Finance Consultant

Job Posting Organization:
The job posting organization is UN-Habitat, which is a United Nations program focused on promoting sustainable urban development. Established in 1978, UN-Habitat aims to improve the quality of life in cities and communities by providing policy advice, technical cooperation, and capacity building. The organization operates in over 90 countries and employs thousands of staff members, working towards the mission of ensuring that all people have access to adequate housing, basic services, and sustainable urban environments. UN-Habitat's strategic plan for 2026-2029 emphasizes the importance of localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering participatory governance to empower vulnerable populations.

Job Overview:
The Finance Consultant position is integral to the implementation of the Finance component of the Partnership Platform for Localizing the SDGs in Tunisia. This initiative, a collaboration between UN-Habitat and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security, aims to mobilize and deploy SDG-aligned financing to catalyze impactful territorial investments. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including the Tunisian government and pilot municipalities, to assess local financial capacities, identify revenue gaps, and develop strategic recommendations for enhancing local governance and services. The role requires a deep understanding of local finance mechanisms and the ability to facilitate workshops and dialogues that support the alignment of national financing instruments with local development priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Finance Consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Assessing the local finance of four pilot municipalities, focusing on their financial capacities, revenue streams, and fiscal frameworks.
• Analyzing recent studies on local and national finance to develop strategic recommendations.
• Preparing and facilitating workshops to present assessment findings and address technical gaps.
• Mapping and assessing existing national-to-local financing mechanisms, organizing meetings with relevant stakeholders.
• Supporting institutional dialogues and technical workshops to harmonize national financing instruments with local needs.
• Providing technical recommendations to optimize the performance and alignment of financing mechanisms with SDG localization.
• Designing and delivering capacity-building workshops for partnering cities on project design and implementation.
• Operationalizing the scaling up of the SDG Cities approach for national resources.
• Conducting high-level assessments of project pipelines, including costing and revenue estimates. 1
• Assisting local and national partners in designing funding strategies and connecting them with financing sources.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in finance, economics, or a related field. A minimum of 5 years of experience in finance, local affairs, and development project management is required. Familiarity with the UN system and experience working with Tunisian government institutions in finance and local affairs is highly recommended. Strong analytical skills and the ability to develop strategic recommendations based on financial assessments are essential.

Educational Background:
The position requires a Master’s degree in finance, economics, or a related discipline. This educational background is crucial for understanding complex financial systems and developing effective strategies for local financing.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in finance, particularly in local finance and development project management. Experience working within the UN system and with Tunisian governmental institutions is highly valued, as it demonstrates familiarity with the local context and operational frameworks.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written Arabic and French is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of English is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international stakeholders and enhance the consultant's ability to engage in broader discussions regarding SDG localization.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for 12 months, and the consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Head of the UN-Habitat Tunisia office. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a fair and transparent hiring process.