Urban Biodiversity Expert

Result of ServiceProvide technical support on green public space biodiversity assessment projects for the Global Public Space Programme under the Planning Finance and Economy Section. Work LocationNairobi, Kenya Expected duration4 months (part time) Duties and ResponsibilitiesAbout UN-Habitat BACKGROUND UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable and resilient towns and cities. It is the focal point agency for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN- Habitat envisions well-planned, well-governed and efficient cities and towns, with adequate housing, infrastructure and universal access to employment and basic services such as water, energy, and sanitation. The Planning, Finance and Economy Section (PFES) of UN-Habitat supports countries in developing urban planning methods and systems that address current urbanization challenges. It promotes urban planning approaches to address urban expansion and transformation. UN-Habitat’s Global Public Space Programme works with national and local governments to improve public spaces globally. The objectives of the Programme are: To promote public space as an important element for creating sustainable cities, for improving the quality of life of urban citizens, and as a key lever in the implementation of the New Urban Agenda, continuing the dialogue following Habitat III and for monitoring the implementation of the SDG 11.7.1; To consolidate knowledge, good approaches, tools and methodologies on public space and make these accessible, particularly to local government partners; To engage the broader network of partners and public space practitioners in the global promotion of good policies and practice on public space; To demonstrate, through pilot projects and in partnership with cities, the importance of public spaces in achieving social, economic, environmental and other benefits to cities. Reporting and Communication The Urban Biodiversity Expert will be hired to collaborate closely with the Global Public Space Programme team of PFES. He/she will be reporting to the Programme Management Officer. Duties and Responsibilities Under the overall supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the consultant will be responsible for the following duties: The overall role of this Consultant is to provide technical support to the Global Public Space Programme, particularly in the implementation of the green public space biodiversity assessment in San Jose, Costa Rica. This includes coordination (with the local and national government representatives, UN Resident Coordinator, and local partners), desk research, organizing and facilitation of workshops, and report writing. The detailed duties will be the following: - Support the geo-analysis work under the Green Public Space Biodiversity Assessment in San Jose project. - Coordinate and conduct Trainings to implementing partners and local teams liaising with academia, local governments and relevant stakeholders. - Participate in and engage in workshops and meetings related to the project. - Produce technical and normative reports, including spatial strategy, situational analysis, and guidelines for green areas and associated public spaces. - Support preparation of maps, graphics and statistics through collection, compilation, spatialization, analysis and interpretation of spatial data. - Attend meetings and events promoted by UN-Habitat and partners to strengthen the Programme’s presence. - Be responsible for maintaining an organized and accessible information database related to the project. - Provide recommendations for improvement/scaling up of the tool at the global level and integration with Hotspot Stoplight Methodology. Qualifications/special skillsA university degree in Geography, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Planning, Urban Studies or related subjects is required. At least two (2) years of experience working in urban planning and design with knowledge in geospatial analysis, mapping and cartography using GIS and CAD tools is required. Experience and knowledge of data gathering, digitizing, cleaning, visualisation, analysis, management and report production is required. Knowledge in urban biodiversity is desirable. Experience in organizing and facilitating workshops is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this advertised position fluency in English and Spanish is required. Knowledge in another UN language is desired. 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.