Mission and objectivesThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for cities and human settlements. UN-Habitatโs humanitarian work is guided by its Strategic Policy on Human Settlements in Crisis and the agency is a member of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC). At the core of UN- Habitatโs work is UN-Habitat Peopleโs Process and New Urban Agenda, which places participatory urban analysis, and planning as a central pillar of humanitarian response, recovery and the rehabilitation of fragile cities. UN-Habitat has been active in Iraq since 1996. After 2003, UN-Habitat was largely engaged in early recovery efforts, particularly supporting internally displaced persons (IDPs) through the provision of shelter and reconstruction solutions. Since then, UN-Habitat Iraqโs portfolio has expanded beyond emergency response to include both humanitarian programmes, such as providing IDPs and returnees with shelter and water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure, and promoting urban recovery of areas affected by conflict, and developmental programmes that delivers technical support to address durable solutions for IDPs and informal settlers as well as essential capacity building for relevant government institutions. UN-Habitat Iraq follows a multi-dimensional and coherent approach in tackling diverse urban issues. These range from emergency response such as providing safe and basic shelter for IDPs and returnees, to projects that aim to build and develop the capacities of local and national governments in planning and managing urbanization, to more theoretical endeavours including research and analysis on the dynamics of urbanization and the impacts of armed conflict. The objective of this assignment is to provide technical supervision and inputs in project development and management, coordinate and support ongoing projects in monitoring and reporting, and oversight of field staff in project locations.
ContextThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the UN agency for human settlements, mandated by the General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of ensuring adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat Iraq has operated since 1996, supporting the Government of Iraq at all levels to advance sustainable urban development, reduce spatial inequality, share knowledge, improve governance, and strengthen urban crisis prevention and response. The programme focuses on enabling prosperity and building a better urban future. Key priorities include developing affordable housing solutions and basic services while securing tenure rights for vulnerable populations. Climate adaptation efforts address water security and urban heat management, integrating green building standards across construction activities. Digital transformation initiatives aim to modernize Iraqโs paper-based land registry through GIS-based Land Information Systems and standardized cadastral mapping to prevent fraud and improve transparency. UN-Habitat also supports economic development by providing technical assistance to local authorities and creating urban infrastructure through blended finance mechanisms. Looking ahead, UN-Habitat Iraq will expand its role as a knowledge hub for post-conflict urban recovery while transitioning from direct implementation to advisory services. Future programming will emphasize youth-led urban innovation and economic opportunities for women to promote social inclusion. Environmental sustainability will gain prominence through circular economy principles, sustainable waste management, and locally powered wastewater treatment solutions. The organization plans to develop innovative public-private partnership models to address climate change while promoting urban biodiversity and sustainable mobility. Through these efforts, UN-Habitat aims to position Iraq as a regional leader in sustainable urban development, fostering resilient communities that can withstand environmental and social challenges while ensuring equitable opportunities for all residents.
Task DescriptionUnder the guidance of the communication focal point, the Online Volunteer will be expected to: - Design the UN-Habitat Iraq Country Profile 2025โ2029 (approximately 50 pages) in English and Arabic. - Create a one-page summary of the Country Profile for quick reference, in English and Arabic. - Develop 5 social media posts (text and visuals) to promote the visibility of these materials, in English and Arabic. - Provide editable source files for all designs (e.g., PSD, AI, or Canva links). Ensure that all materials follow UN-Habitatโs brand guidelines and are adapted for different platforms, Incorporate best practices for engagement and clear, culturally sensitive messaging.
Competencies and values
Living conditions and remarks