UNDP Jobs - 80920- Consultant to support the national SDG Secretariat

Consultant to support the national SDG Secretariat in Lao PDR (Lao citizen only)

Location :

Vientiane, LAO PDR

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

21-Sep-2018

Application Deadline :

14-Sep-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

September 2018 - March 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

80 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

In September 2015, the General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This global “plan of action for people, planet and prosperity” is anchored on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the agenda’s results framework that captures universe aspirations across three dimensions of sustainable development: economic development, social development and environmental protection. The 2030 Agenda is an integrated, indivisible agenda, which balances the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability, the success of which will depend on the extent to which coherent, evidence-based plans and policies are formulated and implemented at country, regional and global levels.

Lao PDR achieved significant progress in terms of integrating SDGs into the national planning framework, including the 8th National Social Development Plan. The first Voluntary National Review (VNR) was successfully published in 2018 to capture the progress and challenges of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. However, complementary national indicators are still under consideration and in the process of localization by the Government as part of the living process to reflect the national context of Lao PDR that is ever changing. The integration of the SDG indicators into the sectors and to the local level is also ongoing, and this is a critical process that requires coherent coordination across within the Government.

The Government has established a national SDG Steering Committee chaired by the Prime Minister and a National SDG Secretariat, led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with support of the Department of Planning and Lao Statistics Bureau in Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Building public awareness and engaging national, sub-national and local stakeholders in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs is a critical initial and ongoing step in successful implementation. Beyond awareness, achieving a similar level of understanding among government and non-governmental stakeholders is critical. This means reaching out to all levels and sectors with information that is tailored to their specific functions, roles and responsibilities.

A clear understanding of the benefits of aligning national and sub-national plans and policy-making process with the 2030 Agenda and SDGs as well as building ownership for it among people, including the marginalized, provides the foundation for its real and lasting delivery. Building public awareness should be understood as a first step towards a participatory process in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

The assignment has the principal objective to support the National Consultant and the National SDG Secretariat in its functions, promoting the mainstreaming and implementation of the Agenda 2030 in Lao PDR. This consultancy has a strong focus on horizontal and vertical coordination, stakeholder engagement, outreach and advocacy.

DELIVERABLES AND OUTPUTS

· Support the horizontal and vertical coordination within the Government to identify localized SDG indicators

· Support the further development, implementation and monitoring of the SDG Roadmap

· Support the outreach, advocacy and communications of SDGs via various channels to raise awareness of SDGs

· Support the development and maintenance of online channels of communication, including the national round table website as it relates to SDGs

· Support the organization of workshops and other events related to the Agenda 2030, including preparation of inputs

Competencies

· Good coordination skills

· Strong diplomatic, interpersonal and networking skills

· Strong research, analytical and written skills

· Strong communication skills (written and oral)

- Results-oriented, patient and hands-on with good team work skills

· Knowledge of Lao PDR’s development situation and key related issues

· Excellent computer skills (word, excel, power-point, internet and related)

· Strong data collection and analytical skills

Required Skills and Experience

Education

At minimum, Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, Development, Socio or Political Science or related fields

Experience

· Minimum 5 years’ experience in the field of development cooperation and governance, including project/programme management, communications and/or policy advocacy

· Experience in carrying out research and preparing policy briefs

· Prior experience with government, UNDP/UN agencies and other international organizations is desirable

· Knowledge and experience related to national planning in particular the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan, including Agenda 2030 and LDC graduation is desirable