Research Expert Consultant

Result of ServiceUltimate result of service Under the guidance and supervision of the SDG Localization Team’s Coordinator and in close collaboration with the counterparts in Åland, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) research and knowledge creation for the research paper and the content for the toolbox. Under the supervision of the Young Gamechangers Initiative Programme Manager, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) assessing and enhancing youth engagement; (ii) developing comprehensive research. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration4 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 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2015, 193 Member States, convened at the Global Summit on Sustainable Development to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, the Brazil-promoted Resolution on Localizing the SDGs received wide consensus and was co-sponsored by twelve other countries. UN-Habitat is the UN focal point for work with local and regional governments and the custodian of the New Urban Agenda and has been at the forefront of SDG Localization since the very endorsement of the 2030 Agenda. Building on its operational capacities and technical leadership, the Agency developed the most integrated approach to localizing the SDGs in the UN system. UN-Habitat collaborates with the Government of Åland Islands to implement the Everyone Can Flourish philosophy, building on the sustainable development vision and philosophy of the autonomous region. The collaboration will contribute to realizing the potential of Everyone Can Flourish as a transversal cultural change that connects existing global initiatives linked to SDG localization and that can be mainstreamed in other parts of the world. Everyone Can Flourish idea, governance model and its application can become an important enabler of inclusive sustainable development at scale in cities, regions, and countries, and contribute to creating more inclusive, peaceful and just societies. The collaboration seeks to: (i) facilitating further development of the Everyone Can Flourish idea, concept and governance model through co-creation and research; (ii) Providing a platform for information about the ‘Everyone Can Flourish’ idea and concept as well as the associated governance model; (iii) Contributing to the global post 2030 Agenda debate as well as to the global post-GDP discourse; (iv) Stimulating an international ‘Everyone Can Flourish’ movement of interested governments, intergovernmental organisations, NGOs, youth organisations and academia. The Everyone Can Flourish idea and the associated governance model have been developed with Åland as an incubator and are described in the report ‘Everyone Can Flourish on the Islands of Peace - Åland Voluntary Review 2024’. The intention is now to analyse, further develop and describe the philosophy and governance model from an international perspective, so that the concept can be used in other cities, regions and countries around the world. A white paper, handbook or equivalent is planned to emerge from the knowledge development process in 2025. The present position will support project implementation in close collaboration with the working team, formed by UN-Habitat and the Government of Åland, and will be responsible for leading research and knowledge creation through co-creation with key partners. Additionally, the consultant will contribute to the research and monitoring of the Young Gamechangers Initiative (YGI). Duties and Responsibilities The consultant’s main responsibilities are clustered in two pillars. First, to support the activities of the Everyone Can Flourish project between UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments team and the Åland Island, specifically in terms of research and knowledge creation. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: Lead research and knowledge creation for a research paper in coordination with partners. Prepare the content for the toolbox website. Second, to support the Young Gamechangers Initiative, with the following duties: Assessing and Enhancing Youth Engagement: Continuously evaluating governance, digital engagement, and inclusive public spaces with a particular focus on young women, and developing strategies to enhance youth participation in these areas across different countries. Developing comprehensive research frameworks that address youth and governance, alongside contributing to the design of educational curriculums that support the initiative's goals. Reporting Line This post is located under the Global Solutions Division of UN-Habitat and specifically within its SDG localization and local governments team. The incumbent will work in close collaboration with the Government of Åland as the co-lead of the project. The incumbent will work part-time under the leadership of the Coordinator of the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team and the Young Gamechangers’ programme manager. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in planning, public policy, and management, connected to the fields of creativity and innovation, international development, urban planning, and policy, human geography, statistics, or other related fields is required Ph.D. is preferred. At least five (5) years of experience working in the field of sustainable development and policy is required. Working experience on the Agenda 2030 and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. Experience working in city systems and planning roles. Experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and youth focussed training. Excellent research skills are an asset. Experience and knowledge of young people, health and well-being, and research are required. LanguagesFluency in English 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.