SDG Localization Expert Consultant

Under the guidance and supervision of the Technical lead of SDG Cities and the coordinator and the coordinator of the Technical Hub, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (i) technical support to project development and implementation; (ii) tool development and implementation and (iii) SDG Cities methodology development.

Nairobi

6 months

Background The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), 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. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly in June 2023, Member States endorsed the Resolution on Localizing the SDGs mandating UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, planning and reporting as well as on multilevel governance for SDG localization. UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan also identifies Participatory Multilevel Governance and SDG Localization as one of the five Means of Implementation to deliver on the corporate strategic focus on adequate housing, land, and basic services for all, and the transformation of informal settlements and slums. The position is located in UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Section within the Global Solutions Division (GSD). The Global Solutions Division is responsible for providing programmatic direction for UN-Habitat and is responsible and accountable for the programmatic delivery of the Strategic Plan. The Division leads the tools and methodology production and the integration of the various substantive competencies towards the effective delivery of the Strategic Plan and the mandate of UN-Habitat. It provides substantive training and supports capacity development of Member States and partners. The Global Solutions Division hosts the Local 2030 Coalition’s Secretariat and coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization through the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team. UN-Habitat’s SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Section works under umbrella of the Local2030 Coalition and coordinates UN-Habitat’s corporate offering and global portfolio on SDG Localization, including the SDG Cities Global Initiative (Flagship 5). The SDG Cities Initiative supports cities in creating integrated solutions that drive progress across multiple SDGs, ensuring cohesive and scalable urban development addressing challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. It does so by leveraging the potential of data for evidence-based decision-making, fostering cities’ access to finance, while building their overall institutional capacities. Building on the Agency’s operational capacities and technical leadership, the SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Section coordinates UN-Habitat’s delivery across three levels: 1) advancing city-level transformation through SDG Cities; 2) supporting national governments to develop National SDG Localization Frameworks, through the Partnership Platform on Localizing the SDGs; 3) advancing the global dialogue on SDG Localization through the SDG Cities Global Community and direct engagement within the main UN fora. UN-Habitat's vison on SDG Localization aims to impact the lives of 1 billion people by promoting transformative change in 50 countries and 1000 cities. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant's main responsibility will be to support the activities of UN-Habitat's SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Team, under the umbrella of the Local 2030 Coalition, specifically in terms of (i) technical support to project development and implementation; (ii) tool development and implementation; and (iii) methodology development and support. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: Technical Advisory & Methodology • Provide technical advice, backstopping, and continuous support on urban governance approaches, policy review, and local/national SDG-aligned policy coherence, drawing on the guidance of Local2030, Partnership Platform, and SDG Cities frameworks. • Mainstream a multilevel governance and multistakeholder lens across all normative products produced by the team - tools, methodologies, capacity-building programmes, and training materials - with explicit reference to the SDG Cities Data, Planning, and Investment tracks and to National SDG Localization Frameworks (NLFs) under the Partnership Platform for Localizing the SDGs. • Support development of normative products (tools and methodologies) for SDG Cities and the Partnership Platform, ensuring their integration into a coherent, interoperable offer. • Identify and develop opportunities for technical collaboration with other UN-Habitat teams, UN agencies, and external partners working on SDG localization, multilevel governance, and local government strengthening. Quality Assurance & Capacity Building • Guide quality assurance and substantive review of project-related and partner-led documents — SDG data sheets, National SDG Localization Frameworks, Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs), city development strategies, policy papers, and project proposals — ensuring methodological consistency and alignment with UN-Habitat's standards and with the SDG Localization offer and language (SDG Cities, Partnership Platform, Localization Blueprint, Localization marker). • Design and deliver training and capacity-building programmes on the team's urban sustainable development offer and its tools, in collaboration with Team members, targeting local consultants, Regional Offices, Country Offices, local governments, and partners — with explicit attention to inclusive and participatory approaches addressing the needs of youth, women and marginalized groups. Reporting Line This post is in the Global Solutions Division and specifically within its SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Team. The incumbent will be supervised by the Technical Lead of SDG Cities and the coordinator of the Technical Hub, under the guidance of the Head of the SDG Cities and Multilevel Governance Team. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as in coordination with other units, sections and offices across the Agency.

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in information management, business analysis, project management, international development, or other related fields is required. A first-level university degree, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience on issues related to sustainable development, urban governance, local development and project management is required. Experience in working on local and/or national governance projects is required. Experience in developing knowledge products and materials is required Working experience on the Agenda 2030 and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. Previous experience with UN-Habitat at the HQ, Regional or Country level, as well as technical experience with SDG Cities and VLRs will be highly considered.

Fluency in English is required for this specific consultancy. Knowledge of another UN official language, 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.