Urban Development Expert Consultancy (French and English Speaking)

Result of Service

The consultant will support UN-Habitat in advancing SDG localization by providing technical inputs to Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), National SDG Localization Frameworks, and planning tools; facilitating capacity-building activities; and contributing to knowledge products and project implementation in selected countries, particularly Senegal and Tunisia. All work will align with UN-Habitat methodologies and support multilevel governance and integrated territorial development under the 2030 Agenda.

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

12 months

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 United Nations 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 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2015, 193 Member States, convened at the Global Summit on Sustainable Development to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are universal and relevant to all Member States, from both the Global North and Global South. As demonstrated in the past years of implementation, it is widely acknowledged that the local level and local action are critical for the overall success of the 2030 Agenda - the SDGs need to be localized. In addition, during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, the Brazil-promoted Resolution on Localizing the SDGs received wide consensus and was co-sponsored by twelve other countries. Through the resolution, Member States further mandated UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, reporting and integrated planning as well as on multilevel governance approaches for SDG localization. UN-Habitat is the United Nations focal point for work with local and regional governments and the custodian of the New Urban Agenda and has been at the forefront of SDG Localization since the very endorsement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Building on its operational capacities and technical leadership, the agency developed the most integrated approach to localizing the SDGs in the United Nations system, working on three levels: 1) supporting cities through the SDG Cities Global Initiative; 2) supporting national governments to develop SDG Localization Frameworks; 3) and coordinating the SDG Cities Global Community and political engagement within the main United Nations and intergovernmental fora. UN-Habitat's global footprint on SDG localization exceeds 20 countries, working through the United Nations system and in cooperation with the main United Nations and international partners. Most recently, UN-Habitat has been mandated to lead the two key United Nations mechanisms on SDG Localization and local governments: the Local2030 Coalition and the United Nations Secretary-General's Advisory Group on Local and Regional Governments. Within UN-Habitat's Headquarters in Nairobi, under Global Solutions Division, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat's work on SDG Localization and the corporate engagement with Local and Regional Governments. Since 2019, the team has been assisting local governments across Latin America, Europe and Asia to develop their Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and enhance their links with Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). This experience was a crucial learning process to create and consolidate a fully-fledged methodology on action-oriented VLRs that is now being applied to more than 20 new city cooperation schemes worldwide. The team also leads the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs, a joint operational initiative with the Ministry of Environment and Energy Security of Italy and implemented in its pilot phase in Senegal and Tunisia. The main objective of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs is the development of National SDG Localization Frameworks, the comprehensive set of policies, governance mechanisms, initiatives and resources required to localize the SDGs, i.e. to translate national sustainable development efforts into concrete and transformative change on the ground. Responsibilities 1. Technical Support for SDG Localization and Urban Policy • Provide technical inputs to Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and National SDG Localization Frameworks, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat methodologies and tools and the 2030 Agenda. • Review and contribute to national and local development plans, urban policies, and diagnostic reports • Support the application, adaptation, and development of tools, indicators, and policy guidance for SDG localization, Multilevel Governance and Policy Coherence for Sustainable Devleopment and integrated planning at local and national level, including the Local2030 Coalition • Demonstrate a solid understanding of the 2030 Agenda and SDG localization processes-including Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), integrated territorial planning, and the institutional dynamics of multilevel governance at both national and local levels. 2. Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Management • Engage with national and local governments to provide technical advice, align project activities with institutional needs, and strengthen capacities through on-the-job support. • Coordinate with national and local stakeholders on SDG localization efforts. • Develop and review technical reports, policy briefs, capacity building material, and knowledge products in English and French. • Document good practices, lessons learned and cross-country insights from SDG localization efforts. • Support knowledge transfer and capacity-building activities in collaboration with local partners. 3. Project and Field-Level Support • Support the implementation of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs in Senegal and Tunisia, in coordination with UN-Habitat country offices and national partners. • Provide technical insights on other elements associated with project development, such as normative documents related to spatial and strategic planning • Ensure project deliverables align with UN-Habitat frameworks, tools, and quality standards. Responsibilities 1. Technical Support for SDG Localization and Urban Policy • Provide technical inputs to Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) and National SDG Localization Frameworks, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat methodologies and tools and the 2030 Agenda. • Review and contribute to national and local development plans, urban policies, and diagnostic reports • Support the application, adaptation, and development of tools, indicators, and policy guidance for SDG localization, Multilevel Governance and Policy Coherence for Sustainable Devleopment and integrated planning at local and national level, including the Local2030 Coalition • Demonstrate a solid understanding of the 2030 Agenda and SDG localization processes-including Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), integrated territorial planning, and the institutional dynamics of multilevel governance at both national and local levels. 2. Stakeholder Engagement, Capacity Building, and Knowledge Management • Engage with national and local governments to provide technical advice, align project activities with institutional needs, and strengthen capacities through on-the-job support. • Coordinate with national and local stakeholders on SDG localization efforts. • Develop and review technical reports, policy briefs, capacity building material, and knowledge products in English and French. • Document good practices, lessons learned and cross-country insights from SDG localization efforts. • Support knowledge transfer and capacity-building activities in collaboration with local partners. 3. Project and Field-Level Support • Support the implementation of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs in Senegal and Tunisia, in coordination with UN-Habitat country offices and national partners. • Provide technical insights on other elements associated with project development, such as normative documents related to spatial and strategic planning • Ensure project deliverables align with UN-Habitat frameworks, tools, and quality standards. Reporting Line This post is located within UN-Habitat's SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, within the Global Solutions Division. The consultant will be supervised by the Programme Management Officer coordinating the work of the team . The consultant will collaborate closely with the Urban Lab as well as colleagues across UN-Habitat units and country offices.

Qualifications/special skills

A master's degree in Urban Planning, territorial planning, Sustainable Development Studies, Public Policy, Human Geography is required. A Bachelor's degree in combination with two qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the master's degree. At least 2 years of experience in sustainable development, urban governance, or territorial and spatial planning is required. Familiarity with UN-Habitat tools, SDG localization methodologies, and capacity-building approaches is desirable. Experience working with institutions in Francophone Africa, particularly Senegal or Tunisia, is preferred. Strong writing, research, and coordination skills. Familiarity with SDG localization and UN processes is an asset. Professional experience in urban planning and governance is desirable

Languages

Fluency in French and English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.