UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional Capacity Development for Implementation of the Kuwait National Development Plan (ICDI/KNDP) project, UNDP and GSSCPD attempt to improve human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning. The aim is to support GSSCPD attain the ability to deliver effectively according to its mandates.

GSSCPD is responsible for elaborating, coordinating and overseeing the Kuwait National Development Plan (KNDP) which addresses the challenges of economic development, human and social development, the efficiency of the state institutions and administration and combating corruption, in accordance with H.H. the Amir’s State Vision “Kuwait 2035”.

Within this context, GSSCPD is seeking to recruit Economic Specialist to support the Economic Development Department at GSSCPD in proposing interim goals for economic development as well as policies to achieve those goals in light of the local, regional and international condition. The Specialist will focus on capacity building and transfer of knowledge specifically to GSSCPD Economic Development Department. The consultancy will also contribute to the following:

KNDP objectives:

Prepare the political and social environments to adopt development related directions and priorities as well as cohesive policies, and programmes that are characterized as stable and sustainable in collaboration with the legislative and executive leaders and development partners.

• Develop planning tools such as templates and databases; build the capacity of planning teams through the development of technical competencies while leveraging related available foreign expertise.
• Enabling and reinforcing SCPD’s role in policy-making with supportive activities, including future forecasts, crisis management, information systems, planning documentation and others.   
• Develop methodology to conduct feasibility studies for large projects that have development priorities for the GSSCPD, through collaboration with relevant entities and enabling the role of the national center for planning and development research

The assignment will also contribute to the following ICDI/KNDP project outputs:

• Output: Improved human capacity and organizational effectiveness of the GSSCPD for development planning;
• Activity Result: Improve GSSCPD policy advisory services to support decision making;
• Indicator: Increased efficient and effective policy advisory services delivery with GSSCPD.

Purpose and Objective:

The main purpose of the assignment is to support the Economic Development Department. The specific objectives are to:

• Propose and develop criteria and indicators related to feasibility studies for economic and development projects from public entities;
• Review, evaluate, and update economic and feasibility studies for the projects of public entities that are incorporated in the KNDP.
• Contribute in the formulation of economic plans and programmes in line with the developmental priorities and objectives of the KNDP.
• Study and analyze economic challenges and bottlenecks that hinder development and propose recommendations to mitigate them specifically when formulating and executing plans and programmes.

To develop capacity and transfer knowledge, guide, orient and train staff at the Economic Development Department at the GSSCPD in improving its institutional performance standards and technical abilities that contribute to the development of the government administrations.

Under the overall guidance of the Secretary General, the direct supervision of the Head of Economic Development Department and with close coordination with the GSSCPD Project Manager, the Economic Specialist will assume the following tasks:

Assist in planning projects and activities related to the development of public administrations and e-governance in line with the KNDP:

• Assist GSSCPD in the development of policies, targets, indicators and criteria for projects that are related to the economic development in the KNDP with the purpose of improving the rank of Kuwait in the local, regional and international standards as well as help in achieving the 2035 Kuwait vision;
• Study and analyze economic challenges and bottlenecks that hinder development and propose recommendations to mitigate them specifically when formulating and executing plans and programmes;
• In line with the KNDP policies, indicators and targets, adopt proactive rather than reactive approach to propose relevant economic development projects for public entities to include them in the next phase of the national plan;
• Propose list of criteria to assess and evaluate feasibility studies for economic and development projects received from public entities;
• Prepare methodology to evaluate and assess the feasibility of economic projects to determine their likelihood of achieving the targets and objective of the KNDP related pillar;
• Prepare studies related to investments and its components on the macroeconomic and sectorial levels with coordination with relevant entities;
• Liaise and coordinate with the unit responsible for monitoring development projects indicators according to economic studies and developmental feasibility;
• Evaluate the framework of general state budget’s project in light of the developmental priorities and directions of the state of Kuwait;
• Propose budget for developmental projects and coordinate with national stakeholders to put together a plan for execution and implementation.

Capacity building, training and ongoing support for Economic Development Department at GSSCPD

• Based on thorough assessment, identify the coaching and training needs related to economic development planning of the department and develop a training plan to address them;
• Provide coaching and on-the-job-training for staff at the economic development department to enable them to implement their role in relation to KNDP;
• Provide methodological and continuous support to various departments and public entities on the implementation of economic development projects in relation to KNDP implementation;
• Present monthly reports to the GSSCPD and Project Manager highlighting key deliverables and achievements with recommendations for the way forward.

Indicative approaches:

As indicated above, a key objective and approach in this assignment is to develop national capacities through facilitating learning from other countries experiences, training and knowledge and skills transfer to the staff of the Economic Development Department at GSSCPD. The specialist would thus be required to submit a capacity development/expertise and knowledge transfer plan based on an understanding of the needs of the Department.

Outputs and Deliverables:

• A Work Plan at the outset of the assignment including- 2 weeks;
• A training plan for the Economic Development Department staff- End of Month 3;
• Assessment and evaluation of the results of the training workshops conducted -ongoing
• Criteria and indicators related to feasibility studies for economic and development projects from public entities – (to be specified after starting the assignment);
• Methodology to evaluate and assess economic studies and feasibility of developmental projects from public entities to determine the likelihood of achieving their developmental purposes and targets in the KNDP (to be specified after starting the assignment);
• List of proposed economic developmental projects to be suggested and discussed with relevant public entities to achieve the objectives of the KNDP in relation to economic growth pillar (to be specified after starting the assignment);
• Prepare studies related to investment and its components on both macroeconomic and sectorial levels (to be specified after starting the assignment);
• Monthly and quarterly progress reports as per standard templates- (Ongoing).

Roles and Coordination Requirements

The Specialist will work under the direct management of the Head of the Economic Development Department at the GSSCPD.  The Specialist will also indirectly report to the ICDI/KNDP project management based with the International Cooperation Department at the GSSCPD by submitting regular reports on progress and impact of the assignment.

Functional competencies:

Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches;
• Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms;
• Develops and/or participates in the development of tools and mechanisms, including identifying new approaches to promote individual and organizational learning and knowledge sharing using formal and informal methodologies.

Core Competencies:

• Promoting ethics and integrity, creating organizational precedents;
• Building support and political acumen;
• Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Building and promoting effective teams;
• Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member;
• Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.
   

Education:

• Minimum Master Degree in Economics, Econometrics, Finance or any related disciplines. PhD is preferable.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in economic development projects and specific experience with feasibility studies.
• Experience in working in governmental institution is an asset;
• Experience in working with participatory approaches;
• Excellent communication and writing skills is required;
• Familiarity with Kuwait governmental institutions is an added advantage;
• Excellent computer skills, with MS. Office (Word, Excel, Power Point).

Language requirement:

• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is a must.

Type of Consultancy: GSSCPD Contract
Duty Station: GSSCPD in Kuwait
Duration: 12 months

Note:

• This position will be on governmental contract administered by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development.
• As part of the application, the applicant must attach a CV.