Technical Urban Development Expert/Coordinator

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 agency operates globally, with a focus on enhancing the capacities of local and national governments in sustainable urban development. UN-Habitat's strategic initiatives are guided by its 2026-2029 Strategic Plan, which emphasizes participatory multilevel governance and SDG localization as key means of implementation. The organization is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and plays a pivotal role in fostering collaboration with local and regional governments, as well as their networks, to achieve sustainable urbanization goals.

Job Overview:
The Technical Urban Development Expert/Coordinator will play a crucial role in supporting the SDG Localization and Local Governance Section of UN-Habitat. This position involves designing, adapting, and maintaining innovative diagnostic and planning tools that assist cities and local governments in the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The expert will also be responsible for conducting technical reviews and ensuring the quality of key outputs, such as Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), policy briefs, and project deliverables. Additionally, the role includes developing a capacity-building framework for the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs, delivering training sessions, and leading the development of methodologies for SDG localization. The expert will engage in research and analysis to monitor the impact of ongoing initiatives and provide technical support to various projects and partnerships, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat's strategic objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Technical Urban Development Expert/Coordinator will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Tools Development: Design and adapt innovative diagnostic and planning tools for SDG localization, provide technical support for existing tools, and promote the integration of emerging technologies.
• Methodology Development: Lead the development and continuous improvement of methodologies for SDG localization, ensuring coherence across different teams and initiatives.
• Technical Review: Conduct technical reviews of key documents to ensure they are evidence-based and aligned with organizational standards.
• Capacity-building: Develop a capacity-building structure for the Partnership Platform project, conduct training sessions, and create training materials.
• Research and Analysis: Conduct research on innovative practices and monitor the impact of tools and methodologies.
• Project Support: Provide technical inputs to project designs and proposals, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat's strategic approach.
• Coordination: Foster synergies with other teams and external stakeholders to maximize impact and coherence in SDG localization efforts.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Urban/Regional Planning, Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, Public Policy, or a related field. Additionally, at least five 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 and tools is essential. Candidates should also have a proven ability to deliver data-driven outputs and technical reports aligned with the SDGs.

Educational Background:
A university degree in a relevant field such as Urban/Regional Planning, Architecture, Geography, Urban Studies, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Environmental Studies, or Public Policy is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban development and the implementation of sustainable practices.

Experience:
The position requires at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to sustainable urban development, project management, and multi-stakeholder coordination. Candidates should have a strong background in participatory planning processes and SDG localization, as well as experience in developing methodologies and tools that support these initiatives. Prior experience with UN-Habitat or within the UN system, particularly in advancing local implementation of the SDGs, is considered a strong asset.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this consultancy role. Knowledge of additional languages such as Arabic, French, or any other UN official language is considered an asset, enhancing the candidate's ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 12 months, and 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. This ensures that the recruitment process is fair and accessible to all qualified candidates.