Emplois au PNUD - 50035- Consultant for Background Paper

Consultant for Background Paper - South-South and Triangular Cooperation Emerging Opportunities for Think Tanks Consultation

Lieu :

New York, ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE

Type de contrat :

Individual Contract

Date de commencement :

06-Oct-2014

Date limite de candidature :

30-Sep-14 (Minuit New York, États-Unis)

Niveau du poste :

National Consultant

Durée du contrat initial

10 working days

Langues requises :

Anglais

Durée prévue de la mission :

10 working days

Le PNUD s’engage à recruter un personnel divers en termes de genre, de nationalité et de culture. Nous encourageons de même les personnes issues des minorités ethniques, des communautés autochtones ou handicapées à postuler. Toutes les candidatures seront traitées dans la plus stricte confidentialité. Le PNUD ne tolère pas l’exploitation et / ou les atteintes sexuelles, ni aucune forme de harcèlement, y compris le harcèlement sexuel, et / ou toutes formes de discrimination. Tous/tes les candidats/tes selectectionnes /ées devront ainsi se soumettre à de rigoureuses vérifications relatives aux références fournies ainsi qu’à leurs antécédents.

Historique

The global development cooperation landscape is changing quickly, with emerging economies as well as non-state actors playing an increasingly important and visible role. The complex architecture of development cooperation means country level presence of wide variety of actors, partners, and modalities of development cooperation and financing. The international community is in search of more inclusive and flexible ways to form partnerships that go beyond the traditional “North-South” divide. This has implications for aid and cooperation modalities, for how knowledge sharing takes place and how traditional and emerging players alike adapt their strategies, structures and priorities.
South-South and triangular cooperation (SSC/TrC) have also been expanding significantly in scope and in depth. Developing countries are exchanging knowledge, technologies, and expertise, based on the principles of mutual solidarity and partnership among equals with similar development experiences. While SSC/TrC have increased the volume and diversity in opportunities for development assistance, governments of developing countries are also voicing their intention to take on board new responsibilities to ensure the economic, social, environmental and political sustainability of global development.

While South-South Cooperation is not a substitute for, but rather a complement to North-South Cooperation, it will play a critical role in implementing the post-2015 development agenda. The next set of development goals of the world will require a new global partnership. This partnership will need to bring together all actors – developing and developed countries, national and local governments, civil societies, think tanks, academia and private sectors alike.

Embracing a multi-stakeholder approach is one of the key characteristics of SSC/TrC. A dynamic and pro-active engagement of think tanks, CSOs, the private sector, academia and other relevant stakeholders contributes to achievement of sustainable development results in line with local priorities and development goals. The ongoing expansion of the private sector in developing countries as well as the proliferation of non-state actors, such as think tanks, civil society and foundations, can be increasingly harnessed for sustainable human development.
Think tanks have their own particular roles in the development landscape. They contribute to international development policy formulation and implementation in multiple ways. Also in the context of SSC/TrC think tanks are actively supporting both formulation of policies and implementation of development cooperation. The role of think tanks includes providing in-depth analysis and policy advice, advocating or communicating key messages to the wider public as well as developing the capacity of policy makers and development practitioners.

Objectives of the background paper:

UNDP’s Strategic Plan (SP) 2014-17 repositions SSC/TrC as one of the organisation’s core way of working. UNDP has already organized a number of exchanges of experiences and perspectives among South-South partners and other emerging players. At the same time, UNDP is interested in facilitating a broader dialogue to support an inclusive approach and discourse among different actors involved in SSC/TrC. This particular dialogue aims at consulting a representative group of think tanks, particularly from the South, on the future of SSC/TrC.

The main goal of this think tank consultation is to take part in the ongoing global discussion on the future of SSC. It will focus on emerging trends and most recent development debates as well as good practices and challenges on the ground by bringing to the fore the perspectives of think tanks on SSC/TrC. It will provide space for exchange on the future of SSC and the different roles think tanks have been playing and can play in it.

The consultation will seek to add value by highlighting the key discussion issues in the area of SSC, both its successes and its challenges, as well as forward looking perspectives to its future from the viewpoint of think tanks. The background paper for the consultation should provide a basis for this discussion.

The discussion will lead into a common understanding of next steps by identifying a number of priority topics for a joint research agenda for think tanks on SSC/TrC. The paper should seek to identify a number of questions for facilitating a dialogue towards forming such an agenda. In addition, the conference will add value by creating an open platform for exchange of opinions, across sectors and groups of countries within the think tank community working on or interested in SSC/TrC. If seen beneficial, potential to create an annual forum for on-going dialogues among think tanks on SSC/TrC will also be explored. This idea can be included to the questions for discussion part of the paper.

In this context, this UNDP hosted think tank consultation on SSC/TrC will focus on two main themes:

Experiences and lessons learned in SSC/TrC from the perspective of think tanks - what happens on the ground and what can we learn from it?
New trends, major challenges and opportunities for further research and engagement of think tanks in SSC/TrC - what are the priority topics for a common research agenda on SSC/TrC?

As such, the consultation aims to bring together key development think tanks from both traditional and emerging development cooperation partner countries. As an open space for dialogue, participation of government actors, academia, philanthropy and civil society is also encouraged in order to discuss and develop new understandings, approaches and opportunities for cooperation. As part of the process of preparing for the consultation, the consultant selected will also be asked to assist in identifying relevant participants.

In order to maximize free exchange of ideas, the consultation will be an informal round-table dialogue, with special emphasis on identifying joint research ideas. The total number of participants is expected to be around 50 people. The consultant will present the background paper in the consultation, aiming to spark active dialogue.

The consultation event will be followed by a “Partnership Breakfast” the following morning, 21 November 2014. During breakfast, the main points of the consultation discussion, highlighting the identified priority topics for a common research agenda, will be summarized. It will also encourage networking among different actors and provide an opportunity for exploring cooperation and partnership opportunities.

The background paper will be the main pre-consultation document and it will be circulated at least one week before the event. This paper, potentially accompanied by shorter proposals for cooperation areas, will provide background information and questions for discussion. The idea is to allow the participants to concentrate on discussion about goals, trends, challenges, lessons learned and next steps during the event. In addition, the background paper will be accompanied by 2-5 short papers putting forward potential joint research topics for discussion in the consultation.

Devoirs et responsabilités

UNDP bacground paper on experiences, trends and future engagement opportunities for think tanks on South-South and triangular cooperation. It can be acaBased on a literature review, deliberations and outcomes of the key international fora related to SSC and think tanks as well as previous UNDP organized meetings on the topic and complemented by few targeted interviews with key stakeholders, prepare a short (approximately 10 pages) analytical background paper for discussion at the consultation. The paper should include:

A short overview of the current debates on the role and the future of SSC/TrC from the perspective of think tanks. This section should seek to answer the following questions:

What is happening on the ground with think tanks engaging in SSC/TrC and what can we learn from them?
What are the analysis think tanks are making on the impact and effectiveness of SSC/TrC initiatives?
What kind of roles (research, analysis, advocacy, communication, etc.) are think tanks playing in SSC/TrC in different environments?
How do think tanks engage with respective governments and other development actors in the context of SSC/TrC?
What kind of cooperation exists among think tanks in the area of SSC/TrC?

A forward looking section that should seek to propose possible answers to the following questions:

What are the major trends, challenges and opportunities for the future of SSC/TrC?
What could potentially be few priority topics to carry out further common research in the area of SSC/TrC?
What other innovative ways can think tanks working together in the context of SSC/TrC?
What role can UNDP play to support think tanks’ future research and engagement in SSC/TrC?

Each of the sections should include few concrete examples to illustrate the narrative.

A summary section of main findings, including few concrete proposals for potential areas of common future research. This section should put forward a set of questions for further discussion at the event.

The consultant should use the following methodology and resources for the background paper. Adjustments and modifications should be agreed with UNDP:

Desk review based on the list of publications and materials proposed by UNDP and by the author;
Online search of relevant materials and events information;
Interviews with key think tank representatives, international organizations, academia, etc. (based on the list agreed with UNDP).

Deliverables and Timeline:

Draft outline of the paper (2-3 pages) and list of potential participants for the event by October 12th;
First draft of the paper by October 24th;
Final draft of the paper by October 31st;
Participation to the consultation event and Partnership Breakfast in Washington DC on November 20th and 21st;
Draft a summary of consultation discussion’s main points, highlighting the identified priority topics for a common research agenda; by November 21st

Compétences

Excellent analytical skills;
Solid expertize on South-South and triangular cooperationSSC/TrC and work of think tanks in this area;
Strong organizational awareness, client orientation and government advisory skills;
Strong writing and communication skills in English;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

Advanced (MA) university degree (or equivalent) in the area of social sciences, international relations, international development, education, public administration or relevant field.

Experience:

Direct experience in the area of analytical support to and /or design and implementation of SSC/TrC programmes;
Experience in working in or with think tanks, particularly in global and SSC/TrC issues;
Solid knowledge of the development cooperation debate;
At least 5 years of experience in consulting in the areas of SSC/TrC, role of think tanks, effective development cooperation and knowledge sharing.
Previous experience in working with international organizations, working with UN agencies will be an asset.

Languages;

Proficiency (verbal and written) in English;
Knowledge of another UN language will be an asset.