Inclusive Housing and Urban Development Expert - Regional Coordinator

Result of ServiceThe Expert will support the co-development of localized housing profiles and policy recommendations in the three regional programme countries, working closely with national consultants and local stakeholders to ensure that interventions are contextually relevant and responsive to community needs. Work LocationTashkent, Uzbekistan Expected duration12 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesDuties and Responsibilities: The 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 housing 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, works across multiple levels of governance, including all spheres of government from national to local, civil society, and the private sector, to build, manage, plan, and finance sustainable urban development. It 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 and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat’s mandate on adequate housing stems from its role as the United Nations entity responsible for promoting sustainable urbanization and human settlements. Anchored in global frameworks like the Habitat Agenda, the New Urban Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 11.1: ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing), UN-Habitat works to address housing challenges worldwide. The agency supports governments in developing inclusive housing policies, strengthening legal frameworks, and fostering innovative financing mechanisms. Its interventions include technical assistance for social and affordable housing, capacity building for urban governance, promoting climate-resilient and energy-efficient housing, and advocating for housing as a human right. Through partnerships with stakeholders at all levels, UN-Habitat aims to advance equitable access to housing, improve living conditions for vulnerable populations, and integrate housing solutions within broader urban development strategies. UN-Habitat’s Land, Housing and Shelter Section (LHSS) is located in the Global Solutions Division and supports governments and key stakeholders in developing and implementing progressive housing sector reforms, policies, and legislation to create inclusive and sustainable cities that align with international law and the right to adequate housing. Through its expertise, the LHSS provides technical support for analysing housing sectors, reviewing legislation, and identifying barriers to affordable housing, while promoting sustainable construction practices and contributing to socio-economic development. The Inter-Regional Advisor for Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia plays a key role in advancing UN-Habitat's mandate in the region by supporting governments and stakeholders in addressing urban challenges, including housing, urban governance, and sustainable development. The Advisor provides strategic advice, facilitates partnerships, and promotes capacity building to help cities and communities navigate complex socio-economic and environmental transformations. UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan 2026 – 2029 focuses on delivering transformative change in cities and human settlements through a people-centered approach that prioritizes access to adequate housing, land, and basic services for all. Recognizing that sustainable urbanization is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda and other global commitments, the plan addresses global challenges across three impact areas: equitable and inclusive prosperity for poverty eradication; preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction; and environment and climate action. The overarching goal is to improve the lives of people, particularly those in informal settlements and slums and those impacted by crises and climate change, by increasing their access to housing, land, and services. This will be achieved through five key means of implementation: integrated urban and territorial planning and finance; participatory multi-level governance and SDG localization; enhanced knowledge, data, and capacity development; strengthened partnerships and advocacy; and effective resource mobilization. Each of these levers supports targeted outcomes and outputs designed to accelerate impact and drive sustainable, inclusive development in urban areas globally. RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the supervision of the Chief of the Land, Housing and Shelter Section, and with guidance and inputs from the Inter-Regional Advisor, and the Research and Advocacy Officer on Housing Rights, Diversity and Inclusion, the consultant will be responsible for the following: Strategic Engagement and Programmatic Coordination in Uzbekistan • Mapping of key stakeholders, initiatives, and coordination mechanisms in Uzbekistan. • Concept note and roadmap outlining UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities and programmatic engagement in the country. • Technical brief or background note supporting the integration of housing and urban development into national planning frameworks. • Stakeholder outreach and partnership facilitation with government and development partners. Capacity Building and Technical Support to National Consultants • Inception and orientation sessions for national consultants in each pilot country. • Ongoing coaching and periodic progress review sessions with national consultants. • End-of-assignment evaluation and knowledge sharing report capturing lessons learned. • Support to the onboarding process and quality assurance of outputs from national consultants. Localized Housing Profiles and Policy Recommendations • Methodological framework for developing housing profiles tailored to marginalized communities in the three pilot cities (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova). • Technical guidance and quality assurance notes for national consultants on data collection, community engagement, and policy formulation. • Support draft and final housing profiles and associated policy recommendations, reviewed and validated with local stakeholders. • Coordination with UN-Habitat officers and quality assurance of technical outputs from national consultants. Regional Knowledge Exchange and Peer Learning • Needs assessment for capacity building and peer learning in the region. • Organization and facilitation of at least one hybrid regional knowledge exchange workshop. • Summary report on good practices, challenges, and lessons from evidence-based housing policies. • Briefing notes and presentations for regional meetings or collaboration platforms. Advocacy, Visibility, and Resource Mobilization • Contributions to newsletters, web stories, and other visibility materials. • At least one concept note or proposal developed for resource mobilization aligned with project goals. • Preparation of talking points, background notes, or presentations for strategic meetings with partners and donors. Project Coordination, Monitoring, and Reporting • Oversight of project implementation across pilot cities; coordination of timelines and quality standards. • Monthly progress updates to LHSS and the Inter-Regional Advisor. • Contributions to interim and final narrative reports for the UN Development Account Tranche 16 project. • Final consolidated report summarizing achievements, challenges, and recommendations. • Maintenance of clear records of project activities, stakeholder engagements, and outcomes. Qualifications/special skillsAn advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in architecture, housing, urban planning, urban development and management, development studies, public administration, economy or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least five years of progressively responsible experience in urban development, with a focus on housing, urban, social, economic, or development issues. Proven expertise in housing and urban development is essential, along with strong writing skills and a solid understanding of urban development and sustainable development agenda issues. Knowledge of the socio-political and housing contexts in the EECCA region is an asset. Experience working with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or on urban-rural linkages and regional development is highly desirable. Familiarity with UN processes is an advantage. LanguagesEnglish is a working language of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of Russian or other regional language is an added asset. 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.