Result of Service

Ultimate result of service Under the guidance and supervision of Human Settlements Officer (SDG localization and local government) and the Chief of the Urban Practices Branch, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: i) Knowledge management; ii) Communication and outreach; iii) Videography and graphic design within the context of the global activities and projects led by the SDG localization team.

Work Location

Home Based

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), it is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2015, 193 Member States, convened at the Global Summit on Sustainable Development to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are universal and relevant to all Member States, from both the global north and global south. As demonstrated in the past years of implementation, it is widely acknowledged that the local level and local action are critical for the overall success of the 2030 Agenda – the SDGs need to be localized. In this context, UN-Habitat has developed a comprehensive approach to support and empower local and regional governments to localize the SDGs, including: (i) Global Urban Monitoring Framework; (2) Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs); (3) SDG Cities Initiative; (4) Multilevel Governance for the SDGs; (5) Local 2030 Coalition. SDG Localization is considered one of UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities. In this sense, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, under the Urban Practices Branch, is mandated to coordinate the support towards local and regional governments and SDG localization within the Agency. To successfully deliver on the above-mentioned approach globally, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team works through four workstreams: (1) Technical assistance; (2) Learning and Capacity Building; (3) Political Engagement with Local and Regional Governments; (4) Advocacy and Communication. In addition, the team acts as technical focal point for the agency’s engagement within the Local2030 Coalition and directly coordinates the activities of the Local 2030 Knowledge and Scientific Network with relevant partners. UN-Habitat’s global portfolio on SDG localization is coordinated in HQ, but the delivery of the work is implemented in close cooperation with Regional and Country Offices, following the structure of the Agency. Collaboration with other units and teams within UN-Habitat is ensured to build on existing knowledge, practices and experience. Relations with external partners are also paramount for an inclusive and effective implementation of programmes, projects and initiatives, including other UN entities, international organizations, local government associations, academia and civil society. Reporting Line This post is located the Urban Practices Branch of UN-Habitat and specifically within its SDG localization and local governments team. The incumbent will be supervised by the Human Settlements Officer coordinating the work of the team, and under direct supervision of the Chief of the Urban Practices Branch. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as other units, sections and offices across the Agency. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant’s main responsibility will be to deliver on specific activities related to UN-Habitat’s SDG localization team projects. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Knowledge management • Provide technical and operation expertise to the team’s knowledge and communication activities including coordination with the UN-Habitat Communication team, relevant regional and country offices, other UN agencies and relevant partner organizations. • Create and update the team’s knowledge repository of key messages and corporate material on SDG Localization. • Review knowledge material for communication purpose, linked to SDG localization, VLRs and multilevel governance. • Update, maintain and develop content for the teams four existing websites and platforms. • Provide content as well as plan, develop and provide expertise to the update of the SDG Cities Website (https://www.sdg-cities.org/) in line with the Teams vision. • Update the Team’s lists of partners, donors and contacts associated with different areas of work. 2. Communication and outreach • Provide technical expertise on the promotion of major publications, events and other actives through communication materials (social media posts; flyers; online stories etc.) and coordinate its dissemination through the Team’s network and on UN-Habitat’s communication channels • Regularly update the communication strategy and calendar for each of the activities of the Team 3. Videography and graphic design • Develop graphic materials for reports, knowledge products, and online content developed by the team • Provide technical expertise to the scripting, filming, audio recording, editing and compilation of video content for use in events and social media • Plan, collect and edit short video testimonials from partners for outreach use. 4. Specific support to the Local 2030 Coalition Knowledge and Scientific Network • Provide technical expertise on the promotion of major publications, events, and other actives of the Local 2030 Knowledge and Scientific Network through communication materials (social media posts; flyers; online stories etc.) • Develop graphic materials for reports, knowledge products, and online content developed by the Local 2030 Knowledge and Scientific Network. • Develop and regularly update the communication strategy and calendar for the Local 2030 Knowledge and Scientific Network.

Qualifications/special skills

University Degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, Urban Studies, Social Sciences, Communications & Media, Development Studies or other relevant area. Required. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience on issues related to sustainable development, urban planning, local development and project management. Required. Working experience on the Agenda 2030 and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued.

Languages

Fluency in English is required for this specific consultancy. Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.