Result of Service

Provide strategic and technical guidance and support along with facilitation of key processes and milestone workshops for the development of the UNSDCF.

Work Location

Mostly remote, but require one business trip to Beijing

Expected duration

15 working days including the mission to Beijing and 2 extra days for travel.

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: The General Assembly resolution 72/279 on the UN Development System reform elevates the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (CF) as the most important planning and implementation instrument of the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) in the country with a commitment to leave no one behind and in line with human rights and other international standards and obligations. The UN Country Team in China is finalizing the CF Evaluation, and the Common Country Analysis (CCA), and recently held a UNCT-Govt dialogue to initiate discussions on strategic priorities. The current UN Cooperation Framework, covering the period 2021-2025, was the first to adopt the new methodology (United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework) and was closely aligned with the 14th Five Year Plan of the People’s Republic of China. The current CF had three strategic priorities and associated results group: People and Prosperity, Planet, and Partnerships, along with four theme groups to cover cross cutting issues: Gender, Youth, Persons with Disabilities and Leaving No One Behind, and it will be imperative to engage with these groups to build upon the results achieved and lessons learned during implementation of the current CF. For the development of the new CF (covering the period 2026-2030), which will be the 2nd using the updated format, it will be imperative to align with the 15th Five Year Plan, which is being developed by the Government of China concurrently to the development of the new CF. Therefore, it will be imperative to have close coordination with Government of China counterparts. The Joint Steering Committee, as the apex body that provides strategic oversight on the CF cycle, will be crucial to ensure such alignment takes place. Under the guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator and the overall supervision of the Head of the RCO/Senior Strategic Planner, and working closely with the RCO Economist, the selected consultant will be responsible for the following: – Desk review and evaluation of all available analytical material and data to support the Strategic Prioritization and Theory of Change processes. – Facilitate a dialogue through the application of strategic planning processes to identify the potential new areas of focus for the new CF. This would include: o as a technical expert, facilitate at least one workshop with the UNCT and the inter-agency groups to review and identify the strategic priorities and preliminary results framework for the new CF within a changed development and political landscape. – Development of a draft presentation of the Cooperation Framework Strategic Priorities, Outcomes and Outputs based on UNCT consensus achieved from the workshop(s) facilitated

Qualifications/special skills

Master’s degree in development studies, economics, social sciences, public affairs, international relations or another related field is required. – At least 10 years of relevant experience in visioning and strategic planning, including designing national sustainable development strategies and programmes through multi-stakeholder processes is required. – Knowledge of UN systems and processes including UN Reforms are required. – Previous experience preparing UNSDCFs/ and country programme documents is required. – Experience in facilitating workshops is required. – Experience in Results-based management is required. – An understanding of the China context and previous experiences working on UN programming in China is desirable. – Extensive knowledge and experience in systems thinking and applying qualitative and quantitative methods is required. – Extensive experience in strategic planning.

Languages

Fluency in written and oral English is required.