UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in about 170 countries and  territories,  working  with  national  counterparts  on  solutions  to  global  and  national  development  challenges.In the programme countries, UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in in partnership with the host governments, the United Nations system, the development partners and other partners to help the country to achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerating structural  transformations  for  sustainable  development  and  building  resilience  to  crises  and  shock.In  addition,  UNDP  now  has  the  mandate  to  support  SDG  Integration  to  ensure  faster  progress  on  sustainable development and offers support in four areas, (1) integrated policy and  programming solutions, (2) SDG metrics, data and analysis using state-of-the-art tools for modelling and forecasting, (3) knowledge and  innovation and (4) SDG Financing options to help countries identify innovative ways to expand public and private contributions to reach the 2030 agenda. Lastly, the COVID-19 pandemic has also highlighted an urgent need to adopt a Systems Approach that is orientated towards  building  Resilience  to  future  shocks  through  continuously  reviewed  scenario  analyses.

The Government of Lao PDR has been working with the United Nations and other development partners to formulate the 9th NSEDP and a credible and practical financing strategy for its five-year plan. UNDP has been providing technical and capacity building support to the Government of Lao on the formulation of the 9th NSEDP and the financing strategy in addition to providing capacity building support to strengthen its planning and financing systems and processes. UNDP has also initiated various national level assessments and research efforts to support these processes. It has initiated exploration of new and innovative financing instruments and mechanisms such as the Debt for Nature Swap opportunity in Lao PDR. UNDP is therefore seeking the services of a national consultant (Economist) to provide further support to these initiatives with a primary role on supporting the engagement of national counterparts and to strengthen existing partnerships.

OBJECTIVE 

Under the direct supervision of the International Economist, the National Economist (Consultant) is expected to provide support in the following areas:

1. Provide support to national and sub-national level planning and financing
2. Provision of technical support on developing the debt for nature opportunity
3. Provide support to research and analysis on key economic development areas and the SDGs

The successful applicant will be expected to be responsible for the following:

1. Provide support to national and sub-national level planning and financing

• Support the finalization of the Development Finance Assessment and costing report.
• Support coordination, dialogue and engagement with relevant government ministries including on the financing strategy formulation and implementation process
• Assist in translation of written materials and interpretation during meetings with international staff/consultants.
• Support consultation with key stakeholders from GOL, private sector, academia and research institutes.
• Assist in developing a mapping of the national planning and financing system.
• Provide support to the formulation of any new programmes on planning and financing.
• Collaborate across UNDP teams, to ensure linkages to the work emerging from all programme units
• Provide inputs to the expansion of country office service offers on planning, financing and data for development.

       2. Provision of technical support on developing the debt for nature opportunity

• Supporting coordination, dialogue and engagement with relevant government ministries to design a concrete debt for nature proposal /transaction
• Provide support to regularly convene the Technical Working Group meetings and compilation of meeting reports and documentation of key decisions and next steps.
• Assist in maintaining team awareness of relevant government priorities, plans, announcements and laws, including translation of written materials and interpretation during meetings with international staff/consultants.
• Supporting consultation with key stakeholders including government line ministries, development partners and bilateral creditors where required.
• Provide support to preparation of the analysis underpinning the Debt for Nature proposal, including liasing with government counterparts to obtain data, contributing to research on debtor and creditor profiles, briefing and presentation materials for workshops, and proposals to explore additional funding for the initiative.

       3. Provide research and analytical support on key economic development areas and the SDGs

• Provide analysis and research in priority thematic areas at the country level, including through the publication of policy briefs or other analytical outputs;
• Support the preparation of policy briefs, background notes, speeches, talking points, presentation materials, etc. on critical sustainable development issues.
• Compile and analyse statistical data as required in support of country strategies and knowledge products
• Identify and analyse data sources to monitor key economic trends and policies
• Track publications and data published by other UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral development agencies, private sector entities, and civil society;

• Contribute to national, regional, and global knowledge networks and communities of practice.

• Knowledge and experience in government administration and processes within Lao PDR
• Understanding of sovereign debt dynamics in Lao PDR would be highly valued

• Master’s Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Business Administration, Statistics or related field
• Minimum 3 years of experience at the national level in relevant areas of economic research and policy and implementation support.
• Experience of working with government counterparts, national or international financial institutions, research institute in the field of economic and social development preferred.
• Excellent coordination skills, including demonstrated experience in liaising with government representatives and development partners.
• Advanced research and analytical skills.
  Excellent writing and communication skills. Previous experience in providing translation and interpretation support preferred
• Excellent working knowledge of written and spoken English is required
• Fluency in written and spoken Lao is required

Requirements for submission of proposals 

All interested and qualified International or National Individual Consultants should apply online using the following links: 

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html 

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below 

1. TOR (Annex I) 

1. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II; 

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

1. Technical Proposal 

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; 

            (ii)  Providing any writing samples related to the scope of work

       2. P11 Form  Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for

           whom you have rendered preferably the similar services; 

       3. Financial proposal:  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable.

           Please use this template OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III.

Instructions for online submissions: 

• Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically; 
• Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above; 
• Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully. 

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. 

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails: surith.sengsavang@undp.org.