Result of Service

The assignment will contribute to the development of localized housing profiles and policy recommendations for Bishkek and the Kyrgyz Republic

Work Location

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

Expected duration

6 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

Background The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the lead United Nations agency for cities and human settlements. The agency is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate housing for all and sustainable development. The main documents outlining the mandate of the organization are the Vancouver Declaration on Human Settlements, the Habitat Agenda, the Istanbul Declaration on Human Settlements, the Declaration on Cities and Other Human Settlements in the New Millennium, and UN General Assembly Resolution A/56/206. UN-Habitat, being the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system, works across multiple levels of governance, including all spheres of government from national to local, civil society, and the private sector, to build, manage, plan, and finance sustainable urban development. It has a role in delivering the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, adopted by Member States in 2015, specifically goal 11: make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable and the New Urban Agenda. UN-Habitats work on Adequate Housing UN-Habitats mandate on adequate housing stems from its role as the United Nations entity responsible for promoting sustainable urbanization and human settlements. Anchored in global frameworks like the New Urban Agenda, and the Sustainable Development Goals (particularly SDG 11.1: ensuring access to adequate, safe, and affordable housing), UN-Habitat works to address housing challenges worldwide. The agency supports governments in developing inclusive housing policies, strengthening legal frameworks, and fostering innovative financing mechanisms. Its interventions include technical assistance for social and affordable housing, capacity building for urban governance, promoting climate-resilient and energy-efficient housing, and advocating for housing as a human right. Through partnerships with stakeholders at all levels, UN-Habitat aims to advance equitable access to housing, improve living conditions for vulnerable populations, and integrate housing solutions within broader urban development strategies. UN-Habitats Land, Housing and Shelter Section (LHSS) is located in the Global Solutions Division and supports governments and key stakeholders in developing and implementing progressive housing sector reforms, policies, and legislation to create inclusive and sustainable cities that align with international law and the right to adequate housing. Through its expertise, the LHSS provides technical support for analysing housing sectors, reviewing legislation, and identifying barriers to affordable housing, while promoting sustainable construction practices and contributing to socio-economic development. The Inter-Regional Advisor for Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and Central Asia plays a key role in advancing UN-Habitat’s mandate in the region by supporting governments and stakeholders in addressing urban challenges, including housing, urban governance, and sustainable development. The Advisor provides strategic advice, facilitates partnerships, and promotes capacity building to help cities and communities navigate complex socio-economic and environmental transformations. UN-Habitats Strategic Plan 20262029 UN-Habitat’s Strategic Plan 2026 2029 focuses on delivering transformative change in cities and human settlements through a people-centered approach that prioritizes access to adequate housing, land, and basic services for all. Recognizing that sustainable urbanization is key to achieving the 2030 Agenda and other global commitments, the plan addresses global challenges across three impact areas: equitable and inclusive prosperity for poverty eradication; preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction; and environment and climate action. The overarching goal is to improve the lives of people, particularly those in informal settlements and slums and those impacted by crises and climate change, by increasing their access to housing, land, and services. This will be achieved through five key means of implementation: integrated urban and territorial planning and finance; participatory multi-level governance and SDG localization; enhanced knowledge, data, and capacity development; strengthened partnerships and advocacy; and effective resource mobilization. Each of these levers supports targeted outcomes and outputs designed to accelerate impact and drive sustainable, inclusive development in urban areas globally. Rationale and Context Adequate housing is a fundamental human right, essential for dignity, health, and sustainable development. Yet, countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia face significant barriers to providing safe, affordable, and adequate housing for their populations. These challenges stem from a mix of socio-economic, demographic, and governance factors. Housing systems across Central Asia and Eastern Europe are at a critical stage, balancing the legacies of mass privatisation with the need for sustainable, inclusive growth. While the legacy of mass housing privatisation has led to high levels of private ownership, it has also introduced challenges such as lack of support for different types of tenure and alternative housing solutions, aging housing stock, delayed renovations, energy inefficiency, and energy poverty. Despite significant strides in policy development, gaps remain in aligning national housing strategies with local implementation, leading to uneven progress. Urbanisation, climate change, and regional displacement further complicate housing governance, particularly for marginalised groups such as migrants, women, youth, and displaced populations, who face disproportionate barriers in accessing adequate housing. However, there is growing momentum in the region to address these challenges through more integrated, participatory housing policies that prioritise sustainability, inclusivity and a vision of housing as central to urban planning and socio-economic development. Several municipalities are exploring successful strategies to localise housing policies, especially by embracing participatory town planning, where communities have a voice in shaping their urban environments. This participatory approach aligns with UN-Habitats Housing at the Centre framework, which emphasises housing as a core element of urban policy, connected to sectors such as health, education, and employment. The project scope will be of regional nature, with concrete interventions in the Kyrgyz Republic, Moldova and Uzbekistan. Each country presents unique contextual dynamics for housing interventions:

• Moldova faces significant housing challenges due to population decline caused by emigration and low birth rates, which has resulted in a mismatch between housing supply and demand. Much of the existing housing stock is aging and in poor condition, dating back to the Soviet era. Additionally, high energy costs and poorly insulated homes highlight the urgent need for energy-efficient retrofitting, particularly to support vulnerable populations and reduce their financial burden.
• The Kyrgyz Republic faces significant housing challenges driven by rapid urbanization, particularly in Bishkek and Osh, resulting in the growth of informal settlements with inadequate services. The region’s high seismic activity underscores the critical need for resilient housing construction to ensure safety. Additionally, complex land tenure and administration systems hinder the formalization of housing developments, complicating efforts to address housing needs effectively.
• Uzbekistan faces mounting housing challenges due to its young and growing population, which is driving increased demand for…