Communications and Programme Support Specialist

The consultancy will support enhancing the Canada Office’s visibility, strategic positioning, and programme delivery through effective communication and operational support. This includes strengthened increased visibility of the Canada’s Office work and contributions and timely, high-quality support to programme implementation, ensuring alignment with UN-Habitat priorities on adequate housing, sustainable urban development, and climate resilience.

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. Reporting line: This on-site position is fulltime, and is based in Montreal, Canada. This position is under the overall guidance of the Head of Office of the UN-Habitat Canada Office and reports 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 work under the supervision of the Canada Office team and in coordination with the New York Office and Headquarters. The consultant will carry out the following tasks and responsibilities: 1. Provide general support to the office, including preparation, participation, and follow-up for events and/or meetings. 2. Provide general support to technical, administrative, and management activities to ensure that projects meet objectives in terms of deadlines, budget, and quality. 3. The consultant is responsible for preparing and submitting a Monthly Activity Report on time. The report must provide detailed information on activities and tasks completed during the reporting period. 4. Provide support on human resources and recruitment, including activities such as the preparation and/or revision of terms of reference and outreach to candidates. 5. Plan and coordinate the communications strategy for the Canada Office under the supervision of the Programme Management Officer P4 and Head of Office, and in close coordination with Nairobi Headquarters (HQ), contributing to the strategic positioning of the Canada Office. 6. Lead and/or support advocacy and awareness-raising comms efforts in Canada, including key global moments such as the 50th commemoration of Habitat I, Urban October, World Habitat Day, and World Cities Day. 7. Prepare manuals, information pamphlets, and materials related to logistics and communications. 8. Provide support in translating documents and key communication materials. 9. Strengthen communications outreach among Canadian stakeholders, including philanthropic institutions, youth networks, civil society, and academia, while amplifying Canadian contributions to global urban agendas. 10. Support the preparation of research products, technical papers, and policy briefs, and develop innovative formats to communicate findings (e.g., data visualization, graphical and video abstracts). 11. Provide support, including the translation and coordination of inputs, for major global events such as the World Urban Forum, the High-Level Political Forum, the Mid-Term Review of the New Urban Agenda, the Intergovernmental Open-Ended Expert Working Group on Adequate Housing for All, Habitat I, and other key international convenings, contributing to positioning the Canada Office as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange.

Bachelor's degree in International relations and cooperation, political sciences, public relations and communication or similar is required. A minimum of two (2) years of experience in communication, programme and management support activities, preferably in the international development sector or with international organizations is required. Experience working in the UN Nations Common System is desirable.

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

Not available.