Consultancy: Urban Consultancy, PSN Section, DRP - NYHQ, Requisition #513829

This position requires an individual with strong self-initiative, creativity and ability to multi-task, passion for and experience working with urban issues, children and young people, academic and professional background in sustainable development or related field, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Experience with issues such as public health, sanitation and climate change in urban areas is also an advantage.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background & Rationale

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. With a strong emphasize to focus on the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, this focus means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on the most disadvantaged and excluded is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals present a unique opportunity to advance the children’s agenda with a strong emphasize on the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families and in line with UNICEF’s mission.   As a defining trend of our times, while urbanization is a driver of development, it is not without its challenges, particularly for slum dwellers.  Already, one city dweller in three lives in slum conditions, lacking security of tenure in overcrowded, unhygienic places characterized by unemployment, climate-induced disasters, pollution, violence, poor services and competition over resources. Infrastructure and services are not keeping up with urban growth in many regions, and children and young people are the most susceptible to the negative aspects of living in slums.  As the urban population burgeons, it is clear that increasingly urban poor and marginalized children are becoming among the most disadvantaged.

UNICEF has recognized urbanization as an area of evolving importance that poses among the greatest risks and opportunities for children and young people to realize their rights and have a fair chance at life.  To help expand these opportunities while also responding to the increasing risks in urban settings, UNICEF has been working to develop policies and guidelines that focus on building sustainable cities for and with children and young people, and in close partnership with government.  These tools have started to lay down the ground work for a global urban strategy that will guide and scale up the organization’s work in urban areas at the global, national and local levels.  

One aspect of the global urban strategy is to improve and expand knowledge exchange of good practices and lessons learned, as well as tools that will facilitate this work. 

Purpose

The purpose of the contract is to provide internal and external management support to the Urban portfolio within the Policy Analysis Unit.  Under the guidance of the Senior Urban Advisor in the Policy Analysis Unit and the urban team at the Division of Data, Research and Policy in UNICEF, the consultant will support UNICEF’s global policy, planning, finance and engagement work on urbanization.  Such support will enable UNICEF to better advocate for and represent the rights of urban children, particularly the most disadvantaged and marginalized, and children in migration and displacement processes at the global, regional and national levels, including in high-income countries where UNICEF does not have a country office presence but may have a National Committee.

This position requires an individual with strong self-initiative, creativity and ability to multi-task, passion for and experience working with urban issues, children and young people, academic and professional background in sustainable development or related field, and an entrepreneurial spirit. Experience with issues such as public health, sanitation and climate change in urban areas is also an advantage.

Expected results: (measurable results)

 The Incumbent will:

1. Support in the coordinated global approaches to policy, advocacy and engagement on urbanization issues.

• Assist in developing a coordinated organization wide approach to UNICEF’s urban work, and a programme framework and plan of action.
• Convene staff from across the organization working on urban issues to develop and maintain a coherent and strategic organization-wide approach on urban work in UNICEF
• Coordinate strategic frameworks for urbanization work in UNICEF, and its subsequent rollout across the organization.

2. Assist in strengthening technical assistance on urbanization issues to field offices.

• Provide technical assistance to HQ, ROs and COs in developing concept notes and full-fledged proposals on urban development issues for children.
• Support COs with strategies to engage more effectively with cities and municipalities, and strengthen the policy framework for child-friendly urban development.
• Integrate fully the work of the Child Friendly Cities Initiative into national urban work and set standards for child rights and urban development
• Provide monitoring and backstopping of implementation of approved proposals
• Liaise with national focal points for urban funds such as Cities Alliance, United Cities and Local Government, and with multilateral and bilateral donors and coordinate between COs, ROs and HQ
• Engage in global fora and interagency discussions on coordination, cooperation, best practices and lessons learned.

3. Support in strengthening knowledge and evidence on urbanization issues

• Maintain and manage the CFCI website
• Identify evidence gaps on relevant topics and – in coordination with other staff and partners – developing a prioritized agenda for filling those gaps.
• Develop timely and relevant research and advocacy products as well as managing the production of additional products from externally contracted individuals and firms.

Duty Station : NEW York

Time Frame:   

Start Date: 09 July 2018

End Date: 31 January 2019

Key competences, technical background, and experience required Deadline

• Advanced university degree (Masters or higher) in international relations/affairs, political science, statistics, demographics, development studies or other social sciences; preferably urban planning with a focus on demography or population movements
• Academic credentials in urban planning and policy and population transition are a plus
• Minimum 3 to 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience and demonstrated track record of having undertaken urban planning and population transition work.
• Work experience in a development or humanitarian setting is required and field experience is preferred
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English required.
• Experience in interpreting data and producing written reports
• Experience in conducting high-quality literature reviews
• Excellent analytical and writing skills, advocacy and presentational skills an asset
• Ability to adapt and work in a multi-cultural setting
• Ability to work as a part of a team
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc)
• Strong commitment to the values and principles of the United Nations and to UNICEF's mission, guiding principles and the Convention on the Rights of the Child
• Fluency in English and Knowledge of one other UN working language an advantage.

Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate (in US$) to undertake the terms of reference above (including travel and daily subsistence allowance, if applicable). Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.

Remarks

With the exception of the US Citizens, G4 Visa and Green Card holders, should the selected candidate and his/her household members reside in the United States under a different visa, the consultant and his/her household members are required to change their visa status to G4, and the consultant’s household members (spouse) will require an Employment Authorization Card (EAD) to be able to work, even if he/she was authorized to work under the visa held prior to switching to G4.  

At the time the contract is awarded, the selected candidate must have in place current health insurance coverage.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.