Terms of reference

Job Opening number: UNOPS IICA-1 (International Individual Contractor Agreement, Level 1)
Job Title: Junior Housing and Urban Development Analyst 
General Expertise: Housing, Urban Development 
Category: Housing Policy
Department/Office: United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Organizational Unit: UN-Habitat EO NYO Montreal Office
Location: Montreal  

Background 

UN-Habitat is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all.

The Canada Office of UN-Habitat strengthens the organization’s mission by serving as a focal point for partnerships, applied research, and policy engagement in Canada and across North America for the implementation of UN-Habitat’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan. Operating from the City of Montreal, the Canada Office plays a central role in four domains: partner engagement and resource mobilization; research-policy-action interface; advocacy and communication; and the advancement of sustainable urbanization agendas within the Canadian and North American context.

The Canada Office places particular emphasis on knowledge and innovation with a view to accelerating housing solutions that are affordable, adequate, resilient, and compatible with national and global commitments.

In this context, the UN-Habitat Canada Office is currently implementing a strategic housing initiative commissioned by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The project focuses on advancing affordable housing supply, markets, and systems in Canada through applied research, policy analysis, and expert engagement. The outputs and activities related to this consultancy will contribute to the development and implementation of the CMHC project, while also advancing the implementation of UN-Habitat’s 2026–2029 Strategic Plan.

In alignment with its housing and urban development priorities, the Canada Office also contributes to UN-Habitat’s global efforts to strengthen intergovernmental dialogue and cooperation on housing. This includes supporting the work of the Open-Ended Intergovernmental Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All (OWEG-H), which aims to advance a shared understanding and actionable recommendations for realizing the right to adequate housing within the framework of the New Urban Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. Through evidence-based research, policy engagement, and partnership-building, the Canada Office helps ensure that global innovations and lessons inform and enrich the deliberations and outputs of the OEWG-H, General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council, as relevant.

UN-Habitat Canada Office is seeking a motivated, highly skilled, junior professional to join the team on a full-time basis in their office in Montreal, Canada.

Reporting line

This position reports directly to the Programme Manager Officer P4 and is under the overall guidance of the Head of Office, Canada.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The Junior Housing and Urban Development Analyst will provide technical and general support to advance the Office’s housing and urban development portfolio on different areas of work, including research, knowledge management, resource mobilization, communications and event organization and general administration support.

Specifically, the consultant will:

• Support desk research and the collection, review and synthesis of information related to housing, urban development and other relevant areas of the Office’s work. Contribute to the preparation of background materials, research notes, briefs and other knowledge products. 
• Support the analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative data related to housing and urban development, contributing to research, policy analysis and knowledge products.
• Contribute to knowledge-sharing activities by identifying relevant practices, initiatives and policy developments and supporting the preparation and dissemination of information and knowledge products.
• Assist with the implementation of ongoing projects, innitiatives and activities, including the preparation and organization of project documentation, workplans, meeting materials and follow-up actions.
• Support the identification of funding opportunities and potential partners and contribute to the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, background documentation and other resource mobilization materials.
• Provide support to the planning, organization and delivery of meetings, workshops, expert group meetings, conferences and other events, including coordination with participants and partners, preparation of materials and documentation such as concept notes and talking points and report preparation. 
• Provide general administrative and coordination support for the implementation of the Office’s activities, including maintaining project records, organizing documentation, supporting translation and recruitment processes, and facilitating internal coordination, among other tasks.

Ultimate result of service

The Junior Housing and Urban Development Analyst will contribute to the effective implementation of the UN-Habitat Canada Office’s housing and urban development portfolio through timely and quality research, data analysis, programme support and coordination. The assignment will strengthen the Office’s capacity to implement its activities, develop knowledge products, support resource mobilization, organize events, and facilitate knowledge exchange and partnerships.

Travel 

The Programme Specialist may be asked to travel to the locations or territory related to the services indicated in these Terms of Reference. Prior authorization of the Head of Canada Office and Director of NYLO is required, and travel request should be in accordance with current United Nations travel regulations.

Qualification Requirements/Evaluation Criteria

Education:

A first-level university degree in Economics, Geography, Urban Studies, Housing Policy, Public Policy, Urban Planning, International Development, or a related field.

Language:

English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, written and spoken fluency in both languages is required. Proficiency and/or knowledge of another official UN language is considered an additional asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of one year of experience in research, and/or programme support in international development, geography, urban development and housing or related fields is required.

• Experience supporting research and analysis, including the collection, analysis and interpretation of qualitative and/or quantitative information, is desirable.
• Experience supporting the implementation of projects or programmes, including coordination, documentation and preparation of project-related materials, is desirable.
• Familiarity with housing systems, urban development challenges, and/or sustainable urbanization agendas in Canada and/or international contexts is desirable. 
• Experience working within the United Nations system or other international organizations is a strong asset.