National and Local Action Planning and Project Pipelines Expert

The consultant will contribute to the preparation of data-informed and territorialized action plans for the implementation of the NUP and the NHS, translating national priorities into concrete interventions and investment pathways. In addition, the consultant will support the development and application of a methodological approach for strengthening local project pipelines, ensuring that priority projects emerging from cities are aligned with national and local planning frameworks and contribute to the Partnership Platform’s objectives of systemic change and territorial transformation.

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 Under the overall supervision of the Head of UN-Habitat Tunisia office in close coordination with the project team, national counterparts, and the National and Local Strategic Planning, Data and Reporting Expert, the National and Local Action Planning and Project Pipelines Expert will support the operationalization of national urban and territorial policies and contribute to the development of action plans and project pipelines at national and local levels. The consultant will undertake the following duties and responsibilities: 1. Support the operational alignment between national sectoral policies and strategic planning frameworks • Support the elaboration of action plans for key sectoral policies, particularly the National Urban Policy (NUP) and the National Housing Strategy (NHS) and National Strategy of Tourism (NST), ensuring that these operational frameworks contribute to the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Territorial Master Plan (SDATN). • Ensure that the proposed action plans translate national strategic priorities into concrete interventions, implementation pathways, and territorial actions aligned with national and local development frameworks. • Contribute to the scaling up of the SDG-aligned catalytic project prioritization methodology, adapting and applying the framework to strengthen project pipelines in participating cities and support its replication at the national level. • Support the preparation and organization of the national launch event of the National SDG Localization Framework, including the preparation of technical inputs, presentations, and materials related to operationalization and implementation pathways. 2. Support the operational functioning of the Partnership Platform and coordination with national and local stakeholders • Contribute to coordination efforts between national institutions, local authorities, and technical stakeholders involved in the operationalization of sectoral policies and the development of local project pipelines. • Support engagement with relevant ministries, local authorities, and technical partners to ensure the effective implementation of action planning processes and project prioritization methodologies under the Partnership Platform. • Provide technical inputs and background documentation related to operational planning and project pipeline development in coordination with the project governance structures. 3. Contribute to the development of the local SDG data ecosystem and project pipeline preparation In close coordination with the National and Local Strategic Planning, Data and Reporting Expert, the consultant will support local-level engagement and ensure that project pipeline development is informed by data and aligned with national and territorial planning frameworks. • Support the implementation of local scoping activities aimed at building stakeholder engagement, collecting relevant information, and co-designing the project’s components and activities in participating cities. • Contribute to the organization of kick-off events for the cities participating in the Voluntary Local Review (VLR) process. • Ensure that the development of local project pipelines and action plans is informed by the data and analytical work produced through the VLR data ecosystem. 4. Lead the operational development of Action-Oriented Voluntary Local Reviews (AO-VLRs) and project pipelines In coordination with the National and Local Strategic Planning, Data and Reporting Expert, the consultant will lead the operational components of the AO-VLR process and support the identification and prioritization of strategic projects. • Conduct multi-criteria assessments of city-level projects, ensuring alignment with city indicator frameworks and national, regional, and local planning frameworks. • Organize and facilitate participatory City Vision workshops for the selected cities to co-design, update, or refine city development visions. • Lead the drafting of Action-Oriented Voluntary Local Reviews (AO-VLRs), ensuring that the documents integrate analytical findings, strategic priorities, and actionable implementation pathways. • Prepare VLR Action-Oriented Recommendations, including the identification of priority impact areas and potential projects aligned with national and local development priorities. • Contribute to the finalization of the AO-VLR reports, ensuring their usability as tools for decision-making, project prioritization, and investment planning. Support the organization of VLR launch events for participating cities, including preparation of presentations, communication materials, and summary reports.

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in Economy, finance, territorial planning, or a related field. A first level university in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. At least 5 years of professional experience in Economy, action planning, policy operationalization, or project preparation is required. Experience in developing implementation frameworks, investment plans, or project pipelines at national or local levels is required. Experience working with local governments and participatory planning processes is desirable.

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.