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CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 21 January 2015
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
DURATION:
CLOSING DATE:
UN-Habitat
International Consultant –
Assistant Project Coordinator
6.5 months
28 January 2015
Background
The ToR has two components divided over a) the regional and b) the national levels. The
regional component is within the Programme Division and the regional/national component is in
the Regional Office for Africa.
a)
Regional State of the Cities Reports
Since 2007, UN-Habitat has been preparing regional ‘state of the cities’ reports analyzing urban
trends and conditions from a regional perspective with a view to promoting sustainable human
settlements development. Since 2008, reports have been published for the Africa (2008, 2010 &
2014), Arab States (2012), Asia/Pacific (2011 & 2015 forthcoming), European in Transition
(2013) and the Latin American/Caribbean (2010 & 2012) regions.
The overriding aim of these regional reports is to compile region-specific knowledge towards
achieving sustainable human settlements development; improving urban governance; and
enhancing urban economic performance. This is achieved through analyses of national and
regional urban physical structures, by reviewing urban policies, strategies and governance
capacities and their effectiveness, as well as by identifying policy and capacity voids in the light
of existing trends and conditions. These regional reports also aim at identifying newly-emerging
conditions that require policy-makers’ attention and interventions.
A secondary objective is to achieve better-informed decision-making and policy formulation
capacities, targeting the regional, sub-regional, national and local levels through the provision of
analyses towards enhanced coherence of cooperation, particularly on territorial, social and other
issues of a trans-boundary nature.
A tertiary objective is to enhance overall understanding of cities as:
 the socio-spatial habitat for a growing majority of the global population,
 economic nodes with national, regional and global outreach, and
 geographical concentrations of people and assets exposed to vulnerability and risk.
By 2016, UN-Habitat envisages to prepare further regional reports for Africa, Asia-Pacific,
Europe and other major regions as consolidated substantive contributions to the Habitat III
Conference (operative paragraph 5 in GC24/14).
b)
Regional Office for Africa
The current UN-Habitat portfolio of activities in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Zambia is expanding.
Support is urgently needed by the Senior Human Settlements Officer based in the Regional
Office for Africa (ROAf) dealing with these countries, who is also the Focal Point in ROAf for
activities regarding disaster risk reduction, adaptation to climate change and urban resilience.
Tasks and Responsibilities
A.
Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the State of the Region’s Cities
Reports and in collaboration with various substantive units in UN-Habitat, the consultant will
participate in and contribute to the envisaged publication of the first State of European cities
report, the second Asia-Pacific and the fourth Africa report, and specifically:
1. Assist in coordinating, supervising, reviewing and analyzing the collection of data,
together with partner institutions within and outside the United Nations system by:
 Identifying subcontractors and research institutions to collect and analyze data,
provide policy and strategy papers and deliver white papers on urban and housing
trends
 Liaising with partners, coordinating and compiling provided data inputs from partners,
review and analyze these regarding usability for the reports
 Assisting in identifying gaps in information and data
2. Contribute to research, editorial reviews and writing by
 Researching issue-specific country and regional reports, as well as other
assessments and reports elaborated by UN agencies and/or academia
 Conducting any other research connected to the regional reports
 Reviewing data submitted by statistical institutions and other entities involved in
drafting the report
 Reviewing and writing draft sections
3. Provide support in project management through
 Budget management and monitoring of project implementation
 liaising with donors and partners
 preparing various project reports as requested, i.e. project status reports and fiscal
reports
 drafting cooperation agreements
 organizing expert groups meetings and editorial board meetings
 supporting the launch of the publications at different venues
B.
Under supervision of the Senior Human Settlements Officer (SHSO) in the Regional
Office for Africa, the consultant will be responsible for providing substantive and administrative
support in the implementation of UN-Habitat projects primarily in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia and
Ethiopia, as well as in the field of risk reduction, climate change and resilience, through:
 Monitoring specific aspects of programme/project implementation
 Liaising with relevant parties/branches and represent the SHSO in relevant meetings
while on mission
 Identify and track follow-up actions whenever needed in the different HQ
branches/offices
 Contributing to regular reporting activities both to donors and internally (i.e. within the
UN-Habitat and the UN Secretariat)
 Supporting the preparation of Terms of Reference to recruit individual consultants
and Agreements of Cooperation with Implementing Partners, and to address related
administrative issues
 Reviewing/editing substantively relevant documents and reports, as required
 Draft briefing notes when requested by the ED or DED offices
 Carrying out basic research on selected aspects of programmes, operations and
other activities
 Supporting programme development, including fund raising activities
 Undertaking field missions when needed, including provision of substantive and
administrative support to the respective programme/project.
Key competencies
Professionalism:
The candidate must have a demonstrable good understanding of urban development
processes, urban social issues, urban policy analysis and global urbanization issues. Proven
ability to produce reports and provide information in a timely fashion and tailored to a variety of
audiences. Proven ability to review and edit technical drafts and submissions. Flexibility, and
ability to work under pressure. Experience in collaborating with intergovernmental and/or UN
bodies would be considered an advantage. Working experience within multi-cultural
international institutions and with donor relations is desirable.
Communication: Proven ability to write and communicate clear and concise statements.
Judgement / Decision-making: Proven ability to make mature and calculated decisions. Must be
able to work independently under limited supervision.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economic Development, Social
Science, Urban Policy and Planning and/or other relevant discipline with a focus on governance
and human settlements is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years working experience at the international level in project management,
urban policy research and analysis is essential.
Language Skills
Fluency in English (written and oral), and knowledge of any other UN language will be an asset.
Other Skills
Familiarity with UN policies, procedures, particularly those related to procurement, recruitment
of consultants and drafting Agreements of Cooperation would be considered an asset. Proven
excellence in research and analytical skills and sound interpersonal skills are required.
Remuneration
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set
remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and
experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
Applications should include:


Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
o Educational Background (incl. dates)
o Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/
months)
o Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
All applications should be submitted via email to:
Ms. Monica Gakindi
UN-Habitat
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: monica.gakindi@unhabitat.org
Fax: + 254 20 7626749
Deadline for applications: 28 January 2015
UN-Habitat does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning
persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please
contact: recruitment@unon.org