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CONSULTANCY JOB OPENING
Issued on: 2nd  June  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. The main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, the Habitat Agenda, the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and UN General Assembly Resolution A/56/206.
As our cities and towns grow at unprecedented rates, setting the social, political, cultural and environmental trends of the world, sustainable urbanization is one of the most pressing challenges for the global community in the 21st century. In 1950, one-third of the world’s population lived in cities. Just 50 years later, this proportion has risen to one-half and will continue to grow to two-thirds, or six billion people, by 2050. Cities are now home to half of humankind. They are the hub for most of economic processes that generate wealth and opportunity. But they also create disease, crime, pollution and poverty. In many cities, especially in developing countries, slum dwellers number more than 50% of the population and have little or no access to shelter, water and sanitation. This is where UN-Habitat is mandated to make a difference for the better.
Support to the Sustainable Urban Development Sector in Kenya 2012-2016:
World Bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Embassy of Sweden jointly support the urban and local government sector in Kenya.
Together the aforementioned actors in 2012 formed the Urban Local Government and Decentralization Group (ULGDG). The ULGDG are together with the Government engaging in a systematic transformation of the urban and local government sector in the country.  The following three programs are implemented:

• Kenya Municipal Program (KMP), lead agency: Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development;
• Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Programme (KISIP), a multi-sector operation with Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development; and
• Nairobi Metropolitan Services Project (NaMISP), a multi-sector operation with Ministry for Nairobi’s Metropolitan Development as lead agency.

This Joint Urban Development Programme aims to help address core issues that are constraining the development potential, efficiency, equity and competitiveness of Kenya’s urban areas.
UN-Habitat has been commissioned by the Kenya Railways (KR) to conceptualize an urban development model for the redevelopment of land owned by the KR, located in the South of Nairobi’s Central station (NCS) alongside the railway line.
The redevelopment of the Railway Land adjacent to the NCS provides a unique opportunity to prove that Nairobi carries the potential to compete as a World Class City. This presents the possibility to address the challenges of urbanization and growth in a sustainable and planned way, creating opportunities in terms of employment, foreign direct investment, social inclusion, housing and public transportation.
The development model is based on the proven notion that an urban development intervention that functions under the principles of sustainable urban development will lead to a more vibrant and productive economy, thus clearly defining the location of economic activity in the city, determining the total size and location to support optimal economic activity and redefining the form and function of the area improving both economic and social equity metrics and improving city dwellers well-being.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Branch Coordinator, Urban Economy and Finance Branch of UN-Habitat, the consultant will be responsible for liaising with the relevant UN-Habitat administrative and substantive staff with direct connection to the project and coordinate with them to implement the tasks defined herein. The consultant will attend meetings between UN-Habitat with Kenya railway to advice on the matter with invitation.

The consultant will be responsible for the following additional Tasks:

• Prepare, schedule and organise the Investors Conference on the behalf of UN-Habitat, including engagement with key actors in Kenya, including local authorities, public institutions and business companies, and engagement with local, regional and international institutional investor actors.
• Dialogue with Kenya Railway Corporation and other Kenyan key actors and UN Habitat will prepare the focus and key messages for the investor conference, and engage and invite investors, speakers, as well as lead the logistics.
• Prepare a substantive report (publication) of the process; inputs from topics discussed by speakers, a comprehensive analysis of the outcome a report with minutes and recommended follow-up actions.

The consultant will be responsible for the following outputs:

• Preparatory meetings organized with high level and relevant stakeholders:
• Conference preparation and organization
• Supporting the Conference invitation and execution
• Reports and other productions

COMPETENCIES

1. Availability immediately from the 15th of June 2016 (as the stakeholder conference preparations will take effect immediately).
2. Proven ability to work flexibly, creatively and independently.
3. Ability to manage projects involving multiple stakeholders and partners
4. Sound knowledge of urban development issues and the economic, social and political context of Kenya.
5. Excellent knowledge of technical cooperation principles, concepts and techniques. 
6. Ability to prioritize activities and assignments
7. Excellent written and oral presentation skills in English
8. Teamwork and a proven ability to work collaboratively across the organization with colleagues to achieve agreed goals

EDUCATION
A Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Policy, Urban Planning and Economy or related. An Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economy or related will be an added advantage.

WORK EXPERIENCE
The consultant should have the following experiences:

• Expert experience in appropriate fields, such as Urban Development, Innovation Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, Policy and Organization Development, Project Finance, Investor Relations, and complex PPP projects.
• Professional working experience (at least 8 years) from work with both public and private sector in both Europe and Africa.
• Professional working experience (at least 8 years) from similar projects in more than one country, including recent work experience from Kenya.
• Prior Knowledge from the Nairobi Railway City Development is ideal with reasonable knowledge on local market rates and costing for conferences and logistics
• At least 10 years of global professional experience.

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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