Finance and Local Resource Development National Consultant

Result of ServiceThe Finance and Local Resource Development Consultant will play a crucial role in the successful execution of Urban Development Interventions to Promote Investments, Smart Applications and Livable Dahab City funded by the Islamic Development Bank and executed by UN-Habitat in partnership with the Ministry of Local Development (MOLD). The primary purpose of this consultant is to present diverse business models for participatory and blended financing mechanisms for local development and growth, including applications of Islamic finance. It also seeks to identify the available potentials in local communities and effectively utilize them to achieve sustainable development. The study endeavors to understand the nature of human, natural, and economic resources in the targeted area and analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with them. Additionally, it focuses on developing innovative strategies to maximize the utilization of these resources, contributing to improved service levels, job creation, and support for local economic growth. The study includes developing mechanisms to enhance partnerships among various sectors—public, private, and community-based—to ensure integrated developmental efforts. Furthermore, it addresses ensuring efficiency in resource allocation, reducing waste, and achieving social equity while meeting the needs of the population. Ultimately, the study aims to provide practical and sustainable solutions that strengthen local communities' capacity for self-reliance and foster comprehensive and integrated development. Work LocationCairo, Egypt Expected duration6 months (Part-Time) Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Setting UN Habitat is the United Nations Agency for Human Settlements mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and to foster collaboration between urban actors. Its aim is to create inclusive, resilient, and equitable urban spaces with the mission to improve the living conditions of people in urban areas to achieve sustainable development. Background Urbanization is a key driver of development, and cities are seen to be on the frontline of many of the global challenges the world is currently facing. In Egypt, 75% of the GDP is generated in urban areas and 80% of the jobs are in existing cities. However, unplanned urbanization and rapid encroachment the valuable agricultural and desert land surrounding cities and rural settlements result in rapid growth of informal, unplanned urban expansion. Over 16 million urban inhabitants live today in informal and unplanned settlements around urban areas. Moreover, urban population in Egypt is not evenly distributed among its cities, 96 percent of total population lives on 4 percent of the total national area, while the remaining percentage spread on 96 percent of the total inhibited area. This lead to more imbalances where 68 percent of the total population are living in three regions, Greater Cairo Region, Alexandria and Delta; representing 1.8 percent of Egypt’s total area, while 77 cities comprise 4 percent of the urban population. Urban planning and management plays an important role in ensuring urbanization values are optimized, captured, and fairly distributed among urban and rural population. In Egypt, efforts to improve urban planning and management practices varies largely in their nature and effectiveness. The Ministry of Housing, Utilities and urban communities plays an effective role in guiding policies and programmes to improve urban development tools and programmes. In 2024, the UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Local Development (MOLD) signed a new project titled Identification of Priority Urban Development Interventions to Promote Investments, Smart Applications and Livable Dahab City. The project is Funded by the Islamic Development Bank and aims to inclusively improve the livelihood and living conditions for the population of Dahab city through identifying, prioritizing and advancing urban and social development interventions and improving urban governance. Reporting Line Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Urban Development Programme manager, in coordination with the Ministry of Local Development. Duties and responsibilities The consultant will undertake the following duties and responsibilities: 1. Assessing the Financial and Administrative Status of Local Resource Development: 1.1. Analyze local revenue sources, assets, and income from local projects 1.2. Review the financial structure of South Sinai and Dahab to identify strengths and weaknesses. 1.3. Assess local expenditure patterns and revenue optimization. 1.4. Identify funding gaps and barriers to efficient resource management. 1.5. Evaluate the efficiency of revenue collection and local resource management systems. 1.6. Propose financial and administrative strategies to optimize local revenues by leveraging available resources and asset management. 1.7. Recommend policies that promote environmental and financial sustainability through local resource development. 2. Analyzing Available Funding Opportunities and Applying Islamic Finance to Priority Projects (in coordination with feasibility and legal studies experts): 2.1. Assess funding programs and opportunities suitable for proposed projects from government, private sectors, and commercial banks, including international organizations. 2.2. Explore Islamic finance options (e.g., Sukuk, Mudaraba) and evaluate their suitability for priority projects. 2.3. Build strategic partnerships with Islamic finance institutions to support projects. 2.4. Align funding strategies with the city’s urban development and sustainability goals to improve city competitiveness. 3. Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships for Priority Projects Projects (in coordination with feasibility studies experts): 3.1. Evaluate investment opportunities and facilitate public-private collaboration for priority projects in coordination with economic feasibility experts. 3.2. Engage the community in supporting local development initiatives. 4. Flexible Financial Business Model Supporting Efficient Management of Priority Projects (in coordination with feasibility studies experts): 4.1. Designing an Innovative Financial Model for Priority Projects 4.2. Develop a blended finance models for priority projects combining public, private, and community resources. 4.3. Design strategies for long-term financial sustainability of priority projects, focusing on self-generated revenues 5. Capacity Building: 5.1. Train local personnel and enhance the capabilities of executive bodies on local resource management and finance opportunities for development priorities. 5.2. Develop training materials. 6. Supporting Smart Applications Integration in priority projects: 6.1. Identify technical challenges hindering the integration of smart solutions for local resource management 6.2. Develop a comprehensive strategy to integrate smart applications into resource and service management for proposed priority projects. 6.3. Support local authorities in adopting smart management systems for local resource management Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, management, finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • At least 5 years of experience in local development and resource management is required • Experience in project finance is required • Experience with Islamic finance or digitization with its various applications is desirable • Experience with international organizations and previous work with local government agencies or national counterparts is desirable. LanguagesFluency in both oral and written Arabic and Basic English is required. 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.