National Consultant for the Update of the UN Country Analysis (CA)

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in The Gambia is responsible for coordinating the UN's efforts in the country, focusing on sustainable development and humanitarian assistance. The UNCT aims to align its strategies with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2024-202

• The organization emphasizes a collaborative approach, engaging various stakeholders including government entities, civil society, and marginalized groups to ensure that development efforts are inclusive and effective. The UNCT operates in multiple sectors, addressing a wide range of development challenges and opportunities in The Gambia.

Job Overview:
The National Consultant will play a pivotal role in leading and coordinating the update of the Country Analysis (CA) report for The Gambia. This position is crucial for ensuring that the CA is comprehensive, analytically sound, and adheres to the latest guidelines set forth by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG). The consultant will be responsible for synthesizing data, engaging stakeholders, and producing a high-impact report that reflects the current development landscape in The Gambia. The role requires a deep understanding of development challenges, opportunities, and the ability to apply systems thinking and foresight methodologies to inform strategic planning and policy dialogue. The consultant will also facilitate inclusive consultations, ensuring that the voices of marginalized groups are heard and integrated into the analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of responsibilities, including but not limited to:

• Leading the preparation of the CA report, ensuring it is inclusive and analytically robust.
• Facilitating a meta-analysis of existing data and assessments from UN entities, government, and partners.
• Applying systems thinking and foresight methodologies to identify emerging trends, risks, and opportunities for the UN System in 202
• Coordinating consultations with UNCT members, government counterparts, civil society, and other stakeholders to gather diverse perspectives.
• Ensuring the integration of normative agendas such as human rights, gender equality, climate action, and leaving no one behind into the CA process.
• Collaborating with thematic and sectoral leads to ensure coherence and technical rigor in the analysis.
• Establishing and coordinating an analytical group composed of UNCT experts to enhance the analytical capacity of the team.
• Planning and executing inclusive stakeholder consultations, particularly with marginalized groups.
• Drafting a comprehensive CA summary report that outlines sustainable development challenges, opportunities, and pathways for SDG acceleration.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Master's degree in development studies, economics, statistics, computer science, or a related field. Additionally, the candidate must have proven experience with UN programming processes and SDG integration/acceleration. A minimum of 5 years of experience in development analysis, strategic planning, or evaluation is essential, with a strong emphasis on systems analysis and foresight approaches. The consultant must also possess strong facilitation, writing, and analytical skills to effectively communicate findings and recommendations.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Master's degree in a relevant field such as development studies, economics, statistics, or computer science. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of development analysis and the methodologies required for effective strategic planning and evaluation.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in development analysis, strategic planning, or evaluation. This experience should include a strong focus on systems analysis and foresight approaches, demonstrating the ability to apply these methodologies in real-world contexts. Familiarity with UN programming processes and SDG integration is also required, ensuring that the consultant can effectively contribute to the UNCT's objectives.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the UNCT and for the production of the CA report. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the stakeholders involved in the consultations.

Additional Notes:
The expected duration of the consultancy is 12 weeks, during which the consultant will be expected to deliver a comprehensive update of the Country Analysis report. The position is likely to be full-time, and the consultant will report to the Resident Coordinator or their delegate, working under the strategic guidance of the UNCT. It is important to note that the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, ensuring a transparent and equitable hiring process.