National Consultant for Bangladesh Sinking Cities Project

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is a regional development arm of the United Nations for the Asia-Pacific region. Established in 1947, ESCAP aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic and social development in the region. It operates in 62 member states and 9 associate members, focusing on various issues including sustainable development, disaster risk reduction, and climate change. ESCAP works closely with governments, civil society, and the private sector to address regional challenges and foster cooperation among member states.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the Confronting the Silent Crisis of Asia-Pacific’s Sinking Cities initiative in Bangladesh. This initiative addresses the urgent issue of land subsidence, which poses significant risks to urban areas, particularly in the context of rapid urbanization and climate change. The consultant will be responsible for collecting and analyzing data, engaging with government stakeholders, and applying a standardized assessment and monitoring framework to enhance urban planning and resilience. The overarching goal is to integrate land subsidence considerations into urban governance, water resource management, and disaster risk reduction processes, thereby strengthening local capacities and promoting sustainable urban development.

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

• Conducting a country-level scoping and data review to summarize national context, data availability, and institutional arrangements related to land subsidence.
• Providing technical inputs for city-level diagnostic assessments, including data compilation and policy review.
• Designing and delivering capacity-building workshops and consultations in the pilot city, and preparing reports that capture feedback and recommendations.
• Supporting the translation of diagnostic assessments into actionable planning decisions, including land-use planning and infrastructure prioritization.
• Reviewing existing land subsidence monitoring mechanisms and proposing enhancements to improve data collection and analysis.
• Piloting a land subsidence monitoring system in the selected city, defining indicators and institutional roles, and supporting the initial deployment of the system. All outputs must be delivered to the project manager in appropriate formats, and stakeholder consultations will be conducted in accordance with local COVID-19 protocols.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in urban planning, geography, engineering, sustainable development, environmental sciences, social sciences, or a related discipline. Additionally, a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in sustainable urban development, water resource management, climate adaptation, or related fields is required. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in applied research, technical assistance, and policy analysis, particularly in urban and environmental systems. A proven track record of working with government entities on development projects, experience in designing diagnostic frameworks, and proficiency in geospatial analysis are also essential qualifications.

Educational Background:
The position requires an advanced degree (Master’s Degree) in relevant fields such as urban planning, geography, engineering, sustainable development, environmental sciences, or social sciences. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban systems and the challenges posed by land subsidence and climate change.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in areas related to sustainable urban development, water resource management, and climate adaptation. This experience should include working with national and subnational governments on development projects, particularly in infrastructure planning and environmental assessment. Familiarity with urban and regional development trends in Bangladesh or the Asia-Pacific region is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the region may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position is home-based and expected to last from 2 March to 30 November 202

• The consultant will engage in various modalities for stakeholder consultations, including in-person and virtual formats, depending on local circumstances and COVID-19 protocols. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and fair hiring process.