Legal and Institutional Expert

Job Posting Organization:
UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, is dedicated to promoting socially and environmentally sustainable urban development. Established by the UN General Assembly, it serves as the focal point for urbanization and human settlement issues within the UN system. UN-Habitat envisions cities and towns that are well-planned, well-governed, and efficient, ensuring adequate housing, infrastructure, and universal access to essential services such as water, energy, and sanitation. The organization has been actively involved in crisis response and post-crisis recovery efforts, particularly in Ukraine since 2023, where it supports sustainable urban recovery initiatives and national-level urban policy development.

Job Overview:
The position of Legal and Institutional Expert is crucial for conducting a comprehensive impact assessment of the Concept of the Urban Planning Code in Ukraine. This role involves evaluating the legal, institutional, financial, socio-economic, and environmental implications of the proposed Code, which aims to enhance urban planning processes and governance in Ukraine. The expert will leverage UN-Habitat's global expertise to ensure that the future Code is evidence-based and aligned with international best practices. The consultant will be responsible for providing recommendations that strengthen the design and implementability of the Code, ensuring it meets the needs of urban recovery and sustainable development in Ukraine.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will be expected to evaluate the legal and regulatory impact of the Concept, assessing its coherence with existing legislation and identifying areas for harmonization. They will also analyze the institutional and governance impacts, focusing on roles, capacities, and stakeholder engagement. Financial and economic assessments will be conducted to understand fiscal effects and funding mechanisms, while social and environmental impacts will be examined to ensure inclusivity and sustainability. The expert will identify potential risks and bottlenecks that may hinder compliance and enforcement of the future Code, and develop policy recommendations to enhance its feasibility and alignment with international frameworks such as the New Urban Agenda and SDG 1

• The expected outputs include a desk review, stakeholder consultations, an impact assessment report, and a final report with recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in law, urban planning, housing, public policy, governance, or a related field. A minimum of 7 years of professional experience in law, legislative drafting, or governance reform is required, preferably in post-crisis contexts. Proven experience in conducting legal impact assessments or regulatory analyses is essential, along with a strong understanding of spatial planning systems and urban recovery. Familiarity with Ukrainian governance structures or similar transition systems is advantageous. Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in both English and Ukrainian are mandatory.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree, either a Master’s or PhD, in relevant fields such as law, urban planning, housing, public policy, or governance. This educational background is critical to ensure the candidate has the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge to perform the duties effectively.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 7 years of professional experience in relevant fields, particularly in law, legislative drafting, or governance reform. Experience in post-crisis or transition contexts is preferred, along with a proven track record in conducting legal impact assessments or regulatory analyses. A strong understanding of spatial planning systems and urban recovery processes is also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Ukrainian is required for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is crucial for stakeholder engagement and reporting.

Additional Notes:
The assignment is fixed at three months with no possibility of extension or additional remuneration beyond the approved outputs. The work will be conducted under a home-based arrangement within Ukraine, but the consultant must be available for in-person coordination and meetings in Kyiv as needed. The position emphasizes professionalism, teamwork, and the ability to work independently under tight deadlines. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to UN-Habitat’s values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity.