Consultant for Municipal Finance and Business Licensing System

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, commonly known as UN-Habitat, is an agency of the United Nations established to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Its mission is to provide adequate shelter for all and to help the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, healthier, and greener places. UN-Habitat collaborates with various stakeholders, including government entities, civil society, and the private sector, to facilitate sustainable urban development. The organization has been operational since 1978 and has a global presence, working in numerous countries to enhance urban living conditions and governance.

Job Overview:
The consultant position focuses on developing a harmonized municipal finance and business licensing system aimed at improving local governments' revenue generation and financial management. The consultant will be responsible for creating a municipal finance booklet that provides clear, practical guidance for local government staff. This role requires extensive experience in municipal finance, particularly in revenue enhancement, budgeting, and financial control. The consultant will also work on standardizing business licensing processes to ensure efficiency and transparency across municipalities. The ultimate goal is to empower local governments in Somalia to better serve their communities and enhance their financial capabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Developing a manual for standardized business licensing processes, which involves reviewing current procedures, identifying challenges, and proposing improvements.
• Creating a municipal finance booklet that summarizes key municipal finance instruments and provides practical guidance for local government operations.
• Ensuring that the manual and booklet are user-friendly, incorporating visuals and templates to facilitate understanding and application.
• Conducting a validation meeting with local government stakeholders to ensure the relevance and applicability of the developed materials.
• Collaborating closely with the Dowlaadkaab Project Manager and national field staff to align the outputs with local needs and regulatory frameworks.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree in Public Finance, Economics, Public Administration, Local Governance, Urban/Regional Planning, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of relevant experience may be accepted. A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in municipal finance or public financial management is required. Experience in designing business licensing systems and translating government policies into operational manuals is highly desirable. A solid understanding of local government structures and fiscal systems, particularly in decentralized or post-conflict environments, is also important.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Public Finance, Economics, or Urban Planning is required. A first-level university degree with additional qualifying experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. This educational background ensures that the consultant has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills to effectively contribute to the project.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of seven years of professional experience in municipal finance, public financial management, or domestic revenue mobilization. Candidates should have a proven track record in designing or reforming business licensing systems and revenue administration procedures. Experience in translating complex government policies into clear operational guidelines is an added advantage, as is familiarity with local government fiscal systems in decentralized or post-conflict settings.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not specified as a requirement.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for four months and is home-based. The position does not involve any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants for applications, interviews, or training. This ensures that the recruitment process is accessible and equitable for all candidates.