VLR 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. Based in Nairobi, it leads UN efforts in coordinating human settlement development and collaborating with local governments. This role supports the development of Moscow's first Voluntary Local Review (VLR) as part of the SDG Cities Flagship Programme.

Job Purpose

This role provides crucial research, coordination, and drafting support for the development of Moscow's Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Working under the supervision of the Head of the UN-Habitat Country Office in the Russian Federation, the consultant will assist in structuring the VLR, collecting and organizing data, supporting financial assessments, facilitating stakeholder engagement, and refining content. The ultimate aim is to enhance the effectiveness of the Lead Consultant and contribute to the production of a coherent, accurate, and publication-ready VLR, supporting Moscow's progress towards the SDGs and its integration into global urban development frameworks.

Responsibilities

The VLR Support Consultant will contribute to several key outcomes. This includes strengthening the VLR structure through background research, data collection, and translation of Russian documents. The role involves producing well-organized SDG data inputs for the VLR Data Report and providing analytical support for the financial assessment, including reviewing municipal budgets and identifying financing mechanisms. Additionally, the consultant will offer coordinated support for stakeholder engagement, assisting in material preparation, logistics, and documenting proceedings. Drafting assistance, content refinement, fact-checking, editing, and formatting are also key duties. Finally, the role ensures an organized review process by tracking comments and preparing updated drafts, and supports the VLR launch and dissemination activities with logistical and content preparation.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in research, policy analysis, or project implementation in urban sustainability is required. Experience in preparing analytical documents, supporting VLR/VNR processes, or municipal analysis is advantageous. Experience in urban research within Moscow or working with Russian government counterparts is highly desirable. Proven ability to gather, organize, and analyze large datasets from multiple sources, including Russian-language documents, is essential.

Skills

Strong writing, research, and coordination skills. Excellent analytical and writing abilities. Proactive and well-organized. Ability to work independently and coordinate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Adaptability and cultural sensitivity. Understanding of institutional dynamics in governance and planning. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and web search engines. Familiarity with SDG localization and UN processes is an asset. Proficiency in statistical packages (SPSS, SAS, R, MATLAB) and GIS software is desirable.

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