Policy, Governance and Metropolitan Expert

Overview

Provide full-time support in urban governance and policy development

You have:

• University Masters degree in the field of public policies, governance, human settlements, development or other related field is required.
• At least ten (10) years of experience in urban development, public policy, international cooperation or related fields are required.
• Prior knowledge and experience with an international organization required.
• Experience in urban policy, governance, metropolitan and regional management at international level is highly desirable.
• Good knowledge of MS office software, e.g., Microsoft Office; other software for carrying out research and analysis is an advantage.
• Fluency in both spoken and written English is required.
• Knowledge of other UN languages, particularly Spanish, is an advantage.

Result of Service Provide full-time support to the UN-Habitat’s Policy, Legislation and Governance Section in the areas of metropolitan and regional management; urban policy; and urban governance, specially, supporting metropolitan management work stream projects in Brazil, San Salvador, Mexico and Central America, Barcelona, among others, including normative work, technical cooperation, partnerships and advocacy, and capacity development.

Work Location Home-Based

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities Background

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the mandated UN Agency working towards a sustainable urbanization and human settlements. UN-Habitat works in over 90 countries supporting people in cities and human settlements for a better urban future. The agency has been focusing on urban development for over 40 years. Working with governments and local partners, its high impact projects combine world-class expertise and local knowledge to deliver timely and targeted solutions.

The Policy, Legislation and Governance Section (PLGS) is one of the five sections of the Urban Practice Branch of UN-Habitat. The Section works on Policies, Legislation and Governance with specific mandate which include:

1. Develop norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, and code of practices at global, regional and national level.

2. Lead testing/piloting of tools and methodologies through pilot programmes and projects.

3. Disseminate norms, standards, tools, methodologies, regulatory frameworks, and code of practices, including knowledge products.

4. Provide technical, policy advice and services on norms, approaches and methodologies to internal and external partners including on implementation of operational programmes/projects.

The Policy, Legislation and Governance Section plays a critical role in implementing the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2020-2023, the relevant Sustainable Development Goals (e.g. target 11a.1) and the New Urban Agenda.

This assignment is designed to support PLGS work on the following areas: Metropolitan and Regional Management, Urban Policy, and Urban Governance, specially, supporting metropolitan management work stream projects in Brazil, San Salvador, Mexico and Central America, Barcelona, among others.

Report to UN-Habitat Manager

The consultant will report to the Chief of the Policy, Legislation and Governance Section or via a delegated authority.

Responsibilities

¿ He / she will be responsible for generating, formulating and carrying out those technical, administrative and operational inputs necessary, within the framework of his / her responsibilities, to carry out his / her activities and deliverables.

¿ He / she will be responsible for ensuring compliance with their activities and products, as well as the processes that impact their performance, agreeing on the decisions that proceed with the technical team of the project.

¿ He / she is responsible for personal security, so he / she should familiarize with the United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them in accordance with the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System.

¿ He / she will be responsible for having the necessary means for the adequate preparation of the products or deliverables described in these Terms of Reference.

¿ He / she will be responsible for preparing reports on the progress of the consultancy, as necessary and requested for the adequate verification of their activities.

¿ He / she will be responsible for ensuring that the activities and deliverables under his / her responsibility are aligned with the quality expectations of the Agency and the counterparts.

¿ He / she will be responsible for maintaining an orderly and accessible file of information according to the Agency’s systems.

¿ He / she will be responsible for ensuring the optimal and timely delivery of the services entrusted in these Terms of Reference.

Activities

1. Normative work a. Development of normative outputs for metropolitan workstream projects in Brazil, San Salvador, Mexico and Central America, among others, especially the following: I. Materials for Brazil G52 training and innovation challenge. II. Draft of the Metropolitan Policy for Environmentally Sustainable Territorial Development of the Metropolitan Area of San Salvador. III. Institutional review for urban and territorial development in Honduras and Guatemala. IV. Peer review of document proposal for the creation and implementation of the Institute for Metropolitan Planning and Management of Merida. b. Prepare the final draft of the Global State of Metropolis Report. c. Collect and analyse data on metropolitan areas around the world. d. Prepare activities report of World Metropolitan Day 2022.

2. Technical cooperation

a. Technical support for metropolitan work stream projects in Brazil, San Salvador, Mexico and Central America, Barcelona, among others, specially through: I. Preparing IHA, Contribution Agreements, and other cooperation agreements. II. Prepare implementation plans, project progress reports, project budgets and other document related to metropolitan management portfolio. III. Working closely with ROLAC, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Spain offices as needed. b. Coordinate outputs and activities related with the Global State of Metropolis project with relevant partners and counterparts. c. Follow up and finalize the negotiation of Contribution Agreements on metropolitan management, including those on-going in Latin America and Europe. d. Prepare new Concept Notes, ProDocs and other project documents as needed. e. Review concept notes and project documents which are presented to the PRC to involve PLGS as corresponds and to include governance, policy and metropolitan and regional approaches within the new Agency projects.

3. Partnerships and advocacy

a. Consolidate alliances with relevant stakeholders for PLGS projects, including the preparation of Memorandums of Understanding, Letters of Intent, and other formal agreements as appropriated, especially those related to Heritopolis and MetroHUB Centre Piacenza initiatives. b. Support joint activities with other Agency’s offices and other UN Agencies. c. Carry on fundraising activities for PLGS initiatives and projects.

4. Capacity development

a. Design and implement one capacity development programmes on metropolitan management, governance and policy, including liaising with partner universities. b. Organising and delivering at least two trainings, learning sessions, field visits and other knowledge exchange activities, especially those related to Brazil G52, San Salvador, and Barcelona projects. c. Act as technical expert to guide the UN-Habitat Universities Network Initiative (UNI)on Metropolitan management as appropriate.

5. Meetings and Missions

a. Participate in and/or organize at least two webinars, workshops and other events as assigned. b. Undertake at least three scoping/field missions to countries and cities as appropriate. c. Prepare inputs for the communication, monitoring and reporting work of PLGS. d. Working closely with staff, consultants, interns, and other members of the PLGS team and the Agency.

Qualifications/special skills University Masters degree in the field of public policies, governance, human settlements, development or other related field is required. Other advanced-level university degree with a combination of additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted.

At least ten (10) years of experience in urban development, public policy, international cooperation or related fields are required. Prior knowledge and experience with an international organization required. Experience in urban policy, governance, metropolitan and regional management, development or related areas at international level in the UN or a reputable international institution is highly desirable. Good knowledge of MS office software, e.g., Microsoft Office; other software for carrying out research and analysis is an advantage.

Languages Fluency in both spoken and written English. Knowledge of other UN languages, particularly Spanish, is an advantage.

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.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: careers.un.org