Local Consultant: Elaboration of Eswatini’s Social and Economic Response Plan

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global development network established in 1965, with a mission to eradicate poverty and reduce inequalities through sustainable development. UNDP operates in approximately 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people to address their development challenges. The organization focuses on various areas including democratic governance, sustainable development, and resilience to crises and shocks. UNDP is committed to promoting gender equality and empowering women, ensuring that development is inclusive and sustainable. The organization employs thousands of staff worldwide, collaborating with a diverse range of partners to achieve its goals.

Job Overview:
The position of Local Consultant for the Elaboration of Eswatini’s Social and Economic Response Plan is crucial for assessing the socio-economic impacts of the ongoing Middle East conflict on Eswatini. The consultant will be responsible for developing a comprehensive response plan that identifies vulnerable groups and sectors, proposing immediate, medium-term, and structural response measures that align with national priorities and international frameworks. This role requires a deep understanding of socio-economic dynamics, policy response planning, and the ability to conduct thorough analyses and stakeholder consultations. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government ministries, UN agencies, and civil society, to ensure that the response plan is evidence-based and actionable. The consultant will also be expected to facilitate validation sessions and incorporate feedback into the final plan, ensuring that it meets the needs of the affected populations and aligns with the UN's Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake several key tasks, including:

• Inception and analytical framing: Reviewing the shared SERP template, agreeing on the analytical framework, refining the workplan, confirming stakeholders, and defining data requirements and consultation protocols.
• Desk review: Conducting a comprehensive review of relevant global, regional, and national documents, including UNDP’s briefs on global development reversals and the impact of the Middle Eastern conflict on Eswatini.
• Impact analysis: Assessing the direct and indirect socio-economic impacts on Eswatini, focusing on inflation, food and fuel prices, public finance, employment, poverty, and social protection.
• Vulnerability and LNOB analysis: Identifying the most affected groups and sectors, applying a gender, equity, disability, and Leave-No-One-Behind lens.
• Stakeholder consultations: Conducting targeted consultations with various stakeholders to gather insights and validate findings.
• Response options and prioritization: Developing actionable response measures categorized by immediate stabilization, medium-term recovery, and structural resilience, including indicative costing and implementation requirements.
• SERP drafting: Populating the shared SERP template with evidence-based analysis and strategic priorities.
• Validation and finalization: Facilitating a validation session with stakeholders, incorporating feedback, and submitting the final SERP package.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should possess an advanced degree in economics, development economics, public policy, macroeconomics, or a related field. A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience is required, with a proven track record in socio-economic impact analysis and policy response planning. Candidates should demonstrate strong analytical skills, particularly in data analysis and evidence synthesis, and have experience integrating social protection, poverty analysis, gender equality, and disability inclusion into their work. Familiarity with small open economies and Southern African macroeconomic dynamics is essential, along with experience preparing policy briefs and socio-economic assessments. Experience working with UN agencies or government institutions will be an added advantage.

Educational Background:
Candidates must have an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, development economics, public policy, or macroeconomics. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of socio-economic analysis and policy development, which are central to the responsibilities of this position.

Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience is required, with at least seven years specifically in socio-economic analysis, macroeconomic policy, crisis response planning, or related fields. Candidates should have demonstrated experience in preparing analytical products under tight timelines and should be familiar with the socio-economic context of Eswatini and the broader Southern African region.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, as all reports and communications will be conducted in English. Knowledge of local languages or other relevant languages may be considered an asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and communities.

Additional Notes:
The period of assignment is 80 working days spread over six months. This position is classified as an individual contractor role, and UNDP is committed to equal opportunity employment, valuing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The organization does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind and ensures that all selected candidates undergo relevant checks. Proposals must be submitted directly through the UNDP supplier portal by the indicated deadline, and any requests for clarification should be sent in writing via the portal's messaging functionality.