Early Childhood Participatory Processes Consultant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) promotes sustainable urban development and adequate housing for all. Its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) in Rio de Janeiro focuses on developing and managing activities in Brazil. This role supports a project in São Paulo and Curitiba aimed at improving public spaces for children and caregivers, addressing the impact of rapid urbanization on early childhood development.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to support UN-Habitat's project in Brazil, focusing on improving public spaces for early childhood development (0-6 years) and their caregivers in São Paulo and Curitiba. The consultant will utilize innovative participatory design tools to facilitate the implementation and scaling up of child-friendly public space policies. The role contributes to creating safer, more inclusive, and sustainable urban environments where children and caregivers have a voice in shaping the spaces they inhabit, ultimately promoting their well-being and development. The project aligns with UN-Habitat's mandate to foster sustainable urban development and ensure adequate housing for all, with a specific focus on vulnerable urban populations.

Responsibilities

The consultant will develop and implement a Technical Work Plan, aligning with the project timeline. Responsibilities include participating in meetings, workshops, and missions, and preparing periodic progress reports for UN-Habitat. The role involves preparing materials for project activities, maintaining communication with the UN-Habitat technical team, and ensuring all documents adhere to Brazilian technical standards (ABNT). The consultant will develop documents and workshops using the project's established methodology, ensuring technical quality and consistency with UN-Habitat standards. Key duties also include coordinating the methodological and logistical preparation of activities, managing data and project documentation, and presenting interim outputs. The consultant will participate in the design and implementation of in-person activities, incorporate feedback on deliverables, and ensure all deadlines are met.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in urban development, public spaces planning, and urban design in Brazil is required. Experience in designing and implementing projects related to public space, urban planning, or early childhood development is necessary. The role requires experience in coordinating and facilitating participatory processes, preparing high-quality technical reports for international organizations, and managing project planning, implementation, and monitoring under tight deadlines. Experience with multidisciplinary teams and integrating gender-responsive approaches is desirable.

Skills

Strong presentation and communication skills. Organization and time management abilities. Capacity to communicate with multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency in preparing high-quality technical reports and documentation. Ability to coordinate teams and manage multiple stakeholders. Understanding of gender-responsive and inclusive approaches. Knowledge of data analysis, territorial planning, or GIS is desirable.

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