National and Local Finance expert

Support the implementation of the Finance component of the Partnership Platform for Localizing the SDGs in Tunisia. A joint initiative of UN-Habitat and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), anchored within the Local2030 Coalition. The Finance Consultant will facilitate the implementation of the activities of the Partnership Platform’s Outcome 4 – SDG-aligned financing is structured, mobilized and deployed to catalyse social and environmental high-impact territorial investments that improve governance, services, livelihoods, and resilience in communities. This will be done in consultation with UN-Habitat, the Tunisian Ministry of Economy and Planning, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Equipment and Housing, as well as the four Pilot Municipalities of the PP: Kelibia, Sejnane, La Soukra and Sened and relevant other stakeholders.

Tunisia

12 months

Organizational Setting The mandate of the UN-Habitat Sub-Regional Office in Tunisia is to provide policy advice, technical cooperation and capacity building, especially to empower and support the most vulnerable populations. In line with the key impact area of UN-Habitat's Strategic Plan 2026 - 2029 by identifying SDG localization and participatory multilevel governance as one of its key means of implementation. With a focus on delivering adequate housing, basic services and land for all, the Strategic Plan recognizes that accelerating the 2030 Agenda requires stronger multilevel governance collaboration, inclusive governance systems that engage communities, and the scaling up of local and regional solutions to drive systemic transformation. Tunisia has pursued sustainable development as a national priority for over five decades. Since 2015, the country has undertaken numerous legislative, institutional, and financial reforms aimed at advancing progress on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The government has integrated the SDGs into national planning instruments and strengthened coordination for implementation. Tunisia presented two Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) at the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) – first in 2019 and again in 2021 – to report on its SDG progress, and it is preparing a third VNR for 2026. Tunisia has also prepared with the support of UN-Habitat, its first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) for the city of Ennour. Under the Partnership Platform, four VLRs will be prepared and create links with the Finance component, the national frameworks and priorities and the VNR2026. Reporting Line The consultant will be working under the direct supervision of the Head of Tunisia office. Duties and Responsibilities In addition to any other related tasks required for the effective implementation of the Partnership Platform project, and in coordination and under the guidance and supervision of UN-Habitat Tunisia Country Office, SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance team and the Planning and Finance Section, the national Consultant is required to carry out the following tasks: 1. Assessing the local finance of the four pilot municipalities (cities’ financial capacities and revenues streams and the architecture of the fiscal framework) : the Consultant must assess the Local Fiscal Space, including the shortcomings of the revenue system that prevent a good tax collection rate, the financial capacities of the municipalities, local investment opportunities, and contextualized solutions to support local governments on strengthening local resources. For each city, the assessment identifies current fiscal capacities, revenue gaps and indicative revenue potential. 2. Capitalizing on recent studies conducted on local and national finance relevant to the work expected for the Finance component of the Partnership Platform: the consultant will be required to start a collection, analysis, and development of strategic recommendations based on the findings of these studies. 3. Supporting the preparation of workshops to present findings of assessment and deliver follow-up workshops on specific identified technical gaps: the Consultant will support the preparation and facilitation of workshops with cities and national stakeholders (presentation materials, concept notes, workshop moderation, etc.) 4. Mapping and assessment of existing national-to-local financing mechanisms (FCCL, CPSCL, CBE-related funds, and other relevant instruments): the Consultant must organize a series of meetings with national stakeholders: Ministries of Economy and Planning, Environnement, Housing, Employment and Finance and/or other relevant ministries and institutions, and the four pilot cities focusing on bottlenecks and compatibility with SDG localization and city-level prioritized projects. These meetings will result in the mapping and assessment of the main national funding and financing mechanisms relevant to local urban development (including FCCL, CPSCL, CBE related funds and other key instruments). 5. Supporting the institutional dialogues and technical workshops to support the harmonization, strengthening and localization of national financing instruments. Maping and light assessment of the main national funding and financing mechanisms relevant for local urban development (including FCCL, CPSCL, CBE related funds and other key instruments). The Consultant will support with the preparation of these dialogues and technical workshops, the production of needed presentation materials, the moderation of the sessions as well as the capitalization of the findings, recommendations and next steps. 6. Co-providing technical recommendations to optimize performance, transparency, allocation logic, and alignment of FCCL, CPSCL and CBEs mechanisms with SDG localization, city priorities, and the National SDG Localization Framework. The consultant will support the preparation of technical recommendations (e.g. a policy options note) on ways to improve performance, transparency, allocation logic and SDG alignment of selected instruments (FCCL, CPSCL, CBE related funds and related mechanisms). 7. Supporting the technical capacity building workshops for partnering cities on topics identified on catalytic project design and implementation with systemic change approach and in line with the optimized national localizing finance mechanisms: the Consultant will support with the design and delivery of targeted capacity building workshops for partnering cities. 8. 9. Operationalizing the scaling up of SDG Cities approach for the national resources: the Consultant will support in the translation of the SDG Cities / AOVLR methodology into simple guidance, eligibility criteria and appraisal checklists that can be used by national programmes and financing mechanisms when selecting and funding local development projects. 10. Supporting on the High-level assessment of existing project pipelines including costing approaches, revenue estimates, socio-and economic impact and budget fit with existing fiscal space of the city. 11. Co-providing technical assistance to local and national partners to design a funding strategy for cities and connect them with potential financing sources.

Master’s degree in finance, Economy or related field 5 years of experience in the field of Finance, local finance, local affairs and development project management, is required. Experience with UN System is recommended. Familiarity working with Government of Tunisia institutions in the field of Finance, and Local Affairs is required.

Fluency in oral and written Arabic and French is required. Knowledge of English is an asset.

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.