Technical Analysis Consultant

Result of ServiceThe consultant will report to the co-leading agencies of Working Group 1 of the Local2030 Coalition, providing regular updates on progress and deliverables. Work LocationHome Based Expected duration5 months (Part time) 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 Assemblyto promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities 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, UN-Habitat has developed a comprehensive approach to support and empower local and regional governments to localize the SDGs, including: (i) Global Urban Monitoring Framework; (2) Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs); (3) SDG Cities Initiative; (4) Multilevel Governance for the SDGs; (5) Local 2030 Coalition. The Local2030 Coalition is a key United Nations inter-agency platform, formed in 2022, driving localized action towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including pushing key transitions and achieving the SDGs by 2030 through SDG localization. To achieve its objectives, the coalition is guided by the targets of the high impact initiatives (HIIs – see below for more details), particularly focusing on launching thematic working groups (WGs), increasing government commitments to local action, building a portfolio of innovative practices, and raising awareness among the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) members about localization as a key accelerator for SDG achievement. The coalition is co-chaired by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat, as the permanent co-chair) and one other United Nations entity, which rotates every two years (currently the Food and Agriculture Organization [FAO]). UN-Habitat also leads the Secretariat of the Local2030 Coalition. During the SDG Summit in September 2023, a set of 12 HIIs were identified towards transformative progress to achieve the SDGs by 2030, despite challenging global circumstances, and to mobilize further leadership and investment to bring progress to scale between now and 2030. The Local2030 Coalition was selected as one of these HIIs to advance the six transitions identified by the UNSDG. The six transitions are six entry points that can have catalytic and multiplier effects across the SDGs and an outsized determinant impact for achieving the goals. These include: (1) food systems; (2) energy access and affordability; (3) digital connectivity; (4) education; (5) jobs and social protection; and (6) climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. In 2024, the Local2030 Coalition set up a working group, Working Group 1, with a focus on supporting the six transitions by gathering evidence, building knowledge, and providing actionable recommendations to national, subnational and local governments, as well as United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs) and other relevant stakeholders, to scale impact. The agencies co-leading the Working Group 1 are UN-Habitat, FAO and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN-DESA). Working Group 1 is looking to recruit a Technical Analysis Consultant to support its work. Duties and responsibilities The consultant will provide technical expertise and support to Working Group 1 in driving the Local2030 Coalition’s thought leadership around the localization of the six SDG transitions. The consultant’s work will eventually contribute to the Local2030 Coalition’s ability to offer evidence-based guidance and recommendations for multilevel governance actions, and to foster collaboration with UNCTs and other stakeholders. Key objectives of the consultancy include: 1) conducting mapping and analysis focusing on the localization of the six transitions; and 2) identifying areas of improvement and lessons learned, and making recommendations to improve programming of future interventions and support by the United Nations system related to the localization approaches as a pathway to achieving the SDGs. More specifically, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: • Define and agree on methodology: Collaborate with Working Group 1 Co-leads to agree on the final scope, methodology and approach for the mapping exercise (see below). • Map interventions: Conduct a detailed mapping of local interventions, initiatives and practices by United Nations entities, focusing on the localization of the six SDG transitions, demonstrating the impact of localized actions. These should include actions from United Nations headquarters, joint initiatives, and other HIIs. This will involve systematically analysing the results of recent surveys and other relevant data, including UN-DESA and United Nations Development Coordination Office (DCO) surveys, the United Nations Task Force on Leveraging Partnerships Towards the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and UNCT data. • Focus on cross-cutting issues: Assess how cross-cutting issues – such as gender equality, youth and human rights – have been integrated in the mapped interventions. • Analyse detailed needs and best practices in selected contexts: Analyse the current state of play, multilevel governance actions, local actors, best practices, and the needs/demands in a selection of country contexts (to be confirmed) for each SDG transition, particularly in relation to localization. • Formulate recommendations for the United Nations system, including the DCO and UNCTs, and for governments at national and local levels to effectively support SDG localization through a systems approach, including by leveraging the six transitions. • Assess scale-up opportunities: Assess the potential to scale up the mapped interventions and to promote their uptake by local and national governments in their planning processes. This also includes identifying connections between SDG localization and national-level initiatives (including the HIIs) to scale impact. Reporting Line This post is located the Urban Practices Branch of UN-Habitat and specifically within its SDG localization and local governments team. The incumbent will be supervised by the Human Settlements Officer coordinating the work of the team, and under direct supervision of the Chief of the Urban Practices Branch. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team as well as other units, sections and offices across the Agency. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced degree in international development, public policy, or a related field. Required At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in policy support, coordination and policy analysis for development planning and implementation. Required Proven expertise in SDG localization, multilevel governance, and knowledge of United Nations mechanisms. Desirable Experience working with UNCTs and knowledge of SDG-related initiatives. Desirable Excellent drafting skills, including the ability to produce high-quality reports. Desirable Strong analytical skills and experience in conducting mapping exercises and synthesizing complex information. Desirable LanguagesFluency in English is a requirement. Knowledge of an additional United Nations language is desirable. 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.