In Motion Assistant Coordinator

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

This UNV assignment is part of UNDP Guyana strategy to support the private sector, especially MSMEs. UNDP in Guyana is guided by a Country Programme Document (Country Programme 2022-2026, as approved by the Executive Board in February 2022), which is in line with the strategic priorities of the Government of Guyana, enshrined in key strategies and plans, including the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS 2030).

The UNDP Guyana Country Programme focuses on i) building a diversified and resilient productive sector, with emphasis on job creation and support to small-medium businesses; (ii) supporting effective governance, safety, security and the rule of law; (iii) environmental management and resilience; (iv) enhancing and expanding social services, particularly in health and including support for the national COVID-19 recovery programmes.

According to the IMF (2022), the Guyanese economy is experiencing astronomical growth, with a projection of 57.8% for 2022 and double digits over the next 4 years (25.2 % in 2023, 21.2% in 2024, 28.2 % in 2025 and 25.5% in 2026). This is mainly as a result of oil production, reserve currently stands at more than 11 billion BOE, which is one of the highest per capita in the world.

The non-oil sectors have also showed strong signs of recovery following the pandemic-induced recession in 2020. In 2021, non-oil GDP growth reached 4.6 percent and is projected to grow by 9.5% in 2022, which will see Guyana ranking among the top 5 countries in the world based on non-oil GDP growth. Inflation reached 6.2 percent through September 2022 (IDB 2022).

The local small and medium sectors comprised some 22,000 MSMEs and accounted for almost 30 per cent of Guyana’s GDP, and 70 per cent of registered businesses (IDB, 2017). They are and will be one of the main source of job growth. For this reason, many targeted measures have been implemented to ensure these businesses remain competitive, through various initiatives including small business development grants, training opportunities, and incubator centres.

In Motion is an international methodology, developed and successfully applied by UNDP in many countries to boost productive capacity and broaden market reach for micro and small businesses by innovating the traditional business model, improving customer service, and strengthening businesses’ commercial image.

Implementing the In Motion Program has the main goal of providing business services to micro and small businesses to improve the conditions of grassroots-level trade. This is done by updating the traditional business model and improving traditional trade practices through better customer service, innovated business designs and image, with the aim of broadening their market reach and improving production capacity.

In 2022, the Ministry of Tourism, Industry and Commerce of Guyana, in collaboration with the UNDP, launched the Digital In Motion Program geared at assisting small businesses in improving their productive capacity. In 2023 Guyana is aiming to implement a pilot Programme of the In Motion Methodology to support micro and small businesses in improving their economic conditions in Anna Regina. This UNV assignment has the objective to coordinate and follow-up the implementation of the pilot in Guyana and support the UNDP country office to scale-up the programme and replication strategy.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of UNDP Guyana Indigenous People Advisor and in coordination with the experts from UNDP Regional Hub, the UNV Specialist – In Motion Coordinator will coordinate and follow-up the implementation of the pilot in Guyana and support the UNDP country office to scale-up the programme and replication strategy.

The UNV Specialist – In Motion coordinator is expected to undertake the following tasks depending on the Programme requirements: • Support UNDP in the transfer and assimilation of the In Motion methodology by institutions and local governments that demonstrate interest in implementing the In Motion Program.
• Coordinate the technical In Motion team for the pilot in Anna Regina, especially the business consultant and the graphic designer . • Coordinate and supervise business consultant and graphic designer who will be responsible for providing technical and business support for the economic units benefiting from the Program. • Review and follow-up of all the deliverables, tools and report of the In Motion team in Guyana • Prepare all the reports to monitor, follow-up and report on the implementation. • Keep programmatic and administrative control of the In Motion Program in coordination with UNDP Guyana Units and with RBLAC team. • Assist with collaboration with other Programs on a domestic and local level that allow maximizing the In Motion Program’s results. • Support the systematization and dissemination of results and the good practices of the In Motion Program. • Support the identification of possible partners/donors and the scale-up/resource mobilization strategy in Guyana • Support all other initiatives in support of MSMEs and inclusive economic development required by UNDP Guyana • Support for the formulation of new proposals as requested by the UNDP CO

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

Economic development, business administration, community development or programme/project management; Previous experience in partnership building is desired; Experience with administrative processes; Excellent oral and written communication skills; Knowledge of the local project context in Guyana; Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners including grassroots community members; Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel; Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; Have affinity with or interest in inclusive business, economic development, gender equality, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Located in the Northern part of South America, Guyana the “land of many waters” is a unique blend of Caribbean and South American culture and history. With 965 miles of navigable rivers, 83% of Guyana is covered by pristine rainforest. The country is bordered by the Atlantic Coastline on the northeast, Venezuela on the west, Suriname on the east and Brazil on the West and South. The national language in Guyana is English.

In 2016, Guyana was reclassified as an upper middle-income country following the discovery of large oil and gas reserves, which is expected to increase economic growth significantly in the short to medium term. Primarily due to oil and gas revenues, the IMF (2022) has projected that real GDP Growth in 2022 can reach 57.8%.

UNDSS has given Guyana security level 2. This is mainly due to robberies which sometimes are violent. Incidents such as car theft have also taken place. It is thus important to take sensible precautions to protect oneself and one’s belongings.