Mission and objectives
The UN-Habitat’s vision of “a better quality of life for all in an urbanizing world” is bold and ambitious. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty.
Context
The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is the United Nations programme for human settlements and sustainable urban development, mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. It was established in 1977 as an outcome of the first United Nations Conference on Human Settlements and Sustainable Urban Development held in Vancouver, Canada, in 1976.
This position is located in the Regional Programmes Division, under the Cities Investment Facility Programme, attached to the Morocco and Tunisia Country Office. The Cities Investment Facility is an innovative, multi-stakeholder initiative centred around unlocking investment in urban infrastructure projects in low- and middle-income markets that have traditionally struggled with project preparation and bankability. This is achieved by supporting project promoters with (i) the marketing of their projects to a global audience of construction finance providers; (ii) advice regarding the ideation, feasibility, development, and financial closure processes; and (iii) funding (both grant and private capital) for these processes, with the ultimate goal of securing construction financing from other external lenders and investors.
The Cities Investment Facility aims to direct a significant amount of capital towards financing infrastructure projects that are inclusive, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and masterplan integrated. We see this as crucial to boosting sustainable development and addressing the rapid urbanization of the world's poorest cities, which fuels the growing annual infrastructure financing gap.
Task description
Government & Regulatory Liaison
• Act as the primary point of contact and representative for UN-Habitat with key Moroccan government entities, especially the Ministry of Interior (MoI), the Ministry of Energy Transition, and local/municipal authorities.
• Liaise with the Tunisia Country Office, Tunisia Ministry of Environment and Agence Nationale de Gestion des Déchets (ANGED) to support project sourcing efforts and validation in the country.
• Proactively monitor, interpret, and ensure compliance with national waste management strategies (PNDM, SNRVD, etc.) and all relevant environmental and energy regulations.
Business Development & Strategy
• Identify, evaluate, and pursue new WTE project opportunities, including municipal tenders and unsolicited proposals for large-scale incineration facilities.
• Lead the identification and due diligence of strategic local partners (operators, industrial off-takers, financial institutions).
• Develop and execute the local market entry strategy, ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives.
Stakeholder Management
• Cultivate and maintain strong, trust-based relationships with influential public and private sector stakeholders.
• Represent UN-Habitat industry conferences, high-level meetings, and regulatory dialogues.
Project Pipeline Management
• Coordinate with technical and financial teams to localize and tailor technical proposals to Moroccan and Tunisian waste characteristics, sale of energy, energy grid requirements, etc.
• Support the Morocco and Tunisia office in developing technical proposals related to waste management and energy efficiency.
• Support coordination and engagement with municipalities to conceptualise projects and related project documents
• Support due diligence and bankability assessment of projects in the CIF pipeline in conjunction with implementing partners
• Support pre-feasibility, feasibility and waste audits in Morocco and Tunisia by liaising with consultants and the government to ensure alignment with national priorities, timely delivery of outputs and adherence of quality standards
• Assist the Cities Investment Facility in the preparation, creation and customization of the materials required for the programme and engagements, general outreach, scheduling of meetings, documentation and follow-up, presentations, among others.
• Support the team in core activities such as research, agenda setting, note taking and organizing plans for the process of developing priority work streams.
• Any other tasks that may be required or assigned by the supervisor
Skills
Required education level
Bachelor's degree in Higher degree (bachelor’s or equivalent) in Project Management, International Development, Development Finance, Engineering, Industrial Processing, Urban Planning, or a related area.
Competencies and values
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Commitment and motivation
• Integrity
• Planning and organizing
• Professionalism
• Working in teams
Skills and experience
• Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in a senior leadership, business development, or government relations role, with at least 5 years dedicated to the Moroccan infrastructure, energy, or waste management sectors. Regional knowledge on Tunisia is desirable.
• Strong foundational understanding of the WtE value chain, including thermochemical processes (especially incineration) and associated environmental compliance (emissions standards, GHG emissions context) Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge.
• Proven track record of successful engagement and negotiation with high-level Moroccan governmental bodies, particularly the MoI and regional authorities.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
Area(s) of expertise
Business management, Energy and environment , Economics and finance