Senior Stakeholder Engagement Consultant

Result of ServiceEnhanced and inclusive stakeholder engagement strategy for WUF13 is developed and implemented, leading to increased participation, relevance, and ownership of the WUF by diverse stakeholder groups. Work LocationHomebased-Remote Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote social and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination, and poverty. The World Urban Forum (WUF) is a premier conference on housing and sustainable urban development and UN-Habitat’s largest platform for stakeholder consultation. As per the General Assembly mandates of WUF, it serves as a platform where experts convene and deliberate on matters of sustainable urban development. The thirteenth session of WUF (WUF 13) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan (17-22 May 2026) on the theme of “Housing the World: Safe and Resilient Cities and Communities”. UN-Habitat is launching a Stakeholder Engagement Initiative for WUF13 that seeks to mobilize diverse actors, co-create meaningful contributions, and strengthen follow-up and sustained engagement between sessions of WUF. Sustained consultations will be held with specific stakeholder groups towards WUF 13. UN-Habitat seeks the services of a senior expert to provide strategic support stakeholder mobilization and engagement towards WUF 13. The consultancy position is in the External Relations Strategy Knowledge and Innovation Division and seek to support the conceptualization and operationalization of UN-Habitat’s stakeholder engagement roadmap toward WUF13 and beyond. Under the overall supervision of the Director of the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge & Innovation Division (ERSKID), the consultant will perform the following duties: 1. Lead the design and execution of a stakeholder engagement track for WUF 13 and preparation of a corporate stakeholder engagement mechanism. 2. Provide strategic policy guidance and advise on WUF stakeholder engagement and partnerships, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026-2029, SDGs, and the New Urban Agenda 3. Design and lead implementation of inclusive stakeholder engagement processes, platforms, and events leading up to, during, and after WUF13 4. Design on performance measurement and impact indicators for WUF 13 stakeholder engagement roadmap and specific consultations tracks with major groups and stakeholders 5. Lead substantive and strategic review of WUF 13 sessions including Assemblies and Roundtables to ensure strategic relevance and high-impact outcomes aligned to the Forum’s theme and objectives 6. Lead substantive and strategic review and guidance of the substantive content and directions of pre-WUF 13 stakeholder engagement consultation session 7. Oversee substantive and strategic review and guidance of stakeholder inputs into WUF13 outcomes 8. Oversee consolidation of stakeholder inputs for the preparations of the Baku Call to Action including the work of the WUF Advisory Group that prepares the Call to Action 9. Consolidated diagnostics report on WUF stakeholder engagement (working with focal points of the major groups and stakeholder tracks) to identify key lessons, gaps, opportunities and future prospects 10. Develop a consolidated guide to sustain and institutionalize meaningful stakeholder engagement in WUF beyond WUF13, supporting long-term impact and collaboration 11. Develop a new UN-Habitat’s stakeholder engagement mechanism 2026-2029 drawing on the WUF 13 experiences and stakeholder inputs Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree in business administration, management, economics, international relations, business administration, research, urban planning and architecture, mass media and communication, sociology, project management or related field is required. A minimum of10 years of experience in urban research, data, partnerships and advocacy is required. Proven track record in stakeholder engagement and partnership building at the international level is desirable. Proven track record in dealing with different constituencies and delegations, member states, civil society organizations, the private sector, etc is desirable Proven track record in dealing with different urban related challenges within the context of partnership engagement is desirable. Knowledge of sustainable urban development and related issues is desirable. Experience in the context of the UN system is desirable. Ability to work effectively in a team, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced multicultural environment is desirable. LanguagesFluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. 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.