Technical Consultant – Sport, Cities and SDG Partnerships Consultant

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme is seeking a Technical Consultant for Sport, Cities, and SDG Partnerships in Nairobi, Kenya. The role involves supporting the Sports for Sustainable Urban Development Initiative, enhancing coordination with UN-Habitat and the International Olympic Committee, contributing to project proposals, developing training resources, and executing workshops. The position focuses on strengthening stakeholder engagement and tracking progress through high-quality reporting over a 12-month period.
Result of Service
Expected Results of Service: Effective support will be provided for the implementation and monitoring of the Sports for Sustainable Urban Development Initiative, including strengthened coordination with UN-Habitat offices and the International Olympic Committee. Technical inputs will contribute to project proposals, tools, and communication materials. A technical resource package will be co-developed, and capacity-building activities, including trainings and knowledge transfer, will be delivered to global partners. Workshops and advocacy events will be planned and executed with logistical and technical support. Progress will be tracked through high-quality reports, and stakeholder engagement, especially with cities, will be enhanced to broaden the Initiative’s impact.

Work Location
Nairobi

Expected duration
12 months

Duties and Responsibilities
Background 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 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 addition, during the second session of the United Nations Habitat Assembly, the Brazil-promoted Resolution on Localizing the SDGs received wide consensus and was co-sponsored by twelve other countries. Through the resolution, Member States further mandated UN-Habitat to strengthen the capacities of local and national governments on SDG data, reporting and integrated planning as well as on multilevel governance approaches for SDG localization. UN-Habitat is the UN focal point for work with local and regional governments and the custodian of the New Urban Agenda and has been at the forefront of SDG Localization since the very endorsement of the 2030 Agenda. Building on its operational capacities and technical leadership, the Agency developed the most integrated approach to localizing the SDGs in the UN system, working on three levels: 1) supporting cities through the SDG Cities Global Initiative; 2) supporting national governments to develop SDG Localization Frameworks; 3) and coordinating the SDG Cities Global Community and political engagement within the main UN and intergovernmental fora. UN-Habitat's global footprint on SDG localization exceeds 25 countries, working through the UN system and in cooperation with the main UN and international partners. The work of UN-Habitat feeds into and is aimed at supporting the mandate, workplan, partners and constituency of the Local2030 Coalition. Within UN-Habitat Head Quarters in Nairobi, under the Global Solutions Division, the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team coordinates UN-Habitat’s work on SDG Localization and the corporate engagement with Local and Regional Governments. Reporting Line This post is located the Global Solutions Division (GSD) of UN-Habitat and specifically within its SDG localization and local governments team and the Planning, Finance and Economy Section (PFES). The incumbent will be supervised by the Programme management officer of the Sports for Development Initiative, and under direct supervision of the Director of the Global Solutions Division. The expert will work in proximity to the other members of the team and Section as well as other units, sections and offices across the Agency.

Qualifications/special skills
University degree in International Relations, Political Science, Social Sciences, Urban Studies, Communications, Development Studies or other relevant area is required. A minimum of two (2) years of relevant working experience on issues related to sustainable development, urban planning, local development and project management is required. Professional experience within an international organization is required. Working experience on the Agenda 2030 and the local implementation of the SDGs will be highly valued. Professional experience within UN-Habitat is highly desirable.

Languages
Fluency in English is required for this specific consultancy. Knowledge of other languages is 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.