• The objectives of the flagship programme and the guidelines are to ensure that smart cities development ensures sustainable development outcomes aligned with human rights, including ensuring that no one and no space is left behind, and that cities reduce carbon emissions.
• The flagship focuses on three key outcomes:
•  Digital policy transformation;
•  financing digital urban innovation; and digital empowerment and capacity building.
• Consequently, a set of tools, playbooks and programmes were developed to respond to an increasing need for capacity in the nexus of digitalization and urban transformation, including: 7 playbooks on reducing the digital divide and increasing capabilities and capacities of local governments in managing people-centred smart cities effectively.
• Training programs that strengthened capacities of many cities.
• A project on climate-smart cities and four system demonstrators, paving the way for key lessons on applying innovative methods to achieve climate-neutral and smart cities.
•  The United Nations Innovation Technology Accelerator for Cities, which leads the development of unique digital solutions for local and national governments.
• UN-Habitat’s International Guidelines on People-Centred Smart Cities.
• Many publications, such as “Accelerating sustainable urban futures: a practical guide for challenge-driven innovation in cities” (2025); “World Smart Cities Outlook” and “Global Assessment of Responsible AI in Cities” (2024); “Global Review of Smart City Governance Practices”, “AI & Cities: Risks, Applications and Governance” and “Mainstreaming human rights in the digital transformation of cities” (2022).

Qualifications/special skills

• A first-level university degree in environment and/or climate change, economics, social sciences, technology, urban development and/or applied computer science is required.
• At least 5 years’ experience working in the field of digital transformation processes in urban areas and climate-smart city solutions.
• Substantial knowledge of best practices in the area of smart cities, climate resilience, and sustainable urban digital transformation.
• Significant experience of developing policies, strategies, guides and toolkits is highly desirable.
• Substantial experience desired in developing and implementing capacity building programmes, delivering training, public speaking and organizing workshops.
• Experience working with and advising cities and local governments on smart cities, digital transformation, digital rights, innovation and frontier technologies is highly desirable.
• Experience working with and advising multilateral organizations, in resource mobilization, and in establishing partnerships is desirable.

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Responsibilities

• Reporting to Francesca Calisesi, Waste Expert, UBSS, the waste management consultant will be responsible for the following duties:
• Establish contacts with relevant government entities responsible for waste management in selected city in Sierra Leone in close coordination with UN-Habitat's waste management team and country team.
• Cover logistics for WaCT application, including purchasing relevant tools and personal protective equipment, identifying potential venues for training and stakeholders’ workshop, transport arrangements, stakeholders’ mobilization, etc.
• Organize and facilitate WaCT training for local authority officers and volunteers.
• Apply WaCT and Waste Flow Diagram (WFD) in collaboration with local authorities and relevant UN-Habitat personnel.
• Organize and facilitate a stakeholders’ workshop inviting all the different stakeholders in the local waste management chain and government of the city.
• Draft the WaCT report based on the local stakeholders' workshop and WaCT Data Collection Application (DCA) and WFD results, highlighting policy intervention and infrastructure investment gaps for recommendations for national legislation reforms.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Management, Environmental Engineering, or in a closely related field is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of three years’ experience in municipal solid waste management or a related field with extensive knowledge and experience in waste data collection is required.
• Excellent writing and communication skills and the ability to analyse data is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) is required. Experience in the United Nations and WaCT application is regarded as an asset.

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Duties and Responsibilities

• Under the overall supervision of the Snr. Programme Management Officer/Project Manager, the M&E, Communications and Reporting specialist will be responsible for the following duties:
• Monitor the implementation of project activities and the progress towards the planned outputs and the expected outcomes
• Develop a monitoring tool to enable continuous and consistent assessment of the progress of project activities against the project work plan
• Undertake field missions to observe and assess the progress of project activities, to collect evidence, data and information for success stories and normative products and to support the strengthening of partnerships with local actors and partners
• Update the monitoring module of the Integrated Project Monitoring and Reporting (IPMR) tool on a monthly basis
• Develop and implement a project visibility and communications strategy
• Develop a project visibility and communication strategy including an action plan for the implementation of the strategy
• Develop a coordination plan to ensure that the strategy complements and aligns with those of other KUSP2 partners
• Develop and provide templates for communication content and regular field reports to maintain consistent content and style
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to identify local channels and tools for communication and engagement, including but not limited to mapping key events and important local media outlets
• Coordinate programme communications among KUSP2 partners, including the Government of Kenya (SDHUD) and the World Bank
• Map key activities and events organized by UN-Habitat and other KUSP2 partners, including but not limited to the capacity building and training events
• Develop an events template and checklist to facilitate effective communication about key events on social media and other tools • Develop the content and graphic layout of at least three communication materials e.g. brochure, pamphlet, fact sheet, etc
• Set up a database of KUSP2 stakeholders' social media handles and ensure that all communications reaches the right stakeholders as necessary
• Lead the development of at least four human impact stories every year in collaboration with KUSP2 partners 3. Report on the project’s progress and performance
• Obtain regular progress and incident reports from project teams in Nairobi and the field and maintain an up-to-date project reporting folder and database
• Prepare and provide project updates, data, fact sheets and other information on ad hoc basis and/or in response to data/information requests internally or from SDHUD and other KUSP2 partners
• Prepare, review and submit quarterly project progress reports to SDHUD as required under the service agreement

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communications, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Project M&E or related areas is required.
• A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• At least three (3) years of experience in managing social media and other digital communication tools, and M&E frameworks is required. Excellent written and verbal communication skills is required. Understanding of designing and implementing M&E frameworks in development programs is required.
• Proven ability to produce high-quality written and visual content is required. Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, storytelling, writing, and editing skills is required. Ability to work in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations System or similar organization is desirable