Urban Mobility and Disaster Resilience Consultant

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

Output 0: Inception Report & Work Plan Output 1: Research Papers and substantive inputs for the development of Nakuru’s Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan Output 2: Technical Inputs to the development of National Urban Mobility Plans Output 3: Workshop Reports, Presentations, technical advice papers, guidance notes, review of conceptual design, etc. Output 4: Inputs to Funding Proposals Output 5: Guidance Notes & Publications

Work Location

Nairobi

Expected duration

110 days over 10 months (Part time)

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, 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 works with varied partners including cities, central governments, local authorities, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in particular, Goal 11 of “Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”.

As cities around the world rapidly urbanizing, they are increasingly facing urban mobility challenges key among them traffic congestion, pollution and road traffic crashes. The transport sector also significantly contributes to global energy-related carbon emissions. Public transport comprising efficient bus systems, trams, metros and non-motorised mobility such as walking, and cycling are emerging an ideal mix to curb the growing urban transport challenges and meet the transport needs of citizens. UN-Habitat collaborates with governments at city, regional and national levels on development and implementation of policy, guides and tools for sustainable urban mobility; provides technical advice for development of effective transport systems and knowledge, advocacy and capacity building. Focus areas on urban mobility have included sustainable urban mobility planning (SUMP); planning for Bus Rapid Transit incorporating travel demand measures; transport institutional reforms and capacity building; urban electric mobility; walking and cycling and urban transport policy.

The consultancy position is in the Urban Mobility team under the Urban Basic Services Section of UN-Habitat. The consultant will provide technical advice and policy support to cities on sustainable, innovative and low carbon mobility; undertake research on emerging urban mobility issues, and support the development of project proposals to expand the portfolio.

Under the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF) supported projects “Reclaiming Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists” and “Alliance of Cities for Road Safety”, UN-Habitat is supporting cities in their transition towards better road safety, and provides capacity building and technical assistance on all five pillars of the Safe Systems approach.

The EU supported SOLUTIONSplus project brings together highly committed cities, industry, research, implementing organisations and finance partners and establishes a global platform for innovative, shared, public and commercial e-mobility solutions to kick start the transition towards low-carbon urban mobility. The project encompasses city level demonstrations to test different types of innovative and integrated e-mobility solutions, complemented by a comprehensive toolbox, capacity development and replication activities. Demonstration actions will be launched in Hanoi (Vietnam), Pasig (Philippines), Lalitpur/Kathmandu (Nepal), Kigali (Rwanda), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Quito (Ecuador), Montevideo (Uruguay), Madrid (Spain), Nanjing (China) and Hamburg (Germany). Replication activities are foreseen for Kenya among other countries. UN-Habitat contributes to capacity building, pilot projects through engagement with startups, as well as policy support.

UN-Habitat is also embarking on the UNDA funded project titled “Building back safer, more sustainable and resilient transport in the aftermath of COVID-19 in Western Balkan and Central Asian Landlocked Developing Regions”. The project aims to develop Sustainable Urban Mobility plans in the countries and facilitate participatory processes.

Furthermore, UN-Habitat and OECD are collaborating in establishing the Joint OECD-UN-Habitat Cities Connect Initiative - The Global Platform (“Cities Connect”) on Intermediary Cities that aims to address the development challenges and opportunities faced by these cities and exploit their potential for improving local and national development outcomes, with a focus on climate change mitigation and resilience.

Objectives of Assignment The objective of the assignment is to support efforts of UN-Habitat under the above-mentioned projects to promote sustainable mobility and low carbon basic services, resulting in improved policies and investment decisions by partner cities.

Supervision and Reporting The Consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the Urban Basic Services Section, and in close collaboration with the thematic team on mobility - reporting to the Programme Management Officer, Lead, Urban Mobility.

Responsibilities and Tasks

The consultant will assist the work of the Urban Mobility Team in the Urban Basic Services Section by providing the following:

• Activity 1: Undertake research on innovative practices on electric mobility, climate mitigation and adapting urban mobility to climate change and other disaster risks as part of the OECD project; • Activity 2: Support the development of National Urban Mobility Plans – in alignment with the SOLUTIONSplus project; • Activity 3: Provide capacity building and technical advice on topics around active mobility, street design, urban regeneration, and sustainable mobility planning as part of the UNRSF and UNDA projects; • Activity 4: Prepare funding proposals on integrated, low carbon basic services and sector coupling with the aim to secure additional financial support for the partners cities; • Activity 5: Prepare guidance notes and publications on sustainable, low carbon and inclusive urban mobility.

Qualifications/special skills

First-Level University degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in Urban Planning, Transport Planning, Engineering, Geography, or a related field is required;

At least 5 years working experience with an Advanced Degree OR 7 years working experience with a First Degree in Urban Design, Urban Regeneration, Urban Planning or Transport Planning is required;

A good understanding of transport planning, urban planning, urban development, urban policy and legislation and sustainable urbanisation is an asset;

Excellent analytical and communication skills.

Good interpersonal skills, previous exposure to cross cultural environments is advantageous.

Knowledge of International Organisations, including working experience in urban projects is an asset;

Languages

Fluency in English, written and verbal, is required. Kiswahili language skills are an asset.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.