All Things Urban

The United Nations Development Programme works in nearly 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We help countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results.

The UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 commits the organization to help countries find faster, more durable solutions towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address long-standing, complex challenges, such as urbanization, climate change, and rising inequalities that may impede achievement of Agenda 2030.

Among the new generation of solutions launched by UNDP is the Accelerator Lab Network. Aiming to build the largest and fastest learning global network embedded in its bureaucracy, UNDP has set up Accelerator Labs in an initial set of 60 countries, including the Philippines. The labs are tasked to pursue interdisciplinary approaches and non-linear solutions that crowd in the collective efforts of variety of partners and tap into local insights and the knowledge of people closest to the problem and the solutions. Through the Accelerator Labs, UNDP aims to introduce a range of new services to partners—including sensemaking, collective intelligence, solutions mapping, and experimentation—to accelerate the testing and dissemination of solutions within and across countries.

With the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, cities are on the frontline of both the current phase of managing and coping with the immediate effects of virus transmission as well as being confronted with the challenge of recovery and resilience planning. UNDP Philippines led by the Accelerator Lab team has been engaging with two cities in Metro Manila – Pasig and Marikina – to develop a program of support based around the concept of “strategic risk management”. The COVID context makes such work more urgent but with the ongoing community quarantine in the Philippines, the mode of delivery and content of the planned training sessions would need to reviewed and revised.

The focus of UNDP’s support is to enable selected cities in Metro Manila to futureproof and accelerate sustainable development impact through dynamic management of strategic risks, opportunities and innovation. It aims to empower city leaders and their teams by providing a series of strategic options to better understand the key risks they are facing and exploit the transformative opportunities available to them and ultimately increase their effectiveness in creating citizen centered, livable and sustainable city spaces. This is anchored in the view of strengthening democracy and scaling participatory governance, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

UNDP requires the services of a Sustainable Cities Specialist as an individual consultant (IC) with deep local knowledge and experience of urban issues and strong partner networks to provide analysis and advice to both the CO and the private sector partner implementing the program of technical assistance based in the two cities being currently supported under the project.

Strategic engagement – strengthening city partnerships and relationship management, including:

• Identifying and brokering partnerships with cities for #NextGenCities activities;
• Provide strategic entry points and facilitate engagement with a diverse range of external partners across sectors i.e. government, development partners, private sector, academic partners and unusual partners;
• Mapping stakeholders, capabilities and advocacies for programmatic synergies;
• Other related support.

Research and knowledge management – contribute technical expertise to build collective intelligence around cities programming through:

• Provide technical analysis and insights into #NextGenCities programming and reference to related case studies, literature, policies, academic research, data and other materials;
• Conduct of initial or exploratory analysis, field observation, interviews, focus group discussions to identify patterns and trends;
• Drafting of policy notes or briefs, presentations, communication materials, and other materials;
• Other related support.

Project management and operational support – planning and implementation of #NextGenCities activities, through:

• Coordination with consultants, responsible parties and grantees;
• Organization and documentation of activities such as field missions, workshops, training, meetings, etc.;
• Compliance with management requirements and progress tracking;
• Other related support.

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Demonstrates strong analytical skills and mature judgement well-planned and organized;
• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize and execute effectively;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multi-cultural team environment;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team and with stakeholders;
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills

• The expected duration of the assignment is 60 working days between 11 May to 11 August 2020, unless revised in a mutually agreed upon timetable between the Consultant, ALab PH Head of Exploration, and IAT-SPA.
• Considering the COVID-19 pandemic and declaration of State of Public Health Emergency in the Philippines, all work of the Individual consultant shall be done within the guidelines and protocols set by the local and national government.
• During the entire duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, this consultancy shall be performed remotely and will be a home-based assignment. The Consultant is expected to have his/her own equipment, office space, and internet connectivity. The Consultant shall not engage in any meetings or activities outside their homes. Coordination/meetings shall be done through phone or online communication until such time that the quarantine is lifted.
• UNDP and the Consultant shall assess, once the Enhanced Community Quarantine is lifted, if it is safe and necessary to have in-person meetings and collaboration.
• The Consultant is expected to provide his/her own laptop for the work requirement. S/he will be provided with desk space and access to office facilities and equipment. S/he will also be support by UNDP staff for administrative and logistic requirements, as necessary.
• Expected local travels are only within Metro Manila.

We’re not fully sure whether this role is open to international candidates. If you would need visa sponsorship or work authorisation, we recommend checking directly with the employer before applying.