Consultancy on “Cases of digital transformation in cities”

Result of Service 1. A completed and good quality report that highlights the achievements of selected cities, globally and regionally, in digital transformation at local level. 2. Well thought-through case studies, that in their evaluation and analysis can be used as examples for training and capacity building workshops. 3. Input to a acomprehensive report on digital transformation and open government for New Urban Agenda.

Work Location Home-based

Expected duration 3 months, from 1 January 2022 until 31 March 2022

Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Chief of the Innovation Section and Project Leader the consultant will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Research the digital transformation of cities/urban areas in the Arab region, focussed on the identification of case studies on digital transformation of cities. The consultant should agree with ESCWA on the selection of cities. 2. Each case should include various aspects such as smart cities, digital economy and entrepreneurship, digital government services, smart people/mobility and use of digital platform for citizen participation and engagement. The cases should also highlight the policy and legal aspect adopted at national or local level to facilitate the digital transformation. 3. Case studies should cover at least 5 cities with the following composition: 1) at least two (2) from developed countries; 2) at least three (3) from the Arab region (one in the GCC, one from North Africa and one from the Levant). 4. Produce a report with the description and the analysis of the identified cases and provide recommendations, requirements and suggest next steps.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in engineering, technology, information communication technology or digital or smart government is required. Master degree and Ph.D are plus. Experience: 7 years of work experience in technology in the public sector, e-government programmes, smart government programmes and/or administrative reform at local level is required. Previous experience on technology for development in the Arab region is an advantage. Previous experience in working with international organizations is an advantage. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English and Arabic, is required.

Additional Information Urbanization is rapidly increasing world-wide. In 2018, 55% of the world population lived in urban areas, with projections indicating a rise to 68% by 2050. The paradigm shift needed for better planned, built, and managed cities is elaborated in the New Urban Agenda (NUA) and supported by SDG 11. NUA, SDG 11 and SDG 16 promote people-centred, inclusive, transparent, democratic and participatory systems of new urban governance.

Digital transformation (DT) is an important means of implementation for NUA and SDGs 5, 8, 9, 11 and 16. Open government (OG) with its principles of transparency, participation and collaboration, supports the paradigm shift envisioned in NUA and the achievement of SDG 16. DT and OG support NUA further: facilitating the inclusion of all, supporting economic growth, enhancing the delivery of services and creating new job opportunities in urban areas.

This consultancy is part of a larger project that focuses on assessing the institutional structure and the priority needs of selected Arab cities to define a framework for digital transformation (DT) and open government (OG) for New Urban Agenda (NUA). The regional framework will leverage DT and OG to accelerate the achievement of NUA. As part of the project the regional framework will be applied and proposals made on action plans for the cities involved in this project.

No Fee 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.