning the UN-Habitat vis-à-vis UNITAC programmes to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Namibia, including the drafting of reports, as well as analytical and position papers for possible use in the UNCT. • Keeps abreast of emerging urban planning issues to optimize UNITAC’s analytical capacity to respond to national priorities; • Contributes substantively to the development and implementation of peer review and quality assurance mechanisms for UNCT’s projects; 2. Assists in the development and expansion of urban planning and data partnerships, including with UN entities at regional and HQ level, government counterparts, research institutes, leading global thinkers on development, and civil society, among others.

• Supports the UNITAC’s work with national data and statistical systems, facilitating engagement with national entities and data systems; • Communicates and coordinates with existing partners and helps form new partnerships with UN agencies, academia, the private sector, and governmental agencies to further the use of data science for development. • Communicates and coordinates with internal and external partners on data collection and project/research implementation; • Assists in strengthening the UNITAC’s partnerships with research institutions and similar entities across the UN system though concrete collaboration on areas of the 2030 agenda.

3. Supports knowledge management and capacity development related to data monitoring in urban planning. • In collaboration with ROAf assists in the sharing of best practices resulting from UNITAC project with UNCT and with UNCTs in the (sub)region and globally, based on a solid understanding of the incentives that people need to utilize knowledge. • Supports advocacy for knowledge sharing, inspiring others within the relevant networks in the country to contribute their expertise through internal and external platforms and tools, and working closely with colleagues at the regional level to ensure usable UNITAC knowledge is shared between and applied by UNCTs.

• Assists in the identification of good practices and lessons learned at the different levels of the UN System (national, regional and global) and share findings with the UNITAC team • Provides substantive support for assigned thematic activities and knowledge-sharing forums and encourages others to participate. • Develop and organize workshops with relevant stakeholders • Assists in draws upon other UN experiences in Namibia, lessons learned and knowledge networking to provide contributions to strategic planning processes of UNITAC. • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Documents requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Preforms other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM : Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or other specialized field relating to digital transformation in urban contexts. 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. 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 AND ORGANIZING : 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. TEAMWORK : Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in: Urban Planning; Regional Planning; Architecture; Environment; Environmental Management; Geography; Project Management; Computer Science, Digital Technologies or related area 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.

Work Experience

A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, providing strategic support to research and data analysis, knowledge management, digital development in the context of urban or related area is required. Experience in programme management is required. Field research experience in the broad field of housing and urban development, including slums, informal settlements is desirable. Experience in deploying new technology solutions in a complex environment is desirable. Experience in fund-raising and resource mobilization is desirable. Experience in interacting with a range of local, national and international partners is desirable. Project management experience in large projects for international organizations is desirable. A minimum of one (1) year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ” Knowledge of” equals a rating of ” confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

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