UNDP Jobs - 45732- National Consultant - Trade, Poverty And Human Dev

National Consultant - Trade, Poverty And Human Development

Location :

Sana'a, YEMEN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

21-Apr-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 months

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Yemen is a beneficiary of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) for trade-related technical assistance to the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The EIF is a multi-donor programme, the objective of which is to provide technical assistance to developing countries to identify and address supply-side constraints to their trade, thereby increasing their participation in the global trade system and promoting their economic growth. Yemen is one of 47 countries currently benefiting from EIF support.

An important step in the EIF process is the preparation and validation of a Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS). The purpose of the DTIS is to provide a comprehensive and expert analysis that address: (i) the internal and external constraints facing the country’s integration into the world trade system, addressing sectoral, institutional and cross-cutting issues; (ii) the opportunities to increase the country’s participation and benefits in the global trade system; and (iii) areas and strategies to mainstream trade policy into national development policy and planning.

Yemen’s original DTIS was completed in 2003 and the country has decided to update the study to better reflect the economy’s current situation. In addition to the diagnostic of the trade sector –covering cross-cutting and sector and industry specific issues- the DTIS update will include an Action Matrix or action plan outlining the policy measures, investments, technical assistance needs, and priority reforms necessary to enhance the country’s trade participation and benefits.

More concretely, using this analysis, as well as existing documentation, and on the basis of intensive in-country consultations, the DTIS update will diagnose the principal background constraints and challenges to sustainable economic growth and trade, making recommendations as to how to ensure that trade contributes to economic growth, poverty reduction and human development. An important recent development is the decision by the National Consultation Process to move toward a federal system. The DTIS will take account of the move, which will have long-term implications for investment, trade and fiscal policy as well as internal trade.

Amongst other things the study aims at the following objectives:

To provide an analysis of the current macroeconomic situation to serve as background to trade policymaking;
To assess the institutional capacities and structures required for supporting the integration of Yemen’s economy into the global economy;
To deepen analysis on particular sectors with export potential as a means to easing supply side constraints; promoting export expansion; and boosting job creation and poverty reduction;
To identify synergies across sectors/products to promote backward and forward linkages. (For example one of the constraints to agricultural exports is insufficient packaging material).
To produce an analytical report with an executive summary and an action matrix identifying priority measures for action easily translated into Tier 2 project proposals.

UNDP has been requested to support the government of Yemen in conducting the DTIS. The study will be prepared by a team of national and international experts working under the direction of a Team Leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

Yemen ranks 160^th of 187 countries on the latest UN Human Development Index, just higher than Haiti but below Togo. Among Middle East and North African countries Yemen has the second-lowest level of human development, above Sudan (South Sudan is not ranked). Yemen is not expected to meet any of its Millennium Development Goals. The report should provide original and innovative analyses and policy-relevant recommendations with a view to enhancing the contribution of trade to poverty reduction and human development, as well as making recommendations as to how human development might enhance trade and economic growth. The consultant will produce an analytical report not longer than 40 pages, diagnosing the current poverty and human development situation, analyzing the institutional issues, and providing recommendations for government.

The analysis should include a coherent discussion of, at a minimum, the following areas:

An overview of the poverty and human development situation, including an assessment of existing social, gender-based and economic inequalities and implications for national unity and stability;
The winners and losers from the proposed move to federalism, including identification of policy mechanisms required to minimize any possible detrimental impact on the poor;
An assessment of regional inequalities, and identification of potential policy options for reducing regional inequalities;
An assessment of the specific links between poverty, human development and trade in Yemen and identification of appropriate policy recommendations on how trade can be used to reduce inequality;

Specific initiatives to be assessed in the report include:

Informal sector survey;
SME strategy;
SMEPS (Social Development Fund).

The consultant may be required to present his or her preliminary findings to a meeting of key stakeholders at the end of their field work.

The consultant should incorporate in the report a list of concrete recommendations for trade capacity development that are clearly linked to and justified by the analysis in the study, as well as a preliminary assessment of the priority attached to each of the recommendations, and an indication of the optimal sequencing for addressing the recommendations.

The consultant will make concrete recommendations and prioritize them for the Action Matrix, taking into account ongoing and expected support from donor partners including the EU, USAID the UN, the IMF, the IFC and the World Bank.

The DTIS Update will be directed and supervised by the DTIS Update Team Leader. The overall project will be coordinated by the EIF Steering Committee and the Focal Point. The Team Leader acts as the point of contact for the team, and is responsible for the overall execution of the DTIS update.

The consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the DTIS Update Team Leader. It is particularly important that the consultant conforms to all style and editorial guidelines provided by the Team Leader. The consultant is expected to participate in all scheduled Team meetings and presentations.

The consultant is expected to prepare the reports through desk review, direct and indirect consultation with key stakeholders, data gathering, updating and analysis. A work plan and timeline will be prepared by the Team Leader, establishing deadlines, meetings, and other relevant activities for the consultant.

Deliverables

An analytical report or chapter not exceeding 30 pages, plus bibliography and annexes, as needed.

The report should include:

A set of priority recommendations in the format provided by the Team Leader;
A matrix of on-going and planned support to the sector by development partners, timeframes and funding;
A presentation and general substantive support to the Team leader during the validation workshop.

The total effective working days for this assignment are estimated at 30 days over a period of 6 months from May to October 2014.

Provision of substantive general and technical support to the Team Leader during the main DTIS mission.

Due date: To be agreed with DTIS team leader;
Payment by percentage from total amount: 15%

Submission and approval by the Team leader of the first draft of the analytical report

Due date: To be agreed with DTIS team leader;
Payment by percentage from total amount: 30%.

Submission and approval by the Team leader of the revised draft of analytical report incorporating comments from the Team Leader:

Payment by percentage from total amount: 40%.

Submission and approval by the Team leader of the final draft of the analytical report incorporating comments from the validation workshop.

Due date: To be agreed with DTIS team leader;
Payment by percentage from total amount: 15%.

Competencies

Functional Competencies

Excellent inter-personal and team-work skills, with a demonstrated ability and commitment to knowledge sharing, collaborative work, and ability to contribute innovative solutions to achieve common aims;
Ability to work under tight deadlines;
Strong analytical skills;
Good drafting, writing, and communications skills (oral and written), including previous experience in preparing similar reports;
Demonstrate integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards
Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualification:

A Bachelor degree in a disciplinary area relevant to the assigned sector or area. Master’s degree or higher is an asset.

Experience:

Minimum3 years of experience in the area or sector and/or trade related issues and policy;
Substantial knowledge of Yemen’s macroeconomic situation, development strategy, and institutional environment as related to trade, policy making and implementation, investment and business climate, and competitiveness; or substantial knowledge of trade and development issues in developing countries
Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in policy work in the area of trade-related issues.

Language skills

Excellent writing and communication skills in English.
Knowledge of Arabic.

Evaluation criteria

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%.