VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Issued on: 30 June 2014
ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:UN-HABITAT
DUTY STATION:Nairobi
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:Mid-term Evaluation Consultant
DURATION:5 ½ months
CLOSING DATE:08 July 2014
BACKGROUND
Climate change is now recognized as one of the key challenges of the 21st century. To address climate change mitigation by cities in developing countries UN-Habitat and ICLEI--Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), with the support of the European Commission (EC), launched the ‘Promoting Low Emission Urban Development Strategies in Emerging Economy Countries’ (Urban-LEDS) Project. The Project began in March 2012 and will run for 42 months, with a total budget of €6.7 million.
The development of low emission development strategies (LEDS) has emerged from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) climate negotiation processes as a promising approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This present Project seeks to adapt that (originally national-level) approach to city-level applications. The Project also addresses sustainable development and exploring vertical integration addressing climate change between different levels of government. The Urban-LEDS Project fits within the broader strategic approach supported by UN-Habitat, ICLEI and the EC to encourage urban green growth strategies that can enable technological and job opportunities, de-risk investments, reduce vulnerability of the poor to natural disasters, protect critical ecosystems, and foster efficient ways of consuming and managing natural resources.
The overall objective of the Urban LEDS Project is to enhance the transition to low emission urban development in emerging economy countries.
It is doing so by offering selected local governments, through a comprehensive methodological framework (ICLEI’s GreenClimateCities methodology), a mechanism to integrate low-carbon strategies into all sectors of urban planning and development, and institutionalize the approach in municipal processes.
The Urban-LEDS project has started work in four emerging economies: Brazil, India, Indonesia, and South Africa. In each of those countries there are two “model” cities that are the primary focus of attention, and four to six “satellite” cities that are following the experiences in the model cities, learning and pooling their own knowledge. Additionally experienced cities in eight European countries (Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, and Turkey) are supporting work as technical and political resources.
The Urban-LEDS Project is supporting Model and Satellite cities´ implementation process through a combination of capacity building and the provision of resources, tools and guidance to assist local governments in quantifying, monitoring and mitigating their communities’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The Project also includes normative activities in the way of climate advocacy and policy guidance, for example, through establishing South-South-North exchanges among Project cities, and advancing advocacy efforts for climate change mitigation in international fora. Further information can be found at www.urban-leds.org.
Per the terms of the agreement between UN-Habitat, ICLEI and the EC, a Project Steering Committee and Project Management Group are regularly monitoring the progress of the initiative. To facilitate this work, UN-Habitat and ICLEI are producing periodic reports on the implementation of activities and delivery of outputs against work plans, and progress in meeting performance targets according to the logistical framework.
With regards to evaluation, under an agreement between UN-Habitat and ICLEI to execute the Urban LEDS Project, UN-Habitat responsibilities include “coordinating… evaluation for the project”. Additionally, per the ‘Description of project work packages’, Task 1.11 in Work Package 1 included “project evaluation (UN-Habitat)”. The present external evaluation is being undertaken per those contractual elements and this evaluation mandate .
RESPONSIBILITIES
Under the supervision of and in close coordination with the Unit Leader of the Climate Change Planning Unit of the Urban Planning and Design Branch, the consultant will:
1.1 Identify the successes of the Project to date, including ongoing city-level activities, which are contributing to planning and implementing low emission urban development
1.2 Provide a clear understanding of the relevance of the Project, including in the context of the post-2015 discussions on Sustainable Development and Climate Change;
1.3 Identify the Project’s weaknesses and gaps
1.4 Identify the success to date in offering guidance and support to the local governments, promoting North-South-South exchange, in addressing global advocacy, as well as human rights, gender and environmental issues
COMPETENCIES
Professionalism:Knowledge of urban environmental and climate change issues.
Communication:Excellent written, verbal and visual communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare and edit a variety of documents, reports and briefs.
Planning and organizing:Ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgment in the context of competing deadlines.
Teamwork: Work collaboratively with the core Cities and Climate Change Initiative team and technical support team to achieve consultancy objective while soliciting input by genuinely valuing their ideas and expertise; learning from and placing team agenda before personal agenda.
EDUCATION
Masters degree in urban planning, international development, public administration or related disciplines.
WORK EXPERIENCE
- Experience in evaluating development programmes/projects at the international level
- Experience in managing multi-national teams engaged in international development
- At least 10 years of experience in urban issues and international development (UN P4 level or equivalent).
- Experience working in or with more than one developing region
- Experience with international donors and/or UN agencies
- Knowledge of national-level climate policies/initiatives/processes
- Experience/familiarity with European Commission projects is a bonus
LANGUAGE SKILLS
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
OTHER SKILLS
- Proficient in use of Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Ability to be flexible with changes in timelines.
- Strong facilitation and communication skills (both oral and written)
- Good analytical and writing skills
REMUNERATION
Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.
How to apply:
Applications should include:
- Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
- Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
- Educational Background (incl. dates)
- Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
- Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
- Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
- Expectations regarding remuneration
All applications should be submitted to:
- Jayne Kimani, Programme Assistant, Climate Change Planning Unit, Urban Planning and Design Branch
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: jayne.kimani@unhabitat.org
Fax: + 254 20 7625404
Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the
UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster
through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org
Deadline for applications: 08 July 2014
UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org
