Consultant for Innovative Financing Mechanisms

Job Posting Organization:
The job is posted by UN-Habitat, the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, which was established in 197

• Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable urban development and to ensure adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat operates globally, focusing on urbanization and human settlement issues, and has extensive experience in urban development processes. The organization has been working for over forty years to address urban growth challenges and to provide solutions for sustainable urbanization. UN-Habitat collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, private sectors, and communities, to implement the New Urban Agenda and Sustainable Development Goal 11, which aims to make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. In Egypt, UN-Habitat has been active since 2005, providing technical support on urban issues and working on integrated urban planning and management.

Job Overview:
The consultant will be responsible for developing innovative financing mechanisms tailored to the local context of the Hayenna Project areas in Egypt. This role involves exploring various tools such as betterment levies, land value capture, and participatory budgeting while fostering collaboration among public, private, and community stakeholders. The consultant will also produce an implementation plan for a leading project related to local economic development in collaboration with the Local Economic Development (LED) consultant. The position requires a deep understanding of urban planning, financing, and service provision in Egypt, as well as the ability to analyze existing infrastructure provision and financing models. The consultant will work closely with local authorities and community members to ensure that the proposed financing mechanisms are inclusive and effective.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including: (a) Understanding the legal and institutional framework of urban planning and financing in Egypt; (b) Collecting and analyzing data on existing infrastructure provision and financing models; (c) Navigating detailed plans for assigned sites and listing included projects; (d) Estimating costs for infrastructure provision and public spaces; (e) Co-creating and evaluating potential scenarios for infrastructure provision and financing; (f) Defining business models and financing solutions for urban development; (g) Proposing organizational solutions for landowners to manage site development; (h) Developing a financial plan for localized projects; (i) Supporting local economic development initiatives; (j) Producing an action plan for a leading project; (k) Establishing a monitoring system for pilot projects; (l) Producing a manual for capital investment planning; (m) Building the capacity of local officials in infrastructure planning and financing.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, urban economics, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted. A minimum of five years of relevant practical experience in urban development, real estate development, and/or infrastructure execution planning is required. Familiarity with local administration units and local communities, as well as experience dealing with real estate and infrastructure developers, is essential. Experience in capacity building and a record of publications or research in related subjects are desirable.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, urban economics, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree may be accepted if combined with additional qualifying work experience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant practical experience in urban development, real estate development, and/or infrastructure execution planning. Familiarity with local administration units and local communities is essential, as is experience in capacity building related to urban planning and development.

Languages:
Fluency in both oral and written English and Arabic is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is expected to last for a duration of one year and three months. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Local Development and Urban Economy Policies Programme Manager. The United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, and applicants should be cautious of any requests for personal financial information.