The National Development Strategy (NDS) is a planning system that articulates the long-term vision and development aspirations of the nation. The National Development Strategy (NDS) with the Vison 2022 was launched in 1997 by His Majesty King Mswati III following extensive analytical work and consultations with different stakeholders which began in 1992. The process of compiling the NDS started by the collection of views from the general public which was accomplished through the appointment of the Economic Review Commission (ERC) by His Majesty, whose report published in 1995, solicited a national consensus. The recommendations included formulation of sectoral strategies which led to the establishment of eight sectors charged with the responsibility of doing in-depth analysis and provision of background material to guide strategic thinking in the formulation of the vision and the long-term national development strategy for the country. Extensive consultations as well as detailed analytical reviews of the country’s governance, social and economic performances, challenges and opportunities since independence were carried out. 

The NDS being a long-term framework (25 years) which is implemented through short and medium-term development strategies and plans. For instance, it has been operationalized through the following medium-term strategies: the Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (PRSAP), Economic and Social Reform Agenda (ESRA), the Public Sector Management Programme (PSMP) and the Internal Structural Adjustment Programme (ISAP) to name a few and the most recent economic transformation agenda – Strategic Roadmap 2019 – 2023. These different strategic programmes have been implemented through national development plans for roll-out of policy and resource allocation with the current being the National Development Plan 2019/20 – 2021/22.

The launched vision statement was: "By the Year 2022, the Kingdom of Swaziland will be in the top 10% of the medium human development group of countries founded on sustainable economic development, social justice and political stability". Underlying the vision is achieving high levels of economic growth and focus on improving the quality of life in the country. The critical dimensions of the quality of life include access to health, education, poverty reduction, employment creation, gender equity, social cohesion and protection as well as environmental protection.

With the adoption  of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the world leaders including His Majesty in Eswatini, and to take into consideration and incorporate the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, the vision statement was re-adjusted to read: ‘by the Year 2022 the Kingdom of Eswatini will have attained a level of development akin to that of developed countries while ensuring that all citizens are able to sustainably pursue their life goals, enjoy lives of value and dignity in a safe and secure environment in line with the objectives of sustainable development’. The Vision has been the over-arching long-term development strategic focus for the country since 1997 and is now coming to an end in 2022. As the implementation period comes to an end, Government is preparing to develop a new strategy and vision but the process will be inclusive of the review of the implementation of the NDS and vision 2022. Consequently, the review process will assess and analyze the progress made, identify failures and challenges, opportunities, and achievements during the strategy implementation period. The assessment outcomes will enrich and impact the development of a new NDS and vision which guide the political and socio-economic improvement of the country. A new development path shall be crafted to address the challenges experienced and build on progress made during the implementation period. 

In this light, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development which has the mandate to coordinate the development of the long, medium and short-term development plans of the country including overseeing their implementation, is seeking the services of a consultancy team.  The consultancy team will encompass a team of local experts who will backstop the international expert (Team Leader) whose recruitment runs parallel to this process. The local consultants are expected to command political and socio-economic dynamics of Eswatini and its communities, and also have a strong comprehension of regional geo-political landscape and governance. Furthermore, the team should demonstrate a clear and precise understanding of the current NDS by providing valuable insights and inference and further lay a framework of corrective measures, while preparing a pathway for the crafting a new and revised vision as well as a National Strategy. The lessons of the constantly changing global development landscape must be taken into consideration during the review of the new strategy and vision. While the revised NDS must address long term socio-economic development priorities of the country, it must also demonstrate elements of a robust global outlook owing to emerging global challenges and increased integration of economies both regionally and internationally. 

The consultancy shall work with different sectoral groups within Government to facilitate the assessment of the current NDS and production of the new one and to ensure integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2063, and other international commitments into the review process. An international expert (Team Leader) and two local experts shall be recruited for the assignment. The objectives of the consultancy are as follows;

• Prepare a Roadmap for the development of the NDS and Vision detailing the schedule of activities, timelines, outline a methodology for the review, setting up of a project secretariat team
• Facilitate the production of a situational assessment and SWOT of the current NDS and provide detailed plan of how the review of the NDS will be carried out.
• Facilitate the undertaking of an Assessment of the effectiveness of the Vision 2022, including achievements of its objectives and challenges faced. This will indicate concrete positive results, emphasizing the strengths and weaknesses of the strategy inclusive of planning and budgeting process.
• Lead the review of the design of Vision 2022, including the appropriateness of the indicator framework, the relevance of the priority areas and identification of areas of improvement. 
• Advise on the structural organizational support for the development and implementation of the new NDS and vision, including technical assistance for strengthening the institutional framework for the required coordination and capacity support.
•  Draft a Concept Note for presentation to cabinet approval on the process for the development of the new vision.
• Draft Terms of Refence for the consultancy which to undertake the actual development of the new NDS.

Scope of Work

In pursuit of the above indicated objectives, the team of local experts will comprise a Development Economist with a Macro-economic background and a Social and Human Development expert who are expected to work closely with the International Consultant (Team Leader). However, this recruitment process is only for Social and Human Development Expert and the specific tasks are outlined below:   

Pursuant to the above indicated objectives, the Social and Human Development expert will inter alia undertake the following specific tasks:

• Provide leadership in the review of the social and political development related issues which have contributed towards the implementation of the NDS and vision.
• Provide high quality support in the establishment of political and social development frameworks that will ensure the incorporation of political and social development issues with a strong emphasis on addressing social safeguard to contribute to social sustainability and political stability.
• Provide a political and social development perspective in the overall assessment of the current NDS and provide an analysis of what worked and what did not in Vision 2022. This analysis should be incorporated in the roadmap and concept note to be approved by cabinet.
• Support the development of a clear roadmap to be followed in the development of the new Vision including the most effective approaches. This should entail the timeframes for work to be achieved, including milestones with defined outputs/deliverables, outcomes, and service standards. The methodology should;
  • Incorporate or align with country’s international commitments
  • Incorporate the inclusion of comprehensive statistical analysis in the strategic approach to be used as evidence for the preferred approach of the review
• Assist structure a stakeholder engagement mechanism or forum for all Government and non-Government agencies to harvest strategic technical input and context during the review process. This should inter alia include an establishment of a strategic framework for managing economic and political governance related issues that might affect the review process.
• Prepare a methodological approach or framework and guidance note on how data collection and analysis thereof related social protection should be undertaken during the review process.
• Review and assess the country’s social protection policy framework or undertake a situational analysis of the social protection ecosystem, suggest ways to improve and consolidate social 
• development opportunities to promote social sustainability and safeguards during the review of the NDS
• Support the establishment of a clear communication strategy that will be utilised during the entire review process to ensure all relevant stakeholders are well-informed. This should include a proper record keeping system on material generated and collated during the assessment and review of Vision 2022.
• Provide other strategic advisory roles as requested by the MEPD and the Team Leader during the preparatory stage of the review process.
• Prepare presentation/report/brief of the economic analysis/policy assessment as required by the Team Leader.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultancy will work under the overall authority and leadership of the Honourable Minister together with the Principal Secretary who will report periodically to Cabinet. On a day-to-day basis, the consultancy team will work under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Economist who will report progress to the Principal Secretary who ultimately reports to the Honourable Minister. The Head and staff of Poverty Unit (PRMED) will provide secretariat services and logistical support. However, a full secretariat will be constituted by the Chief Economist (with the advice of the consultancy team) to consist of the different sectoral expertise to lead the sectoral analysis. This consultancy will be implemented through country support and delivery units. The management of the consultancy funds will be carried out according to UNDP financial rules and regulations against the budget presented.   

Duration of the Work

The duration of the consultancy will initially be three months of preparatory/foundational work of the review of the NDS and Vision (with the possibility for an extension) administered under UNDP consultancy rules and procedures. The foundational work will lead to the buildup of the overall assessment of the current NDS and Vision and the production of the new strategy which may take up to a maximum of 18 months. No other benefits, cash, in-kind or otherwise, will be due to the consultancy team by either UNDP or the Government of Eswatini. The resumption of the consultancy to be engaged is as immediately available as possible.

Duty Station

The location of this assignment is Mbabane the capital city of the Kingdom of Eswatini at the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development. However, expert may from time to time be required to work outside MEPD but still within the country. Considerations will be made to ensure adherence to Covid 19 regulations.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Strong Programme  design  and management skills;
• Positive, constructive attitude and consistently approaches work with energy;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback.

Functional Competencies

• Ability to work independently, under pressure and within strict timelines
• Good inter-personal, written, communication and facilitation skills are required, as well as persistence and initiative in pursuit of strategic goals and ability to work in a team.

Education:

• Minimum of Masters’ Degree in Social Work, Development Studies, Economics, Political Science or any other related field.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant development experience in social and human development, poverty reduction strategies/programmes, formulation, preparation and review of national development strategies.
• Extensive experience in international social policy development, particularly as it relates to social development sustainability and safeguards.
• Experience providing technical assistance to national planning, financing and social and human systems and/or programmes.
• Experience on providing technical support at various levels of the Government and provision of tailor-made capacity building.

Language Requirements:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English and SiSwati.

Additional Information:

Scope of Financial Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The consultant will be paid by UNDP as follows:

• 25 % after successful submission and acceptance of the inception report to MEPD.

• 50% after validation meeting and submission of roadmap and preliminary assessment of the vision

• 25 % on submission and presenting Cabinet Paper

All payments are inclusive of VAT and other related costs and the contract price shall be fixed for the duration of the assignment unless mutual agreement is reach by all parties involved.