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CONSULTANCY JOB OPENING
Issued on: 8th June 2016

BACKGROUND
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. The Urban Economy Branch of UN-Habitat has the mandate to promote local capabilities of local governments to develop financial instruments to keep pace with the demands of rapid urbanization. The Urban Economy Branch has the mandate to promote plans and provide support for more efficient, socially inclusive, better integrated and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development.
One of the fundamental challenges facing urban authorities in developing countries is the inadequate financial resources available for supporting and sustaining rapid urban development. Many urban authorities lack essential resources and are unable to meet the ever-growing demand for basic services, new infrastructure, and the maintenance of existing infrastructure and services. In order to effectively address this challenge and promote pro-poor sustainable development, urban authorities need to explore innovative mechanisms for generating additional resources, such as borrowing from the capital markets, identifying bankable projects that are attractive to the private sector, the privatization of municipal revenue collection and provision of municipal services and forming public-private partnerships; as well as adopting smart technology for revenue enhancement.
More than half the world’s population now lives in urban areas and this is expected to rise to 70 percent by 2050.  Some 60 percent of the urban area forecast by 2030 remains to be built and most urban population growth is taking place in developing countries, particularly Africa and Asia and in small and medium cities where infrastructural needs are highest and technical and financial capacity are greater challenges.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the Branch Coordinator, Urban Economy and Finance Branch, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and outputs:

• Finance for City Leaders Handbook Project Manager
• Review chapters and prepare for editing
• Prepare tables and figures as necessary
• Compile and coordinate collection of cases studies in collaboration with the publication’s contributors
• Liaise with consultants, contributors, and affiliated institutions in the drafting and review of chapters

• Urban Economy
• Participation in analytical work on productive capacities of cities and urban layout
• Potential missions for field projects in Asia, Africa and Latin America
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis on urban economy
• Preparation of discussion papers as needed

COMPETENCIES

1. Expertise in quantitative data collection, qualitative analysis, and preparation of reports and studies for dissemination
2. Ability to manage projects involving multiple participants
3. Solid understanding of urban issues and cities related with the New Urban Agenda.
4. Ability to prioritize activities and assignments

• Excellent written and oral presentation skills in English

6. Teamwork and a proven ability to work collaboratively across the organization with colleagues to achieve agreed goals

EDUCATION
A Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, International Development, Public Policy, or related field. An Advanced university degree (Masters or related) in International Affairs and/or Economic Development will be an added advantage.

WORK EXPERIENCE
The consultant should have the following work experiences:

1. Expertise managing publications on urban economic development and municipal finance
2. Previous experience working with the United Nations on issues related to urban economic development is desirable and will be an added advantage
3. Experience working with an economic policy and/or urban development think tank and/or major economic agency is a plus
4. Experience working  independently and as part of a team and to deliver on time and under pressure

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. Although not a requirement, proficiency of another UN language is an advantage.

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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