WUF Programme Support Consultant

Strengthened partnerships, amplified advocacy, sustained WUF continuity, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and integrated UN-Habitat priorities globally.

New York

6 months

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the 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 World Urban Forum Coordination Office is located within the Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division (GKAD) of UN-Habitat. One of the Division’s key mandates is to promote strategic alliances to support achievement of the goals of adequate shelter for all, and sustainable urbanization and human settlements development. The UN-Habitat New York Liaison Office serves as the Organization’s permanent representation and coordination hub at United Nations Headquarters. Its primary function is to ensure that sustainable urbanization, housing, and human settlements remain central to the UN development agenda, and that UN-Habitat’s strategic priorities are effectively reflected in intergovernmental processes and interagency coordination mechanisms. It represents UN-Habitat in intergovernmental forums of the GA, ECOSOC and HLPF, and other relevant UN meetings and supports Member States and Permanent Missions in promoting coherence and advance policy guidance on the implementation of the New Urban Agenda and SDG 11 within global development frameworks. The Office also liaises with North America-based institutions, academia, civil society and other stakeholders. Background The WUF is a non-legislative technical forum convened by the UN-Habitat biannually since 2002. The forum gathers a wide range of experts from every walk of life. Participants of the forum include but are not limited to national, regional and local governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based organizations, professional, research institutions and academia, professional, private sector, development finance institutions, foundations, media, United Nations organizations and other international agencies. The WUF is recognized as the foremost global arena for interaction among policymakers, local government leaders, non-governmental organizations and expert practitioners in the field of sustainable urban development and human settlements. The Forum has been identified as a key platform to support implementation of the New Urban Agenda (NUA) adopted at the Habitat III conference. It also provides opportunities for stakeholder organizations of all kinds to come together to share the latest in innovative advances in sustainable urban development and projects showcasing the implementation of the NUA. UN-Habitat is leading the preparation of the WUF, established in 2001 by the UN General Assembly and convened by UN-Habitat, to serve as a platform for the engagement of stakeholders on matters of sustainable urban development. The WUF has three main objectives. First to raise awareness of sustainable urbanization among stakeholders and constituencies, including the public. Second, to improve collective knowledge on sustainable urban development through open and inclusive debate, exchange of best practices and policies, and sharing of lessons learnt. Third, to promote collaboration and cooperation between different stakeholders and constituencies engaged in the advancement and implementation of sustainable urbanization. Building on this mandate and previous outcomes, this consultation will bridge between the thirteenth session (WUF13) held in May 2026 in Baku, Azerbaijan, and the forthcoming fourteenth session (WUF14) in May 2028 in Mexico City, Mexico. In this context, UN-Habitat is strengthening continuity between WUF13 and WUF14 by deepening engagement, partnerships, advocacy, and stakeholder coordination, with a focus on Member States and institutional partners. This includes the development of longer-term collaboration frameworks and stakeholder ecosystems aligned with UN-Habitat’s priorities, aligned with the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026-2029. UN-Habitat is expanding partnerships and multi-stakeholder engagement across governments, local authorities, UN entities, development finance institutions, academia, civil society, foundations, and the private sector, with a particular focus on North America. A key priority is strengthening advocacy and fostering thematic communities of practice and collaborative networks that advance knowledge exchange, policy innovation, resource mobilization, and cooperation on sustainable urbanization at global, regional, and local levels. Reporting Line The consultant will be working under the direct supervision of the Director of the New York Liaison Office, and the Coordinator of the World Urban Forum, in close coordination with relevant UN-Habitat headquarters divisions, regional offices, and technical teams. Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Director of the UN-Habitat New York Liaison Office, and in close coordination with the World Urban Forum (WUF) Secretariat and relevant Divisions, the consultant will carry out the following duties and responsibilities, supporting continuity between WUF13 and WUF14, as well as contributing to related intergovernmental processes and engagement priorities: •Contributes to the preparation and implementation of the work plan related to WUF promotional, engagement and advocacy activities in New York and across North America. •Coordinate with the WUF Secretariat, UN-Habitat Headquarters, Permanent Missions. UN entities and partners organizations to support timely and effective delivery of activities and partnerships. •Review, analyze and monitor relevant UN resolutions, policy documents, and intergovernmental processes. •Identify strategic issues, trends, and opportunities to strengthen the visibility, advocacy and policy relevance of WUF outcomes within intergovernmental processes. •Prepare briefing materials, concept notes, analytical summaries reports and strategic recommendations to support UN-Habitat’s communication, advocacy and strategic engagement efforts. •Support the organization of consultations, side events, exhibitions, presentation and briefing sessions to foster partner engagement, cross-sectoral collaboration, and community-of-practice initiatives. •Conduct policy research and thematic analysis on housing, sustainable urbanization, local governance, housing finance, and related urban development issues relevant to WUF and UN-Habitat priorities. •Maintain and update stakeholder engagement records, contact databases, coordination trackers, and related documentation to support partnerships, advocacy, and intergovernmental engagement activities. •Provide administrative, operational, and office support to the New York Liaison Office, including IT support, intern coordination, recruitment assistance, and personnel backstopping as required. •Provide coordination and guidance to interns and junior consultants and undertake other related tasks necessary to support the successful organization, promotion, partnership development, and intergovernmental alignment of the WUF. •Perform any other related duties as required to support the effective implementation of WUF-related activities and UN-Habitat priorities.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in urban planning, architecture, business administration, management, economics, international relations and/or development or a related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration or related area. Experience in planning, organizing or supporting global events and forums is desirable. Experience in supporting, planning and implementing urban development policy, planning and design projects is desirable.

Fluency in English, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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.