Result of Service

The ultimate result of this consultancy is to provide a coherent, understandable final draft of the Strategic Plan 2026-2029, its implementation guidance and monitoring framework in the language style common to UN and UN-Habitat presented to the Governing Bodies of UN-Habitat.

Work Location

Home-based

Expected duration

8 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the UN agency for human settlements. 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. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly (June 2023), member States committed to convening, in 2025, a resumed regular second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly to adopt the UN-Habitat strategic plan for the period 2026−2029 (SP2026-2029). Accordingly, UN-Habitat’s preparation of the strategic plan for the period 2026-2029 is currently underway. The Strategic Plan 2026-2029 and its supporting documents will be developed through a consultative process, in an open and inclusive manner. The development process will be guided by lessons learned and recommendations from consultations, assessments, and evaluations such including through indepth consultations with Member States, United Nations Development System entities, UNHabitat personnel and partners on lessons learnt both in terms of the preparation of the last Strategic Plan, its substance, and the modalities to support its implementation. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Strategic Planning and Monitoring Branch, and also the Secretary of the Strategic Plan Task Force (SPTF), the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Support the drafting of inputs and content of the SP2026-2029 and its supporting documents: its implementation guidance and monitoring framework drawing on all relevant inputs from UN-Habitat, Member States and other stakeholders; 2. Undertake continuous revision and updating of the draft SP2026-29 based on feedback and inputs received from UN-Habitat, member States and other stakeholders; 3. Support the presentation and review of the SP2026-29 and its supporting documents at various forums and platforms as requested; 4. Substantively support all meetings of the SPTF and dialogues with the Member States, UN System, and other stakeholders – online, and when required, in person; 5. Integrate the notes of the deliberations of the SPTF and other relevant meetings into coherent drafts of various stages of the strategic plan; 6. Liaise with the Secretary of the task force seeking clarifications of ambiguous meanings in the notes; 7. Verify and properly include references to other documents as mentioned in the draft; 8. Guide and verify language editions of the documents ensuring that the language edits do not change the meaning of the elements of the document; 9. Contribute to the preparations of implementation guidance and monitoring framework corresponding to the SP2026-2029.

Qualifications/special skills

A minimum advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in sustainable urban planning, urban governance, or a related field in development studies, international relations, business administration, or geography, is required. 7-years relevant experience in sustainable urban development is required. Experience in coordinating and drafting UN-Habitat and/or other UN/integovernmental reports on sustainable urban development is required. A proven track record publishing in development assistance for sustainable development of human settlements and published papers on the related themes is required. Demonstrable relevant knowledge of sustainable urban development issues is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in spoken and written English is required. Experience of other UN languages is an added advantage.

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.