Guided by the UNDP’s Strategic Plan as well as SDGs/Agenda 2030 and the African Union Agenda 2063, the Inclusive Growth Team (IGT) of the UNDP Regional Service Centre for Africa (RSCA) supports 46 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and works with the regional partners as they formulate and implement national development plans for the achievement of SDGs.

Within its Inclusive Growth portfolio, the Team focuses on eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities, building resilience to crises and shocks, socio-economic empowerment of marginalized groups and communities as well as accelerating economic structural transformation through extension of social protection, improving productivity, diversifying production, and taking advantage of domestic and regional trade (including via The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)). These objectives are articulated in the Regional Programme for Africa (2018-2021) and The Africa Bureau Strategic Offer for Africa (2021).

We offer an integrated package of solutions in response to complex developmental issues spanning economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Our services include policy and technical advisory, knowledge production and brokerage, resource mobilization and advocacy.  

To enhance our ability to deliver on the above objectives, UNDP RSCA invites candidates to send their applications for inclusion in a Vetted Roster of external experts. The process of including candidates in the Expert Roster is described in the later sections of this advertisement.

To be considered for inclusion in the roster, applications would need to demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following thematic areas of work:

Expertise Area 1: UN Sustainable Development Goals and AUC Agenda 2063:

Expertise Area 2: Social Protection

Expertise Area 3: Area-based Development approaches with a focus on local economic and community-centered development: 

Expertise Area 4: Design of development strategies, plans and policies:

Expertise Area 5: African Continental Free Trade Agreement

Expertise Area 6: The Informal Economy

For detail, please refer the competencies section of this advert. 

Tasks assigned in each individual assignment may include one or more of the following :

Policy and Strategy Development:

• Prepare Policy briefs, discussion papers based on primary and secondary evidence;
• Synthesize relevant informative into a compelling narrative;
• Articulate and formulate feasible strategic national and sub-national strategies and planning documents and policies;
• Develop solutions that address economic, social and environmental dimensions of development;
• Ability to analyze budgets and national planning documents.

Tools:

• Carry out statistical and econometric analyses;
• Construct and/or use existing models and analyze results, while identifying the limitations of the results;
• Use relevant tools—fiscal, macro modeling, needs assessments, futures visioning - foresight, design thinking—as applicable;
• Ability to carry out a SWOT and cost/benefit analysis;
• Use tools to identify issues and/or bottlenecks to SDG achievement;
• Ability to combine social, economic and environmental considerations in the tools used and/or developed;
• Construct and/or use existing models and analyze results, while identifying the limitations of the results.

Project and Programme proposal and document development:

• Carry-out stakeholder analysis and mapping of stakeholders, programmes, projects and initiatives;
• Use innovative ways to identify developmental challenges, target areas, beneficiaries and partners;
• Identify issues, formulate and implement interventions that are aimed at achieving inclusive forms of growth and development. Prepare Project Proposals and Project Documents based on the above;
• Prepare project proposals using tools and concepts as in section above as necessary to strengthen the overall narrative.

Research and Documentation:

• Develop research design, research questions and scope of work for undertaking primary research in new/relevant areas;
• Ability to demonstrate results in quantifiable terms as well as in clear, easy to understand language using new as well as traditional forms of media;
• Track and report on SDG achievement;
• Document good practices, case studies, innovations and results of projects/programmesfor wider dissemination and sharing.

Capacity Development/Training:

• Carry out Capacity assessments of public institutions and government institutions for development of strategic interventions for institutional strengthening;
• Experience in conducting surveys and tabulating and presenting results to a wider audience;
• Design training curriculum, conduct and/or coordinate trainings programmes for various stakeholders;
• Develop specific training tools/toolkits and manuals based on training needs assessment Train and coach stakeholders in using relevant tools and rolling out initiatives;
• Conduct and/or coordinate trainings and workshops.

Knowledge Management:

• Prepare easy to understand knowledge and communications products related to the SDG-related projects/programs (audio, video and hard copies);
• Create relevant / user driven databases tracking SDG performance;
• Review of Knowledge products (subject, design and content);
• Prepare and publish featured articles and case studies for an external audience;
• Disseminate knowledge and communications products;
• Contribute to relevant Communities of Practice (CoP), discussion forums and networks;
• A good grasp of, and ability to use innovative KM tools.

Monitoring & Evaluation:

• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of national and sub-national policies;
• Carry out required independent monitoring and evaluation of projects;
• Facilitate community and process monitoring;
• Conduct and succinctly analyze baseline and client satisfaction surveys.

To be considered for inclusion in the roster, applications would need to demonstrate expertise in one or more of the following thematic areas of work:

Expertise Area 1: UN Sustainable Development Goals and AUC Agenda 2063:

• Experience and in-depth knowledge in supporting Member States with integrated development planning and management at national and sub-national level, including designing and management of the entire process.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in supporting the Member States on mainstreaming of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the 2063 Agenda for the Africa we want in development plans, budgets and statistical systems across “whole of society”.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in undertaking analytics in SDG investment and policy trade-offs, identifying synergies and facilitating related dialogues to inform SDG acceleration.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in curating data and knowledge to inform development planning and management.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in support Member States in SDG reporting, including SDG Indicator Reports, SDG Budget Reports, Voluntary National Review etc.
• Experience and in-depth knowledge in supporting Member States with capacities to communicate the value add of SDGs in the management of a country's development and as a vehicle for citizen's voice in the management of global development.

Expertise Area 2: Social Protection

• Expertise in social protection (discourse and practice), social and economic policy, social inclusion, poverty and vulnerability dynamics in the sub-Saharan African countries;
• Knowledge of the role of the non-state actors (such as community-based organizations, cooperatives, remittances) in the delivery of social protection (‘informal social protection’); 
• Experience in support of social protection strategies to achieve structural transformation and economic empowerment in rural and urban contexts;
• Experience in support of social protection strategies and solutions to achieve social inclusion and empowerment of marginalized groups;
• Experience in support of shock-responsive social protection strategies;
• Experience in adaptive social protection or social protection to address climate change;
• Expertise in digital solutions for social protection (e.g., design of social registries, application of big data for programme design and delivery; mobile technology for targeting and disbursements, etc.);
• Expertise in compilation and analysis of quantitative social protection data;
• Expertise in compilation and analysis of qualitative social protection data.

Expertise Area 3: Area-based Development approaches with a focus on local economic and community-centered development: 

• Have strong knowledge of area-based development approaches including local economic development (LED) and community-centered development both in theory and practice.
• Knowledge of systems and integrated approaches to addressing the multidimensional challenges and opportunities to promote local development that is prosperous, inclusive, sustainable and resilient.  
• Some experience in designing areas-based development or local economic development or community-based development programmes or approaches in Africa, and particularly from a portfolio and systems perspective.  
• Good understanding of  micro-macro links for scaling-up proven area/local based development approaches.
• Proven experience with Decentralized Cooperation and other partnership cooperation modalities.

Expertise Area 4: Design of development strategies, plans and policies:

• Strong knowledge in areas related to development economics, with particular emphasis on poverty and inequality reduction, inclusive growth
• Expertise in the formulation of policies for the structural transformation of economies
• Experience in formulating emergence plans and industrial policies
• Experience and knowledge in private sector development and engagement in Africa.
• Understanding and knowledge of Inclusive Business, Value Chains Development, Value Chain Greening, SME Development, Inclusive Finance, Impact Investment, Trade and Investment
• Innovative approaches/experience on global development issues, such as regional trade and supply chain promotion
• Strong skills in research, analytical and conceptual thinking; ability to synthesize complex concepts and material into clear and concise thoughts
• Experience in and knowledge of Public Private Dialogue (PPD) mechanisms and multi-stakeholder partnerships and platforms in developing countries, including experience in the design, facilitation, and operation of PPDs, multi-partnerships and platforms
• Experience in and knowledge of economic recovery from impact of crisis and shocks
• Practical experience in conducting research, mappings, collecting and analyzing data
• Proven experience in developing knowledge products and presenting data and information
• Knowledge of and practical experience in the use of data and technologies for private sector engagement

Expertise Area 5: African Continental Free Trade Agreement

• Experience in developing innovative competitive export trade offers for the benefit of women and youth owned businesses promoting youth empowerment, gender equality and inclusion of women and youth in implementation of the AfCFTA.
• Capacity to develop a trade - related AfCFTA tool kit in support for trade competitiveness enhancement with a focus on SMEs that are Women and Youth-owned.
• Experience in working with private sector entities, Chambers of Commerce, export promotion agencies and sub regional Business Councils to build networks for promotion of value chains for AfCFTA utilization.
• Good experience in partnership building and resource mobilization.
• Capacity to Identify and monitor market trends in the AfCFTA and identify new and dynamic opportunities, especially for Women and Youth - owned enterprises of relevance to exporters.
• Experience in engaging exporter groups on market and industry-specific insights to obtain intelligence on priorities and challenges – and ensure feedback loops for exporter associations.
• Knowledge of the networks of Pan-African export and competitiveness institutions and ability to create with them entry points and collaborative platforms on market research and business intelligence in support of the use of AfCFTA.

 Expertise Area 6: The Informal Economy

• Knowledge of the diverse development constraints and challenges related to the informal economy in Africa.
• Solid experience in (innovative) development-oriented research as related to the informal economy in different country contexts in Africa.
• Sound knowledge and experience of developing integrated approaches to address the diverse development constraints and challenges related to the informal economy in Africa.

• Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (civil society, government authorities, local communities, UN staff);
• Capacity to work in multicultural settings and engage with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders including Government, development, and community and business organizations and associations.
• Hands-on research and practical experience working with civil society, local communities and/or vulnerable groups on the theme of the informal economy is an asset.

Education:

• Degree in economics, development studies, business administration and/or other social science/s.

Experience:

Following a vetting process, the successful candidates would be placed in one of the following bands:

• Band 1, Implementation Support: Master's Degree in relevant field with minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, or Bachelor Degree's  in relevant field with minimum 5 years of relevant work experience;
• Band 2, Specialist Support: Master's Degree in relevant field with minimum 7 years of relevant work experience, out of which minimum 3 years of international experience as a requirement;
• Band 3, Senior Advisory: Master's Degree in relevant field with minimum 10 years of relevant work experience, out of which minimum 5 years of international experience as a requirement;
  • Experience working with private sector and private sector organizations on issues related to private sector development and engagement;
  • Experience in working with state/central Governments and/or an international organization, policy think tank;
  • Hands-on experience working in a development setting;
  • Experience working in Africa or on Africa related assignments;

Language:

• Fluency in spoken and written English.
  • or fluency in spoken and written French and intermediate fluency in English;
  • or fluency in spoken and written Spanish and intermediate fluency in English;
  • or fluency in spoken and written Portuguese and intermediate fluency in English

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Stage 1:- Establishing a Roster:

• All applicants will be initially screened against the minimum requirements as in ToR and those meeting the minimum requirements will be long listed.
• Long-listed applicants will be evaluated through a Desk review and/or interview against the following criteria based on evident in the submitted application:

  • Demonstrated specialized expertise in a minimum of one of the following areas mentioned in the TOR: (1) UN Sustainable Development Goals: solid understanding of SDGs, the localization agenda and AUC Agenda 2063; (2)Social Protection, Jobs and Livelihoods; (3) Area-based Development approaches with a focus on local economic and community-centered development; (4) Design of development strategies, plans and policies:; (5) African Continental Free Trade Agreement and (6) The Informal Economy:– 40 points;

  • Demonstrated programme/project management experience (as applicable) programme/project design, management, capacity development, knowledge management, research and documentation and monitoring and evaluation aspects required for fulfilling the consultancy successfully – 40 points;

  • Demonstrable educational qualifications relevant for the successful fulfilment of Bands 1, 2 or 3 – 10 points;

  • Demonstrated language skills: and ability to write reports, presentations, and briefs – 10.

Only those candidates who obtain a total technical score of 70 and above will be included in the roster.

Successful candidates will be included in UNDP RBA Experts Roster for a period of 5 years, in one of the “bands” indicated above. However, the addition of an individual in the Roster does not guarantee a contract with UNDP.

Stage 2: - Evaluation and call off mechanism for specific assignment /Contracting/:

When a request for services arises, the roster manager shall contact the individuals included in the specific area of expertise with ToR, location and dates of the assignment seeking confirmation of availability, as well as other costs such as living allowance, travel cost, etc. The daily fee quoted by the individual during this application process shall remain as the ceiling fee and cannot be increased upwards for any offered individual assignment(s).

Consultants that confirmed their availability for Specific assignment will be evaluated in one of the two evaluation criteria that shall be clearly indicated in the respective assignment ToR.

Lowest price and technically compliant offer:

When using this method, the award of a contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as both:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and;
• Offering the lowest price/cost.

"Responsive/compliant/acceptable” can be defined as fully meeting the TOR provided.

Cumulative analysis:

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
  • Technical Criteria weight; [To be determined]
  • Financial Criteria weight; [To be determined]
• Only candidates obtaining the minimum point specified on the technical criteria specified on the assignment ToR would be considered for the financial;
• The individual selected for the deployment will be contracted as an Individual Contractor to the UNDP;
• The Contract and its terms and conditions are non-negotiable.

Travel:

• For each assignment UNDP shall reimburse cost of travel from the place of domicile of the individual to the place of assignment (most direct economy fare). This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources;

Payment:

Payment(s) shall be made following certification by the hiring UNDP Office that the services related to each deliverable, as specified in the contract, have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates specified, if any.

Applications should include:

• A cover letter, clearly identifying the “Areas of Expertise” as mentioned in the competencies section above;
• Updated P11 and Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Daily professional Fee.

Other information:

• This call for experts is not linked to other UNDP rosters or to a specific UNDP recruitment opportunity;
• Interested individual can submit the above documents (Cover letter including daily Professional fee, CV & P-11)  in one of the following two addresses;
  • UNDP Jobs site OR at;
  • Procurement.rsca@undp.org;

• Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process

Interested candidates are strongly advised to carefully review this advertisement, the procurement notice and ToR and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications required. All relevant information including ToR& Procurement Notice can be found ( in English ) on :https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=90904

For any clarifications please write to :- rsca.icroster@undp.org.