Early Childhood Urban Design Consultant

Organizational Context

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) promotes sustainable urban development and policies for adequate housing. Its Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) in Rio de Janeiro focuses on activities in Brazil. UN-Habitat collaborates with governments and partners to implement the Habitat Agenda, SDGs, and New Urban Agenda, aiming to create safer, inclusive, and resilient cities.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to address the precarious urban conditions faced by children due to rapid urbanization. The role will contribute to a project focused on improving public spaces for children (0-6 years) and their caregivers in São Paulo and Curitiba, Brazil. By utilizing innovative participatory design tools, the consultant will help implement and scale child-friendly public space policies. The ultimate goal is to ensure children and caregivers have access to high-quality, safe, inclusive, and sustainable public spaces that promote well-being and development, integrating gender-responsive and early childhood-sensitive approaches into urban design and policy.

Responsibilities

The consultant will develop and implement a Technical Work Plan, aligning with project timelines. Responsibilities include participating in meetings, workshops, and missions; preparing periodic progress reports and supporting materials for activities; and maintaining communication with the UN-Habitat technical team. The role involves preparing documents according to Brazilian technical standards (ABNT) and the project's methodology. Key duties include ensuring technical quality, methodological consistency, and alignment with UN-Habitat standards across all deliverables. The consultant will coordinate the methodological and logistical preparation of activities, manage project documentation, and present interim outputs. This includes participating in the design and implementation of in-person activities, incorporating feedback for revisions, and ensuring all deadlines and deliverables 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, and/or early childhood development is essential. Experience with participatory processes, technical report preparation, project planning, and working with multidisciplinary teams is also required. Desirable experience includes integrating gender-responsive approaches and working with vulnerable populations or UN agencies.

Skills

Required skills include strong presentation and communication abilities, organization, time management, and the capacity to communicate with multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency in preparing high-quality technical reports and documentation, coordinating teams, managing stakeholders, and ensuring quality assurance are essential. Understanding of gender-responsive and inclusive approaches, and the ability to manage documentation systems are also required. Knowledge of data analysis, territorial planning, or GIS is desirable.

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