Regional Techical Adviser (South Asia)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT TVA No. 05/2013 Issued on: 24 June 2013

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: Urban Basic Services Branch, UN-HABITAT DUTY STATION: Kathmandu, Nepal FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Regional Techical Adviser (South Asia), Urban Basic Services GRADE: P3 POST DURATION Temporary; up to 364 days CLOSING DATE: 8 July 2013

BACKGROUND

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-HABITAT, is the United Nations 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 is driven by the vision that Sustainable Urbanisation is a powerful engine of economic and social development.

The Urban Basic Services Branch of UN-Habitat aims at increasing equitable access to urban basic services such as water, sanitation, solid waste management, mobility and energy, and is one amongst the seven focus areas of UN-HABITAT.

UN-Habitat’s operational activities in the South Asia Region has focused on water and sanitation under the Water for Asian Cities (WAC) Programme - a collaborative initiative between the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT), the Asian Development Bank and Governments of Asia. The Global Sanitation Fund supported activities in Nepal is also amongst the major activities that are currently ongoing in the Region. UN-Habitat activities in the area of Urban Mobility have also been recently initaiated in South Asia.

UN-Habitat is seeking to enhance its portfolio in the South Asia Region , building on ongoing activities in water and sanitation and extending to Urban Energy, Mobility and Drainage.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The overall responsibility of the the Regional Technical Advisor (RTA), South Asia Region will be to supervise the implementation of Urban Basic Services initiatives in the South Asia Region. This will include the GSF supported programme in Nepal. The RTA, South Asia is also expected to identify opportunities for further development of the Urban Basic Services Portfolio in the Region.

Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator, Urban Basic Services Branch, Regional Technical Adviser, South Asia will undertake tasks as outlined below:

 Formulate and develop plans for implementation of UBSB programme activities in collaboration with requesting governments and civil society partners.

 Plan resource requirements and set priorities for the implementation of activities and the allocation of inputs.

 Monitor emerging needs at the city/country level and offer assistance in meeting those needs or review Programme activities accordingly.

 Identify need for complementary actions during programme implementation, design proposals for these actions, and formulate implementation modalities.

 Coordinate overall implementation of the UBSB portfolio in the region liasing also with the Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, provide guidance for the implementation of activities under the Programme and coordinate output production.

 In liaison with HQ based staff working on Urban Energy, Mobility, Water, Sanitation, Waste Mangement and Drainage seek and develop opportunities of collobaration with partners including, local and International Financing Institution, Donors and the Private Sector.

 Undertake Policy dialogue in partner countries, building on operational and normative activities of UN-Habitat and represent UBSB in Regional Fora as required.

 Back-stop Country CTAs/ representatives on operational and administrative matters in the implementation of activities in the region of the WAC South Asia Programme.

 Support preparatory processes for WUF 7 and Habitat III and other dialogues and UN-Habitat Campaigns.

 Undertake other related functions as assigned ny the Coordinator, Urban Basic Services Branch.

COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to the water supply and sanitation sector, functional area or other specialized field. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. 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. 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.

• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

• 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.

• Planning& 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.

• 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.

• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; 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 civil or envirionmental engineering; Urban and Regional Planning, Sociology, economics or Physical Sciences.

Work Experience : Minimum of 5 years of rogressive experience in Urban Basic Services Programmes and Projects at national level and and at-least two years of similar experience at the international level. Extensive experience in research and policy-level analysis. Experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects particularly related to Urban Basic Services. Knowledge, Skills and Experience in the use of computers and office software packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data.

Language : Fluency in English as the working language of the UN Secretariat is required; knowledge of another UN official language and /or a major South Asian language will be an asset.

Other skills

Remuneration : Being a temporary positions total remuneration will be limited to base salary . See UN websitehttp://www.un.org/Depts/OHRM/salaries_allowances/index.html

All applications should be submitted by e-mail to:

Ms. Florence Oderah;
Florence.Oderah@unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 8 July 2013

How to apply:

All applications should be submitted by e-mail to:

Ms. Florence Oderah;
Florence.Oderah@unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 8 July 2013