The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. Under the overall leadership of the Executive Director, the Chief of Staff will facilitate the translation of strategic direction into concrete results; provide strategic policy advice on emerging human settlements policy issues and programme-related matters; and serve as team leader and coordinator to various reform processes. The incumbent will work in close coordination and cooperation with senior managers in UNHABITAT and where required with other offices of the UN-Secretariat, Funds and Programmes and specialized agencies. The Chief of Staff is member of UN-Habitat's Senior Leadership team. The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of the Executive Director. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

1. Assist the Executive Director in the overall direction and management of the Department, translating strategic intent and high-level organizational direction into viable tasks; work with Divisions and the Executive Office to support effective implementation and resourcing. 2. In collaboration with relevant offices, lead the identification of emerging human settlement policy issues. Undertake research and provide briefings to the Executive Director and the Leadership Team. 3. Assist the Executive Director and Leadership team with expert advice on the substance, design and implementation of forward-leaning strategies and approaches. 4. Offer strategic policy guidance and contribute to the development of coherent, impact-based programmes. Support the integration and emerging human settlements issues in UN-Habitat's programme of work and across substantive offices. 5. Draft, finalize and present policy briefs and papers on emerging human settlements issues for consideration by the Executive Director and the Leadership Team. 6. Prepare policy statements and speeches for the Executive Director in coordination with the relevant divisions and offices. 7. Ensure strategic alignment of the divisions and field programme of work with UN-Habitat vision and priorities. Coordinate and oversee results-oriented planning, ensuring that inputs and actions are aligned. 8. Lead and coordinate selected reform processes as directed by the Executive Director, particularly in the areas of programme coordination, results-based management, resource planning, and information and communication. Drive organizational change and identify associated risk mitigation strategies. 9. On behalf of the Executive Director, support the building of high-level alliances with key UN-Habitat partners (UN agencies, IGOs, Governments, municipalities, NGOs, Regional and National institutions academia and private sector) to enlist their support and engagement in development of human settlements policy system. 10. Provide support on behalf of the Executive Director to the Office of Resource Mobilization and Strategic Partnerships for UN-Habitat’s funding raising activities. 11.Coordinate UN-Habitat’s reports to intergovernmental bodies on budget and programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. 12. Lead and coordinate the monitoring and evaluation functions to ensure compliance with UN policies and procedures; Oversee strategic and thematic evaluations, and promote knowledge management, including lessons learned and best practices in human settlements. 13. Oversee the legal function to ensure that outcomes support the Department’s objectives. 14. Formulate and implement the work programme of the Office of the Executive Director. Determine priorities, allocate resources for output completion, and ensure timely delivery. Assist the Executive Director in developing and implementing strategies and actions to enhance coordination and coherence across the Office of the Executive Director. 15. Ensure that the outputs produced by the Office of the Executive Director maintain high standards of quality, clarity, objectivity and are based on comprehensive data. Ensure that all outputs produced by the team meet the required mandates and standards. 16. Assist the Executive Director in developing and implementing their compact with the Secretary General. 17. Recruit staff, ensuring due consideration geographical representation and gender balance. 18. Manage, guide, develop and train staff under supervision. 19. Leads team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need.