Local Programme Review Committee Secretariat Consultant
United Nations · Rio de Janeiro, RJ, BR
Result of Service A documented and practical set of quality\-assurance analyses, recommendations, tools and knowledge\-transfer products that enables designated UN officials to improve the consistency, timeliness and quality of PRC\-LWG project reviews while retaining full accountability for decisions and approvals. Work Location Home based \- The consultancy will be home based, at 50 per cent part\-time, for a fixed period of three months. Any extension will require a documented continuing need, revised measurable outputs, funding confirmation and prior approval by the authorized officials. No renewal is guaranteed. Expected duration Six (6\) months Duties and Responsibilities Background With UN\-Habitat's growing project portfolio and the introduction of the Programme Review Committee (PRC) processes, there is an increased need for technical coordination to ensure that projects align with organizational objectives, regional needs, and global standards. The PRC serves as a critical quality assurance mechanism, ensuring coherence, efficiency, and effectiveness of projects across UN\-Habitat' s operations. The PRC's review and approval process supports the strategic alignment of projects through co\-creation, collaboration across divisions, and mainstreaming cross\-cutting themes such as environmental and social safeguards, gender equity, and risk management. The PRC Secretariat, located at UN\-Habitat Headquarters in Nairobi, is responsible for coordinating project reviews and approvals across regions. It ensures that projects comply with UN\-Habitat's Strategic Plan and Results\-Based Management (RBM) frameworks while facilitating knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the organization. PRC Local Working Groups (PRC LWGs) have been established at the regional and divisional levels to handle the review and approval of smaller, region\-specific projects. The Regional Representatives or Directors of Divisions chair these working groups, with support from standing members who are responsible for quality control and ensuring alignment with the Strategic Plan. This home\-based consultancy will provide time\-bound technical advisory and quality\-assurance services to strengthen the PRC LWG serving the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC). The assignment will focus on defined analytical products, technical reviews, process\-improvement recommendations and knowledge\-transfer deliverables. The consultant will not exercise representative, certifying, approving or supervisory authority, nor replace regular and continuing staff functions. Duties and Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Regional Director for ROLAC, and under the overall guidance of the Chair of the PRC\-LWG ROAF\-ROLAC, the consultant will coordinate with the designated ROAF counterpart and provide specialized advisory services through the following time\-bound activities: 1\. Project Review Support a. Contribute to the project review processes under the Programme Review Committee Headquarters Working Group (PRC\-HQ WG) and Local Working Groups (PRC\-LWGs) through the review of project documentation against established guidance, templates and procedures. b. Review selected project documents and identify areas requiring clarification or further alignment with Results\-Based Management principles and the UN\-Habitat Strategic Plan. c. Examine project documentation and highlight considerations related to gender equality, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, safeguards and risk management for the attention of responsible officials. d. Prepare draft meeting materials, summaries of discussions, action trackers and background information for designated PRC meetings. The convening of meetings, approval of records and follow\-up decisions remain the responsibility of designated UN officials. e. Assess project documentation for completeness and consistency before submission to IPMR, and provide observations for consideration by the responsible approving authority. 2\. Coordination Support a. Facilitate communication and information exchange among headquarters, regional offices and designated technical focal points involved in project review processes. b. Compile and document inputs received from relevant stakeholders and support the incorporation of regional perspectives into project documentation, where appropriate. c. Maintain records of comments, recommendations and follow\-up actions arising from project review processes. 3\. Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation Support a. Review the status of project submissions recorded in IPMR and prepare summary reports highlighting pending actions, documentation gaps and issues requiring attention by responsible officials. b. Compile and analyze information from project review processes and prepare periodic summaries of recurring issues and lessons identified. c. Review project documentation and provide suggestions for improving document organization, filing and