Technical Manager

Organizational Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) promotes sustainable human settlements and adequate housing, supporting governments in implementing global agendas like the 2030 Agenda and New Urban Agenda. Its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This role supports a project with the State Government of Rio de Janeiro, "Inclusive and Sustainable Rio," focusing on strengthening urban resilience and localizing SDGs in the Mountain Region.

Job Purpose

The Technical Manager will co-lead the implementation of the "Inclusive and Sustainable Rio" project in the Mountain Region of Rio de Janeiro. This initiative, developed in partnership with the State Government, aims to significantly strengthen urban resilience by localizing the principles of the 2030 Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. The core purpose of this role is to ensure the effective expansion of the State's Direct and Indirect Administration's engagement in accelerating Sustainable Development Goal implementation. This includes fostering a robust culture of sustainability, developing critical disaster prevention and mitigation actions, and actively engaging local youth. The manager's contribution is vital for achieving urban prosperity and ensuring that the project's benefits reach all communities, leaving no one and no territory behind. The role involves supporting all project activities, preparing key deliverables, and coordinating comprehensive reporting to the Head of Brazil Office, thereby ensuring the project's successful execution and alignment with UN-Habitat's overarching mandate for sustainable urban development.

Responsibilities

The Technical Manager will primarily coordinate and implement project activities related to urban and climate resilience, ensuring alignment with program documents and agreements. This involves preparing and reviewing deliverables, gathering inputs for workplans, and compiling periodic progress and expenditure reports for the Rio de Janeiro coordination team. The role requires establishing robust systems for project planning, implementation, and monitoring in collaboration with partners, while proactively identifying and mitigating potential risks. Key duties include providing expert technical support on localizing international frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda, New Urban Agenda, and Sendai Framework, offering practical implementation strategies. The manager will also be responsible for maintaining strong relationships with local partners, including government entities, civil society, and the private sector, ensuring effective communication and stakeholder coordination. Furthermore, the role encompasses identifying capacity building needs, providing technical assistance, and organizing trainings and workshops. Regular monitoring of activity implementation and fund expenditure, documenting project progress, and contributing to knowledge product development are also essential. The manager will attend relevant meetings and conferences to strengthen the project's presence and perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Work Experience

A minimum of three years of experience in project coordination, team leadership, technical advisory, or community mobilization related to urban development or disaster risk management in Brazil is required. Professional experience in public policies, public administration, sustainability, social/urban development, and stakeholder coordination is also essential. Experience with climate change, disaster risk reduction, and previous work within the UN System are desirable.

Skills

Required skills include proficiency in Microsoft Office (Windows, Outlook, Teams) and web search engines. Desirable skills encompass handling technological tools and online platforms, and knowledge of project management methodologies. Core competencies include professionalism in inter-institutional environments, strong planning and organizational abilities, effective written and verbal communication, and proven teamwork skills in multicultural settings, demonstrating leadership and conflict management.

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