Consultant for UN-Habitat

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, commonly known as UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. Established by the UN General Assembly, its mission is to provide adequate shelter for all and to improve the quality of life in urban areas. UN-Habitat operates in numerous countries around the world, focusing on various aspects of urban development, including housing, urban planning, and sustainable development. The organization is dedicated to fostering partnerships with governments, civil society, and the private sector to achieve its goals. It employs a diverse workforce of professionals and experts in urban development, planning, and related fields, working collaboratively to address the challenges of urbanization globally.

Job Overview:
The consultant position is situated within the Planning, Finance & Economy Section of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) under the Global Solutions Division (GSD) of UN-Habitat. This role is crucial for strengthening the field presence and enhancing government relationships and partnership coordination for UN-Habitat's EUNDICI and JSB operations in the Dadaab–Hagadera Municipality. The consultant will be responsible for ensuring that stakeholder engagements are well-documented and that timely contextual data is collected to support project implementation and reporting requirements. The position involves facilitating workshops and training sessions that advance the objectives of both projects, thereby contributing to the overall mission of UN-Habitat in promoting sustainable urban development.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will have a range of responsibilities, including:

• Maintaining regular engagement with the Dadaab–Hagadera Municipality, Garissa County Government, and DRS; facilitating coordination meetings, preparing minutes, and tracking follow-up actions for both projects.
• Serving as the day-to-day liaison with the JSB implementing partner, tracking field activities, and flagging operational risks and issues to the Project Manager.
• Representing UN-Habitat in relevant Dadaab sector coordination forums, including the Shelter/NFI and Infrastructure clusters, while maintaining an updated partnership contacts and activity log.
• Collecting and compiling contextual field data, community feedback, access conditions, local market updates, partner activity, and emerging risks to inform and adapt project implementation.
• Facilitating multi-stakeholder planning and validation workshops for both EU-funded projects, including logistics, participant mobilization, agenda preparation, and documentation.
• Organizing community co-design sessions for JSB flood protection infrastructure and flood-resilient shelter prototypes, ensuring inclusive participation of women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and the elderly.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is considered an added advantage. Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of urban development issues and possess the ability to engage effectively with various stakeholders in a multicultural environment. Additionally, candidates should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Urban Planning, Geography, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred and will enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role. The educational background should provide a solid foundation in urban planning principles, development theories, and social sciences, equipping the candidate with the necessary skills to address complex urban challenges.

Experience:
A minimum of 3 years of field-based experience in humanitarian, development, or displacement-affected settings in Kenya is required. This experience should include direct involvement in project implementation, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with government entities and local communities. Candidates should demonstrate a proven track record of working effectively in challenging environments and managing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is required for this position. Additionally, knowledge of Somali or Swahili is considered a strong advantage, given the working context in Dadaab. Proficiency in these languages will facilitate better communication with local stakeholders and enhance the effectiveness of project implementation.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the consultancy is 6 months, and the position is based in Dadaab, Kenya. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. It is important for applicants to be aware that the UN does not request information regarding applicants' bank accounts.