Housing Policy Analysis and Reporting Specialist

UN Secretariat; Montreal; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The UN-Habitat Canada Office in Montreal, on behalf of the UN Secretariat, seeks a Knowledge Specialist to deliver technical and analytical support for a strategic housing initiative commissioned by CMHC. You will integrate research, case studies, and expert inputs into knowledge products, including issue briefs and a final synthesis report.

You will synthesize research across themes, draft policy-relevant outputs, analyze housing policies in Canada and OECD countries, and contribute to

Qualifications

• Master's degree required in a relevant field.
• Experience drafting, integrating, and reviewing knowledge products like policy briefs and analytical reports.
• Experience analyzing housing policies in Canada or OECD countries is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize research across thematic areas and identify policy lessons.
• Draft and revise sections of knowledge products, such as issue briefs and the final synthesis report.
• Consolidate research findings and expert inputs into coherent, evidence-based outputs.
• Support knowledge dissemination activities like roundtables and workshops.
• Identify funding opportunities and prepare project proposals.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Report writing

Synthesis of research

Policy analysis

Public policy

Stakeholder engagement

Publications

Housing policy knowledge

Education

Master's degree in Economics, Geography, Urban Studies, Housing Policy, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or International Development

Job description

Organizational context: The UN Secretariat, specifically the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) Canada Office, operates from Montreal. It focuses on promoting sustainable towns and cities and adequate shelter for all. The office serves as a hub for partnerships, research, and policy engagement in North America, advancing sustainable urbanization agendas and accelerating innovative housing solutions.

Job purpose: This role provides crucial technical and analytical support for a strategic housing initiative commissioned by CMHC. The specialist will integrate research findings, case studies, and expert inputs into high-quality knowledge products, including Issue Briefs and a final synthesis report. The purpose is to ensure the timely and successful completion of the project, generating valuable insights that inform the Canada Office's housing programs and contribute to UN-Habitat's broader mandate in Canada and globally. The role bridges domestic housing innovations with UN-Habitat's international work, contributing Canadian expertise to global housing discourse and supporting intergovernmental dialogue on housing.

Responsibilities: The specialist will provide technical and analytical support for the preparation, integration, and quality assurance of project knowledge products, including Issue Briefs and the final synthesis report. This involves consolidating research findings, case studies, and expert inputs into coherent, evidence-based, and policy-relevant outputs. Responsibilities include synthesizing research across thematic areas, identifying cross-cutting issues and policy lessons, and drafting/revising sections of knowledge products. The role also entails analyzing Canadian and international housing policies, supporting knowledge dissemination activities like roundtables and workshops, and documenting insights. Additionally, the specialist will contribute to identifying funding opportunities and preparing project proposals, supporting the UN-Habitat Canada Office's broader housing policy work and global initiatives.

Education: A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Economics, Geography, Urban Studies, Housing Policy, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or International Development is required. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted. Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory; fluency in French is highly desirable.

Work experience: A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in housing and urban policy research, housing market analysis, public policy, or urban development is required. Proven experience in drafting, integrating, and reviewing knowledge products like policy briefs and analytical reports is essential. Experience analyzing housing policies in Canada or OECD countries is desirable.

Skills: Strong analytical and report-writing skills. Ability to synthesize complex research findings into coherent narratives and policy recommendations. Experience in preparing high-quality research and publications. Familiarity with housing policies, programmes, and institutional arrangements. Experience supporting stakeholder engagement and knowledge dissemination activities.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: