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 is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, and operates in over 30 countries worldwide. The organization focuses on providing adequate shelter for all and coordinating activities related to human settlement development. UN-Habitat plays a crucial role in localizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and has been at the forefront of SDG localization since the endorsement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The agency collaborates with local and regional governments, as well as international partners, to enhance urban development and sustainability.

Job Overview:
The Urban Finance Consultant will play a pivotal role in supporting the development of Moscow's Voluntary Local Review (VLR) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This position involves working closely with the Head of the UN-Habitat Country Office in Russia and other stakeholders to ensure that the VLR aligns with UN-Habitat methodologies and the SDG Cities Assessment framework. The consultant will be responsible for producing a comprehensive SDG-aligned data system, conducting evidence-based policy analysis, and facilitating stakeholder engagement to capture diverse perspectives. The ultimate goal is to create a publication-ready VLR that reflects Moscow's progress towards the SDGs and provides actionable recommendations for urban planning and financing decisions. The consultant will also contribute to enhancing the institutional capacity of local authorities to manage SDG data and implement effective governance approaches for SDG localization.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant's responsibilities will include conducting a thorough review of Moscow's public finance registry to classify capital infrastructure investments, coordinating with municipal departments to geo-reference major capital assets, and analyzing expenditure concentrations to identify financing gaps relative to SDG implementation targets. Additionally, the consultant will prepare high-quality technical inputs for the financial sections of the VLR and its background SDG Discussion Papers, ensuring that all data layers are refined based on feedback from UN-Habitat review teams and government counterparts. The consultant will also engage with the Moscow Government Task Force and relevant stakeholders to ensure the successful integration of financial data into 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. The ideal candidate should have strong technical expertise in municipal finance, public finance, and infrastructure projects, along with demonstrated experience in SDG budgeting and spatial data analysis. Fluency in Russian is mandatory, and prior experience in collaborating with relevant departments and engaging stakeholders is essential. A solid understanding of the 2030 Agenda and SDG localization, including Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), is crucial for this role.

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 in lieu of an advanced degree if accompanied by two additional years of qualifying experience. Candidates should have a strong academic background that supports their understanding of urban finance and sustainable development.

Experience:
A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in public finance, public policy, or urban governance research is required. Candidates should have proven experience working with municipal governments, intergovernmental organizations, or international agencies on urban policy and sustainability. Experience in SDG-related work, urban sustainability reporting, or VLR/VNR development will be considered an asset. Familiarity with the Budget Code of the Russian Federation and municipal public financial management systems is highly desirable, as is experience working in the Russian Federation and Moscow.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Russian (written and spoken) is required for this consultancy. Knowledge of French is an asset, as English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Proficiency in computer programs such as Microsoft Excel and familiarity with spatial analysis and mapping tools is also necessary.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for three months, and the consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Head of Office in Moscow. The position requires the ability to work independently while coordinating effectively with a diverse range of stakeholders. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and candidates should be aware that the organization does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.