Result of ServiceUnder the guidance and supervision of the Coordinator of the SDG Localization and Local and Governments Team, the consultant will contribute to the following objectives: (1) Partnership and Programme Management; (2) Capacity Building and Training; (3) Advocacy and Communication. Work LocationNairobi Expected duration7.2 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the United Nations agency for human settlements. Based in Nairobi (Kenya), it is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable urbanization with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat is the lead agency within the UN system for coordinating activities in the field of human settlement development and the UN leading the collaboration with local and regional governments and their networks. During the 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in 2015, 193 Member States, convened at the Global Summit on Sustainable Development to adopt the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are universal and relevant to all Member States, from both the global north and global south. As demonstrated in the past years of implementation, it is widely acknowledged that the local level and local action are critical for the overall success of the 2030 Agenda – the SDGs need to be localized. In this context, Member States gathered during the 2nd UN Habitat Assembly in June 2023 endorsed the very first Resolution on Localizing the SDGs, asking UN-Habitat to continue supporting national and local governments to advance SDG localization. The SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, under the Urban Practices Branch, coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization and acts as the institutional entry point for engaging with the Local and Regional Governments' constituency. Specifically, the Team coordinates the SDG Cities Flagships Initiative and the Agency’s work on Voluntary Local Reviews and Multilevel Governance for SDG Localization. In addition, the Team acts as a technical focal point for the Agency’s engagement within the Local2030 Coalition and coordinates the activities of the Local 2030 Knowledge and Scientific Network. UN-Habitat’s global portfolio on SDG localization is coordinated and delivered in close cooperation with other units and teams, Regional and Country Offices, following the structure of the AgencyLocal level action is critical for the overall success of implementing the 2030 Agenda. This has driven UN-Habitat to prioritize the localization of the SDGs. More than halfway through the implementation timeframe and behind on expected achievements, there is a call to double efforts to encourage acceleration initiatives. To achieve this, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team, under the Urban Practices Branch, is mandated to coordinate support for local and regional governments on SDG localization within the agency. They have developed a systematic approach to empower local and regional governments. This includes the Global Urban Monitoring Framework, Voluntary Local Reviews, the SDG Cities Global Initiative, among other fronts. To deliver this approach globally, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team works through four workstreams: (1) Technical Assistance; (2) Learning and Capacity Building; (3) Political Engagement with Local and Regional Governments; (4) Advocacy and Communication. This portfolio is coordinated from headquarters but implemented in close cooperation with Regional and Country Offices, following the structure of the agency. UN-Habitat’s global portfolio on SDG localization is coordinated in HQ, but the delivery of the work is implemented in close cooperation with Regional and Country Offices, following the structure of the Agency. Collaboration with other units and teams within UN-Habitat is ensured to build on existing knowledge, practices and experience. Relations with external partners are also paramount for an inclusive and effective implementation of programmes, projects and initiatives, including other UN entities, international organizations, local government associations, academia and civil society. The country assignment for this position is Nairobi (Kenya). Duties and Responsibilities Under the direct supervision of the Coordinator of the SDG Localization and Local and Governments Team, , the incumbent will perform the following specific responsibilities: (1) Partnership and Programme Management; (2) Capacity Building and Training; (3) Advocacy and Communication. The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Partnerships and Programme Management: Responsibilities include: • Provide strategic advice on partnership engagement including the draft of partnership proposals and agreements. • Provide technical support in expanding existing partners and mobilizing resources towards the activities of the team, including UN Member States, local and regional government and their associations, as well as UN entities and International Organizations. • Provide technical support to the implementation of SDG localization programmes coordinated by the Team, including Costa Rica. • Provide technical advice to UN-Habitat’s Regional and Country Offices on the implementation of SDG localization-related projects and tools. • Prepare implementing partners’ coordination meetings, including the preparation of background material (briefings, agendas etc.) as well as reporting (minutes, notetaking etc.) • Support the identification of opportunities for project development in coordination with relevant UN-Habitat’s HQ teams, Regional and Country Offices. • Support the administrative processes necessary for the implementation of projects, including UN-to-UN Agreements. 2. Capacity Building and Training: Responsibilities include: • Provide technical guidance on the development of the team’s capacity-building offer, including methodologies, tools, in-person training and online materials. • Support the planification, organization and delivery of capacity building activities, including in-person workshops and online activities, by preparing training materials, developing the programme and coordinating with partners. 3. Advocacy and Communication: Responsibilities include: • Assist in connecting project activities with advocacy efforts, including the mobilization of partners. • Provide strategic advice on substance and content for the preparation of background materials and social media outreach. • Continuous support and coordination with the team’s communication focal point for the dissemination of project activities and beneficiaries for outreach activities. Qualifications/special skillsUniversity Degree in Political Science, Social Sciences, Urban Studies, Architecture, Data and Statistics, Development Studies or other relevant area is required. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience on issues related to sustainable development, local governance, urban planning and project management is required. Working experience on the 2030 Agenda and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. LanguagesFluency in English is mandatory for this specific consultancy (Required). Knowledge of another UN official language, specifically Spanish (written and oral), is an asset. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.