Result of Service
Ultimate result of service Under the guidance and supervision of the Human Settlements Officer (SDG Localization and Local Government), the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) Provide comprehensive project support to the implementation of SDG localization initiatives, ensuring effective coordination, communication and logistical arrangements. (ii) Contribute to the technical development and refinement of methodologies and frameworks that enhance the effectiveness of SDG localization efforts. (iii) Facilitate knowledge exchange and dissemination of research findings to inform policy and practice in SDG localization. (iv) Strengthen partnerships and collaborative efforts with academic institutions, local governments, and international organizations to advance the SDG localization agenda. (v) Ensure the successful completion and launch of the VLR for Banjul, serving as a model for other cities undertaking similar processes.
Duties and Responsibilities
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 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. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant's main responsibility will be: 1) Facilitate the coordination and implementation of SDG localization initiatives, including managing partnerships, organizing events, and supporting the development of Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs); 2) Provide technical expertise in aligning academic research and sport-based approaches with UN-Habitat's SDG localization frameworks and methodologies; 3) Develop reports, track progress of projects, and contribute to knowledge dissemination through reports, presentations, and other communication materials. 1. Project Support • Coordinate the on.going activities of the Knowledge & Scientific Network (KSN), including outreach to academic institutions, onboarding new members, and facilitating knowledge exchange. • Assist in the organizing virtual and in-person events, webinars, and presentations in collaboration with Local2030 and the Italian Government, ensuring logistical arrangements and participant engagement. • Provide administrative and communication support to disseminate research findings to Local2030 stakeholders and members effectively. • Manage logistics for the regional workshop in Amman, including venue coordination, participant communication, and material preparation. • Support the implementation and monitoring of the Sport for Sustainable Urban Development Initiative in collaboration with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), including tracking city-level pilot activities. • Provide logistical and documentation support for engagements such as workshops, consultations, and knowledge exchange activities related to the IOC partnership. • Assist in the finalization of the VLR development process in Banjul, The Gambia, including coordination with local stakeholders and support from the launch event. • Coordinate travel logistics for the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) Annual Meeting of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs. • Prepare documentation and logistical arrangements for the initial missions to the Partnership Platform’s country pilots. - Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs 2. Technical Support • Draft summaries, briefs, and key messages derived from research outputs for broader dissemination among stakeholders. • Align academic research findings from the KSN with ongoing UN-Habitat SDG localization frameworks and toolkits. • Develop technical presentations, infographics, and synthesis papers to enhance KSN’s evidence-based contributions to SDG localization. • Draft and review technical materials for the sport-urban integration resource package under the Sport for Sustainable Urban Development initiative. • Adapt and monitor the global Sport for Sustainable Urban Development initiative's logical framework and work plan to specific country contexts within the IOC Measurement Impact Platform. • Develop and coordinate the finalization of the introductory chapters for the VLR of Banjul. • Support research on Multilevel Governance (MLG) and National SDG Localization Framework Methodology in collaboration with team members. • Prepare a comprehensive progress report on the Women Led Cities Project, capturing key activities, outcomes and lessons learned. • Develop and deliver presentation materials to support key phases of project implementation—such as inception, mid-term review, and final reporting —for the SDG Cities Ghana Programme. 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 Human Settlements Officer coordinating the work of the Team, and under direct supervision of the Directors of the Global Solutions Division. 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.
Qualifications/special skills
An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, Urban and Regional Planning, or a related discipline relevant to the work of the United Nations, including Social Sciences is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience on issues related to international development, urban governance, project management and coordination, and research and evaluation is required. Working experience in locally driven SDG implementation with UN-Habitat or in initiatives aligned with the United Nations system and global development agendas will be highly valued.
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.
