Job Title: Senior Technical Advisor – STA
Department/Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), Regional Office for Africa (ROAf)
Number of positions: 1
Location: Makurdi, Benue State
Posting Period: 1 month
Background:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the agency for human settlements mandated by the General Assembly and working towards a better urban future with a mission of promoting socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all. In line with its mandate, UN-Habitat works to strengthen mechanisms in the country that integrate commitments and actions concerning the provision of adequate shelter for all and sustainable human settlements development into policies, programmes and operations.
Internal displacement in Nigeria is a multi-faceted, complex and protracted crisis that has lasted for over a decade in the North-East and most recently in the North-West with the effects trickling down to the North-Central with increasing complexities and urbanization pressure. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) According to the IOM’s DTM Round 46 report, a total of 2,305,335 people (472,239 households) are recorded as internally displaced across North-East Nigeria, while IOM’s DTM North Central and North-West Displacement Report Round 13 of March 2024, indicates that a total of 1,092,196 individuals are displaced across Benue, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Nasarawa, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara States.
In the North-East, up to 40% (929,453 individuals) of IDPs reside in camps and camp-like settings, while 60% (1,375,882 individuals) reside in host communities. The ongoing insurgency in North-East Nigeria is widely reported as the main driver of displacement, followed by communal clashes, natural disasters (mainly flooding and drought), and farmers-herders conflicts. These clashes involve confrontations between ethnic and religious groups, often triggered by land and border issues, shrinking access to natural resources, and increasing tensions between herder communities and sedentary farmers aside from other drivers.
While the contexts and drivers of population movement – including displacement and urbanisation – differ between the North-East, North-West to the North-Central the challenges faced remain similar. These include lacking resilience and coping capacities, issues with dire poverty and vulnerability status of IDPs, perception of host communities towards IDPs, and gaps in the fulfilment and protection of human rights. Additionally, the coexistence of host communities and IDPs remains contentious, particularly concerning their rights to access land, livelihoods, and basic and social services. In the North-West, displacement is characterised by inter-regional and inter-communal conflict, compounded by the impacts of climate change, limited access to basic services and natural resources, and long-standing tensions between ethnic and religious groups which often result in attacks and banditry.
This position is opened within the framework of the European Union funded Joint Programme called “Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Populations in Northern Nigeria (SIDPIN)”, being implemented with IOM and UNHCR in Kano, Adamawa, Yobe and Benue States in the Northern part of Nigeria, to catalyse but also complement ongoing response to the complex crisis, migration and urbanization in the country. The project aims to enable durable solutions through local integration in urban and urbanizing areas by adopting a multi-scale, integrated and area-based territorial approach for displaced communities, with a specific focus on women and children, and fostering conditions for sustainability, replication and scaling-up.
Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: This position is located within the Regional Office for Africa of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), and is coordinated by the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub in Dakar, Senegal. The position reports directly to the UN-Habitat Chief Technical Advisor and Head of Programme in Nigeria (under recruitment), under the overall coordination of the Head of the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub.
The focus of this position is to oversee the delivery of UN-Habitat Outputs in the Benue State through the implementation and monitoring of the joint programme for the Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Populations in Northern Nigeria (SIDPIN) project as the Lead Agency as well as to contribute to UN-Habitat’s country operations and support fund raising efforts for programme development.
Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) will be responsible for the following duties:
- Lead the field level implementation and delivery of UN-Habitat Outputs under the joint programme for Sustainable Urban Integration of Displaced Populations in Northern Nigeria (SIDPIN), as well as dissemination of the EU projects objectives and the Spatial Development Strategy for the Sahel (SDSS) among the government and relevant stakeholders through coordination, technical assistance and capacity enhancement supports.
- Develop, implement and evaluate the associated/assigned programme activities in Benue State; monitors and analyzes programme development and implementation at the state level; reviews relevant documents and reports; identifies problems and issues to be addressed and initiates corrective actions; liaises with relevant parties; ensures follow-up actions.
- Provide technical support and guidance to the stakeholders and the state Focal Points to implement the programme activities of field survey initiatives; designs data collection tools; reviews, analyzes and interprets responses, identify problems/issues and prepares conclusions.
- Provide support in the preparation of all the relevant documentation for the workshops and meetings which will lead to the formal endorsement and dissemination of the SDSS Phases in partnership with the focal persons and the National Technical Committee.
- Backstop the HAPSO (UN-Habitat Programme Support Office in Nigeria) team in relevant project development and resource mobilization by meeting with Government officials, to understand the pressing needs and the key requests from the Government of Nigeria, and meeting with key multi/bilateral partners (including key UN Agencies) and present UN-Habitat work and expertise; try to identify their priorities and understand how UN-Habitat could add value.
- Support and promote outreach activities; conducts training workshops, seminars, etc.; makes presentations on assigned topics/activities.
- Lead and/or participate in large, complex field missions, including provision of guidance to external consultants, government officials and other parties and drafting mission summaries, etc.
- Support activities related to budget funding (programme preparation and submissions, progress reports, financial statements, etc.) and prepare related documents/reports (pledging, work programme, budget, etc.).
- Perform other duties as required.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
Chief Technical Advisor and Head of Programme in Nigeria (under recruitment) and National Programme Manager / Deputy Head for the HAPSO; Senior Technical Advisor stationed in Kano, Kano State; programme counterparts, senior officers and technical staff in UN-Habitat’s substantive branches and partner UN specialized agencies;
Representatives and officials in state and local governments, international organizations, consultants.
Travel Details Applicable
Missions within Nigeria to Abuja and the other parts of North East and North-West regions. The STA shall be available, if necessary, to travel to the locations or territories related to the services contained in these Terms of Reference or in the case of any mission outside the workplace, subject to the authorization of the Chief Technical Advisor and Head of Programme in Nigeria (under recruitment) or the Senior Human Settlements Officer and Head of the West Africa Hub, in accordance with the current travel rules of the United Nations.
Results Expected:
Implements, evaluates and provides effective leadership and management at state level of the SIDPIN project and teams; demonstrates timely delivery of outputs in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Plays a lead role in identifying significant issues and develops well-reasoned, innovative approaches to deal with these issues. Serves as an effective spokesperson internally and externally and forms strong partnerships with relevant parties at the state level.
Competencies:
- Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or another specialized field. 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, includingfamiliarity 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.
- 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.
Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, programme management or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience and professional competency may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.
Experience: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, in the context of urbanization, housing, land management, implementation of durable solutions for displacement-affected populations in humanitarian settings, sustainable reconstruction and recovery, climate change adaptation, among other topics is required. Familiarity with the context of urban development in Western African countries and work experience in the region is desirable.
Language: Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
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