Principal National Consultant for UN Country Analysis (UNCA)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among countries, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. The UN operates in various sectors, including humanitarian aid, development, and human rights, with a workforce of over 44,000 employees worldwide. The organization is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and works closely with governments, civil society, and private sectors to achieve these goals. The UN has a presence in numerous countries, providing support and guidance tailored to local needs and priorities.

Job Overview:
The Principal National Consultant for UN Country Analysis (UNCA) will play a pivotal role in developing a comprehensive understanding of Kyrgyzstan's development context. This position involves refining methodologies and work plans, synthesizing existing analytical materials, and facilitating consultations with key stakeholders, including government entities, UN agencies, and civil society. The consultant will be responsible for drafting and revising the UNCA report, ensuring it aligns with national priorities and UN guiding principles. The role requires a deep understanding of the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and its implications for national development strategies. The consultant will also be tasked with presenting findings to various stakeholders, ensuring that the analysis is coherent and actionable, ultimately contributing to the design of the next UNSDCF for 2028-2032.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Principal National Consultant include:

• Developing or refining the methodology and work plan for the UNCA.
• Reviewing and synthesizing existing analytical materials, including inputs from UN agencies and national development strategies.
• Facilitating targeted consultations with key stakeholders such as government representatives, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.
• Consolidating and integrating inputs into a coherent analytical narrative that aligns with UNSDCF evaluation findings and national priorities.
• Drafting and revising the UNCA report based on feedback from the Resident Coordinator's Office (RCO), UN Country Team (UNCT), and other stakeholders.
• Delivering an inception report and methodology, presenting the approach to UNCT, and producing a first draft of the UNCA report that outlines key development challenges and opportunities.
• Presenting findings to the UNCA Standing Analytical Team (SAT) and UNCT for internal consultations and external discussions with the government and development partners.
• Consolidating inputs and presenting the final UNCA report, ensuring it reflects the complexities of Kyrgyzstan's development landscape.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a master's degree in international development, public policy, economics, social sciences, or a related field; a PhD is considered an asset. They should have demonstrable experience of seven to ten years in leading or conducting country-level analysis for international organizations, particularly in the context of development cooperation strategies. Candidates must have completed at least two assignments of similar scope involving country analysis, such as cooperation frameworks or program documents. Excellent writing skills are essential, with the ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured analytical documents. Prior experience working with the UN system or similar multilateral organizations is highly desirable, along with a strong understanding of qualitative analytical methods in country assessments. Familiarity with the development and political context of Central Asia, particularly Kyrgyzstan, is advantageous.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a master's degree in international development, public policy, economics, social sciences, or a related field. A PhD in a relevant discipline is considered an asset, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and research capability in the field of development analysis.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of seven to ten years of relevant experience in leading or conducting country-level analysis for international organizations. This experience should specifically inform development cooperation strategies and include at least two assignments of similar scope involving country analysis. Familiarity with the UN system and its processes, particularly in relation to the UNSDCF, is highly desirable.

Languages:
The working languages of the United Nations in Kyrgyzstan are English and Russian. For this position, proficiency in both English and Russian, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of Kyrgyz is considered an advantage, as it may facilitate communication with local stakeholders and enhance the consultant's effectiveness in the role.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the assignment is five months, with an estimated actual working time of 20 days. The position is not associated with any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, as the United Nations does not charge applicants for application, interview, processing, or training. This role is crucial for the successful development of the UNCA, which will inform the design of the next UNSDCF for Kyrgyzstan.