The consultant will be responsible for advancing advocacy, partnership development, and innovative resource mobilization to strengthen UN-Habitat Canada’s climate-resilient and adequate housing agenda. Under the guidance of the UN-Habitat Canada Office team, the consultant will develop and execute engagement strategies, support high-quality proposal development, and produce data-driven insights that expand the office’s funding pipeline and partnership ecosystem. The consultant will consolidate strategic inputs, communication products, and knowledge outputs that elevate Canadian and North American leadership and contribute to the global exchange of expertise on equitable, sustainable, and climate-responsive housing.

Montreal

6 months

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 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 in close cooperation with UN-Habitat's Land, Housing and Shelter Section in Nairobi, Kenya. 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 OEWG-H’s deliberations and outputs. UN-Habitat Canada Office is seeking motivated, highly skilled, and experienced professionals to join the team. The position is initially offered as a six-month contract, with the possibility of extension based on a positive performance evaluation. Reporting line This on-site position is fulltime, and is based in Montreal, Canada. This mid-level position is under the overall guidance of the Head of Office of the UN-Habitat Canada Office and report directly to the Programme Management Officer (P4), Human Settlements. Applicants must be Canadian residents or citizens or have permission to work in Canada. Duties and Responsibilities The consultant will carry out the following tasks and responsibilities: 1. Develop and implement advocacy and engagement strategies aligned with UN-Habitat Canada’s mission to advance climate-resilient, adequate and affordable housing for sustainable urban development, with focus on national, sub-national and local actors in Canada and North America. 2. Lead resource mobilization efforts by identifying emerging funding opportunities, designing donor engagement approaches, and supporting negotiations that secure financial contributions from traditional donors, philanthropic organizations, and private sector partners. 3. Provide technical support for the design and implementation of innovative partnerships that advance sustainable housing solutions, including collaboration with industry, academia, and community organizations. 4. Develop and maintain a comprehensive partnership and donor-tracking database, ensuring systematic updates, reporting, and analytics to inform decision-making and outreach strategies. 5. Use data and market intelligence to segment donors and partners, enabling tailored advocacy, fundraising, and communications approaches that strengthen long-term relationships. 6. Support staff and partners in preparing high-quality project proposals, research papers, concept notes, and donor reports that reflect results-based management, evidence-driven rationale, and integrated climate, urban development and housing outcomes. 7. Design and deliver capacity-strengthening activities for the Canada Office and partners on advocacy tactics, partnership development, and innovative resource mobilization methods, including through workshops, seminars, and learning exchanges. 8. Contribute to the development of flagship initiatives and collaborative programs that expand UN-Habitat Canada’s leadership in inclusive, sustainable, and climate-resilient housing. 9. Draft advocacy materials, communication products, and knowledge briefs to effectively position UN-Habitat Canada’s priorities among governments, donors, and the public. 10. Monitor, evaluate, and report on partnership performance, donor engagement results, and resource mobilization targets, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat corporate standards and Canada Office priorities. 11. Support intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder engagement processes, including Canada’s contributions to global policy dialogues and technical working groups on adequate housing. 12. Engage proactively with key stakeholders—including public sector entities, private financial institutions, not-for-profit housing providers, and innovation ecosystems—to foster co-creation, solution-oriented collaboration, and investment in housing and sustainable urban development. 13. Develop narratives, talking points, and briefing materials to strengthen UN-Habitat Canada’s public positioning and advocacy efforts, ensuring inclusive housing, urban development and climate resilience remain central priorities. 14. Provide support on strategic communications, advocacy campaigns, and digital outreach to increase visibility of Canada Office initiatives, results, and knowledge products in national and international platforms. 15. Provide operational support to the Canada Office across general functions—including coordination, event organization, and administration—to contribute to efficient project delivery and team collaboration.

Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in International Development and/or Relations, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Political Science, Communication, Business Administration, or other relevant fields related to advocacy, partnerships, and sustainable development. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. At least 2 years experience in partnership, resource mobilization and advocacy activities in Canada and North America is required, preferably in housing and sustainable urban development with a variety of government, private, philanthropic and non-profit actors is required. Experience in establishing professional networks and working relationships with key donors and financing partners, including private sector entities, philanthropic organizations, and government funding programmes, in Canada and North America is required. Solid experience working in resource mobilization and project proposal preparation is required. Strong report writing and reviewing skills are desirable. Progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in the field of housing and sustainable urban development is desirable. Experience working in the UN System and/or in Canada and North America is an asset. This position is open only to applicants who are Canadian citizens or who currently have the legal right to work in Canada.

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

Not available.

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.