Vacancies

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CONSULTANT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

                                                                                                           Issued on: 23 June 2016

BACKGROUND

Urbanization is strongly correlated with economic growth and development. Urbanization underpins one of the key drivers of national economic transformations. This however does not happen spontaneously. Cities and urban centres should be well planned and managed so that they become economic power houses that drive national economic development and offer growing opportunities to all citizens, especially young people and women.  Economic growth should be steered in a manner that is inclusive and sustainable. Further, innovative revenue sources and financing mechanisms should be developed and applied to support investment in infrastructure and improvement in service delivery.

In many cases, local governments in the rapidly urbanizing world lack the technical capacity to respond to the economic development and financing challenges they face. They lack access to tools, information and knowledge network that would allow them to better understand complex urban systems, innovate and exploit opportunities that urbanization offers them. As the result, in many situation, opportunities of agglomeration economies are missed, local assets are underutilized, enclave economies are created, pushing the e majority to informality, potential revenue sources, such as land value sharing remain untapped, A large and growing population of young people remain unemployed and disfranchised.

UN-Habitat through its Urban Economy Branch seeks to support the effort of local and national governments and their partners in tackling the complex challenges and opportunities of urban economy and municipal finance through a range of ways including advisory services, research and tools development, training and capacity building. These activities constitute Subprogramme 3 of UN-HABITAT's six-year strategic plan 2014-2019, and the Urban Economy Branch is responsible to deliver them. The aim is to strengthen the capacities of cities to realise their full potential as drivers of economic development and wealth and employment creation, with an emphasis on promoting increased participation of both women and men, and enhancing municipal finance and capacity to support sustainable urban development. The branch is seeking the services of an expert on urban economy and finance to support its initial phase of tools and project development work. 

RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the Urban Economy Branch, the tasks and responsibilities of the expert are as follows:

1. Provide support to the Canaan Urban Development Initiative in Haiti, including developing the rapid financial assessment and financial strategy to accompany the final spatial/physical plan for development and technical advising on public financial management.  Support may also include financial planning for catalytic projects such as transit station and market improvements and planning training courses for municipal leaders.  This support may require a mission to Haiti.
2. Provide support to UN-Habitat’s partnership with Lincoln Institute on a Global Municipal Database, including provision and review of technical inputs.
3. Contribute to discussion papers and reports by the Urban Economy Branch.
4. Contribute to two chapters in the Finance for City Leaders Handbook: one on financing planned city extension and the other on land-based finance.
5. Contribute technical inputs and support to the branch’s work in Saudi Arabia, including supporting financial assessment and rapid financial planning for city extension.
6. Attend Habitat III in Quito, Ecuador, and present on behalf of the branch on the topics of financing planned city extension and the branch’s work in land-based finance.
7. Support UEB’s partnership with GLTN related to land-based finance, including adapting and improving the existing training package, promoting the trainings internationally, and delivering trainings as needed.
8. Assist in the formulation of specific programmes, projects and initiatives to implement the urban economy and municipal finance component of the work programme of the Urban Economy Branch.
9. Support UEB in responding to requests from country offices, regional offices and other branches for technical assistance, comments and input into on-going projects and project proposals, including the development of integrated materials related to the Three Pronged Approach.
10. Support in managing and backstopping consultancies initiated to support the urban and municipal finance activities of the work programme, including those related to land value sharing.

COMPETENCIES

1. Teamwork: Proven ability to work collaboratively across the organization with colleagues to achieve agreed goals.
2. Good communication skills: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively.
3. Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards.

QUALIFICATIONS

The successful candidate should have a Master’s degree in economics, urban planning, or a related field.

Work Experience

At least 5 years of experience and expertise related to issues of municipal finance and economic models, including geostatistical models and GIS methods. 

Language

He/she must also have good speaking and writing skills in the English language.

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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