Consultant at The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)

DURATION: 6 months

CLOSING DATE: 13 May 2018

BACKGROUND

Federal Ministry for Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), of the Federal Republic of Germany is supporting implementation of the project: “URBAN PATHWAYS: Supporting Low Carbon Plans for Urban Basic Services in the context of the New Urban Agenda.” Led by UN-Habitat, the project is being implemented by a consortium of partners that includes, the Wuppertal Institute of Climate, Energy and Environment and UNEP.   

The Urban Pathways project will help delivering on the Paris Agreement and the NDCs in the context of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. It will establish a facility in close cooperation with other organisations and networks such as ICLEI and C40 active in this area to support national and local governments to develop action plans and concrete implementation measures to boost low-carbon urban development. This will build on UN-Habitat’s role as “a focal point on sustainable urbanization and human settlements including in the implementation and follow-up and review of the New Urban Agenda” (reference: Art .171 of NUA). The overall outcomes of the project include national action plans and local implementation concepts in key emerging economies with a high mitigation potential (India, Brazil, Kenya and Viet Nam). The plans will include an assessment of the political, technological, socio-economic and financial viability. The local implementation concepts will be developed into bankable projects, focusing on the access to urban basic services to create a direct link between climate change mitigation and sustainable development goals. This process will then be replicated regionally with policy development and implementation support and advice on stakeholder engagement and financing mechanisms. 

The project will achieve its outcomes through the following outputs (work packages):   

1. Inform (WP1): The first level of engagement will aim to reach a large number of local and national policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders and NGOs to raise awareness of the mitigation potential of urban energy efficiency, mobility and waste management strategies and show how an integrated approach to urban development can deliver on the New Urban Agenda, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals. 
2. Inspire (WP2): This Work Package will actively train local and national policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders and NGOs and involve them in a structured capacity building program on the mitigation potential of sustainable urban basic services measures.
3. Initiate (WP3):  Building on the “Inform” and “Inspire” work packages, WP3 will facilitate the preparation of policy proposals based on the NUA as well as commitments under the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030. This WP will also establish twinning partnerships between cities.  
4. Implement (WP4): This Work Package will focus on developing feasibility studies and implementation plans for at-least four pilot cities. The aim is to ensure that bankable and implementation-ready projects – demonstrating alignment with the NUA, respective country NDCs and the SDGs – are developed in the pilot cities.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

Key responsibilities and tasks of the Regional consultant are outlined below:

• Review the existing NDCs and current action plans with particular reference to transport but also on energy and the resource sector;
• Undertake dialogue with government on NDCs and sector policy and action plans to improve access to basic services;
• Facilitate workshops and wide stakeholder consultations;
• Develop at least 2 substantial project proposals focussing on improving access to transport in consultation with Government Counterparts and in collaboration with other UN agencies;
• Contribute to preparing technical materials (tool kits, guides etc)
• Compile Monthly Project Progress Reports (Africa Region).     

The above comprise a board description of tasks. The consultant is expected to be adaptive, responding to changing situations in project countries and regions and take on other responsibilities particularly in the area of urban mobility.    

COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism: High level of expertise in the area of urban mobility with demonstrated capacity for intellectual leadership and innovative and creative thinking. Professional competence and conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments while observing deadlines and achieving results.
• Communications: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language to transport related project partners; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping colleagues informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; 
• Planning & Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies of the work on urban mobility; identifies priority activities and assignments for the unit; adjusts priorities as required; allocates the appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost, and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules.

EDUCATION

• Advanced University degree (Masters or Equivalent) in Urban or Regional Planning or a first degree with the relevant combination of professional and academic qualifications.

QUALIFICATION

• At least ten (10) years of relevant experience in research/capacity building; policy analysis or urban basic services.
• Demonstrated Knowledge and competence in areas of climate change mitigation; Paris Agreement; New Urban Agenda; SDGs. 
• Knowledge of UN policies and procedures is an advantage.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this assignment, fluency in oral and written English is essential.

OTHER SKILLS

• Experience with government institutions is an asset.
• Understanding of diverse institutional cultures and the specific needs and conditions of low-income residents, slum-dwellers, NGOs and Municipalities involved in addressing the urban mobility needs of the poor. 
• Ability to communicate with donors, partners and senior management.
• Sound judgment, analytical skills, networking and interpersonal skills, ability to plan and organize work.
• Good report/project writing skills.

REMUNERATION

The payment schedule with corresponding outputs in more detail are described in below:

Payment Stage, Conditions & Amount of Payment (USD)

• First: Signature of contract, submission and acceptance of work plan and inception report = 4,000
• Second: Submission and acceptance of monthly report for the month of May, June and July 2018 and outputs produced during this period = 12,400
• Third and Final: Submission and acceptance of monthly report for the month of May, June and July 2018 and outputs produced during this period. Submission and acceptance of at-least two project concepts. = 12,400 Total = 28,800