Result of Service

The Consultant for Research and Data Collection reports to the Head of Brazil Office. He/She shall duly and timely perform his/her obligations, under these Terms of Reference. The consultant will work in close collaboration with the UN-Habitats operational, technical, and projects team.

Work Location

Sao Paulo (SP), Brazil

Expected duration

Six (6) months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The main mandate of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is to promote sustainable development of human settlements and policies conducive to adequate housing for all. Within this framework, UN-Habitat supports central and state governments, as well as local authorities and other partners, for the implementation of the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitat helps the urban poor by transforming cities into safer, more inclusive, compact, integrated, resilient and connected places with better opportunities where everyone can live with dignity. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society, and the private sector to help build, manage, plan, and finance sustainable urban development. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean ROLAC is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Agency puts emphasis on developing and managing activities in the host country. Indeed, for the past years, UN-Habitat has expanded its portfolio in Brazil by working with the three tiers of government to support the formulation and implementation of more effective, sustainable, participative, and socially fairer urban economic, social, and environmental policies. UN-Habitat, the Sao Paulo Council of Architecture and Urbanism (Conselho de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de Sao Paulo – CAU/SP) and the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) are implementing the project Building capacity and connections in Technical Assistance for Social Housing (ATHIS – Assistencia Tecnica de Habitacao de Interesse Social) with the objective of equipping professionals with the necessary skills to reduce the gap between policy and practice of ATHIS, ensuring that municipalities and institutions have the technical knowledge to implement sustainable and equitable housing solutions. To contribute to the projects activities, a Consultant for Research and Data Collection is required. Report to UN-Habitat Manager The Consultant for Research and Data Collection reports to the Head of Brazil Office, who will evaluate him/her. Responsibilities The Consultant for Research and Data Collection[DB1.1] will support the implementation of the project, and its activities, with the following responsibilities: a) Develop a comprehensive methodology for mapping Technical Assistance for Social Housing (ATHIS) practices and implementation in the State of Sao Paulo, with a focus on municipalities where CAU/SP has offices, covering initiatives and activities from the public sector, the private sector, and the third sector. b) Collect, compile and systematize information from existing studies and data on the practice of ATHIS in the State of Sao Paulo. The data collection must gather information from main sources such as CAU/SP, municipal governments, and education and research institutions. c) Collect, compile and systematize information on ATHIS or similar practices in Global South countries that can be replicated and/or shared as good practices for the case of Sao Paulo. d) Conduct interviews and workshops, initially in municipalities where CAU/SP has offices, to identify specific demands in ATHIS, with the support from local teams and technical guidance from the project. e) Conduct participatory data collection in pre-defined communities to be supported through ATHIS, engaging directly with social and community leaders to capture diverse housing needs (including those of elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and women-headed single-parent households) and to ensure the depth and legitimacy of the research process. f) Use evidence from the mapping and research exercise to inform ATHIS capacity-building activities and interventions, and, in close collaboration with UN-Habitat and CAU/SP teams. g) Produce a final report and a prioritization matrix that systematize gender-responsive tools, references, and methods for mapping ATHIS demands and prioritizing intervention territories for ATHIS implementation in the State of Sao Paulo. h) Document and maintain an orderly and accessible information file related to all activities undertaken. i) Participate in field work missions as required. j) Perform other duties which may be requested by the supervisor. The consultant will be responsible for completing all courses and training activities that are indicated to him/her by his/her supervisor. The security course BSAFE, from UNDSS, is required to be accredited during the first month of employment. The consultant will be responsible for his/her own security, so the person should get familiarized with United Nations security mechanisms and comply with them according to the Framework of Accountability for the United Nations Security Management System. Outputs/Work Assignment The Consultant for Research and Data Collection will support the implementation of a project in partnership with the above-mentioned institutions. The Consultant for Research and Data Collection shall be paid a monthly allowance, upon presentation and approval by the Head of Brazil of monthly activities report.

Qualifications/special skills

Education Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture and Urbanism, Geography, Economy, Statistics, Public Administration, Sociology or related fields is required, or an additional three (3) years of relevant experience to the post, beyond the requirement.Desirable:
• Postgraduate degree (Lato Sensu or Stricto Sensu) in Architecture and Urbanism, Geography, Economy, Sociology, Public Policy, Public Administration, Statistics or related fields is desirable.Work experience:
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in research, data collection, and analysis is required.
• Experience with social housing is desirable.
• Experience with South-South Cooperation is desirable.
• Experience in the social area and coordinating fieldwork, preferably in the public sector, is desirable.
• Previous experience within the United Nations System is desirable.Skills:
• Good computer skills in Windows and Office packages and Web search engines are required.
• Good handling of technological tools and use of software and online platforms is desirable.
• Good handling of diverse audience and community engagement.
• Good knowledge of project management methodologies is desirable. Competencies
• Professionalism: Experience working in an inter-institutional environment, project management, monitoring-evaluation; approaches and strategies regarding good urban governance and local and regional development.
• Planning and organization: Professional approach to work, strong sense of responsibility, operate with minimal supervision; proven organizational skills and ability to manage a workload efficiently and within set deadlines.
• Communication: Ability to write clearly and effectively; listen to others, interpret messages correctly and respond appropriately; show openness in information sharing and keep everyone informed; solid abstract reasoning skills together with a proven capacity to write documents for diverse audiences.
• Teamwork: Ability to work with teams, demonstrate leadership, conflict management and consensus facilitation skills; ability to work in a multicultural and multi-ethnic environment, and to respect diversity; sensitivity to the main streaming of vulnerability; willingness and ability to work in difficult environments. Knowledge Management
• The person must know the processes, procedures, and norms of UN-Habitat, to guarantee an adequate quality of the activities described above, following the standards of the organization.
• The person will propose formats and procedures that…