The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. 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. 1. PURPOSE/EXPECTED OUTCOME OF SERVICE The objective of this consultancy is to conduct comprehensive user testing for the UNITAC project’s digital tools and data-driven solutions. The consultant will plan and execute various user testing activities, gather valuable insights from end-users, and provide actionable recommendations to enhance the project’s digital products and services. Through this work, the consultant will contribute to the development of user-centric solutions that effectively address the needs of local stakeholders and support evidence-based decision-making processes. Ultimately, the consultant’s efforts will help ensure that the digital tools developed are both user-friendly and impactful. 2. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The BMZ-funded UNITAC project “Just transitions in vulnerable places – Digital solutions for more climate resilient informal areas in Namibia” aims to develop digital tools and data-driven solutions together with national, sub-national and local government institutions and support their efforts to improve climate resilience and upgrading processes in informal settlements. The project supports the utilization of evidence-based and participatory decision-making processes towards localizing the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and the New Urban Agenda. Under the overall supervision of UNITAC Manager, and the Chief of Knowledge and Innovation Branch, the Individual Contractor will perform the following duties and responsibilities: a) Plan and carry out in person and virtual user testing activities, for example: schedule engagements, administer catering and venue arrangements when required, prepare research plans that outline study goals and methodology, develop discussion guides, create information gathering artifacts, and running and moderating user research sessions. b) Engage in meaningful interactions and relationships with users using both qualitative (e.g. in person interviews, observations etc.) and quantitative (e.g. surveys) research techniques. c) Work closely with UX/UI designer, project coordinator, developers, data scientists to plan and conduct high-impact research that helps develop a better understanding of our users and contribute to creating better products and services that solve users’ problems and meets their needs. d) Consider the end-to-end user journey and external factors that may impact the user experience including business, policy, and technical constraints. e) Analyse and present research findings. Generate meaningful insights and actionable recommendations. f) Synthesize research findings using appropriate tools and work closely with cross-functional teams to translate them into user stories. UNITAC Hamburg Hongkongstraße 820457 Hamburg, Germany web: unitac.un.org E-Mail:
[email protected]. g) Visualize through diagramming, journey mapping, storyboarding, or information design to help others see the end-to-end and surface-to-core service and customer experience.