Urban Finance Consultant
Organizational Context
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) in Moscow is seeking an Urban Finance Consultant to support the development of Moscow's first Voluntary Local Review (VLR). This role is part of the SDG Cities Flagship Programme and aims to assess progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and inform future urban planning and financing decisions.
Job Purpose
The Urban Finance Consultant will play a crucial role in developing Moscow's Voluntary Local Review (VLR) by focusing on its financial dimension. This involves analyzing municipal finance data, assessing capital infrastructure investments, and integrating financial information with spatial data. The consultant will contribute to identifying financing gaps and developing actionable recommendations for SDG implementation. The ultimate goal is to support the establishment of a sustainable model for SDG localization in Moscow, enhancing its alignment with the 2030 Agenda and its capacity to monitor and advance urban development outcomes. This position requires close collaboration with UN-Habitat teams and Moscow government stakeholders to ensure the VLR is evidence-based, actionable, and meets international standards for dissemination.
Responsibilities
The Urban Finance Consultant will conduct a thorough review of Moscow’s public finance registry to classify capital infrastructure investments over the last three financial years. This includes coordinating with municipal departments to geo-reference major capital assets and structuring financial data into a geo-referenced spatial matrix for thematic mapping. The consultant will analyze expenditure patterns to identify priority spatial areas, infrastructure delivery mechanisms (including PPPs and green financing), and financing gaps relative to SDG targets. Responsibilities also include preparing high-quality technical inputs, graphs, tables, and narrative texts for the financial sections of the VLR and related SDG Discussion Papers, and refining data based on feedback from review teams and government counterparts.
Work Experience
A minimum of two years of relevant work experience in public finance, public policy, or urban governance research is required. Experience in SDG budgeting, spatial data analysis, and working with municipal governments or international agencies on urban policy and sustainability is highly desirable. Familiarity with the Russian Federation's budget code and Moscow's financial systems is a significant advantage.
Skills
Strong analytical and writing skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and R. Familiarity with database software, spatial analysis, mapping tools, and data visualization. Experience with SDG localization and UN processes is an asset. Excellent interpersonal, communication, planning, organization, and teamwork skills. Ability to work independently and under pressure.