Vacancies

CONSULTANCY JOB OPENING
Issued on: 10th July 2017

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 and Finance Branch (UEFB) has the mandate to promote plans and provide support for more efficient, socially inclusive, better integrated and connected cities that foster sustainable urban development.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is at the center of the Arab region, one of the world’s fastest urbanizing places, where countries grew by more than four times in the last 40 years and will more than double again by 2050. The current urban sprawl in most of KSA’s major metropolitan areas has led to tremendous challenges they accommodate these huge increases.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently running a four years program of cooperation with UN-Habitat in order to revitalize the urban planning system and to cope with the new urban agenda that was approved last October in 2016. The program will serve as well the new Vision of the Kingdom “Vision 2030” and its respective programs including the municipal reform program. The program is reviving national regional and city levels reforms where 17 cities were selected to illustrate the reform elements. As part of the FSCP, this revitalization will be in a form of an integrated profile for every city that was selected of the program. The program will be using the three pronged approach where the city profile will reflect three main elements as follows; urban planning and design, urban legal and governance, and urban economy and municipal finance base of each city.
In support of the effort, UEFB will conduct various tasks such as economic analysis, financial analysis, feasibility studies, and productivity analysis to help Saudi cities become more financially sustainable and economically vibrant.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of the UEFB Coordinator and the project focal point at the Branch level, the consultant will be responsible for supporting the project focal point in the following tasks and outputs:

1. Analytics core to project preparation, including the economic and financial analysis for various subcomponents under FSCP:

• • Municipal finance      
    • Municipal finance rapid assessment
    • Revenue enhancement
  • Urban economic assessment and productivity analysis using value/supply chain analysis
  • Feasibility analysis & Cost-benefit analysis for 2 Demonstration Projects

2. Communication:
   
   1. Coordinating and liaising with various team members (Riyadh-based staffs, international consultants, Nairobi-based consultants) on overall project progress
   2. Having regular meetings with Riyadh-based staffs in reviewing the data collection process and inputs they produce
3. Drafting and reviewing key documents/reports 
4. Logistics and coordination for possible workshops and other events under FSCP 
5. Providing support to the branch coordinator and other staff members on other tasks, if needed

COMPETENCIES

• Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

EDUCATION
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, spatial economics, economic development, finance, public policy or related field.

WORK EXPERIENCE
The consultant should have experience in the following areas:

1. Minimum of 3 years work experience in economic development, finance, or related field
2. Previous working experience in international development agencies or the United Nations  is desirable and will be an added advantage
3. Demonstrated experience in working with governments and in developing countries
4. Previous working experience in the areas of urban economic development and municipal finance

LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Working knowledge of Arabic would be an added 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.