Vacancy Announcement – Project Manager - UN HABITAT

Vacancy Announcement – Project ManagerI. Position InformationJob Code Title: Project ManagerNo of positions: 1Supervisor:Project ManagerDuty Stations: ColomboDuration:6 monthsSalary Scale:In compliance with UN rules & regulationsII. UN‐HABITATThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN‐HABITAT) is the United Nations agencyresponsible for human settlements, mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable townsand cities, with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all; within overall objective of the UnitedNations to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development. The details of the Habitat Agenda,Global Programmes and the Mandate are available in the main web site at www.unhabitat.org and thelocal web site at www.unhabitat.lk.UN‐HABITAT operations in Asia include activities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR,Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lanka, under supervision of the Regional Office for Asia andPacific in Fukuoka Japan.Since its inception in 1978, UN‐HABITAT has helped the development of human settlements policies in SriLanka and some of the major activities implemented include Sustainable Cities Programme / UrbanGovernance Support Project, Lunawa Lake Improvement Project, Rebuilding Communities in the Northand East, Rebuilding Community Infrastructure and Shelter in Tsunami Affected Areas, Slum UpgradingFacility (Under‐served Settlements Upgrading Programme) and cities and climate change Initiatives.UN‐HABITAT firmly believes professional & highly competent staff is integral to the success ofimplementation for all its programmes.III. Disaster Resilient City Development Strategies for Sri Lankan CitiesPost‐Tsunami and frequently occurred floods and landslides experience learnt that, apart from traditionalautonomous community coping mechanisms and post disaster emergency relief work, virtually noadequately functioning disaster risk reduction and response systems with readily available deliverymechanisms exist at municipal councils/local authorities. This is even more evident in municipal annualwork plans and budgets, which suggest no serious attention has been made for DRR initiatives inregulations, standing orders, building codes and guidelines, land use plans and development plans at citylevels. These institutions are the front line implementers of making sustainable human settlements aswell as front line recipients of disaster impacts.Weak institutional structures and archaic management systems of local authorities are major observablecontributing factors for poor response to disasters at the local level. Acute shortfall in professionalism andcompetencies in local authorities to respond to natural disasters is further aggravated by a serious lack of

staff confidence and direction to new managerial knowledge, competencies and skills to handle theirtasks in DRR related activities.IV. Description of Duties (TOR)Under the direct supervision of the Habitat Programme Manager for Sri Lanka, the Project Manager willmanage the project team in programme & administrative support as detailed below;Programme Support:• Set up the city project offices and management structures for delivery, reporting and monitoringsystems at the district levels• Deliver all project activities as per project schedules with the support of Project Officers and partnerorganizations• Coordinate with Urban Development Authority and respective city councils to incorporate DRR plansinto city development plans, ensure their alignment with building regulations• Coordinate relevant governmental and non‐governmental agencies, NGOs, and communityorganisations in the designated areas on the project to implement project activities• Keeping track of project concepts, briefs, proposals, documents and revisions• Ensure the implementation of project activities at the city level with project partners• Conduct periodic project monitoring at the city levels, reporting progress to Habitat ProgrammeManager and assist in evaluation process.• Guide project officers in preparing/drafting and maintaining project reports, including projectdatabases on planned, ongoing and completed projects at the city levels.• Preparation of project presentations,• Organizing and supporting workshops and training programmes.• Maintain strong and close contacts with project partners to ensure effective coordination of theproject activities at national level• Undertake field visits as required.• Support to establish and maintain DRR units at the city councilsAdministrative Support:• Overall responsibility for administrative and operational aspects of the project.• Managing administrative information and records at the national level., including those relatedto travel arrangements• Liaising with Government, NGOs and stake holders in matters related to project operations /implementation.• Maintain records of correspondence with project partners and with project offices• Ensuring the smooth flow of information to project officers, city management and partners.• Overall responsibility for budget management and documentation thereof.• Sharing of administrative responsibilities as and when required.•• Performing other tasks deemed appropriate and necessary by the Habitat Programme Manager.

V. Requirements / QualificationsEducation:Experience:Candidate should have minimum of a Masters Degree level qualification in the fieldof urban planning. Knowledge on Disaster Risk Reduction plans will be an addedadvantage.At least 10 years of experience in urban planning with the public sector, localgovernments and management of similar projects in the public/ Non‐Governmentalsector /International Organizations. Experience with the UN‐system is an advantage.He/She must have strong commitment to the participatory process, transfer ofknowledge skills, willingness to work in a team, and posse’s excellent coordinationand communication skills.Competencies &Skills Required:Experience in community centred development programmesFluency in English, and excellent communication & presentation skills are a must.In addition a high level of computer literacy is required.Qualified Sri Lankan Nationals are requested to submit their resumes with names of two unrelated referees and acontact telephone number to employment@unhabitat.lk by 10 th June 2012UN‐HABITAT will only respond to shortlisted candidates. Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.