UNDP Jobs - 7923- Consultant: Concept Note Consultant

Consultant: Concept Note Consultant

Location :

home based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Jan-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

Duration of Initial Contract :

5 months

Languages Required :

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

The UNDP Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative seeks to create understanding and awareness about how doing business with the poor can be good for poor people and good for business. During its first stage, the initiative studied 50 business solutions that successfully create mutual value between business and the poor. The insights were captured in the report ‘Creating Value for All – Strategies for Doing Business with the Poor’, which has been launched in more than 20 countries since July 2008.

The goal of the second stage of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative is to identify successful business models that are good for the poor, the planet and profit and to understand their real and potential impact. The initiative will operate as a multi-stakeholder dialogue of experts in the field of sustainable business and development. These will include practitioners from business associations, multilateral institutions, civil society organizations as well as academics from leading research institutions. Following the successful approach of the first stage, these experts will come together as an advisory board and define the end-products of the initiative as well as the way to developing them. They will guide the bureau of the initiative in carrying out the approach and support outreach and implementation activities. This setup ensures that the work of the initiative is based on cutting-edge insight into the relevant problems and priorities and that the work of the initiative achieves broad attention.

Duties and Responsibilities

In a first step, the project will scan the landscape for relevant players. It will review existing initiatives within multilateral institutions, international civil society organizations, international business associations, and leading universities. This step will provide a comprehensive map of existing initiatives (with a clear focus on the international level). This map will be prioritized based on two criteria: thought leadership and outreach capability.
In a second step, the ten to fifteen most important institutions (based on the priority list) will be interviewed. Interviews will focus on the priorities and perspectives of the given institutions. They will also seek an evaluation of the role of other players in the field.
In a third step, the insights of the scanning and interviewing exercises will be synthesized in a white paper of 10 to maximum 20 pages. The white paper will describe the relevant players and topics in the area of inclusive business. It will also recommend a list of initiatives for the advisory board. Besides thought leadership and outreach capacity, the recommended list shall also reflect a variety of perspectives that can enrich and complement each other.
In a fourth step, the consultant will put together a content work plan agreed upon with key internal stakeholders with timelines to deliver on the key intermediate outputs for the next Report.
In a final step, the consultant shall work in close collaboration with the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative Team to research and write a 20 page Concept Note that will serve as a basis for the next Growing Inclusive Markets Report.
Intermediate outputs for the Concept Note will include an executive summary, a detailed outline and an 80% completed report. After the draft text is reviewed by the ‘Growing Inclusive Markets’ Team, the consultant will incorporate revisions related to concept, content or language.

Two travels to NY for a total of 5 working days each (including February 13, 2009) will be involved. Air ticket and terminal expenses for both trips will be covered by UNDP.

Competencies

Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written, in English
Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills
Expertise in issues related to the private sector, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and in-depth knowledge of “pro-poor” business and their potential to contribute to development
Extensive knowledge of development issues faced by countries at the base of the pyramid.

Required Skills and Experience

Masters degree in economics or public policy.
At least 3-4 years of relevant experience in both the private sector and in international organizations.