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CONSULTANCY JOB OPENING
Issued on: 3rd August 2016

BACKGROUND
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, 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. Planned cities are potential engines of economic growth that results in wealth creation, improved living standards and act as theatres of technological innovations. Urbanization is therefore one of the most important phenomena of the 21st century as it fosters economic growth and productivity growth but as a human construct, the process must be guided by well-constructed institutions in ways that makes our cities and towns work, to enhance employment generation and inclusive growth.

Structural transformation is the transition of an economy from low productivity and labor-intensive economic activities to higher productivity and skill intensive activities. The driving force behind structural transformation is the change of productivity in the modern sector, which is dominated by manufacturing and services. From recent structural change analysis, urbanization which involves rural-urban dynamics and movement from relatively high levels of agricultural labor force to urban manufacturing tend to contribute to rising GDP.  Second, structural change through an industrialization pathway implies the shift of resources from agriculture to manufacturing; and this process involves both labour and processing activities connecting urban and rural areas, and the dynamics that continues so far as the share of manufacturing continues to rise in overall GDP.  Third, in contrast to agriculture, urban industrial manufacturing pathways, for example, through cluster formation is a faster road to capital accumulation.

The structural transformation study identifies the pattern of shifts that has taken place in selected countries with regional comparatives and establishes the contributions each sector has made to the GDP of each country by the reason of the shift. The study will also examine the determinants of these contributions, the role of the state and policies and structural transformation in relation to urbanization, productivity growth, employment, poverty and inequality and industrialization.

The Consultant will be expected to work under the supervision of the Director, Regional Office for Africa.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the overall supervision of the Director, Regional Office for Africa, the consultant shall undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

• Conduct a state of the art review of structural change and development comparing Africa, Asia and Latin America;
• Provide substantive guidance in the development of Structural Transformation in Africa report methodology with special focus on employment, poverty, inequality, productivity, urbanization, prosperity, and social issues in selected cities.
• Work on the substantive content of the Structural Transformation in Africa Report.
• Work with the consultant conducting structural change statistical analysis to achieve a harmonized report;
• Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources; analyze data and information and prepare tables and graphs as material to support research work;
• Support the Director in carrying out research on selected themes including collecting, analyzing and presenting statistical data and other information gathered from diverse sources;
• Assist in preparation and substantive review of written outputs e.g. concept notes, background papers, technical papers, articles for various meetings, workshops and conferences, sections of reports and studies, and inputs to publications;
• Prepare technical notes on research topics, highlighting significant ideas and findings and proposing new research areas and material;

COMPETENCIES
Professionalism: Knowledge of concepts and approaches relevant to the communication sector and ability to conduct independent analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations.
Communication: Excellent oral / communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare and edit a variety of written documents, reports and briefs.
Planning and organizing: ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgment in the context of competing deadlines.
Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural environment.

EDUCATION
An Advanced University degree in urban planning, development studies, economics, demography and statistics or equivalent. 

WORK EXPERIENCE
A minimum of two years of experience in demographic data evaluation and data analysis.

Abilities to conduct in-depth research, conduct surveys, construct econometric models; thorough knowledge of SPSS or other relevant software and ability to work with minimal supervision and with initiative to keep the supervisor regularly informed of progress.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is 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.

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