Housing and Human Settlements Analyst

Result of ServiceThe consultant shall: • Formulate, review, adjust and present technical documents related to housing and urban planning programmes in the framework of the IDSF project in coordination with key partners and stakeholders; • Identify, prioritise and design housing and/or urban development project profiles to promote integrated urban actions in cities; • Support the planning and development of training and capacity building instruments on adequate housing, land, basic services and urban planning as required. • Accompany and/or lead face-to-face/virtual meetings with key partners for the implementation, management and monitoring of the IDSF project.Carry out and lead capacity building processes required during project development. • Support the identification and formulation of UN Habitat initiatives and project portfolios in the region on housing and urban development issues, etc. • Support the peer review of specialized documents on housing and human settlements in the region. • Participate in UN Habitat communities of practice and internal sessions on adequate housing issues. Work LocationBogotá, Colombia Expected duration3 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBACKGROUND In an increasingly urbanizing world, displacement is becoming an urban phenomenon, with most of the 59.1 million internally displaced people globally1 seeking refuge in cities rather than in camps, hoping for better access to services and livelihoods. However, massive, or rapid influxes of people in cities, especially when caused by crises, comes with challenges for governments, particularly local governments. Colombia, since more than a decade and in a consistent pattern, has been recognized as one of the countries with more displaced people, due to the complex phenomenon of political and social internal conflicts, the agrarian conflict, the confrontation between state armed forces, guerrillas and paramilitary groups, the consolidation and strengthening of narcotraffic across the country escalated in intensity and violence, forcing millions of people to flee their lands and homes. According to information from the Victims Unit, more than 8.4 million people have been displaced in Colombia since 1985, and over 6.8 million internally displaced persons (IDP) still require assistance and reparations. The vast majority of the IDP population has not yet overcome their vulnerable condition and therefore requires a progressive and accelerated move towards lasting solutions to their situation. Given the prolonged displacement situation and potential opportunities to accelerate an agenda for internal displacement solutions, Colombia has been identified as a prioritized country by the Special Advisor for Solutions, appointed by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, with the aim of mobilizing additional efforts to support institutions in advancing towards solutions. This interagency project will support and empower the Government of Colombia in formulating a short- and medium-term strategy of durable solutions with a territorial approach aimed at sustainably responding mass, protracted, and permanent internal displacement issues, thus, striving toward overcoming the Unconstitutional State of Affairs declared by the Constitutional Court since 2004. The strategy operates on two crucial fronts. First, it will assist the Government in defining and planning specific actions to address the complexities of displacement in Colombia with a territorial approach; second, active support will be provided to identify and coordinate actions towards lasting solutions in 3 targeted territories. RESPONSIBILITIES a.) Information and validation: • The consultant will be responsible for keeping the HUB Coordinator informed and having to obtain validation of his/her activities in the full project cycle. b.) Development: • Generate monthly progress reports of the consultant team. • To attend the technical meetings necessary to comply with the objectives and scopes defined for the Project. • Represent UN-Habitat when expressly delegated as required. • Provide information to UN-Habitat with respect to any impact that may arise from the process of execution of the Project or consultancy. • Participate in events or meetings proposed by UN-Habitat related to the Project. • Identification of key stakeholders to carry out and enhance the project's objectives. • Technical/institutional coordination with relevant stakeholders involved in the development of the project. • Carry out a systematization of all the components and other activities developed during the consultancy. • Provide guidelines from a global vision with emphasis on international experiences that promote the achievement of the objectives and results proposed. • Provide support in the incorporation of guidelines promoted by the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Habitat workplan on durable solutions. • Consolidation and presentation of results and progress before the different spaces required by UN-Habitat, including those discussions derived from the exchange of experiences and knowledge developed within the agency. • Provide inputs for the systematization of the processes carried out and the exchange of successful practices and experiences with other HUBs in the region, headquarters branches, counterparts and whoever the HUB Coordinator designates. • Support other activities requested by mutual agreement with the UN-Habitat HUB Coordinator for the Andean countries, in the Andean countries, within the framework of the present consultancy and without detriment to the achievement of its responsibilities. c.) Approval: • The consultant will be responsible for supporting compliance with project approval processes, as well as monitoring the development and implementation of programs and projects. d.) Implementation: • Attend the technical (virtual/in presence when required) meetings needed to meet the scopes and objectives defined for the consultancy. • Provide inputs for technical instruments and for the systematization of the processes carried out and exchange of practices and successful experiences with other HUBs in the region, with headquarters branches, counterparties and who appoints the UN-Habitat HUB Coordinator for Andean countries. • Follow up technical guidelines determined by the Project Coordinator and Coordinator HUB Andean Countries. • Comply with the schedule of activities according to the guidelines of the HUB Coordinator. • When it is necessary to provide accompaniment to the UN-Habitat Coordinator and/or team in the establishment of communication with counterparties and stakeholders. e.) Knowledge Management: • The consultant must know the processes, procedures, and standards of the organization, to ensure an adequate quality of the activities described above according to the standards of the organization. • Propose formats and procedures that allow the efficient implementation of the Agency's projects. • The consultant must know the file system of the projects and ensure their proper maintenance, accessibility for all officials and the proper updating. • Design methodologies for the systematization of good practices and knowledge, related to the implementation of the projects and cooperation activities of the UN-Habitat Colombia Office. • Support the formulation of substantive documents linked to the thematic lines of action of UN- Habitat Colombia. • Prepare reports and other documents related to meetings, missions and activities developed by the national UN-Habitat Office. • The consultant will carry out research activities to facilitate the exchange of information, knowledge and best practices on the sustainable urban development issues set out in the Agency's mandate. • Collect information on the urban status in the Andean Countries that serves as an input both for the identification of new project opportunities and for the implementation of the subscribed projects. • Support monitoring of UN-Habitat's implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDP) Target 11 dealing with sustainable cities and communities. • Identify strategic allies for the implementation of the New Urban Agenda in Andean countries. • Manage knowledge networks for the dissemination of the methodologies and documents generated by the agency, as well as the consolidation of a strategic allies red to generate new knowledge on topics related to sustainable urban development. f.) Others: • Other activities requested and by mutual agreement with the HUB Coordinator of The Andean Countries of UN-Habitat, within the framework of this consultancy and without prejudice to the achievement of its responsibilities. • The consultant will participate in work and follow-up meetings, both with other consultants, as well as with the coordinator and team of the Andean Countries HUB of UN-Habitat and with the staff of the projects. • The consultant shall be responsible for ensuring that all activities comply with the principles of United Nations integrity. Qualifications/special skillsProfessional in areas related to Architecture, Urban Development, Social Sciences, Economics and/or related fields, with postgraduate studies in Urban Planning, Sustainable Development, Human Settlements, Public Policies, Urban Development and/or Management; or additional three (3) years of experience relevant to the position would be accepted in lieu of the postgraduate degree. Minimum three (3) years of professional experience and at least two (2) years of specific experience in projects related to housing, human settlements and/or urban development management in one of the Andean countries. Previous experience in the United Nations System and/or experience related to housing and vulnerable population projects in Colombia will be highly valued. Good handling of technological tools, and commercial packages e.g., Microsoft Windows, Office and Internet, Geographical Information Systems, Managing ERP systems will increase the score. LanguagesThe language of the consultancy is Spanish and English, other official languages of the United Nations will increase score. 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.