Antecedentes

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 local expert who will work and support an international expert, who is the team leader. The local consultant is expected to command the local political and socio-economic dynamics of Eswatini and its communities. Furthermore, the local consultant is expected to comprehend regional geo-political landscape and governance. The local consultant should demonstrate a clear and precise understanding of the current NDS to provide valuable insight for inference on the assessment of the NDS to properly aid efforts to improve and employ corrective measures while crafting a new and revised vision and strategy for the country. 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 increased integration of economies both regionally and internationally.  The consultancy shall work with different sectoral groups to within Government ensure integration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2063, and other international commitments into the review process.

Deberes y responsabilidades

In pursuing the above indicated objectives, the international consultant is expected to work closely with the national Consultant to accomplish the following specific tasks:         

• Provide strategic advisory services to MEPD on the preparatory stages of the review of the NDS
• Undertake a preliminary overall assessment of the current NDS in its entirety and provide an analysis of what worked and what did not. This analysis should be incorporated in the roadmap to be approved by cabinet.
• Develop 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;
  1. Incorporate or align with country’s international commitments
  2. Incorporate the inclusion of comprehensive statistical analysis in the strategic approach to be used as evidence for the preferred approach of the review.

• Identify strategic key stakeholders from all sectors of the economy who should participate in the process and define their level of engagement.
• Define the scope of the review and set objectively verifiable indicators (OVI’s)that are to be met to achieve the desired outcome.
• Advise and identify thematic Technical Working Groups in lead sectors
• Develop a sector consultation plan
• Develop the terms of reference for and guide the recruitment of a consultancy team that will lead in Phase II of the review of the NDS.  The Terms of Reference should include but not limited to the purpose of the consultancy, the technical skills required, regional, continental and global experience in similar work, outcomes that are specific and measurable and the reporting structure. Detail a schedule of activities for the assessment and review of these studies.
• Guide the consolidation of these reports and ultimately the production and validation of the main document and vision
• Ensure that the consulting team delivers timely quality outputs of this assignment as per the objectives.

Deliverables/Output:

• Inception Report (detailed)    (10 days)
• Assessment of the Current Vision  (20 days)
• Detailed Development of Terms of Reference for Phase II  (10 days)
• Roadmap Development and Preliminary Assessment of Vision 2022  (30 days)
• Concept Note/Cabinet Paper (20 days)

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 (with the possibility of extension) administered under UNDP consultancy rules and procedures. If travel is required, it will be according to UNDP rules and regulations. 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.

Competencias

Corporate 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.

Technical and Functional Competencies:

• Strong research and analytical skills, excellent writing skills and knowledge of research methodology;
• Knowledge of the Eswatini’s development context.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills including consultation and facilitation, with ability to express ideas clearly, logically and effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Result oriented including being conscious and efficient in meeting commitments, paying attention to detail, observing deadlines and achieving agreed targets;

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field - social sciences: development studies, economics; demography, sociology, environmental studies, etc, political science, governance, social work, and international development or similar; macro-economics.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in programme development, planning, management, and implementation and monitoring, evaluation, organizational review, in the context of international, regional and national development; macro-economic analysis.
• Previous experience in conducting or participating in teams undertaking programme reviews, research, or evaluations for international, regional, or national development programmes with a clear understanding of development planning process(s) within a developing country context;

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in written and spoken English Language.

Application Procedure:

Interested individuals must submit the following documents /information to demonstrate their qualification, experience and suitability to undertake the assignment. All supporting documents must be part of the detailed CV and uploaded as one document.

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP; OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;   Link for the P11 form: https://un.org.sz/p11/P11.docx
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment 
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. 

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. All applications must be made on-line.

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).