Urban Policy and Implementation Specialist

The consultant will contribute to the advancement of the National Urban Policy Programme in Paraguay through the provision of technical advisory services, policy analysis, stakeholder engagement support, implementation guidance, knowledge management and technical reporting services. Success will be measured through the quality and timeliness of technical support provided, effective engagement with national and local counterparts, contribution to implementation progress, quality of reporting and support to institutional coordination processes. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the UN-Habitat's operational and technical teams.

Asunción, Paraguay

Eight (8) months

Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners for the implementation of the UN-Habitat Strategic Plan 2026-2029, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean – ROLAC – is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. For the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in the region by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. Paraguay was selected to be part of the second phase of the National Urban Policy Programme "National Urban Policy Programme, Phase Two: Scaling up people-centred Smart Cities through National urban Policies" (NUPP 2), which allows UN-Habitat to continue supporting the country in the elaboration and implementation of policies and strategies on urban and housing development. The programme initiated in October 2022 and extends up 2027, and will include activities related to the development of national and local urban policies and strategies; capacity building of policy makers and stakeholders; the implementation of demonstrative urban interventions; and the enhancement of global knowledge creation and sharing. The workplan for this project that has been agreed upon with Paraguay's Ministry of Urbanism, Housing and Habitat (MUVH) includes the elaboration of a National Plan for Urbanism, Housing and Habitat (PLANUVIH), its implementation instruments at metropolitan and city level as well as demonstrative projects. To support the Regional Office for Latin American and Caribbean (ROLAC) in these efforts, UN-Habitat is looking at an Urban Policy & implementation specialist according to the following terms. Responsibilities The Urban Policy and Implementation Specialist will provide continuous technical, policy, advisory and coordination support to activities implemented under the NUPP 2 project and will support UN-Habitat in its engagement with national and local institutions responsible for urban development, housing and territorial planning. Under the overall supervision of the UN Habitat ROLAC Representative, the consultant will perform the following responsibilities: A. Policy advisory support and technical coordination a) Contribute to the review, revision and implementation processes of the National Plan for Urbanism, Housing and Habitat (PLANUVIH), in accordance with established workplans and guidance provided by UN-Habitat and national counterparts. b) Compile and organize technical information and reference materials to support the alignment of national urban and housing initiatives with the New Urban Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals and relevant UN-Habitat frameworks. c) Prepare draft briefing notes, background documents, summaries, presentations and other supporting materials for review by UN-Habitat personnel and national counterparts. d) Review available documentation and identify issues, information gaps and implementation challenges for consideration by responsible officials. B. Support to implementation and demonstrative projects e) Provide technical support related to the implementation of PLANUVIH and related urban and housing initiatives. f) Contribute to the preparation, monitoring and documentation of demonstration projects, pilot activities and capacity development initiatives implemented under NUPP 2. g) Contribute to the collection, organization and dissemination of information related to implementation priorities, institutional arrangements and operational activities. h) Assist in the preparation of workplans, implementation schedules, progress tracking tools and coordination arrangements. C. Institutional coordination and stakeholder engagement i) Support coordination and information-sharing processes with the Ministry of Urbanism, Housing and Habitat (MUVH) and other relevant governmental institutions. j) Organize and document technical meetings, consultations, workshops and working sessions, including the preparation of minutes, summaries and follow-up matrices. k) Support stakeholder engagement activities involving local governments, metropolitan authorities, civil society organizations, academic institutions and development partners. l) Maintain records of discussions, agreements, action points and follow-up actions arising from meetings and consultations. D. Monitoring, Reporting and Knowledge Management m) Support project monitoring activities through the collection, consolidation and tracking of information related to indicators, targets and implementation milestones. n) Monitor implementation issues and maintain records of identified risks and mitigation measures for the attention of designated officials. o) Compile information and prepare draft inputs for periodic reports required by UN-Habitat, donors and governmental counterparts. p) Contribute to the preparation of progress reports, lessons learned documents, presentations and other reporting products. q) Support knowledge-sharing activities and facilitate the exchange of information, experiences and good practices between Paraguay and other relevant countries and partners. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System. Output/Work Assignments Output 1: Policy and Programme Support Documentation • Draft briefing notes, meeting summaries, background documents and technical support materials prepared in support of PLANUVIH implementation and related NUPP 2 activities. • Compilation and organization of relevant policy, programme and project information requested by UN-Habitat and national counterparts. • Monthly activity report summarizing support provided, key activities undertaken and progress achieved. Output 2: Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement Support • Technical meetings, consultations and coordination sessions supported and documented. • Minutes, action trackers and follow-up matrices prepared and maintained. • Stakeholder information and inputs compiled and shared with relevant counterparts as requested. Output 3: Monitoring and Reporting Support • Information related to project activities, implementation milestones and agreed indicators compiled and organized. • Draft inputs prepared for internal reports, progress updates and reporting requirements. • Implementation issues, risks and follow-up actions documented for review by responsible officials. Output 4: Knowledge Management and Documentation Support • Lessons learned, reference materials, presentations and knowledge-sharing documentation compiled and maintained. • Good practices and relevant experiences identified and documented for internal use. • Information exchange activities supported and documented. Output 5: Support to Demonstration Projects and Capacity Development Activities • Documentation and implementation tracking support provided to demonstration projects and pilot activities under NUPP 2. • Capacity development activities, workshops and training sessions supported through logistical, technical and documentation assistance. • Participant records, workshop summaries and activity reports prepared. The Urban Policy & implementation specialist will provide technical advisory and analytical support to activities under the NUPP 2 project, including support to the finalization of the National Urbanism, Housing and Habitat Plan for 2035 and preparation of technical inputs to the guide for local implementation of the National Urbanism, Housing and Habitat Policy. The consultant shall be paid a monthly allowance, upon presentation and approval by the UN-Habitat ROLAC Representative of monthly activities report.

Education: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in Urban Development, Urban Planning, Social Sciences, Public Administration, International Development, Economics, Geography, or a related field. A first-level university degree combined with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Work Experience • A minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in programme support, project coordination, urban development, housing, monitoring and reporting, stakeholder engagement, or related areas is required. • Experience supporting urban development, housing or territorial planning initiatives in Paraguay is desirable. • Experience supporting project implementation, documentation, reporting processes, stakeholder coordination or knowledge-management activities is desirable. • Previous experience working with the United Nations system, international organizations or public-sector institutions is desirable. Nations is desirable. Skills • Knowledge of urban development, housing and territorial planning concepts is required. • Ability to collect, organize and analyse information and prepare summaries, reports and technical documentation using established methodologies and guidance is required. • Experience supporting multi-stakeholder coordination processes, meetings, consultations or workshops is desirable. • Experience with project-cycle management, Results-Based Management concepts, monitoring frameworks or reporting tools is desirable. • Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and standard information-management tools is required. Competencies Professionalism Knowledge of urban development, housing and programme management concepts. Ability to review and organize information, maintain accurate records, prepare reports and support implementation activities in accordance with established procedures and guidance. Ability to identify issues requiring attention and communicate them effectively to responsible officials. Communication Ability to draft reports, meeting summaries, presentations and correspondence in a clear and concise manner. Ability to communicate effectively with government counterparts, partners and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. Planning and Organizing Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize tasks and meet established deadlines. Ability to maintain organized records and monitor progress against agreed activities and timelines. Teamwork Ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary and multicultural environments. Ability to support collective objectives, share information and contribute to effective coordination among stakeholders.

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Spanish is the working language of the Regional Office. For this position, fluency in Spanish is required. • Working knowledge of English is desirable.

Monthly Activity Reports The consultant shall submit an executive monthly activity report summarizing technical advisory services provided, technical documents prepared, meetings facilitated, policy recommendations developed, stakeholder engagement activities supported, risks identified and recommended follow-up actions. • Technical advisory services provided. • Meetings facilitated and stakeholder coordination undertaken. • Progress in support of PLANUVIH development and implementation. • Support provided to demonstrative projects and implementation instruments. • Monitoring and reporting activities completed. • Capacity-building and knowledge-sharing activities undertaken. • Risks identified and mitigation measures proposed. • Workplan implementation status and priorities for the following month. Travel Details The consultant must be available to travel to the places related to the project and institutional activities requires in the country and in the region, if requested by the UN Habitat ROLAC Reporesentative. Missions will be coordinated and financed by UN-Habitat, according to the United Nations travel rules and guidelines. Notes Appointment against this post is on local basis and only nationals from Brazil or external candidates who hold a permanent visa in Brazil may apply. The extension of this contract is subject to availability of funds and/or performance. Any contract extension is not automatic.    It is required for all the curricular information to be inserted in the system, which may take a few hours. Only complete applications in English will be considered.    All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. Due to the volume of applications received, receipt of applications cannot be acknowledged individually. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Applications should be submitted through INSPIRA and must include all documents required at the system, please be ready to include the following information at the "Candidate Profile" (CP) at Inspira: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Educational Background (incl. dates) • Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) • Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments • Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.)* * Please note that Internships, part-time and voluntary work count as 50%. In addition to it, note experience not relevant to the position will not be considered. All applications should be submitted to: Inspira UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning people or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org.