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ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION:
DUTY STATION:
FUNCTIONAL TITLE:
DURATION:
CLOSING DATE:
Issued on: 13 November, 2014
UN-HABITAT
Nairobi
ICT as a driver for urban prosperity research
coordinator (Consultant)
11 months
1 December 2014
Background information on UN-Habitat and requesting Unit
UN-Habitat
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. The main documents outlining the mandate of the
organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, the Habitat Agenda, the
Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human
Settlements in the New Millennium, and UN General Assembly Resolution A/56/206.
The United Nations Millennium Declaration recognizes the dire circumstances of the world’s
urban poor. It articulates the commitment of Member States to improve the lives of at least 100
million slum dwellers by the year 2020- Millennium Development Goal No. 7, Target 11- which is
UN-Habitat’s mandate.
As our cities and towns grow at unprecedented rates, setting the social, political, cultural and
environmental trends of the world, sustainable urbanization is one of the most pressing
challenges for the global community in the 21st century. In 1950, one-third of the world’s
population lived in cities. Just 50 years later, this proportion has risen to one-half and will
continue to grow to two-thirds, or six billion people, by 2050. Cities are now home to half of
humankind. They are the hub for much national production and consumption- economic
processes that generate wealth and opportunity. But they also create disease, crime, pollution
and poverty. In many cities, especially in developing countries, slum dwellers number more than
50% of the population and have little or no access to shelter, water and sanitation. This is where
UN-Habitat is mandate to make a difference for the better.
ICT as a driver for urban prosperity research
UN-Habitat’s City Prosperity Initiative assists decision makers to design clear policy
interventions to make their cities more prosperous. The Initiative advocates a shift in attention
away from a narrow focus on development as mainly about economic growth in favour of a
more holistic notion of development. The Initiative includes various indicators that are relevant
to cities and important for prosperity-oriented public policy making, including productivity,
infrastructure, quality of life, equity and social inclusion and environmental sustainability.
A key part of the Initiative, the City Prosperity Index analyzes the five dimensions of urban
prosperity using indices and indicators for each dimension and measures the current status of
cities and their advancement along the road of prosperity. It also measures government actions
and policies in the pursuit of prosperity, and the outcomes of these policies.
Building on the City Prosperity Initiative methodology, UN-Habitat in 2013 launched the Streets
as public spaces and drivers of urban prosperity report. This is an original attempt at integrating
streets and public spaces into the dimensions of prosperity, and to include elements such as
urban form and connectivity. By placing streets in the centre of the ‘wheel of prosperity’, the
study shows their impact on the various dimensions of prosperity. One of the conclusions was
that cities must have a generous and well-designed street pattern in order to encourage
prosperity.
UN-Habitat is now planning a second study, this time integrating information and communication
technology (ICT) into the dimensions of prosperity with the aim of publishing a research report
at the end of 2015.
Why is a Consultant requested/needed?
UN-Habitat requires a consultant to coordinate the research project and produce the final report.
The consultant will work with a global network of research partners, city observatories and
technology partners to ensure the timely implementation of the research project.
Supervision
The incumbent will be under the overall supervision of Mr. Eduardo Moreno, Head of the
Research and Capacity Development and liaise with relevant UN-Habitat programme officers
and administrative staff and with the technology partner and coordinate with them to implement
the duties according to programme priorities.
Duties, responsibilities and output expectations
Terms of reference:
The consultant will spend 100% of their time coordinating the ICT as a driver for urban
prosperity research project.
The expected tasks include:
1) Perform all necessary preparatory research work, including:
 Literature review and analysis of ICT for city development / urbanization
 Analysis of exiting concepts, methods and indicators
 Compile all existing material and extract key issues
 Prepare guideline a framework for study and method
 Research and compile background studies of selected cities
2) Coordinate the research for the ICT as a driver for urban prosperity report with external
research partners, cities and technology partners, including the coordination of
necessary case studies and city profiles
3) Arrange group meetings and coordinate expert groups related to ICTs and urban
prosperity.
4) Develop and maintain partnerships with cities, academic institutions and researchers as
and when required by the project.
5) Prepare the final report, including:
 Integrate key results and findings from expert group meetings, case studies, city
profiles and action plans
 Integrate key results and findings from Habitat III reports and relevant studies
 Preparation of a draft report
 Organize and coordinate the process for peer review, and integrate necessary
comments.
 Organize the necessary editorial work for the final report.
The consultant will coordinate and consult with all concerned units and branches within UNHabitat, and with external partners at the various key stages of the initiative. Finally, the
prospective Consultant may be required to carry out any other duties, either in addition to, or
instead of those outlined above, which are considered to be within the individual’s level of
competence.
Output expectations:
1) Produce technical note on the preparatory research work and work plan (activity 1)
2) Produce a framework and structure of the report.
3) Produce first draft report with integration of background research, preliminary city
profiles and case studies
4) Produce a second draft report with the integration of CPI results and action plans.
5) Produce final report on ICT as a driver for Urban prosperity, integrating comments from
the peer review with all the necessary material needed for the Editorial and layout
preparation.
Travel:
It is expected that the consultant will undertake regular missions to meet with research partners
and partner cities and to arrange expert group meetings.
Training:
The UN Office at Nairobi (UNON) provides language training in all official UN-languages plus
Kiswahili. This service is also available to the Consultant. UNON also periodically offers training
in a number of other areas such as competency-based interviewing skills, results-based
management and project management. These trainings courses will be open to the
Consultant. However, participation on a course cannot be guaranteed as limited places are
available.
Qualifications and experience
Qualifications, skills and working experience:
 The incumbent is required to have a Masters degree fulfilled when applying for the
position. The incumbent should have a strong ICT and research background on urban
development. An academic background combining ICT and urban development is an
asset.
 The incumbent should have a strong research background with documented experience
of producing research papers or reports.
 The incumbent should have at least 5 years of relevant work experience in the field.
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An understanding of ICTs, ICT4D and/or the smart cities field. Knowledge of urban
planning, urban development, urban policy and legislation and sustainable urbanization
is an asset.
Excellent ICT skills and analytical and communication skills.
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 required.
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.
Excellent writing skill in English is required. Working knowledge of another UN language,
particularly Spanish or Arabic, is an asset.
Competencies:
The principal competencies required to carry out the duties of the job are:
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Technological Awareness Keeps abreast of available technology, understands
applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office, actively seeks to apply
technology to appropriate tasks, shows willingness to learn new technology.
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Communication Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly
interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify,
and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; demonstrates openness in
sharing information and keeping people informed, Excellent drafting ability and
communications skills, both oral and written; proven ability to communicate complex
concepts orally; ability to prepare written reports that are clear, concise and meaningful.
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Teamwork Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; is
willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and
acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely
reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint
responsibility for team shortcomings.
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Planning and organizing Able to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed
strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; allocates appropriate amount of
time and resources for contingencies in planning; monitors and adjusts plans and
actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Living conditions at duty station
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The UN classifies Nairobi as a class B duty station
Nairobi enjoys normal living conditions for a developing country in Africa.
Comprehensive security advice and support is provided upon arrival.
Remuneration
USD 6,000.00 per month (Total USD 66,000.000)
Applications should include:
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
• CV in the PHP format, accessible through the INSPIRA website (inspira.un.org) Please note, if using
INSPIRA for the first time, you need to register in order to activate your account, which will allow you to log
in and create a personal History Profile.
• The PHP should be attached to the application as a PDF file.
• Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information:
1. Educational Background (incl. dates)
2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months)
3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)
4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments
5. Expectations regarding remuneration
• Cover memo (maximum 1 page)
All applications should be submitted to:
Mr. Rizwan Kasmani
UN-HABITAT
P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Email: [email protected]
Fax: + 254 20 7625325
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: 01 December, 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: [email protected]