Objective
This consultancy will technically support the development of normative processes related to people-centred smart cities initiatives of UN-Habitat within its wider partnership landscape, particularly to shaping UN-Habitat’s engagement in the digital transformation and urbanization arena in line with Flagship Programme 2 on People-centred Smart Cities. In particular, this consultancy will analyse good practices on the application of frontier technologies supporting marginalized communities in urban settings, outline tools and approaches to support strategic directions on the development and utilisation of frontier technologies for the urban poor.
Remotely
20 working days
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the lead United Nations agency for cities and human settlements. The agency 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 and sustainable development. 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.
UN-Habitat, being the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, has a role in delivering the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by Member States in 2015, specifically goal 11: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
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 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.
UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan for the years 2020 – 2023 reinforces UN-Habitat’s position as the global centre of excellence on sustainable urban development, offering solutions that help seize the opportunities presented by urbanisation, while bringing about transformational change for the benefit of millions of people, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind.
The Strategic Plan lays out a recalibrated vision and mission, and a sharpened focus. UN-Habitat proposes to serve Member States, sub-national and local governments, and other key urban actors in the pursuit of four mutually reinforcing and integrated domains of change:
a. Reduced poverty and spatial inequality in urban and rural communities;
b. Enhanced shared prosperity of cities and regions;
c. Strengthened climate action and improved urban environment; and
d. Effective urban crisis prevention and response.
Outcome 2.3 of the Strategic Plan is “expanded deployment of frontier technologies and innovations for urban development”. Frontier technologies are influencing the emergence of smart cities, how we build and manage our cities and human settlements, and how urban managers take more informed decisions. The New Urban Agenda calls for technology and communication networks to be strengthened and for smart-city approaches that use digitalization, clean energy, and technologies to boost economic growth and improve service delivery, while promoting broad-based inclusion, including of persons with disabilities.
The implementation of the Strategic Plan 2020 - 2030 is also supported by six “organizational performance enablers”: (1) monitoring and knowledge; (2) innovation; (3) advocacy, communication and outreach; (4) partnerships; (5) capacity building; and (6) systems and processes. UN-Habitat needs to put in place the adequate institutional, managerial and financial conditions. Moreover, “drivers of change” for achieving sustainable urbanization have been outlined: (1) policy and legislation; (2) urban planning and design; (3) governance; and (4) finance mechanisms.
Development of UN-Habitat’s People-centered Smart Cities Flagship Programme
Following the adoption of the Strategic Plan 2020 - 2030, UN-Habitat is developing five global flagship programmes to support its implementation. The flagship programme 2 focuses on people-centered smart cities to act as an umbrella and enabler for mainstreaming the approach across all its work. This function will have a clear mandate to support colleagues in the delivery of their operational and normative work. The function will be supported by committed and mandated smart city focal points with dedicated resources and time in other offices.
The objective of this flagship programme is to ensure that the smart cities field is focused on ensuring sustainable development outcomes aligned with human rights, including ensuring that no one and no space is left behind, and that cities reduce carbon emissions. Together with the other flagship programmes and in collaboration with other UN Agencies, as well as state and non-state actors, this flagship on “People-centered Smart Cities” is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
a. DIGITAL POLICY TRANSFORMATION: Increased focus and mainstreaming of people-focused, sustainable and inclusive digital transition as a critical policy topic in high level political forums and global dialogues on smart cities.
b. FINANCING DIGITAL URBAN INNOVATION: Increased investment and financing for people-focused smart cities to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs with a specific focus on developing countries, small and medium size cities and grassroots urban communities
c. DIGITAL EMPOWERMENT & CAPACITY BUILDING: Enhanced capacity of governments at all levels to adopt a people-focused, privacy-enhancing, and rights-preserving approach to digital technologies for inclusion and sustainable urban development in the achievement of the SDGs.
Duties and responsibilities
1. Research focusing on inspiring practices showing how existing (and new innovative) tools and digital technologies, data and smart solutions have been (can be) used to improve the lives of the urban poor and people living in unplanned and informal settlements as well as slums in a variety of contexts. Selected case studies should show a good mix of examples from civil society, local/ regional governments and the private sector and be regionally representative (thematic diversity of themes, e.g., tenure, participation, access to basic services, integration and inclusion, capacity development and financial inclusion). Research should be first-hand (ie. interviews) and not solely based on desk reviews.
2. In collaboration with UN-Habitat’s people-centered smart city flagship programme, the Global Land Tool Network, Participatory Slum Upgrading Programme, Housing as well as human rights teams prepare a final compendium of inspiring practices.
Qualifications, skills and working experience required:
• Education:
Advanced university degree economics, social science, international relations and public policy, urbanism and/ or applied computer science is required. A Bachelors degree in related field, as listed above, with 2 years qualifying experience will be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
• Work Experience:
At least 5 years’ experience working in the field of digital transformation processes in urban areas is required. Significant experience of developing policies, strategies, guides and toolkits is an added advantage. Experience of developing and implementing capacity building programmes, delivering training, public speaking and organizing workshops is an asset. Experience of working with and advising cities and local governments on smart cities, digital transformation, digital rights, innovation and frontier technologies; experience of working with and advising multilateral organizations, for example the United Nations, the European Commission and International Financing Institutions; experience in resource mobilization; experience in establishing partnerships; large and comprehensive network in the technology and innovation field is desirable.
Language
Fluency in English, written and verbal. Outputs will be delivered in English language.
Competencies
• Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization's strategy and the UNITAC's goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
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.