Technical Urban Development Expert / Coordinator Consultant

Result of ServiceUnder the guidance and supervision of the Human Settlements Officer (SDG Localization and Local Governance) and the Chief of the Urban Practices Branch, the Technical Urban Development Expert/Coordinator will contribute to the following objectives: i) Design, adapt, and maintain innovative diagnostic and planning tools to support cities and local governments in SDG localization, including integration with digital platforms and emerging technologies; ii) Conduct technical review and quality assurance of key outputs such as VLRs, policy briefs, project deliverables, and knowledge products to ensure technical soundness and alignment with organizational standards; iii) Develop the capacity building framework for the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDG project by mapping existing tools and materials and preparing additional material. iv) Deliver capacity-building initiatives and training sessions to UN-Habitat Country Offices and partners. v) Lead the development, review, and alignment of methodologies for SDG localization, particularly the SDG Cities Methodology, ensuring coherence across UN-Habitat teams and initiatives; vi) Undertake research and analysis on innovative practices, tools, and methodologies, and monitor the impact of ongoing initiatives to inform continuous improvement; vii) Provide technical inputs and support to projects, partnerships, and proposals to ensure feasibility, quality, and alignment with UN-Habitat’s strategic approach; viii) Strengthen coordination and foster synergies with internal divisions, global partners, and local stakeholders to maximize impact and coherence in advancing SDG localization. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration12 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe 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 Technical Urban Development Expert/Coordinator will provide technical support to the SDG Localization and Local Governance Section. The expert will contribute to the development of methodologies, tools, and knowledge products; deliver capacity-building, and offer technical support across all projects of the Section, ensuring technical quality and alignment with UN-Habitat’s strategic objectives and ongoing activities. Specifically, the expert will be responsible for the following tasks: Tools Development, Support, and Upkeep Design and adapt innovative diagnostic and planning tools to support cities and local governments in SDG localization. Provide technical support, evaluation, and troubleshooting for existing tools and platforms. Coordinate with internal teams and external partners for tool maintenance, contracts, and integration into digital platforms and websites. Promote innovation and integration of emerging technologies (e.g., digital solutions, AI applications) into SDG localization tools. Methodology Development and Alignment Lead and contribute to the development, review, and continuous improvement of methodologies for SDG localization, particularly the SDG Cities methodology. Maintain coherence and consistency across methodologies developed by different teams and initiatives. Technical Review and Quality Assurance Conduct technical review and quality assurance of key documents (e.g., Voluntary Local Reviews, concept notes, project deliverables, policy briefs, and knowledge products). Provide clear feedback to ensure documents are evidence-based, technically sound, and aligned with organizational standards. Capacity-building Development Provide technical advice to the development of a capacity-building structure for the Partnership Platform project by mapping existing training materials, gaps, and opportunities to develop new materials. Support the design of presentations and training products for SDG Localization, including the technical tool offering of the team, including PowerPoint presentations, training agendas and evaluation questionnaires. Conduct capacity-building through training sessions to partners, country offices, and local governments. Research and Analysis Conduct research on innovative practices, methodologies, and tools to strengthen UN-Habitat’s offer in SDG localization. Monitor and assess the impact of tools, methodologies, and capacity-building efforts to inform continuous improvement. Project and Partnership Support Provide technical inputs to project design, workplans, and proposals to ensure feasibility and alignment with UN-Habitat’s strategic approach and in consultation with UN-Habitat’s Regional and Country Offices. Support the review of project deliverables, agendas, and outputs. Coordination and Internal Collaboration Foster synergies with other UN-Habitat teams, initiatives, and global partners to ensure coherence and maximize impact. Act as a focal point for coordination between the SDG Localization and Governance Section, other UN-Habitat sections, teams, and iniatiatives, as well as external stakeholders. Support cross-team collaboration and knowledge sharing within the organization. Reporting Line This post is located in the Global Solutions Division and specifically within its SDG localization and Local Governments Section. The incumbent will be supervised by the Human Settlements Officer coordinating the work of the Team and under direct supervision of the Directors of the Global Solutions Division. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as in coordination with other units, sections and offices across the Agency. Qualifications/special skillsA university degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or another relevant field is required. At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable urban development, project management, and multi-stakeholder coordination is required. Demonstrated expertise in participatory planning processes, SDG localization, and the development of methodologies, tools, and knowledge products. Proven ability to deliver data-driven outputs, technical reports, and awareness-raising materials aligned with the SDGs and related global and national frameworks. Prior experience with UN-Habitat and/or within the UN system, particularly in advancing the local implementation of the SDGs, will be considered a strong asset. LanguagesFluency in English is required for this specific consultancy. Knowledge of Arabic and French and any other 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.