UNDP Jobs - 90557- Consultant to conduct an analysis of the alignment

Consultant to conduct an analysis of the alignment between the national budget and support to the implementation of SDGs in Namibia

Location :

WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

26-Mar-2020

Application Deadline :

11-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

40 Days

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

Heads of States and Governments of the 193 Member Nations, launched the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development in September 2015 at the United Nations. This development agenda comprises 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are accompanied by 169 targets and 232 indicators. Namibia, as one of the member states, ratified and adopted the Agenda 2030 for implementation and hence is committed to implement and report on the progress and achievements of the SDGs. To this extent, in 2016, the country launched the SDGs and A2063 agendas to domesticate the SDGs, and has set SDGs in its National Development Plans. It is expected, therefore that Government of Namibia’s annual budget and the medium-term expenditure framework will be aligned to the priorities and consequently support the implementation of the SDGs. An analysis and assessment of the National Budget with a view to establish how the budget has been aligned to and supporting the SDGs is thus important. Equally important is to establish strategic forward-looking measures for future budgets to support the implementation of SDGs.

The SDGs recognize the importance of better disaggregation of budget and expenditure data at the national and subnational levels including by sex to improve tracking of spending related to SDGs and efforts to improve gender equality, accountability, and transparency. Equally important is for all actors in various institutions to explore how the SDGs are translating into national policy, budget, spending, and results to determine the extent to which reduction in poverty reduction and inequality is progressing. An SDG audit of the national budgets would be important to highlight shortfalls and areas in need of action in the future for SDGs budgeting, monitoring, and reporting. UNDP therefore plans to undertake an in-depth review and assessment of the national budgets annually and make recommendation including developing practical approaches for effective accountable spending, monitoring, and reporting on the SDGs. This will be done by engaging external consultant or team of consultants

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant/s will undertake the following tasks:

Historical overview

1) Review the 2017/18 and 2019/20 National Budget documents and identify expenditure lines related to SDGs.

2) Assess the degree to which the SDGs were anchored and aligned with the National Budgets.

3) Analyze the institutional mechanism and capacity that exists for SDGs budgeting, monitoring, reporting, and accountability.

4) Analyze how the National Budgets and expenditure data are disaggregated at national and subnational levels to improve tracking of spending related to SDGs and efforts to improve gender equality, accountability, and transparency to ensure leaving no one behind.

5) Build upon existing analysis and consult with relevant stakeholders, including UN Agencies.

6) Determine the extent to which existing institutional mechanism for tracking budgets are fit for purpose to monitor and report on SDGs.

7) Make recommendations based on the above analysis for future budget planning, monitoring, and accountability on SDGs implementation.

Forward looking

1) Determine the optimal allocations relative to Agenda 2030 stipulations to successfully implement the SDGs by 2030.

2) Determine based on the current provision how long it would take Namibia to achieve the SDGs, building upon the iSDG modelling.

Make necessary policy recommendations on the optimal allocations and prioritization to put the country on the trajectory to achieve the SDGs by 2030

Competencies

1) A good understanding of the national development policy of Namibia and the National Budget system is essential;

2) Demonstrable expertise in designing and carrying out both quantitative and qualitative research work;

3) Ability to organise a multi-stakeholder research team, summarize and analyse information and present the findings in ways easily understood by policy and decision-makers;

4) Advanced computer skills, particularly with the Microsoft Office Package and data analysis tools like SPSS, STATA, and E-Views, among others;

5) Excellent communication skills including consultation and facilitation, with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing;

6) Fluency in English language;

Result oriented including being conscious and efficient in meeting commitments, paying attention to detail, observing deadlines and achieving agreed targets

Required Skills and Experience

Educations:

Master’s degree in Economics and/or development studies. Expertise in Gender analysis will be an added advantage

Experiences:

Expertise in Gender analysis will be an added advantage;
A minimum of 10 years post-graduate experience in development planning and a very good understanding of development planning institutional arrangements.
Experience in strategic management including strategy development and public-sector management will be desirable.

?Languages:

Strong analytical skills; exceptional ability in communication and writing in English

Recommended Presentation of Offer;

Completed Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV or a P11 Personal History form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment (max 1 page).

Financial proposal:

Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided (based on the number of working days mentioned ToR.

Note:

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows uploading maximum one document.
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Incomplete applications will be excluded from further consideration.

To view the full Terms of Reference (TOR) and download letter of confirmation of interest and P11 form, please access the UNDP Procurement Notice site on the below link:

https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=63924