Work LocationBanjul
Expected duration11 Months
Duties andResponsibilities
Background The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Cities accommodate more than half of the global population, and by 2050 more than 2.5 billion people will be added to the world’s urban population. Around two thirds of the SDG targets and indicators have an urban dimension. It is no surprise therefore that the “battle for sustainable development will be won or lost in cities.†The New Urban Agenda outlines how cities can drive the achievement of sustainable development and highlights the importance of urban policy, inclusive, accountable local governance, effective urban planning, efficient local revenue systems and effective, equitable service delivery. SDG Cities facilitates global collaboration to enable cities to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs and improve quality of life. It offers a systematic way to support cities become sustainable and resilient by connecting a value chain of data, inclusive, evidence-based strategic planning, strengthened capacity of local institutions and the development and financing of high impact projects. It aims reach 1000 cities and 1 billion lives by 2030 by providing cities with: 1) an online bank of tools for data collection and analysis, institutional capacity development and project preparation and financial matchmaking; 2) support hubs that provide technical support and backstopping to participating cities at each stage of the SDG City cycle; 3) strategic partnerships with cities and investors, and 4) recognizing the achievement of cities through SDG Cities Certification. The United Nations Peace and Development Trust Fund (hereafter referred to as “UNPDF”) was established in 2016, following the pledge by the Government of the People’s Republic of China to the United Nations. UNPDF has two sub-Funds. The Secretary-General’s Peace and Security Sub-Fund, aims at financing projects and activities related to the maintenance of international peace and security. And the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund, is intended to finance activities in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by Member States in September 2015. The assignment is designed to technically support the implementation of the project Fostering COVID-19 recovery and SDG implementation through local action in Asia-Pacific, Arab and African countries. It aims at advancing inclusive post-pandemic recovery and advancing the localization of the SDGs in selected countries in Asia and the Pacific, Africa and the Arab States. Banjul is a pilot city of the 2030 Agenda Sub-fund project with the intention of providing lessons learned and innovative approaches to be scaled up and replicated in several other cities in The Gambia. The implementation and drafting of the VLR of Banjul City will be led by the consultant under the coordination of UN-Habitat’s SDG Localization and Local Governments Team and in close collaboration with the technical focal points in Banjul city. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will carry out the following tasks and responsibilities: 1. Data Track • Data collection: working with relevant partners and departments in Banjul City to collect the relevant data against the Global Urban Monitoring Framework • Data cleaning: The consultant will be responsible for cleaning the vector data to properly analyze the data generated by piloting the Global Urban Monitoring Framework. • Generate map-based analysis: based on the cleaned data, the consultant will submit a series of analytical maps (tool: Spatial SWOT) to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the territory, and the opportunities and threats faced in the territory. 2. Stakeholder’s Engagement Track Working with different stakeholders, including local community representatives, the consultants will support the organization of consultation forums to: • Review the data and collect additional qualitative information. • Present and discuss the spatial SWOT, and to prioritize issues as perceived by different stakeholders. • Discuss the SDG Discussion Papers • Finalization of vision and strategic objectives and long list of projects for submission to the Mayor for approval. 3. SDG Research Track The consultant will draft SDG Discussion Papers that will provide a detailed overview of the status of progress towards the SDGs of Banjul City. Based on the data cleaned and analyzed (through the UMF) as well as on the basis of the information collected through the stakeholder engagement process (situation analysis described above, The SDG Discussion papers will constitute the core of the VLR and the basis for the development of the vision, strategic objectives, list of projects and action plan for Banjul. Reporting line The consultant will be working under the direct supervision of the Human Settlements Officer of the SDG Localization and Local Governments Team of the Urban Practices Branch of UN-Habitat HQ, Nairobi. S/he will be responsible for contributing to the implementation of the activities in Banjul City linked to the Fostering COVID-19 recovery and SDG implementation through local action in Asia-Pacific, Arab and African countries project. The work and supervision of the consultant will be coordinated with the technical focal points of the city of Banjul as well as with all the implementing partners of the project.
Qualifications/special skillsA Masters Degree or equivalent in sustainable development, urban planning, data and statistics, urban or local governance, urban management, public administration or a related field is required A minimum of five (5) years of experience in project/programme management, data analysis and research or related area is required Experience working on the development and publication of city reports is highly desirable, as well as previous experience of working with the SDGs at the local level. Knowledge of the local context of the city of Banjul or experience with the City Council is desirable.
LanguagesFluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Mandinka or Wolof is an asset.
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.
