Consultant - Research Analyst (Inclusive Globalization)

UNDP is the global development network of the United Nations, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP is on the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges and assisting them to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The Poverty Group (PG) of the Bureau for Development Policy is the institutional anchor of UNDP’s work on poverty reduction and MDG support, with gender equality and capacity development as cross cutting themes. Led by the Practice Director, the Poverty Group (PG) provides core services designed to support global, regional, national and local efforts to reduce poverty and reach the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These include technical and policy advice, policy analysis and advocacy and knowledge brokering. The UNDP Strategic Plan (2008-2013) envisages ‘fostering inclusive globalization’ as one of the three main objectives of the Poverty Practice. Among the critical outcomes are enhancing capacities of developing countries to compete internationally and to negotiate, interpret and implement agreements on trade, intellectual property, and investment in a manner which prioritizes poverty and inequality reduction and human development, as well as strengthening national capacities to negotiate and manage development finance, including aid and debt, consistent with the achievement of the MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals. These outcomes also include supporting UN wide efforts to monitor the progress made in the achievement of MDG8 (Global Partnership for Development) through the reporting tools and research produced in the context of the MDG Gap Task Force (co-chaired by UNDP and UN-DESA) and ongoing discussions regarding the post 2015 development framework. In this context, the Inclusive Globalization Cluster (IGC) in the Poverty Group seeks the support of a consultant to assist in all substantive areas related to the development finance, trade and post 2015 portfolios, as well as in support of MDG Gap Task Force related matters.

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the supervision of the Cluster Leader, Inclusive Globalization of the Poverty Practice, the consultant will provide substantive support to the Practice’s development finance, trade and post 2015 portfolios, and will support the launch of the MDG Gap Task Force 2012 Report, support further development and update of the Integrated Implementation Framework (IIF), as well as prepare substantive inputs for all the sections of the 2013 Report of the MDG Gap Task Force. The consultant will be responsible for the following outputs: MDG Gap Task Force: Assist with the launch MDG Gap Task Force 2012 Report, including press releases, dissemination events and briefings, as needed; Backstop all meetings and teleconferences of all working groups (ODA, trade, debt sustainability, access to medicines and new technologies) in preparation of the MDG Gap Task Force 2013 Report, including elaboration of working outlines of assigned sections and update of latest commitments and data; Provide support to revise and update the IIF platform in coordination with DPAD/UN-DESA and UN-OICT. Development finance: Compile and develop suitable material for an on-line training course on illicit financial flows; Provide substantive research support to the Cluster Leader and Specialist on development finance issues, as requested, including liaising with a UNDP task team and an international consultant on a project which aims to conduct country level case studies on illicit financial flows. Trade: Assist in the completion of final reports of the LDC capacity assessments for trade organizations, as well as in the drafting of a trade capacity development primer in liaison with the Geneva Trade and Human Development Unit (GTHDU) and the Capacity Development Group (CDG); Backstop the Cluster Leader on follow up activities to the LDC IV Conference, including coordination with the cross-bureau coordination group on UNDP’s follow up to the Istanbul Programme of Action (IPoA) for LDCs; Provide substantive research support to the Cluster Leader and Specialists on trade related matters, as requested, including briefings for senior management and research support on emerging trade challenges. Post 2015 development framework: Backstop the Cluster Leader as required in the UN, UNDG and UNDP work on the post-2015 UN development agenda. Reporting: The consultant will work with and report to the Inclusive Globalization Cluster, Poverty Practice, UNDP. He/she will also liaise with the Office of the Director of the Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD) in UN/DESA on MDG Gap Task Force and IIF related matters. Travel: Where the consultant is expected to travel to participate in meetings or to perform tasks identified in these TOR, travel-related expenses will be reimbursed by UNDP, based on the current practice and UNDP rates. Schedule of payments: Payments shall be made in four instalments each upon satisfactory completion of the assigned deliverables clustered as described in Section “Description of Responsibilities” above. Evaluation method: Best value for money approach; the financial proposal will account for 30% and the technical proposal will account for 70% of the total evaluation score.

Competencies

Excellent analytical skills; Capacity to work under pressure and accommodate change with proven skills in delivering analytical reports on time; Demonstrable networking capability, commitment to team work, and interpersonal skills; Understanding and exposure to development finance and international trade issues, including but not limited to policy research and consultancy work; In-depth knowledge of development issues with experience in the study of the Millennium Development Goals; Ability to work independently as well as part of an international team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree in development studies, international relations, economics, political science or other relevant academic discipline. Experience: Previous experience in producing or facilitating knowledge products and services; Practical work experience within the United Nations system required; Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally (in English).

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).

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.

Consultant - Research Analyst (Inclusive Globalization)