Project Support Consultant

Result of ServiceUnder the guidance and supervision of Human Settlements Officer (SDG localization and local government) the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: i) Project Support in Eastern Europe and Central Asia; ii) Monitoring, Progress Tracking, and Knowledge Management within the context of the global activities and projects led by the SDG localization team. 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 on specific activities related to UN-Habitat's SDG localization team projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Project Support in Eastern Europe and Central Asia • Support coordination with local consultants and city officials on project implementation, including documentation, meeting follow-ups, and progress tracking. • Assist with the review and editing of draft VLRs, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat methodologies and standards. • Support the organization of stakeholder consultation forums, training sessions, and workshops (online and in-person), including agenda drafting, presentation slides development, logistical coordination, and summary reporting. • Provide background research and mapping of key stakeholders, policies, and practices relevant to SDG localization in selected cities. • Contribute to the documentation of lessons learned and emerging good practices from project cities, feeding into regional knowledge exchange activities. 2. Monitoring, Progress Tracking, and Knowledge Management • Develop and maintain simple tracking tools to monitor progress of project activities, including city engagement, VLR milestones, and deliverable timelines. • Collect and consolidate inputs from local consultants and city counterparts for internal reporting and donor updates. • Support the organization and documentation of biweekly calls with consultants and focal points, summarizing action points and follow-up items. • Assist with the compilation of progress reports, analytical summaries, and knowledge products (e.g., lessons learned, short case examples). • Maintain an organized database of project documents, including VLR drafts, translations, stakeholder inputs, and design materials. Reporting Line This post is located in the Global Solutions Division 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 the supervision of the Director of 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 urban planning, sustainable development, public and international affairs or other relevant area is required. A minimum of one (1) year of relevant working experience on issues related to sustainable development, urban planning, local development, and project management is required. Proven experience in project support is desired. LanguagesFluency in English and Russian is required 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.