Result of Service
Enhanced knowledge of decision makers on urban basic services resulting in improved access to these services for urban residents in partner cities. Work Location
Home Based
Expected duration
8 months 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 to cities on sustainable and innovative mobility; and undertaking research on emerging urban mobility issues. The consultant will develop Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to develop awareness raising and dissemination of project results and lessons learnt to partner cities.
With support from the United Nations Road Safety Fund (UNRSF), the mobility team is coordinating a project titled “Reclaiming Streets for Pedestrians and Cyclists in Africa – Building on the global momentum to enhance road safety during and after COVID-19”. The aim is to enhance road safety in African cities through the improvement of pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Mozambique and Guinea. Through a follow up project, a Global Alliance of Cities for Road Safety (ACROS) will be established to provide capacity building and technical assistance on all five pillars of the Safe Systems approach.
UN-Habitat is also working on a project titled “TRANS-SAFE – Transforming Road Safety in Africa” with the aim to promote radical transformation towards road safety improvement in Africa, through tested and validated road safety solutions, with a high level of scalability and replicability.
Responsibilities and Tasks
The consultant will assist the work of the Urban Mobility Team in the Urban Basic Services Section by providing the following:
Under the UNRSF projects:
- Activity 1.1: Support project management of the UNRSF project “Reclaiming Streets” and coordinate with partners on the delivery of outputs;
- Activity 1.2: Roll out the concept of the Bike Train to further areas in Nairobi to enhance safety of commuter cyclists;
- Activity 1.3: Conduct road safety assessments (Safe Routes to School) in the catchment of 2 schools in selected partner cities including fatality and injury data, road and street conditions, quality of public transport services, road safety measures taken by the school etc.
- Activity 1.4: Based on the road safety assessments (activity 1.3), derive policy recommendations towards improving road safety around schools;
- Activity 1.5: Propose design improvements around schools and provide technical assistance in design review to ensure alignment of street design proposals with child-friendly streets;
- Activity 1.6: Support collaboration between government and schools (i.e. parent-teacher associations) on road safety & safe routes to school;
- Activity 1.7: Promote the uptake of cycling among women in Africa through advocacy
Under the TRANS SAFE project:
- Activity 1.8: Support all Work packages that UN-Habitat is contributing to incl. research on road accidents (WP1), promotion of the Safe Systems Approach (WP2), Road safety assessments (WP3), Demonstration projects (WP4), evaluation of the pilot projects (WP5), Capacity Building (WP6), Exploitation and dissemination (WP7), Management and Ethics (WP8). Qualifications/special skills
- First-Level University degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Urban Design Transport Planning, Geography, or a related field is required.
- 2 years of working experience in the field of urban / mobility planning is required.
- An understanding of urban planning, urban development, urban policy and legislation and sustainable urbanisation is required.
- Excellent analytical and communication skills.
- GIS skills are an added value.
- Good interpersonal skills, previous exposure to cross cultural environments is advantageous.
- Ability to work well in a team whilst also having the capacity and initiative to work independently is desired.
- Knowledge of the UN, including working experience in a developing country and working experience with the UN (work within the UN, or working with UN agencies and programmes) are assets.
- The ability to draft a wide selection of written communication and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise manner. Research skills, particularly in the urban planning and transport field, are an asset. Languages
Fluency in English, written and verbal, is required. Working knowledge of another UN language is an asset. Kiswahili language skills are an asset.
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.
This vacancy is archived.