Urban Finance Consultant

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, UN-Habitat aims to provide adequate shelter for all and is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities related to human settlement development. The organization operates globally, with a significant presence in over 30 countries, working closely with local and regional governments to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UN-Habitat has been at the forefront of SDG localization since the endorsement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and it plays a crucial role in supporting cities to create integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs. The agency's mission is to enhance the quality of life in urban areas by fostering sustainable urban development and improving urban governance.

Job Overview:
The Urban Finance Consultant will play a pivotal role in the development of a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) for Moscow, contributing to the assessment of the city's progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The consultant will work under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer in the Planning and Finance Section (PFS) of UN-Habitat, collaborating closely with the UN-Habitat office in the Russian Federation. The primary functions of this position include conducting a comprehensive review of Moscow's public finance registry, integrating spatial finance data, and analyzing financial patterns to identify gaps in infrastructure delivery mechanisms. The consultant will also be responsible for drafting high-quality technical inputs and ensuring stakeholder validation of the findings. This position requires a strong analytical background and the ability to synthesize complex financial datasets into actionable insights that will guide urban planning and financing decisions in Moscow.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key duties, including:

• Conducting a thorough review of Moscow's public finance registry to compile and classify capital infrastructure investments from the last three financial years.
• Coordinating with municipal departments to identify geographical locations of major capital assets and structuring this data into a geo-referenced spatial matrix for thematic mapping.
• Analyzing expenditure concentrations to identify priority spatial patterns and existing financing gaps relative to SDG implementation targets.
• Preparing high-quality technical inputs, including graphs, tables, and narrative texts for the financial sections of the VLR and its background SDG Discussion Papers.
• Refining data layers based on feedback from UN-Habitat review teams and government counterparts.
• Engaging with stakeholders to validate findings and ensure diverse perspectives are reflected in the VLR.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in Economics, Public Policy, Public Finance, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree. Strong analytical skills are essential, with the ability to synthesize complex municipal financial datasets and translate them into policy-relevant documents and visual heatmaps. Experience in Own Source Revenue and/or municipal finance is required, along with relevant experience in the Russian Federation and Moscow being desirable. Familiarity with SDG-related work, urban sustainability reporting, or VLR/VNR development is also advantageous.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in a relevant field such as Economics, Public Policy, Public Finance, Political Science, or Development Studies is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted if accompanied by additional qualifying experience. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of urban finance and public policy, which are central to the role of the Urban Finance Consultant.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of relevant work experience in public finance, public policy, or urban governance research is required. Candidates should have strong analytical skills and experience working with municipal financial datasets. Relevant experience in the Russian Federation and Moscow is desirable, as is experience in SDG-related work or urban sustainability reporting. Working with international development agencies, particularly the United Nations, is also beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required for this consultancy. Knowledge of the Russian language is desirable, as it would facilitate communication and engagement with local stakeholders in Moscow. Proficiency in both languages would enhance the consultant's ability to produce bilingual outputs and engage effectively with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
This consultancy position is based in Nairobi, Kenya, and is expected to last for a duration of two months. The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Planning and Finance Section (PFS) and will coordinate closely with the UN-Habitat office in the Russian Federation. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants are responsible for ensuring their medical fitness for the assignment, including any required travel.