Project Management Consultant - Digital Transformation and Smart Cities

Result of Service Design and implementation of outputs to develop international guidelines on people-centred smart cities.

Work Location Remote - with travel

Expected duration 12 months

Duties and Responsibilities UN-Habitat established the Innovation Unit under the Knowledge and Innovation Branch within the External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI) in Nairobi as specialized unit to strengthen innovative thinking, practice and solutions both within the organization and externally for the benefit of our partners and the beneficiaries we serve. The Innovation Unit promotes an innovation culture for improved sustainable urbanization outcomes, acts as an enabler and broker for new ideas and partnerships for inclusive and at scale impacts, develops knowledge and tools to strengthen innovation, and promotes innovation in project and programme design and implementation by providing advice on tools, methodologies, technologies and partnerships.

During the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly (5-9 June 2023), a resolution on international guidelines on people-centred smart cities was adopted by the Assembly (HSP/HA.2/Res.1).¿

The Resolution requests UN-Habitat to develop international guidelines on people-centred smart cities as a non-binding framework for developing national and local smart city regulations, plans and strategies, which would ensure that digital urban infrastructure and data contribute to making cities and human settlements sustainable, inclusive and prosperous and respectful of human rights. The guidelines, to be developed through a widely consultative process involving Member States, non-governmental organizations, academia, civil-society organizations, the private sector, international and national organizations and other key actors and subject matter experts in the smart cities domain, will be ready by 2025. Moreover, such guidelines are expected to build on existing knowledge in this field.

As both urbanization and digitization accelerate at pace globally, it is urgent to maximize the benefits while mitigating the risks associated with applying digital technology for urban sustainability. With national and local governments and other actors rapidly engaging with digital approaches to plan, manage, govern and finance urbanization, it is critical to ensure that people are placed at the centre of such efforts. This resolution is, in fact, the result of an impelling need to define international norms and principles on the role of digitalization for human-centric, inclusive and sustainable cities. The Innovation Unit of the Knowledge and Innovation Branch, where the position is located, is leading on this process. The guidelines development process will build on the existing programme and lessons learnt from field works.

DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTED OUTPUTS

For this consultancy, UN-Habitat is looking for a Project Management Consultant to assist with the design and implementation of outputs to develop international guidelines on people-centred smart cities. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Chief of Knowledge and Innovation Branch and will work on:

1. Coordination and technical support in the consultation processes - Provide technical expertise in designing the implementing consultation activities, coordinate the consultations and collect evidence and insights relevant to the development of international guidelines on people-centred smart cities; - Organize and facilitate consultation activities including expert group meetings at various levels (global, regional, thematic, stakeholder categories) in collaboration with UN-Habitat, governmental and non-governmental partners, and Member States; - Propose meetings’ agenda topics, supported by relevant literature and studies and identify meeting participants, ensuring comprehensive and productive discussions; - Prepare and deliver documents, presentations, and reports pertinent to the consultation process and the development of international guidelines; - Support the Secretariat in drafting the guidelines ensuring evidence collected through the consultation process are reflected in the draft guidelines; - Create visualizations and reports utilizing digital design tools to illustrate and document the guidelines development process. 2. Coordination and technical support in the global assessment - Oversee the World Smart Cities Outlook and any other relevant study or publication, ensuring the deliverables respond to quality standards and timeline as detailed in the contractual agreement between UN-Habitat and the provider; - Engage in global research and data gathering on digital technologies, smart city development, urban policy, data and innovation, and sustainable urban development, providing guidance and feedback to the Study and subject matter expertise as needed; - Produce various written outputs, including background papers, analyses, reports, and disseminate information across multiple platforms (e.g., UN-Habitat's website, blog posts, social media). - Ensure that the Study aligns with the consultation process by engaging consistently with relevant stakeholders; 3. Support to the drafting process - Engage in continuous research on people-centred smart cities and emerging best practices, ensuring the guidelines are informed by the most recent and relevant data and insights. - Assist the Secretariat in the development of the international guidelines on people-centred smart cities; working closely with the various experts and ensuring the guidelines build on the consultation process and the global knowledge collected; - Establish and maintain strong relationships with governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, ensuring their perspectives and needs are considered in the development of guidelines; - Facilitate ongoing communication and feedback channels with stakeholders throughout the guideline development process; 4. Advocacy - Represent UN-Habitat in various forums, presenting the progress and findings related to the people-centred smart cities guidelines development; - Advocate for people-centred smart city policies, sharing insights and data derived from the guideline development process to various stakeholders. 5. Project Management - Reporting on the guideline development and progress towards implementation - Produce regular reports internally and to donors or other partners - Revising and reporting on the project budget as needed - Supporting capacitation of the teamwork

Qualifications/special skills Master's degree in social sciences or related field, for example urban development or public policy is required, or a bachelor’s degree plus two years of relevant work experience in lieu of a master’s degree. At least 5 years of experience is required in projects related to urban development, digital technology, economics or related areas. Extensive knowledge on urban innovation, digital transformation or smart cities is required. Good knowledge of urban data, analysis and interpretation, digitalisation processes, as well as experience in intergovernmental processes and international projects with the public sector is desirable. Exposure and experience in organizing global and regional consultations is considered an asset.

Languages For this consultancy, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of any other UN language will be 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.