WUF Programme Support Consultant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the UN agency for human settlements, mandated to promote sustainable towns and cities. The World Urban Forum (WUF) Coordination Office, within UN-Habitat's Global Knowledge and Advocacy Division, is located at the UN-Habitat New York Liaison Office. This office serves as the UN-Habitat's representation and coordination hub at UN Headquarters, ensuring sustainable urbanization remains central to the UN development agenda.

Job Purpose

This role supports the continuity and enhanced engagement for the World Urban Forum (WUF) between WUF13 and WUF14, aligning with UN-Habitat's strategic priorities. The purpose is to strengthen partnerships, amplify advocacy, and ensure sustained WUF continuity by fostering stakeholder engagement, particularly with North American institutions, academia, civil society, and Permanent Missions. The role contributes to advancing sustainable urbanization and human settlements development by ensuring UN-Habitat's priorities are reflected in intergovernmental processes and coordination mechanisms, and by supporting the organization and promotion of WUF-related activities and initiatives.

Responsibilities

The consultant will contribute to the preparation and implementation of work plans for WUF promotional, engagement, and advocacy activities in New York and North America. This includes coordinating with the WUF Secretariat, UN-Habitat Headquarters, Permanent Missions, UN entities, and partner organizations. Responsibilities involve reviewing and analyzing UN resolutions and policy documents, identifying strategic issues to enhance WUF's policy relevance, and preparing briefing materials and recommendations. The role also entails supporting the organization of consultations, side events, and presentations to foster partner engagement and collaboration. Additionally, the consultant will conduct policy research on urban development issues, maintain stakeholder engagement records, provide administrative and operational support to the New York Liaison Office, and guide interns and junior consultants.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, administration, or a related area is required. Experience in planning, organizing, or supporting global events and forums is desirable. Experience in supporting, planning, and implementing urban development policy, planning, and design projects is also desirable.

Skills

Project/programme management, event planning and organization, stakeholder engagement, advocacy, policy research and analysis, communication, administrative support, coordination, guidance of junior staff.

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