Result of Service

Under the guidance and supervision of the Head of the Secretariat, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) coordinate the working groups of the Local2030 Coalition (ii) coordinate the Expert Group Meeting on Finance for a Just and Green Energy Transition at the local level: and (iii) Further develop the Local2030 Coalition partnership with USAID.

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. The position is located in the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat in Bilbao, as part of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) within the Global Solutions Division. The Global Solutions Division (GSD) provides programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Urban Practices Branch (UPB) is the tools, methodology, production, and skills centre of the UN-Habitat that develops normative guidance and cutting-edge tools through its five sections and agency-wide communities of urban practice. It provides technical and policy advice approaches and methodologies to MCOs/CO, government and partners and mainstreams them throughout the programme portfolio. It also ensures that the cross-cutting area of safety and social inclusion issues, including human rights, gender, children, youth and older persons, and disability, are developed and mainstreamed across the Agency. The Local2030 Coalition is the UN system-wide mechanism to advance the crucial engagement of local stakeholders in a systematic way – a common space to mobilise, engage and empower every local actor, everywhere – towards achieving the SDGs. The Coalition is underpinned by the recognition that strategic and committed partnerships are key to ensuring coherence and effectiveness. Inside the UN system, the Local2030 Coalition aims to strengthen coordination between the UN entities’ efforts and expand and deepen their partnerships with local actors to advance the SDGs. The Coalition is co-chaired by UN-Habitat (as the permanent co-chair) and one other UN entity, which rotates every two years (currently FAO). UN-Habitat also leads the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition. The Coalition is governed by a Steering Committee and supported by a UN Directors’ Group, which includes senior representatives from various UN Agencies, Offices, Funds and Programmes. The Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) closely accompanies and supports the work of the Local2030 Coalition. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant’s main responsibility will be to deliver on specific activities related to coordinating collaborations, knowledge and normative development of the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat. Specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Working Groups of the Local2030 Coalition: • Develop Terms of Reference (ToRs) for the two working groups of the Local2030 Coalition on 1) how the six SDG transitions can be localized and 2) how the six SDG transitions can be financed at the local level. The ToRs must outline the mandate, objectives, functions, membership, composition, term of office, reporting procedure, frequency of meetings and governance. • Act as the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat focal point for liaising and coordinating with the members of the working groups, leading and organizing the initial launch of the working group meetings (first two months) and leading meetings related to the development of the TORs and work plans. • Develop a work plan for each of the two working groups, outlining the main responsibilities, deadlines and deliverables for 2024. • Attend the working group meetings as needed. • Coordinate the preparation of a report for the working groups, including lessons learned and good practices where they were applied. 2. Expert Group Meeting on Finance for a Just and Green Energy Transition at the local level : • Develop a concept note for the Expert Group Meeting, including participants, facilitators, agenda, etc., in consultation with the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat and the co-organizers. • Develop a work plan for the partnership, outlining the main responsibilities, deadlines and deliverables for 2024 (to accompany the MoUs with partner institutions). • Act as the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat focal point for liaising and coordinating with partner organizations and experts on the preparation of the Expert Group Meeting. • Coordinate the substantive planning and organization of the Expert Group Meeting on behalf of the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat. • Draft the report of the Expert Group Meeting, including key messages and action points. 3. Further develop the Local2030 Coalition partnership with USAID • Support the development of concept notes or detailed proposals for joint engagement at WUF12 in Cairo, Egypt (side events, training sessions, exhibitions, etc.) • Coordinate the drafting of good practices and guidelines on access to financing for local actors to advance the SDGs in collaboration the Planning, Finance and Economy Section team within UN-Habitat. • Draft a MoU between Local2030 Coalition and USAID to advance SDG localization globally and in selected countries. Reporting Line The position is located in the Local2030 Coalition Secretariat, as part of the Urban Practices Branch (UPB) within the Global Solutions Division. The incumbent will be supervised by the Programme Management Officer, and the Head of the Secretariat. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the Local2030 Coalition and key partners.

Qualifications/special skills

An advanced university degree in public affairs, political science, social sciences, urban studies, social sciences, development studies, or other relevant areas is required. A minimum of five (5) years of relevant working experience in research and knowledge and normative development (required). Working experience on the 2030 Agenda and the local implementation of the SDGs and issues related to sustainable development, urban planning, local development, and project management will be highly valued.

Languages

Fluency in English is mandatory for this specific consultancy. Required. 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.