Knowledge Exchange and Innovation Expert Consultant

Result of ServiceUnder the guidance and supervision of the Human Settlements Officer (SDG Localization and Local Government) and the Chief of the Urban Practices Branch, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: i) Conduct a comprehensive review of existing methodologies and gather insights from internal and external stakeholders to inform the development of the SDG Cities Global Initiative methodology; ii) Develop a clear, step-by-step methodology for cities to participate in the SDG Cities Global Initiative, including key phases, milestones, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with national and global SDG reporting systems and adhering to UN standards for gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability; iii) Facilitate stakeholder review and consultations to validate the methodology and ensure inclusivity and applicability across diverse contexts, while coordinating with technical experts to align with broader SDG frameworks and global urban development agendas such as the New Urban Agenda and Urban Monitoring Framework; iv) Create supporting tools, templates, and training modules to aid city representatives in understanding and implementing the methodology, including diagnostic tools, monitoring frameworks, and reporting templates, while identifying and recommending additional resources to enhance the initiative’s implementation; v) Develop and implement capacity-building initiatives, including training programs, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions, to strengthen the ability of country offices and local/regional governments (LRGs) to localize and implement the SDG Cities Global Initiative, ensuring long-term knowledge transfer and institutional learning. vi) Produce a final, high-quality methodology document, complemented by supporting tools, annexes, and training materials, that is ready for use by cities and stakeholders to effectively implement the SDG Cities Global Initiative. Work LocationHome Based Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), it 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. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning and reporting as well as on multilevel governance for SDG localization. UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the corporate strategic focus on adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The position is located in UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division (GSD). The Global Solutions Division is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Global Solutions Division hosts the Local 2030 Coalition’s Secretariat and coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team. UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative (Flagship 5). The SDG Cities Initiative supports cities in creating integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs, ensuring cohesive and scalable urban development addressing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It does so by leveraging the potential of data for evidence-based decision-making, fostering cities’ access to finance, while building their overall institutional capacities. Building on the Agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across three levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation through SDG Cities; 2) supporting national governments to develop SDG Localization Country Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs; 3) advancing the global dialogue on SDG Localization through the SDG Cities Global Community and direct engagement within the main UN fora. UN-Habitat's vison on SDG Localization aims to impact the lives of 1 billion people by promoting transformative change in 50 countries and 1000 cities Duties and Responsibilities The consultant's main responsibility will be to deliver a methodology for the SDG Cities Global Initiative to support and guide cities through the process. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Research and Analysis • Conduct a comprehensive review of existing methodologies and best practices, including the Action-Oriented Voluntary Local Review (VLR) Methodology and other relevant frameworks. • Engage with internal and external stakeholders to gather inputs on expectations, lessons learned, and critical success factors for the initiative. 2. Methodology, Tools and Innovation • Draft a clear and comprehensive step-by-step process for cities to participate in and implement the SDG Cities Global Initiative. • Define key phases, milestones, and deliverables for cities as they progress through the initiative. • Integrate mechanisms for measuring progress toward SDG targets, ensuring alignment with national and global reporting systems. • Ensure the methodology is user-friendly, with a clear layout, accessible language, and a logical flow. • Ensure the methodology aligns with the UN’s standards for gender equality, inclusivity, and sustainability. • Design training materials and modules to help city representatives understand and implement the methodology. • Develop adaptable tools, templates, and guidelines to support cities in implementing the methodology (e.g., diagnostic tools, reporting templates, and monitoring frameworks). • Identify and recommend additional tools or resources that can be developed or adapted to facilitate the implementation of the methodology. • Review the SDG Cities tools in line with the principles of multilevel governance and policy coherence • Support in the digitalization of tools and methodologies by applying innovative technologies and AI tools • Digitalize the SDG Cities Methodology and ensure its integration within the SDG Cities website 3. Consultation and Alignment • Facilitate consultations with city governments, urban planners, UN agencies, and other relevant partners to ensure the methodology is inclusive and applicable across diverse contexts. • Organize and document workshops or webinars to solicit feedback on preliminary drafts of the methodology. • Coordinate with technical experts to ensure alignment with the broader SDG framework and other global urban development agendas (e.g., New Urban Agenda, Urban Monitoring Framework). 4. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer • Develop and deliver training, workshops, and knowledge-sharing sessions for country offices and local/regional governments (LRGs) to strengthen SDG localization efforts. • Create user-friendly training materials, toolkits, and guidance documents to ensure effective implementation and long-term knowledge transfer. Reporting Line This post is located in the Global Solutions Division and specifically within its SDG localization and Local Governments Team. The incumbent will be supervised by the Human Settlements Officer coordinating the work of the Team and under direct supervision of the Directors of the Global Solutions Division. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as in coordination with other units, sections and offices across the Agency. Qualifications/special skillsUniversity Degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, Urban Studies, Social Sciences, Communications, Development Studies or other relevant area is required A minimum of five (5) years of relevant working experience on issues related to project management, project development, sustainable development, urban planning, local development and project management, is required. Working experience within UN-Habitat and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. LanguagesFluency in English isrequired for this specific consultancy. Knowledge of another UN official language is an 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.