Background

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) presents an ambitious, complex and interconnected vision that countries around the world have committed to working towards. Realizing this vision will require mobilizing a diverse range of public and private resources to contribute to sustainable development outcomes. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which outlines a framework for financing the 2030 Agenda, calls for integrated approaches to finance that are driven at the national level.

In 2017, Uzbekistan launched an ambitious and unprecedented reform program aimed at improving macroeconomic stability and growth prospects as well as addressing institutional and governance weaknesses. On 7 February 2017, a Presidential Decree brought the national Action Strategy 2017-2021 to life.  Further, in November 2018 the Government of Uzbekistan announced the agenda for the next phase of its bold and targeted reforms. The Reform Roadmap outlines the Government’s economic reform priorities over the next three years (2019-2021) and contains five major pillars: (i) to maintain macroeconomic stability; (ii) to accelerate the market transition; (iii) to strengthen social protection and citizen services; (iv) to strengthen government’s role in a market economy; and (v) to preserve environmental sustainability. Another important document that the Government of Uzbekistan is currently elaborating is a long-term national development plan for the country – a Concept of the socioeconomic reforms until 2030 (Vision 2030).

The Development Finance Assessment (DFA) supports governments to use the concept of the Integrated National Financial Framework (INFF) to help strengthen policies and actions for mobilizing different types of finance for economic, environmental and social results into a single, coherent framework.

The DFA offers support for governments and their partners in identifying and building consensus around solutions to address financing challenges. It makes finance issues accessible to policy and decision makers beyond the technical specialists in ministries of finance. It follows a process of multi-stakeholder consultation informed by accessible analysis on finance policy issues and what they mean for a wide range of actors and builds an agreed roadmap that can support progress across a range of areas.

The Development Finance Expert will lead efforts to assist the government to undertake the Development Finance Assessment and be responsible for related analysis, capacity development and policy reform recommendations that emerge from the accompanying Integrated National Financing Framework roadmap.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK:

Under the supervision of UNDP Uzbekistan and UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, the Expert will support the Development Finance Assessment process, analysis and follow-up actions for financing solutions for the Republic of Uzbekistan.

1. Map and analyze the financing landscape for the SDGs, incorporating existing costings estimates, and outline how to maximize impact through smart investment of existing resources, greater access to additional resources and better leveraging of larger financial flows.
2. Inform the development of a financing strategy within Vision 2030 as a basis for reforms to strengthen public and private finance policy
3. Support the development of terms of references for 2-3 priority reforms that will be taken forward for implementation following the end of the DFA process, under the guidance of the oversight team and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

As lead for the Development Finance Assessment, the Expert will drive the process under the guidance of the oversight team and country office including but not limited to the following activities throughout the various phases of the DFA process:

Research phase

• Compile and analyze data and policy literature to build an understanding of financing trends and the current policy and institutional landscape, following the DFA analytical framework
• Oversee national consultant in data collection, analysis and outreach to national stakeholders
• Actively participate in planning for the research mission with the country office, including determining the schedule and objectives for collection of data/information and engaging the participation of key stakeholders in the process
• Undertake research mission to (i) collect data and information, (ii) engage key stakeholders in the DFA process and (iii) share, socialize and refine initial emerging findings and ideas for recommendations to be developed
• Lead technical discussions at a multi-stakeholder consultation workshop
• Engage closely with the oversight team to ensure the process remains in line with their guidance and objectives for the process
• Prepare first draft DFA report

Consultation phase

• Engage in substantive dialogue with the oversight team to refine the draft report
• Develop draft DFA roadmap
• Engage in dialogue around the DFA roadmap to refine recommendations, clarify responsibilities and build buy-in
• Support and feed into the drafting of the Concept of Socio-Economic Development of Uzbekistan until 2030 (Vision 2030) and its financing strategy.
• Undertake second mission including validation workshops: (i) with the oversight team, (ii) with the wider group of stakeholders engaged in the DFA process
• Finalize the DFA report and roadmap under the guidance of the oversight team
• Draft / feed into terms of references for 2 or 3 priority reforms to be taken forward and implemented in follow up to the DFA

Launch

• Support launch as required (e.g. preparation of presentations)

Competencies

• Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity. 
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
• Self-development, initiative-taking.
• Acting as a team player and facilitating team work.
• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively
• Creating synergies through self-control.
• Managing conflict.
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
• Informed and transparent decision making

Required Skills and Experience

EDUCATION:

A master’s degree in the field of Finance, Economics or other relevant fields.

EXPERIENCE:

At least 5-7 years of experience in the field of finance, public financial management, private sector development, budgeting and planning. Previous experience with a development partner or government is a very strong advantage;

Research experience in the areas of public finance, budget review and public expenditure review are required.

Experience in country level work rooted in public policy reforms in close collaboration with government.

Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous research/analytical reports on relevant topics.

Ability to lead consultations with senior government officials required.

Sound grasp of substantive policy issues in the public finance field.

Excellent knowledge of data collection, analysis and statistics tool are essential.

Advanced quantitative skills and experience with related data analysis tools are an advantage.

A specific experience in implementing monitoring and evaluation instruments is mandatory. A significant experience in management of Information Systems will be an advantage.

Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic analysis, and sectoral analysis.

Understanding of and experience in working in Uzbekistan will be an advantage.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

Fluency in English (written and spoken), and an ability to summarize and present information

Application Process:

Interested candidates need to apply online at www.jobs.undp.org and upload requested documents (Technical Proposal/Methodology, CV/P11 form, Offeror’s Letter of confirmation and Financial Proposal) in Part 6 of Procurement Notice no later than end of March 13, 2019 (New York time).  Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged to your email address provided in application. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

Deatiled Procurement notice, Terms of Reference and template of submission documents can be found at the UNDP Procurement Notices Board – http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=59329 (cut and paste into browser address bar if the link does not work).

Application submitted via email, incomplete applications or received after the closing date (March 13, 2019) will not be given consideration

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.uz.undp.org  UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

Requests for clarification must be sent in writing to pu.uz@undp.org, ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. UNDP shall endeavor to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary.