UNDP Jobs - 77799- International Consultant for the Situation Analysi

International Consultant for the Situation Analysis of Economic Development of Eritrea

Location :

Asmara, ERITREA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Apr-2018

Application Deadline :

31-Mar-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 Working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 Working days

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

Eritrea is one of the developing countries in the horn of Africa. The long-term development strategy for Eritrea promotes rapid, balanced, home-grown and sustainable economic growth with social equity. Since independence in 1991, the Eritrean Government has underpinned its long-term development strategy on the principle of self-reliance to achieve rapid, balanced, home-grown and sustainable economic growth with social equity and justice. Eritrea’s GDP growth has been inconsistent, averaging 3.8 per cent annually, but fluctuating between a peak of 21 per cent in 1994 and negative 9.8 per cent in 2008, according to World Bank indicators.

Eritrea is a signatory and committed to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. In the framework of delivering as one for Sustainable Development Goals, UNDP is a party to The Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) between the Government of the State of Eritrea and the United Nations system in the period of 2017 to 2021. Pillar 4 of the SPCF is about Inclusive Growth, Food Security and Sustainable Livelihoods. UNDP will contribute to the realization of the Outcome 7. The outcome states that by 2021, women, men, children and youth, including vulnerable groups and refugees, have improved gender equitable opportunities to participate in economic, political, cultural and social development. This is aligned to UNDP’s strategic outcome on growth and development are inclusive and sustainable, incorporating productive capacities that create employment and livelihoods for the poor and excluded

UNDP has committed in its CPD to support GoSE to achieve Outcome 7 of the SPCF through Output 1.1. The output stipulates that National and sub-national institutions are enabled to improve productive capacities that are sustainable and employment intensive. Through this output, UNDP intends to support the GoSE to increase the number of additional schemes which expand and diversify the productive base, based on the use of sustainable production technologies and the number of new full-time jobs. At the downstream level, UNDP will support increasing livelihood opportunities for vulnerable groups, through vocational training, micro grants and job placement.

It is against this background and context that UNDP Eritrea Country Office seeks to recruit a qualified international/ national consultant to conduct a Situation Analysis of Economic development of Eritrea. The assessment deliverables are expected to inform the development of a programme on local economic development in Eritrea.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purpose and Objectives of the Situation Analysis

The purpose

To conduct an investigation on the economic situation of Eritrea and delineate economic information relevant for programming of a local economic development programme. The situation analysis will provide the basis for framing the strategic economic interventions, ascertaining regional and demographic factors in order to develop context specific, sustainable medium and long term programmes or projects that are relevant and driven by the needs of the communities.

The objectives

To provide an economic conceptual framework for expanding productive bases in Eritrea
To identify the economic opportunities that are more labour/employment intensive to effectively and sustainably reduce extreme poverty
To provide a profile on people living below the poverty line, addressing the questions: Who are poor in this context and where are they? Why are they poor? What keeps them in poverty? What opportunities are available to the poor people?What poverty alleviation programmes are being implemented, with what success? What needs to change – who is responsible, what is already happening? What are the needs to be prioritized and what objectives can Concern work with for the future programmes in the Province?
To recommend strategies that can be employed to expand the productive bases in Eritrea with a focus on increasing employment rate, especially for women; and decreasing the proportion of people living below the poverty line with consistence to Government priorities.

Scope of work

It is anticipated that in addition to elaborating on the current economic situation (with a focus on employment and income), identifying capacity gaps and opportunities for upstream interventions; the consultant (s) will also identify and recommend possible areas of interventions for significant impact in the period 2018 - 2021 and long term optimal results. Therefore, the consultant (s) will prepare a comprehensive situation analysis report for discussion with stakeholders for their input and validation. On the basis of the findings and comments from stakeholders, the consultants are expected to prepare a multi-year strategic programme recommendation document on local economic development for Eritrea in line with the SPCF 2017 – 2021. The multi-year strategic programme recommendation document will, among other things, include the following key elements: i) Situational analysis; ii) Rationale and justification; iii) Programme components, outcomes and outputs (including indicators); iv) Major programme activities (including timelines); v) Implementing partners; and vi) Project resource required to implement the programme; vii Risk analysis and mitigations strategies.

Expected deliverables and timeline

This assignment is expected to take 60 working days. In the inception report, the consultants will have to propose the number of days required per major activity. The following are the expected main deliverables of the assignment:

An inception report based on desk review;
Field work and the first draft of the report;
Debriefing session on the first draft with selected stakeholders;
Preparation and submission of comprehensive draft Economic Situation Analysis Report;
Validation session (workshop) of the situation analysis document, inclusive of programming recommendations; and
Final situational analysis report, inclusive of programming recommendations, to be submitted to UNDP

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Ability to undertake technical policy-focused research related to economic growth and development;
Strong analytical capacity and experience in socio-economic analysis, needs assessment and programme design;
Good knowledge and substantial field experience with local economic development planning;
Good understanding of the concept/theory and practice of local economic development;
Good knowledge on the policy and implementation of economic development in LDCs;
Ability to plan own work, report on work progress and deliver outputs in a timely manner;
Excellent report writing, communication and interpersonal skills; and
Ability to work under pressure and to deliver in a timely manner without compromising quality standards.

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism; and
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least a Master’s degree in Development Economics, Development Finance, Development Studies, Political Economy of Development, Public Administration/Policy or related fields.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience of working in economic development or development finance or similar assignments;
Experience of working with a range of organizations including local communities, civil society and governmental organizations;
Experience of working in Eritrea or in the horn of Africa will be an advantage

Language:

Excellent knowledge of the English language (knowledge of local language is a plus); and
Capacity to communicate fluently with different stakeholders (Government authorities, Development Partners, etc.).