United Nations Human Settlements Programme Project Development Expert Jobs in Kenya

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, 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 helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, greener places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity.

It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development.

UN-Habitat Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) established a structure of four sub-regional offices (East/West/Central/South) to strengthen UN-Habitat presence in sub-regional/country level by engaging sub-regional/country level coordination and activities including the UNCTs, the UN AFPs initiatives, governments, donors, development partners, sub-regional entities and any other relevant dialogues.

UN-Habitat Sub-Regional Office for Southern Africa covers 13 countries including South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles, and Mauritius; and the SADC (South African Development Community) secretariat based in Botswana; and providing substantive assistance to the country level as well as sub-regional level. Reporting Line The Project Development Expert work under the supervision of the Head of UN-Habitat Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa.

The Consultant will work closely with the technical, the operation and the field project teams for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex programme/project-related issues, and communications.

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of UN-Habitat Sub Regional Office for Southern Africa, and/or his/her designate, the Consultant will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Develop proposals and reports to expand humanitarian and development projects in response to the situations of the countries particularly in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Eswatini, Madagascar and Comoros.

a. Identify and pursue strategic opportunities for programme expansion;

b. Develop reports and draft policy documents, including the desk review and analysis of issues and trends, preparation of evaluations or other research activities and studies in the field of urban development, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields;

c. Research, analyze and present information and recommendations on assigned topics/issues gathered from diverse sources; e.g., information from the Government, UN agencies, NGOs, news clippings, surveys, information from field monitoring, and land issues releases;

d. Develop project documents/concept notes, and other working documents with relevant partners (programme/project preparation with potential partners and submissions to donors), on the topics of sustainable urban development, land, housing and property rights, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields;

e. Develop assessment reports on UN joint project formulation in the field of urban development, land, housing and property rights, humanitarian response, local governance, gender

equity, environment and the related fields;

f. Develop strategic planning documents for specific countries and the Sub-Regional Hub in general to align countries’ priorities and UN-Habitat response in urban development, humanitarian response, local governance, gender equity, environment and the related fields

g. Provide substantive inputs in the development of annual work plans for monitoring progress activities, achievements and regular updates.

2. Advocate and facilitate knowledge building, knowledge management and communication.

a. Draft press releases, media briefs, talking points, newsletters, brochures, presentations, human interest stories, and donor visibility materials;

b. Prepare drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books;

c. Organize the timely dissemination of communication materials to target audiences, and evaluation of their impact;

d. Respond to inquiries and information requests internally and externally and prepare related correspondence and reports;

e. Coordinate conferences, seminar, press briefings, interviews etc. and prepare briefing materials for senior officials to their participation in such events;

f. Identify key contacts/constituencies and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate communication efforts and maintain working relationships with the same; and Identify and propose information opportunities, activities and approaches taking into account the situation/topic and target audience.
g. Represent UN-Habitat in meetings as needed in coordination with the Head of Sub-Regional Office.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning or a related field is required.

A first level university degree in addition to two more years of relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of three years of progressive experience in multi-disciplinary human settlements development assistance, field project coordination, project management or related field is required.

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United Nations Human Settlements Programme Project Development Expert Jobs in Kenya

Scholarship 2026/27

Scholarship 2026/27