Digital Technologies for Climate Smart Cities Consultant

Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of this consultancy is to produce a step-by-step playbook and associated methodology to formulate and implement smart city strategies and leverage digital tools and data that promote a people-centred approach to climate action. The objective for this work is to (a) align with the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities and the Global Digital Compact, within the field of climate action; (b) showcase how digital technologies and data support sustainable climate-smart urban development, urban resilience and crisis management; (c) provide practical methodologies, frameworks, and case studies at the intersection of technology, climate action and sustainable urban development; and (d) offer actionable recommendations for local governments and stakeholders. Work LocationHomebased (Nairobi) Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the lead United Nations agency for cities and human settlements. The agency 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 and sustainable development. The main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, the Habitat Agenda, the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and UN General Assembly Resolution A/56/206. UN-Habitat, being the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, has a role in delivering the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by Member States in 2015, specifically Goal 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2020-2025 reinforced UN-Habitat’s position as the global centre of excellence on sustainable urban development. Under Domain of Change 2, Outcome 3 focused on the “expanded deployment of frontier technologies and innovations for urban development”. And Domain of Change 3 focused on “strengthened climate action and improved urban environment”, a crucial pillar when considering the use and application of digital technologies to solve urban development challenges globally. Context setting: As our cities and towns expand at an unprecedented pace, they shape social, political, cultural and environmental trends worldwide. Sustainable urbanization has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century, with the urban population projected to reach two-thirds of the global total by 2050 – equivalent to six billion people. Cities drive economic growth, innovation, and service delivery, yet without proper planning, they can also exacerbate inequality, pollution, and unsustainable practices. Rapid urbanization, digitalization, and climate change are three of the five defining megatrends of our time, presenting both opportunities and risks. While digital technologies can enhance governance, economic efficiency, and urban resilience, they also pose challenges related to data privacy, digital divides, and cybersecurity. Simultaneously, climate change is increasing the frequency of extreme weather events and straining urban infrastructure, disproportionately impacting vulnerable communities. To navigate these shifts, cities must adopt forward-looking strategies that integrate digital innovation with climate resilience and inclusive urban development. Recognizing this, UN-Habitat was mandated by 193 countries in 2023 to develop International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities, set to be approved in May 2025. These non-binding guidelines, aligned with the Global Digital Compact, provide a critical framework for shaping national and local smart city policies, ensuring that digital urban infrastructure and data systems promote sustainability, inclusion, and human rights, and that the ethical and effective use of digital tools in urban governance also encompasses environmental sustainability, resilience, and crisis management. By addressing these interconnected challenges holistically, cities can become drivers of positive transformation, leading the way towards a more sustainable and equitable future. Recognizing these challenges, UN-Habitat has been mandated by 193 countries to develop International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities, set for adoption in mid-2025. These non-binding guidelines, aligned with the recently adopted Global Digital Compact, will provide a shared framework for national and local governments to integrate digital technologies into urban planning and governance in ways that prioritize sustainability, inclusion, and human rights. Under UN-Habitat’s People-Centred Smart Cities flagship programme, local governments and stakeholders will receive support in shaping digital and smart city policies that align with these global principles. With cities accounting for more than 70% of global CO2 emissions, choices that will be made on urban infrastructure in the coming decades – on construction, housing, energy efficiency, power generation and transport – will have a \"tremendous influence on the emissions curve.\" Cities must therefore act decisively to combine the willingness, resources, and tools needed to adapt to the current climate crisis. Municipal leaders are increasingly linking climate actions plans with digital solutions as part of mitigation and adaptation strategies. However, recognizing the potential of digital technologies to support climate action in municipal plans requires that climate policies are complemented with appropriate digital governance frameworks, to ensure that local governments are well prepared to develop mitigation and adaption plans that leverage digital solutions and data. Against this backdrop, UN-Habitat is developing a new playbook which will serve as a practical reference for local government officials and other urban stakeholders, offering guidance to cities using digital tools and data to become more climate adaptive and responsive to current and future challenges. As part of a broader set of tools under the International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities, it will provide policymakers and practitioners with key mechanisms to leverage digital innovation for climate-proofing cities, ensuring they are more sustainable, inclusive, and future-ready. UN-Habitat’s People-Centred Smart Cities Flagship Programme and Guidelines Following the adoption of the Strategic Plan 2020-2025, UN-Habitat has established a flagship programme on people-centred smart cities to become an umbrella and enabler for mainstreaming digital technologies and urban innovation into UN-Habitat’s work globally. In 2023, UN member states passed a resolution requesting UN-Habitat to develop International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities, which are due to be adopted in mid-2025. The objectives of the flagship programme and the guidelines are to ensure that smart cities development ensures sustainable development outcomes aligned with human rights, including ensuring that no one and no space is left behind, and that cities reduce carbon emissions. The flagship focuses on three key outcomes: (1) Digital policy transformation; (2) financing digital urban innovation; and (3) digital empowerment and capacity building. Consequently, a set of tools, playbooks and programmes were developed to respond to an increasing need for capacity in the nexus of digitalization and urban transformation, including: - 7 playbooks on reducing the digital divide and increasing capabilities and capacities of local governments in managing people-centred smart cities effectively. - Training programs that strengthened capacities of many cities. - A project on climate-smart cities and four system demonstrators, paving the way for key lessons on applying innovative methods to achieve climate-neutral and smart cities. - The United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities, which leads the development of unique digital solutions for local and national governments. - UN-Habitat’s International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities. - Many publications, such as “Accelerating sustainable urban futures: a practical guide for challenge-driven innovation in cities” (2025); “World Smart Cities Outlook” and “Global Assessment of Responsible AI in Cities” (2024); “Global Review of Smart City Governance Practices”, “AI & Cities: Risks, Applications and Governance” and “Mainstreaming human rights in the digital transformation of cities” (2022). Qualifications/special skillsA first-level university degree in environment and/or climate change, economics, social sciences, technology, urban development and/or applied computer science is required. At least 5 years’ experience working in the field of digital transformation processes in urban areas and climate-smart city solutions. Substantial knowledge of best practices in the area of smart cities, climate resilience, and sustainable urban digital transformation. Significant experience of developing policies, strategies, guides and toolkits is highly desirable. Substantial experience desired in developing and implementing capacity building programmes, delivering training, public speaking and organizing workshops. Experience working with and advising cities and local governments on smart cities, digital transformation, digital rights, innovation and frontier technologies is highly desirable. Experience working with and advising multilateral organizations, in resource mobilization, and in establishing partnerships is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. 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.