Result of Service
Under the guidance and supervision of Human Settlements Officer and the Chief of the Urban Practices Branch, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) technical support to project development and implementation; (ii) tool development and implementation and (iii) SDG Cities methodology development.
Duties and Responsibilities
BACKGROUND The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), it is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning and reporting as well as on multilevel governance for SDG localization. UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the corporate strategic focus on adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The position is located in UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division (GSD). The Global Solutions Division is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Global Solutions Division hosts the Local 2030 Coalition’s Secretariat and coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team. UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team works under umbrella of the Local2030 Coalition and coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative (Flagship 5). The SDG Cities Initiative supports cities in creating integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs, ensuring cohesive and scalable urban development addressing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It does so by leveraging the potential of data for evidence-based decision-making, fostering cities’ access to finance, while building their overall institutional capacities. Building on the Agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across three levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation through SDG Cities; 2) supporting national governments to develop SDG Localization Country Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs; 3) advancing the global dialogue on SDG Localization through the SDG Cities Global Community and direct engagement within the main UN fora. UN-Habitat's vison on SDG Localization aims to impact the lives of 1 billion people by promoting transformative change in 50 countries and 1000 cities. REPORTING LINE This post is located in the Global Solutions Division and specifically within its SDG localization and Local Governments Team. The incumbent will be supervised by the Coordinator of the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team & SDG Cities Flagship, and under the direct supervision of the Head of the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as in coordination with other units, sections and offices across the Agency. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The consultant's main responsibility will be to support the activities of UN-Habitat's SDG Localization and Local Governments team, under the umbrella of the Local 2030 Coalition, specifically in terms of (i) technical support to project development and implementation; (ii) tool development and implementation; and (iii) SDG Cities methodology development. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: • Integrate UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization Team’s Technical Hub by providing technical advice, backstopping and continuous support to the effective coordination and implementation of the Team’s activities; • Coordinate with relevant regional and country offices to provide technical advice and support to relevant partners – based on an on-demand approach; • Lead the update and development of the SDG Cities methodology together with HQ teams, regional and country offices, as well as relevant partners; • Develop and update relevant tools according to the SDG Cities methodology; • Support the development of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs tools package; • Support the integration of the SDG Cities and Partnership Platform tools and methodologies – as part of the Partnership Platform process and contributing to work of the Local2030 Coalition; • Guide the development and review of project related and partner led documents, including data sheets and frameworks, VLRs, city development strategies, projects proposals etc.; • Provide substantive guidance in the development and implementation of trainings and capacity building on SDG Cities and its tools in collaboration with the Team members, specifically directed to local consultants, ROs, COs, and other interested partners • Identify and establish opportunities for collaboration amongst other teams working on SDG localization, local governments and multilevel governance
Qualifications/special skills
Bachelorr’s degree in information management, business analysis, project management, international development, or other related fields is required. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience on issues related to sustainable development, urban planning, local development and project management is required. Working experience on the Agenda 2030 and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. Previous experience with UN-Habitat at the HQ, Regional or Country level, as well as technical experience with SDG Cities and VLRs will be highly considered.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
