Result of Service
Successful delivery of updated SAI indicator frameworks, comprehensive scenario documentation, an evaluation of SAI pilot city applications, and the generation of 300 validated data points aligned with UMF and SDG standards, together with the development of core SAI promotional and digital platform materials, culminating in an integrated and expanded SAI Application Report.
Duties and Responsibilities
BACKGROUND UN-Habitat established the Data and Analytics Unit under the Knowledge and Innovation branch of UN-Habitat as a specialized statistical unit in charge of global monitoring of the Habitat Agenda and other agendas with an urban linkage. DAU has more than 20 years' experience in the collection, analysis and production of urban data at the world level and in specific cities. In line with UN-Habitat's mandate, DAU is working to a) Improve the capacity of countries and cities to access relevant information, setting global standards in the design analysis and collection of urban data, and supports the translation of data/information into policy formulation; b) Guide methodological developments of the urban related indicators and targets used by the international development community to monitor global progress towards implementation of the NUA and the urban SDGs; c) Improve worldwide urban knowledge base by supporting governments, local authorities and civil societies in the development and application of policy-oriented urban indicators, statistics and other urban information. In 2015, DAU produced the 6th Global Urban Indicators Database (VI) update. In addition to addressing the Habitat Agenda, this database provides information on selected SDGs, especially those in Goal 11 and the New Urban Agenda (NUA). In 2020, the UN Statistical Commission tasked UN-Habitat with leading global efforts towards harmonization of monitoring of urban indicators across all UN agencies. Through a collaborative effort involving other UN agencies, city and national government representatives, academia, civil society groups among others, the Global Urban Monitoring Framework (UMF) was developed in 2021, bringing together indicators from a diversity of thematic indices as well global agenda such as the City Prosperity Index (CPI), SDGs, NUA, the Sendai Framework etc and was endorsed for Global implementation by the United National Statistical Commission in 2022. The UMF is currently being implemented by many cities directly and through adapted frameworks including the Shanghai Adapted Index (SAI) and is positioned to shape future urban monitoring efforts by UN-Habitat and other agencies. Additionally, DAU has been supporting UN-Habitat’s mission in the priority areas of land, housing, and innovation. RESPONSIBILITIES The consultant will work in the Knowledge and Innovation Branch, under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Data and Analytics Unit. She/he will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Develop and update the SAI indicator framework, including comprehensive metadata and guidelines, ensuring alignment with the UMF, SDG metadata standards, the Global Urban Indicators Database Framework, and UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities on housing, land, infrastructure, and access to basic services. 2. Research, assess, and document the viability, relevance, and contextual applicability of the SAI application scenarios, preparing detailed scenario reports covering at least eight thematic areas such as SDG Awards, Urban Health Checker, International Megacities, Sci-Tech Innovation Cities, Healthy Cities, Provincial Applications, Livable Cities, Urban Agglomerations, and New Towns Sustainable Development. 3. Generate and validate data points across priority indicators, including housing, land, infrastructure, access to urban services, and GIS/EO/AI applications, ensuring full alignment with UMF, SDG metadata standards, the Global Urban Indicators Database Framework, and UN-Habitat data guidelines. 4. Support SAI implementation evaluation and communications, including assessing pilot city applications, reviewing indicator selection and data quality, contributing to the preparation of SAI promotional materials, planning SAI-related events, and providing inputs for the SAI digital platform.
Qualifications/special skills
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in urban planning, statistics, demography, economics, urban studies, or any other closely related field is required. A Bachelor's degree, combined with two additional qualifying years of experience in the related field, will be accepted in lieu of a Master's degree. At least five years of experience as a researcher or analyst working with urban data and human settlements issues at the local, national, and international levels is required. Strong knowledge of indicator frameworks, such as SDG indicators, the Global Urban Monitoring Framework (UMF), and related measurement methodologies is highly desirable.
