Partnership and Resource Mobilization Specialist Consultant – SDG Cities

Result of ServiceUltimate result of service Under 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 the following objectives: i) Expansion and consolidation of the SDG Cities Global Initiative and its partners’ network; ii) Mobilization of resources for the SDG Cities Initiative and UN-Habitat’s Teams involved in its implementation; iii) Implementation of the SDG Cities Global Community; iv) Implementation of advocacy and communication strategy for SDG Cities. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration12 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 support the scale-up of the UN-Habitat SDG Localization and specifically SDG Cities’ partners’ network. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: Expanding the SDG Cities Initiative partners’ network by focusing on cities, local governments and their networks, and local stakeholders. Leading engagement with foundations, businesses and private sector entities, including the development of an engagement strategy and action plan. When necessary, supporting engagement with National Governments, UN Agencies and other International Organizations. Identify and mobilize resources toward the work of UN-Habitat on SDG Localization and SDG Cities. Working with UN-Habitat’s sections, regional and country offices to transfer knowledge, mobilize partners and support outreach at the regional and country level related to SDG Cities and SDG Localization. Developing, planning and implementing the activities of the SDG Cities Global Community, including the development of a fully-fledged communications and advocacy strategy for 2025-2026. Providing technical expertise for the planned update for the SDG Cities website including the identification and update of content, in coordination with the communication team and in liaison with the web designers. Providing technical expertise to review and update the SDG Cities approach and methodology, in line with UN-Habitat's corporate approach to SDG Localization. Working with the communication teams to develop graphic, outreach and branding material for SDG Cities and its Global Community. Working with the advocacy teams to identify partnership opportunities and develop and implement SDG Cities’ events roadmap. Supporting the preparation of events and workshops, including preparing background material, mobilizing partners, and delivering presentations on assigned topics/activities relating to the SDG Cities and SDG Localization. Developing, updating and managing an internal list of contacts for the Team. Drafting tailored partnership proposals, engagement strategies and related supporting material. Contributing to the preparation of various written outputs, e.g. draft background papers, concept notes analytical notes, talking points, sections of reports and studies, inputs to publications that relate to SDG Cities. Preparing agreements, ToRs, travel arrangements etc. in support of project implementation. Reporting Line This post is located the Global Solutions Divisions of UN-Habitat 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 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 (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Political Science, Social Sciences, Business and Economics, Development Studies, Communications, or other relevant area is required. A minimum of two (5) years of relevant working experience on issues related to partnerships, resource mobilization, donor relations, business and economics, and project management is required. Working experience on the Agenda 2030 and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. LanguagesFluency in English for this specific consultancy is required. 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.