BACKGROUND
The Terms of Reference have two components divided over a) the regional and b) the national levels.
The regional component is within the Programme Division and the regional/national component is in
the Regional Office for Africa.
Regional State of the Cities Reports
Since 2007, UN-Habitat has been preparing regional ‘state of the cities’ reports analyzing urban trends and conditions from a regional perspective with a view to promoting sustainable human settlements development. Since 2008, reports have been published for the Africa (2008, 2010 &2014), Arab States (2012), Asia/Pacific (2011 & 2015 forthcoming), European in Transition (2013) and the Latin American/Caribbean (2010 & 2012) regions.
The overriding aim of these regional reports is to compile region-specific knowledge towards achieving sustainable human settlements development; improving urban governance; and enhancing urban economic performance. This is achieved through analyses of national and regional urban physical structures, by reviewing urban policies, strategies and governance capacities and their effectiveness, as well as by identifying policy and capacity voids in the light of existing trends and conditions. These regional reports also aim at identifying newly-emerging conditions that require policy-makers’ attention and interventions.
A secondary objective is to achieve better-informed decision-making and policy formulation capacities, targeting the regional, sub-regional, national and local levels through the provision of analyses towards enhanced coherence of cooperation, particularly on territorial, social and other issues of a trans-boundary nature.
A tertiary objective is to enhance overall understanding of cities as:
· the socio-spatial habitat for a growing majority of the global population,
· economic nodes with national, regional and global outreach, and
· geographical concentrations of people and assets exposed to vulnerability and risk.
By 2017, UN-Habitat is preparing further regional reports for Africa and Europe.
b) Regional Office for Africa
The UN-Habitat portfolio of activities in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Rwanda is expanding.
Support is urgently needed by the Senior Human Settlements Officer based in the Regional Office for Africa (ROAf) dealing with these countries, who is also the Focal Point in ROAf for activities regarding disaster risk reduction, adaptation to climate change and urban resilience.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the State of the Region’s Cities Reports and in collaboration with various substantive units in UN-Habitat, the consultant will participate in and contribute to the publication of the first State of European cities report, the finalization of the second Asia-Pacific and the fourth Africa report, and specifically:
Assist in coordinating, supervising, reviewing and analyzing the collection of data, together with partner institutions within and outside the United Nations system by:
· Identifying subcontractors and research institutions to collect and analyze data, provide policy and strategy papers and deliver white papers on urban and housing trends
· Liaising with partners, coordinating and compiling provided data inputs from partners, review and analyze these regarding usability for the reports
· Assisting in identifying gaps in information and data
Contribute to research, editorial reviews and writing by
· Researching issue-specific country and regional reports, as well as other assessments and reports elaborated by UN agencies and/or academia
· Conducting any other research connected to the regional reports
· Reviewing data submitted by statistical institutions and other entities involved in drafting the report
· Reviewing and writing draft sections
Provide support in project management through
· Budget management and monitoring of project implementation
· liaising with donors and partners
· preparing various project reports as requested, i.e. project status reports and fiscal reports
· drafting cooperation agreements
· organizing expert groups meetings and editorial board meetings
· supporting the launch of the publications at different venues
B. Under supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) in the Regional Office for Africa, the consultant will be responsible for providing substantive and administrative support in the implementation of UN-Habitat projects primarily in Mozambique and Ethiopia, as well as in the field of risk reduction, climate change and resilience, through:
· Support the finalization of the Urban Risk Reduction and Resilience Building tool
· Supporting the coordination of the State of Addis Ababa 2016 report.
· Monitoring specific aspects of programme/project implementation
· Liaising with relevant parties/branches and represent the SHSO in relevant meetings while on mission
· Identify and track follow-up actions whenever needed in the different HQ branches/offices
· Contributing to regular reporting activities both to donors and internally (i.e. within the
UN-Habitat and the UN Secretariat)
· Supporting the preparation of Terms of Reference to recruit individual consultants and
Agreements of Cooperation with Implementing Partners, and to address related administrative issues
· Reviewing/editing substantively relevant documents and reports, as required
· Draft briefing notes when requested by the ED or DED offices
· Carrying out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and other activities
· Supporting programme development, including fund raising activities
· Undertaking field missions when needed, including provision of substantive and administrative support to the respective programme/project.
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism:
The candidate must have a demonstrable good understanding of urban development processes, urban social issues, urban policy analysis and global urbanization issues. Proven ability to produce reports and provide information in a timely fashion and tailored to a variety of audiences. Proven ability to review and edit technical drafts and submissions Flexibility, and ability to work under pressure.
Experience in collaborating with intergovernmental and/or UN bodies would be considered an advantage. Working experience within multi-cultural international institutions and with donor relations is desirable.
Communication: Proven ability to write and communicate clear and concise statements.
Judgement / Decision-making: Proven ability to make mature and calculated decisions. Must be able to work independently under limited supervision.
EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economic Development, Social
Science, Urban Policy and Planning and/or other relevant discipline with a focus on governance and human settlements is required.
WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of three years working experience at the international level in project management, urban policy research and analysis is essential.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Fluency in English (written and oral), and knowledge of any other UN language will be an asset.
OTHER SKILLS
Familiarity with UN policies, procedures, particularly those related to procurement, recruitment of consultants and drafting Agreements of Cooperation would be considered an asset. Proven excellence in research and analytical skills and sound interpersonal skills are required.
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant.
The fees will be paid as per agreement.
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
Educational Background (incl. dates)
Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
Expectations regarding remuneration
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
Please also be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
All applications should be submitted to:
Ms.Monica Gakindi
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: monica.gakindi@unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 29 February 2015
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org