Terms of Reference
UN-Habitat Country Programme Coordinator – Dakar, Senegal (UNOPS contract)
Introduction and background:
Senegal is currently at a turning point in its journey towards sustainable urban development. This coastal and Sahelian country shows territorial imbalances, with 75% of its GDP being produced in the Greater Dakar region. Today it is facing the negative externalities of rapid urbanisation, which is meant to reach 70% of urban population by 2050, i.e. almost tripling in size in absolute numbers compared to 2025. It faces a number of challenges related to weak urban planning and management mechanisms, something being tackled by Senegal Vision 2050 and its 2025-2029 National Development Strategy.
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is currently supporting the Government of Senegal with the development of a National Urbanisation Policy (NUP), which is meant to promote intersectoral coordination, decentralisation for improving urban management and basic service delivery and attracting investments for sustainable urbanisation. In addition, UN-Habitat currently supports government and municipal authorities as well as public entities on issues related to sustainable construction, youth empowerment, improvement of public spaces, urban resilience and solid waste management. It will soon start a project for establishing a Partnership Platform for the Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) funded by the Government of Italy. UN-Habitat is also engaged in the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Housing in the West Africa Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), of which Senegal is part.
It is urgently needed to develop and implement a coherent programmatic offer of UN-Habitat in Senegal, which encapsulates all these initiatives in alignment with the Government’s priorities in the area of sustainable urbanisation and territorial development as part of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2024-2028.
Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships:
This position of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is located in Dakar, Senegal. The Country Programme Coordinator reports to the Senior Programme Management Officer, Head of the West Africa Sub-Regional Hub, Regional Office for Africa (ROAf). The focus of this job is to develop, manage and coordinate the implementation of the UN-Habitat Country Programme for Senegal, ensuring adequate resource mobilisation for such a purpose.
Responsibilities:
The Country Programme Coordinator for Senegal will be responsible for the following duties:
Coordinating the UN-Habitat’s team and activities in Senegal. He/she will oversee the activities and distributes tasks within the team, ensuring the quality of the work being carried out. He/she will plan and organise recruitment processes within the UN-Habitat’s project office in Senegal and adequately manage the local team.
Representing UN-Habitat in Senegal vis-à-vis Government authorities and national/international partners, as well as within the United Nations Country Team in Senegal. In particular UN-Habitat will be responsible for coordinating the implementation of the 3rd Pillar of the UNSDCF 2024-2028 related to sustainable territorial development and urbanisation.
Developing and overseeing the implementation of the UN-Habitat’s Country Programme for Senegal. His/her main role will be to ensure the successful development and implementation of the Country Programme, which includes key projects such as the Partnership Platform for the Localisation of SDGs. He/she will lead the elaboration and dissemination of the Country Programme, ensuring it is well aligned with the priorities of the Government of Senegal National Development Strategy 2025-2029, the UNSDCF 2024-2028 and other national and international agendas, such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. He/she will actively be engaged in resource mobilisation through project development and in the subsequent implementation of the Country Programme. In particular, he/she will ensure regular reporting on the programme implementation and oversee its evaluation and the proper dissemination of results. He/she will be responsible of identifying risks/issues and propose corrective actions, as well as to identify and track follow-up actions.
Building close collaboration and cooperation with national and local authorities of Senegal. He/she will collaborate closely with them, ensuring the provision of UN-Habitat’s technical assistance in the areas of human settlements and sustainable urbanisation in general, especially on topics such as: urban policies and strategies, urban governance, housing, land management, basic and social services, urban and regional planning, climate change adaptation, urban resilience, urban legislation, public spaces, youth empowerment, localisation of SDGs, sustainable resettlement, slum upgrading, training and capacity building, among others.
Leading and actively engaging in projects’ formulation within the framework of the UN-Habitat’s Country Programme for resource mobilisation to ensure a continuity of UN-Habitat’s presence in Senegal. In particular, he/she will support the critical positioning of UN-Habitat as a technical advisor to the Government of Senegal and municipal authorities in the fields of human settlements and sustainable urbanisation. He/she will support the financing of urban development and the development and implementation of urban related projects which can be replicated and scaled up. He/she will support fundraising, which will entail advocacy and project negotiation activities with bilateral and multilateral development partners. He/she will promote joint programming within the United Nations System in Senegal, in alignment with the UNSDCF.
Producing and transferring relevant knowledge, including assisting in the development of urban policies and strategies, organising trainings, events and workshops, reviewing and analysing issues and trends related to human settlements and sustainable urbanisation, undertaking assessments and research activities in these fields, providing inputs to publications, and making presentations on topics/activities which are relevant to the Senegal Country Programme.
Performing other duties as required.
Results Expected:
UN-Habitat’s work and team in Senegal properly coordinated, ensuring effective and efficient programme delivery.
UN-Habitat is adequately represented in Senegal with the Government, local authorities, national and international partners, and within the United Nations system.
UN-Habitat is properly fulfilling its role as part of the UNSDCF 2024-2028 in terms of coordination of the 3rd Pillar on sustainable territorial development and urbanisation and reporting.
The UN-Habitat’s Country Programme for Senegal has been developed and its implementation is well coordinated and disseminated, including project development, implementation and reporting.
The collaboration and cooperation with national and local authorities in Senegal is good and strong, with a climate of mutual trust being established.
Project proposals are formulated and negotiated to ensure the continuity of UN-Habitat’s presence in Senegal, including through UN joint programming.
Relevant knowledge has been produced and transferred related to human settlements and sustainable urbanisation in Senegal.
Other required duties in the role of UN-Habitat’s Country Programme Coordinator for Senegal have been successfully carried out.
Competencies:
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to sustainable urbanization. Ability to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems related to urbanization in Senegal. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis in the field of sustainable urbanization. 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.
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.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Qualifications:
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban/regional planning and development, urban management, architecture, engineering, project management or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in project or programme management in the fields of human settlements and sustainable urbanisation in Senegal is required. International experience is an asset.
Language: Fluency in French and English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of local languages in Senegal is an advantage.
How to Apply:
Applications
All applications should be submitted to: julia.defaria@un.org,
mentioning ”UN-Habitat Country Programme Coordinator – Senegal”.
Deadline for applications: 4th April 2025.
