Multilevel Governance Specialist

Result of ServiceUnder the guidance and supervision of Human Settlements Officer (SDG Localization and Local Governments Team) and the Director of the Global Solutions Division, the consultant will contribute to expanding the normative work on multilevel governance for the SDGs and operationalizing the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration6 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Background 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 Draft Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the 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) and its Urban Practices Branch (UPB). The GSD/UPB is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan, in coordination with Regional and Country Offices. 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 division coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team and leads the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat – based in Bilbao. UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG localization. Building on the agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across different levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation towards sustainability through the SDG Cities initiative; 2) supporting national governments to develop National SDG Localization Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs. UN-Habitat's global portfolio on SDG localization exceeds 30 countries, and it is delivered in coordination between UN-Habitat HQ, Regional and Country Offices, and the UNRCOs/UNCTs. Overall, it aims to inform and advance the work, mission and partners of the Local2030 Coalition. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant’s main responsibility will be to support the activities of UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, specifically on expanding normative work on multilevel governance for the SDGs and policy coherence for SDG localization. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: • Provide overall technical advice and recommendations on multilevel governance for the SDGs in all workstreams of the Team and particularly in relation to the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs. This includes, among others, the drafting and review of different documents, tools, reports, policy papers, concept notes, and proposals. • Lead content development of the Guidelines on National SDG Localization Frameworks. This will include: 1) proposed workplan and index; 2) desk review and analysis of existing content, research and publications; 3) analysis of existing case studies as well as operational work led by the United Nations and its partners at country level; 4) collection of information through interviews and consultations with relevant UN-Habitat colleagues and partners; 5) drafting and integration of comments from partners; 6) suggestions for graphic design. • Support the organization of meetings, consultations and workshops related to the development of the Guidelines, the process of the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs, and the wider work of UN-Habitat on multilevel governance and SDG localization. • Provide tailored technical advice to review tools, methodologies, capacity-building material in view of building the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs tools and capacity-building packages. • In coordination with relevant colleagues, support the review of documents developed by city and country partners and related to UN-Habitat’s country-level activities – such as reports, policies and draft National SDG Localization Frameworks. Reporting Line This post is located within the Global Solutions Division (GSD) and its Urban Practices Branch (UPB) and specifically within the 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 Director of the Global Solutions Division. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as other units, sections and offices across the agency. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in Public Affairs, Political Science, International Relations, 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 sustainable development and multilevel governance is required. Working experience on the 2030 Agenda and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. Previous experience with the United Nations will be an asset. LanguagesFluency in English is required for this 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.