04 Jun 2025
Cities Alliance is looking for Urban Specialists on Inclusive, Climate-Resilient, and Sustainable Urban Development to provide technical expertise to the implementation of its programme across key thematic areas: Urban migration and Displacement, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, Informal Settlements and Climate Resilience.
Under the supervision of the Senior Urban Specialist - Migration and Climate, the Urban Specialist will contribute technical and analytical support to Cities Alliance’s work on inclusive and climate-resilient urban development. The role will focus on research, diagnostics, operational tools, grant management, and peer learning activities to strengthen implementation across regional and country-level initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and refine knowledge products, technical tools, and city diagnostics that address Cities Alliance’s key thematic areas, ensuring contextual relevance and alignment with strategic goals.
- Design and implement robust systems for monitoring, documentation, and visualisation of programme outcomes.
- Lead peer learning initiatives, capacity-building workshops, and technical exchange forums to foster cross-regional collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Produce high-quality analytical inputs for concept notes, strategic briefs, and operational guidance tools, aligned with global best practices and policy trends.
- Drive the integration of gender equality and climate resilience considerations into all stages of program design and delivery.
- Implement quality assurance and peer review processes for programme deliverables, to ensure technical soundness, coherence, and alignment with organisational standards and donor requirements.
- Coordination and oversight of technical and administrative processes related to grant management.
- Provide comprehensive documentation reviews, engage proactively with grantees, and track deliverables and disbursement schedules to ensure timely and compliant execution.
Requirements:
- An Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent), preferably in urban planning, environmental studies, migration, development studies, geography, or related disciplines, is required.
- A first-level university degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the related fields with an additional two (2) years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.
- A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience working on inclusive, climate-resilient and/or sustainable urban development in the context of low-income countries is required.
- Familiarity with at least one of the following topics is required: urban migration, informal settlements, climate adaptation, and Gender Equity, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) integration.
- Previous experience in Africa or Asia is required.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French, Somali, Arabic, Amharic, Lao, Khmer, Thai, or Burmese is considered an asset.
Contract:
- Individual Contractor Agreement (IICA 2/ ICS 10)
- 1 year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funds and continued business needs.
Candidates can find further information about the vacancy and apply by 4 June 2025, through the UNOPS website.