Consultant for SDG Localization and Local Government

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, commonly known as UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Established by the UN General Assembly, UN-Habitat's mission is to provide adequate shelter for all and to coordinate activities in the field of human settlement development. The organization is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and operates in numerous countries worldwide, focusing on enhancing urban development and improving living conditions. UN-Habitat plays a pivotal role in collaborating with local and regional governments, and its strategic initiatives are guided by resolutions endorsed by member states, such as the recent Resolution on Localizing the SDGs. The agency's 2026-2029 Strategic Plan emphasizes participatory governance and SDG localization as key components of its mission, aiming to impact the lives of one billion people across 50 countries and 1000 cities by promoting transformative change in urban environments.

Job Overview:
The consultant will work under the guidance of the Human Settlements Officer, contributing to the enhancement of the project’s analytical outputs by integrating relevant geospatial data and mapping products. The role is crucial for advancing the objectives of the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team within the Global Solutions Division of UN-Habitat. The consultant will be responsible for assessing, visualizing, and utilizing disaggregated geospatial data pertinent to Bishkek, which includes administrative boundaries, land use, building footprints, population density, urban services, and infrastructure networks. This position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including national and municipal institutions, to access supplementary datasets and ensure the effective communication of insights through professional-grade maps and visual materials. The consultant will also contribute to the development of a repository of GIS layers relevant to the SDG localization process, thereby supporting evidence-based decision-making and urban development initiatives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's duties include:

• GIS and Technical Support: a. Review and extract relevant spatial and thematic data from existing documents, reports, and datasets. b. Interpret and organize relevant spatial and thematic data into GIS-compatible formats. c. Develop professional-grade maps and visual materials to effectively communicate key insights and support the project’s objectives. d. Integrate geospatial outputs into the ongoing analysis being developed by the project team. e. Develop a metadata summary of all used spatial datasets to ensure transparency and reproducibility. f. Provide technical recommendations for improving municipal geospatial infrastructure based on gaps identified during the analysis. g. Facilitate consultations or working sessions with local government or national GIS/data agencies, as needed, to validate and enrich spatial data. h. Contribute to building a small repository of GIS layers relevant to the SDG localization process in Bishkek.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in socio-economic development, urban planning, geography, architecture, cartography, or a related discipline relevant to spatial analysis and international development. Additionally, a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in GIS analysis, spatial data management, map production, and geospatial support for urban development or humanitarian projects is required. Experience working in Bishkek, particularly in support of urban planning or spatial monitoring frameworks, will be highly valued. Proficiency in using GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS and handling geospatial datasets in a development context is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree in a relevant field such as socio-economic development, urban planning, geography, architecture, cartography, or a related discipline is required for this position. This educational background is essential for understanding the complexities of spatial analysis and international development, which are critical to the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant working experience in GIS analysis, spatial data management, map production, and geospatial support for urban development or humanitarian projects. Experience specifically in Bishkek, especially in urban planning or spatial monitoring frameworks, is highly valued and will enhance the candidate's suitability for the role.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy role. Knowledge of another UN official language is considered an asset, which may enhance communication and collaboration within the international context of the United Nations.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of two months. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Furthermore, the UN does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.