Consultant for the Development of Practical Guidelines for Digital Urban Transformation Toward Resilient and People-Centered Smart Sustainable Cities and Enhanced Quality of Life in the Arab Region

Result of Service- Provide substantive and coordination support to the development of practical guidelines for the transformation of SSC in the Arab region and enhance the understanding of digital transformation in reshaping cities into smart and sustainable hubs. - The consultant shall work remotely as this contract is home-based. Work LocationRemotely Expected duration3 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground: The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) is advancing a series of initiatives under its urban development portfolio to support national and local governments in achieving sustainable, inclusive, and resilient urbanization in the Arab region. Emphasizing the empowerment of local authorities, the work includes the integration of smart digital solutions aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 11, the New Urban Agenda, and the Pact for the Future. As cities in the Arab region undergo digital transformation toward Smart and Sustainable Cities (SSCs), there is a strong focus on embedding people-centered approaches that promote equitable access, multi-level governance, and social well-being. To enhance strategic preparedness, foresight methodologies will be applied to help anticipate and respond to emerging urban challenges linked to technology, infrastructure, and climate change. However, challenges such as the digital divide, governance gaps, infrastructure disparities, and environmental vulnerabilities must be addressed through equity-and data-driven policies and localized strategies tailored to the Arab region. To support this vision, UNESCWA seeks to recruit a consultant to develop Practical Guidelines for the Practical Guidelines for Digital Urban Transformation Toward Smart, Sustainable Cities and Enhanced Quality of Life in the Arab Region. These guidelines will provide a structured framework for cities to leverage digital innovation while ensuring inclusivity, sustainability, and resilience. The consultant will outline key principles, policy recommendations, implementation frameworks, and case studies based on regional priorities and good practices. The consultant will also apply foresight methodologies to identify future drivers and disruptions of urban development and formulate policy responses that are anticipatory and people centered. By prioritizing equity-driven policies and people-centered approaches, the guidelines will help cities harness technology as a tool for empowerment rather than exclusion, fostering thriving, livable, and resilient urban futures. Specific focus will be given to: - Develop practical guidelines for the transformation to SSCs in the Arab region by analyzing global models, challenges, and good practices from Arab and global cities. - Engage stakeholders through consultations to address policy gaps and strengthen governance and institutional capacity for inclusive, people-centered urban development. - Produce a forward-looking policy paper on digital urban transformation and foresight in the Arab region, outlining key trends, scenarios, and recommendations based on regional priorities and global practices. Duties and responsibilities: The consultant will be supporting UNESCWA efforts in urban development including: - Assess the status of SSCs in the Arab region by identifying key projects, including both brownfield and greenfield initiatives. - Review global and regional good practices in SSC development and assess their potential for replication and scalability across the Arab region. - Develop regional guidelines for the digital urban transformation toward SSCs, including practical frameworks tailored to current regional trends, challenges, and opportunities. - Draft actionable recommendations within the guidelines for integrating smart technologies (e.g., IoT, AI, etc.) into urban planning in an attempt to enhance quality of life. - Gather and integrate stakeholder feedback to revise and finalize the SSC guidelines. - Analyze regional implications of emerging technologies and foresight scenarios on Arab urban development. - Develop a policy paper outlining strategic recommendations for local and national governments to advance future-oriented digital urban transformation using a foresight-based approach. Qualifications/special skillsA masters degree in development, smart cities, or related fields is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. At least 5 years of experience in development, smart cities, sustainability, local governance, or related fields is required. Experience in research related to smart cities and technology for development is required. Experience in development policies is required. Experience working with local governments is desirable LanguagesLanguages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.