Feasibility Study National Consultant – Housing and Urban Upgrading

Result of Service

The objective of this assignment is to deliver full feasibility studies that can play a crucial role in the successful execution of Urban Development Interventions to Promote Investments, Smart Applications and Livable Dahab City.

Work Location

Cairo, Egypt

Expected duration

6 months part-time

Duties and Responsibilities

Organizational Setting UN Habitat is the United Nations Agency for Human Settlements mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and to foster collaboration between urban actors. Its aim is to create inclusive, resilient, and equitable urban spaces with the mission to improve the living conditions of people in urban areas to achieve sustainable development. Background: Urbanization is a key driver of development, and cities are seen to be on the frontline of many of the global challenges the world is currently facing. In Egypt, 75% of the GDP is generated in urban areas and 80% of the jobs are in existing cities. However, unplanned urbanization and rapid encroachment the valuable agricultural and desert land surrounding cities and rural settlements result in rapid growth of informal, unplanned urban expansion. Over 16 million urban inhabitants live today in informal and unplanned settlements around urban areas. Moreover, urban population in Egypt is not evenly distributed among its cities, 96 percent of total population lives on 4 percent of the total national area, while the remaining percentage spread on 96 percent of the total inhibited area. This lead to more imbalances where 68 percent of the total population are living in three regions, Greater Cairo Region, Alexandria and Delta; representing 1.8 percent of Egypt’s total area, while 77 cities comprise 4 percent of the urban population. Urban planning and management plays an important role in ensuring urbanization values are optimized, captured, and fairly distributed among urban and rural population. In Egypt, efforts to improve urban planning and management practices varies largely in their nature and effectiveness. The Ministry of Housing, Utilities and urban communities plays an effective role in guiding policies and programmes to improve urban development tools and programmes. In 2024, the UN-Habitat and the Ministry of Local Development (MOLD) signed a new project titled Identification of Priority Urban Development Interventions to Promote Investments, Smart Applications and Livable Dahab City. The project is Funded by the Islamic Development Bank and aims to inclusively improve the livelihood and living conditions for the population of Dahab city through identifying, prioritizing and advancing urban and social development interventions and improving urban governance. Duties and Responsibilities Through the application of a participatory project selection tool and a series of consultations with local stakeholders, an integrated priority project in the urban development sector was identified: 1. Urban upgrading of El Assala area and its affiliated residential urban expansion areas along with the Integrated development of Wadi Dahab area The project will undergo pre-feasibility studies and will proceed to a full feasibility study, to be carried out in coordination with the technical design consultant, legal consultant, and local economic development consultant, in order to prepare it for implementation. (Detailed project cards and locations will be provided for upon the start of the consultancy.) Reporting Line : Under the overall supervision and direct supervision of the Urban Development Programme manager in coordination with the Ministry of Local Development, the incumbent of the post will have to fulfil the following duties and responsibilities: The consultant will lead the 1 pre-feasibility study, 1 feasibility study, and procurement and tender packages for the selected feasible project, ensuring its technical, legal, financial, and environmental viability while aligning with best practices and stakeholder objectives. 1. Pre-Feasibility Assessment: The consultant will conduct a preliminary analysis to assess the projects’ viability before detailed studies: 1.1. Concept Review: Evaluate the project scope for adequacy and supplement with additional research and data, referencing comparable projects where necessary. 1.2. Global Best Practices: Analyze successful project execution and operation strategies globally. 1.3. Sector Needs and Regulations: Assess current sector practices, facility requirements, and regulatory frameworks governing construction and operation. 1.4. Legal Review: Examine relevant international, national, and local laws to identify legal processes, requirements, and barriers to project implementation (in close coordination with the legal studies consultant). 1.5. Market Demand and Financial Assessment: Conduct market research, demand estimation, and initial financial and economic analysis, including value-for-money assessments and potential cost-recovery mechanisms (in close coordination with the finance and local resources consultant). 1.6. Environmental and Social Risks: Evaluate preliminary environmental and social impacts, associated risks, and mitigation measures. 1.7. Stakeholder Analysis: Identify the key stakeholders for each project, their interests, and their potential impact on the project's viability. 1.8. Procurement Options: Assess procurement modalities to determine the best value-for-money approach. 1.9. Prefeasibility templates: Design prefeasibility templates that can be used by local government representatives to assess the feasibility of future projects 2. Comprehensive Feasibility Study: The consultant will prepare a detailed feasibility study covering: 2.1. Demand Study: 2.1.1. Identify user requirements and forecast demand growth using clear methodologies. 2.1.2. Define necessary assets and quality standards to deliver services effectively. 2.2. Technical Analysis: 2.2.1. Collaborate with project designers to refine configurations, evaluate site conditions, and identify required land options. 2.2.2. Estimate lifecycle costs, analyze technical options, and explore ancillary revenue opportunities. 2.2.3. Collaborate with the project designer to finalize the preferred technical and commercial project configuration. 2.3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance : 2.3.1. Conduct legal due diligence, assess institutional roles, and recommend solutions for regulatory approvals, land acquisition, and institutional challenges (in close coordination with the legal studies consultant). 2.3.2. Address environmental and social compliance, including impact assessments, mitigation plans, and community engagement strategies. 2.4. Financial Structuring: 2.4.1. Develop a financial model detailing project cash flow, financing needs, and government support assumptions (in close coordination with the finance and local resources consultant). 2.4.2. Conduct sensitivity analysis and recommend cost recovery and alternative revenue mechanisms. 2.4.3. Design the business model for each project as well as the management arrangements. 2.4.4. Evaluate business and financing models including Islamic finance tools for identified projects, including cost recovery mechanisms, and recommend the most viable and bankable structure (in close coordination with the finance and local resources consultant). 2.4.5. Promote the project to potential bidders, including private sector entities, financial institutions, and NGOs. 2.5. Economic Feasibility: 2.5.1. Evaluate economic costs and benefits, assess feasibility under different risk scenarios, and propose financing strategies. 2.5.2. Prepare a comprehensive term sheet outlining key project metrics, performance requirements, and risk allocation. 2.6. Risk Analysis: Develop a detailed risk matrix, quantifying and categorizing risks by probability, impact, and mitigation strategies. 2.7. Feasibility studies templates: Design simple feasibility studies templates that can be used as a guide for future feasibility studies. 3. Procurement and Bidding Support 3.1. Procurement Strategy: Define a timeline for procurement and contract signing, ensuring alignment with applicable laws and regulations. 3.2. Bidding Documentation: Prepare all necessary documents, including RFQ, RFP, draft contracts, evaluation criteria, and bid forms, while ensuring compliance with applicable organizational rules. 3.3. Procurement Implementation Support: Support in overseeing the procurement process from pre-qualification to financial closure, advising on mechanisms to ensure fair competition and robust bids. 3.4. Bidder Guidance: Support bidder evaluation, selection, and negotiation to secure favorable project terms. 3.5. Government Coordination: Identify required actions from government entities and develop plans to secure their cooperation. 3.6. Finalization: Facilitate contract finalization and financial closure, ensuring seamless transition into the implementation phase. 4. Collaboration and Engagement: Over the timeline of the consultancy, the consultant is expected to do the following. 4.1. Work collaboratively with project experts, and project team members to align feasibility studies with overall project strategies. 4.2. Hold meetings to gather feedback from local community, potential investors and financial institutions on the commercial potential of the proposed project structure and risk allocation. 4.3. Coordinate closely with the local government and affiliated ministries to ensure proper endorsement. 4.4. Assess the capacity of the potential project stakeholders to implement and/or operate the project and identify any technical support required for successful implementation and operation, including any changes to the project, financial/commercial structuring and regulatory complexity 4.5. Present findings, analyses, and recommendations to key stakeholders, including government authorities and community representatives. 4.6. Conduct a capacity building training on feasibility studies for priority investment projects to local government representatives 4.7. Ensure the alignment of studies with sustainable development goals and the city's strategic urban development plan, identified national plans and UN-Habitat guidelines.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree in in business administration, urban economy, economics, or a related field is required. A first level degree with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of Master’s degree. • A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in Business Administration, Finance Economics, or other related fields is required. • Proven experience in conducting feasibility studies is required. • Strong analytical skills with proficiency in data analysis are desirable. • Experience in conducting feasibility studies/business models for urban development projects is desirable. • Experience with international organizations and previous work with local government agencies or national counterparts is desirable.

Languages

For this position Fluency in both oral and written Arabic and basic English is required.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.