RFP - Individual Consultant- Economy and Employment Specialist

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About the Organization

UNDP has been working in India since 1951 in almost all areas of human development. Together with the Government of India and development partners, we have worked towards eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, strengthening local governance, enhancing community resilience, protecting the environment, supporting policy initiatives and institutional reforms, and accelerating sustainable development for all. With projects and programmes in every state and union territory in India, UNDP works with national and subnational government, and diverse development actors to deliver people-centric results, particularly for the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. As the integrator for collective action on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within the UN system, we are committed to supporting the Government of India’s national development vision and priorities and accelerating the achievement of the SDGs for the people and the planet. UNDP India’s new Country Programme (2023-2027) builds on our prior work and aims to provide an integrated approach to development solutions in three strategic portfolios:

• Strong, accountable and evidence-led institutions for accelerated achievement of the SDGs
• Enhanced economic opportunities and social protection to reduce inequality, with a focus on the marginalized
• Climate-smart solutions, sustainable ecosystems and resilient development for reduced vulnerability

South-South cooperation, gender equality and social inclusion are promoted across the pillars. The programme is supported by a framework of renewed partnerships and blended finance solutions, strategic innovation and accelerator labs, and data and digital architecture.

About the Proposal

Project Background and Description:

UNDP in partnership with the Center for Public Policy and Good Governance, Department of Planning, Government of Uttarakhand is implementing the project Technical Support to Centre for Public Policy & Good Governance in Accelerating Economic Growth and Fast-tracking SDGs in Uttarakhand. The Centre for Policy & Good Governance (CPPGG) Uttarakhand has been set up to assist in bringing about governance reforms through studies, training, knowledge sharing and promotion of good ideas. CPPGG is deemed to act as the think tank in the State which will help in improving research & analytics for preparing a better planning & policy framework. Further, States/UTs have varying capacities in driving socio-economic reforms but have a major role in creating an enabling environment to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth. With this mandate, NITI Aayog has launched the State Support Mission (SSM) aiming to support the State/UT Planning Departments to reinvent themselves as State Institute for Transformation that will play a crucial role in galvanizing partnerships, resources, ideas and synergies to drive the inclusive growth. The government of Uttarakhand also has been considered under the SSM grants to States. The State wishes to augment the planning department's activities by creating the State Institution for Transformation under the aegis of the Centre for Public Policy and Good Governance. UNDP is providing technical support to the Government of Uttarakhand through a Memorandum of Agreement signed with the Department of Planning specifically for fast-tracking SDGs and the Economic Growth of the State. At present, a PMU has been set up to provide technical assistance to the Centre for Good Governance and Public Policy (CPPGG). The Department of Planning has now suggested UNDP strengthen technical assistance to CPPGG using the State Support Mission funds.

UNDP, under CPPGG 2.0 project is hiring an Economy and Employment Specialist to support the CPPGG in developing and implementing policies and programs aimed at enhancing economic stability and creating employment opportunities in Uttarakhand. This will be achieved through improved trade, exports, and the production of goods and services, as well as by promoting entrepreneurship and building a robust startup ecosystem in the state. This engagement will aid in existing collaborations by leveraging the expertise of the Specialist to enhance the effectiveness of CPPGG and its contribution to Uttarakhand's development vision and aligned initiatives with the State's Vision 2030 Sasakt Uttarakhand and Viksit Uttarakhand 2047.

Scope of Work:

UNDP proposes to engage an Economy and Employment Specialist to provide high-quality technical assistance to CPPGG to strengthen its capacity in economic analysis, commerce and business development, identifying and strengthening inclusive and sustainable industrialization, entrepreneurship development and generating gainful employment in the process. The IC-Consultant will perform the following services:

• Conducting a comprehensive analysis of Uttarakhand’s current commerce, industry and entrepreneurial situation to identify key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats so to define the development indicators, trends, issues and challenges.
• Reviewing existing economic, commerce, industrial and startup policies and initiating policy advocacy, dialogues, and developing evidence-based strategies and policy recommendations for sustainable economic growth and employment generation in the state.
• Based on the analyses, formulating detailed and evidence-based policy recommendations for sustainable economic growth aligned with development goals, including the state’s Sashakt Uttarakhand 2030 and Developed Uttarakhand 2047. This will include drafting policy briefs, presentations, and other relevant documents.
• Developing comprehensive employment generation strategies by identifying key sectors, conducting skill gap analysis, mapping skill requirements and industry absorption potential, and devising employment creation strategies focused on these sectors. Identifying labor market challenges and opportunities while proposing innovative solutions to enhance employment levels
• Coordinating with relevant state and central departments, government officials, development partners, state and national institutions, the people of the state, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment and collaboration on initiatives.
• Providing strategic advice and expertise on international best practices in entrepreneurship development.
• Supporting the State in Export Preparedness and all associated measures to promote the export of various products and services from the State.
• Facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building within CPPGG, conducting workshops and training sessions for CPPGG staff to enhance their capacity in economic analysis and employment generation.
• Providing key inputs on Inclusive Green Economy, Circular Economy and related strategies, principles and practices with a focus to balancing economy with ecology in the state for a sustainable development. This will require to provide CPPGG the strategy on Carbon Credit Accounting, Valuation of Ecosystem Services and how the Government can benefit from the trade.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

• Conduct a detailed review and gather data by consulting and collaborating with various departments and academic institutions. This will establish a framework for preparing a comprehensive document illustrating the 25 Silver years of Uttarakhand since its separate statehood in 2000. The document will assess socio-economic growth and include an environmental assessment.
• Organize three workshops or consultations to gather input and feedback related to commerce, industry, and entrepreneurship. Engage with departments, academic institutions, industries, chambers of commerce, entrepreneurs, individuals, and other stakeholders. This input will assist in envisioning the development strategy for the Economy and Employment theme of the proposed State Vision 2047.
• Prepare Part 1 of a comprehensive document on the 25 Silver years of Uttarakhand. This part will outline overall developments in these years. This will be a high-level assessment.
• Prepare Part 2 of 25 Silver Years of Uttarakhand. This part will focus on sectoral and sub-sectoral progress, and the impact of policies, programs, and projects on regional development.
• Prepare final document ‘Silver Years of Uttarakhand’. This document will be a comprehensive document detailing the state’s progress, noting areas of advancement and lag, and recommending ways forward.
• Develop a detailed strategy for State Vision 2047, which will include setting short, mid and long term goals based on stakeholder consultations and an analysis of essential requirements. This will also include conducting a comparative study with the national (India) Vision 2047 to identify synergies and preparing a plan of action, including resource allocation, risk assessment, and contingency planning.

Institutional Arrangement: Head of the Unit/ Policy Specialist – SDG Acceleration

Duration of the Work: The duration of assignment will be six months from April to October 2025

Duty Station: Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Eligibility

Minimum academic education: Master of Economics, Master of commerce, Industrial Management or Industrial Policy with considerable amount of field experience post highest qualification in the field of Economy, Employment and Sustainable Development is essential. Persons with advanced diploma or degree in International Business, Sustainable Development, Employment with published papers in the relevant field would be preferred.

Work experience: At least eight (8) years of progressive professional experience in economic analysis and policy development, industrial development, entrepreneurship development, commerce and international trade/ international business, capacity building of Government officials on SDGs, stakeholder engagement, preparing strategy document for guiding state/ national SDG vision plans with a proven track record of success.

Required skills and competencies:

Knowledge and Technical Expertise

• Expert in accessing global markets for mountainous agricultural, artisanal and other products and creating the whole value chain for a free flow exporting.
• Extensive experience in working with government agencies, UN and other development partners is preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in econometric modelling and data analysis techniques. Proven ability to conduct rigorous economic analysis and provide policy recommendations.
• Experienced in practicing Circular Economy and related strategies and principles including making strategy on Carbon Credit Accounting, Valuation of Ecosystem Services.
• Preference will be given to those who have worked in the State in the field of Commerce and Industry Development, Entrepreneurship Development, Sustainable Economic Development with a proven track record.
• Strong knowledge of the socio-economic context of Uttarakhand and experience in the implementation of development programs in India.
• Experience in documentation and publication, research and preparing policy briefs, drafting reports, and reviewing detailed Project reports.
• Prior experience with Government, UN agencies, and other international organizations.

Desired skills:

Documentation skills:

• Excellent documentation skills, including technical and analytical writing.
• Demonstrated publication in the field of Training & Capacity Building.
• Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge products, relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.
• Monitoring: Ability to provide managers and key stakeholders with regular feedback on the consistency or discrepancy between planned and actual activities and programme performance and results.
• Data analysis: Ability to extract, analyse and visualize data (including Real Time Data) to form meaningful insights and aid effective decision-making.
• Evaluation: Ability to make an independent judgement based on set criteria and benchmarks -Ability to anticipate client's upcoming needs and concerns.
• Working with Evidence and Data: Ability to inspect, cleanse, transform and model data to discover useful information, inform conclusions and support decision-making.

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP

How to Apply

Deadline: 21-Apr-25 @ 08:00 AM (New York time)

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Entrepreneurship Governance Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Public Policy/ Policy Others