National Consultant Economic Advisor to the Hon Minister of Finance and Economic Development

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The Government of Zimbabwe has pronounced a New Economic Order to achieve an upper middle- income country status by 2030. Some of the initiatives proposed include targeted reforms in public enterprises, indigenization policy, improving unconducive business environment, fighting against corruption, and stimulating production and job creation. The new policy directions put a greater focus on fiscal discipline, economic reforms, opening the economy and re-engagement with the international community as reflected in the National Development Strategy 1 and subsequent budget statements for 2021 and 2022.

The implementation of these policy reforms is spearheaded by the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development. Given the complexity and challenges of the tasks ahead, the Hon. Minister requires ready access to technical advisory support in policies and their execution as well as centralized coordination of interactions with key stakeholders including the private sector and the international community. The Economic Advisor plays a strategic role in providing such technical advisory support to the Hon. Minister.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Economic Advisor will:

• Provide technical advice to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development on general macro-economy policy execution;
• Provide advice on fiscal consolidation strategies;
• Provide technical advice on fiscal and monetary sector coordination;
• Provide advice on the execution of strategic projects;
• Coordinate the Hon. Minister’s interlocution with key private sector stakeholders;
• Coordinate the Hon. Minister’s interlocution with key international stakeholders;
• Coordinate the Hon. Minister’s interaction with key economic Ministries and Departments within the Government;
• Coordinate the Minister’s speeches and messages;
• Make an input into key communication messages on the NDS 1 and Vision 2030;
• Facilitate mainstreaming of the SDGs and Agenda 2063 into Government policies including the national budget;
• Create space for policy dialogue and partnerships with key stakeholders on critical policy issues;
• Identify gaps and opportunities for further strengthen the capacity of the Ministry to implement policy reforms with support from UNDP/UN including through oversight of the implementation of UNDP projects housed within the Ministry;
• Regularly update to UNDP on the execution of above and any further strategic support required to achieve the policy objectives;
• Provide support to UNDP support to the Ministry, specifically in the area of Aid Coordination and Development Effectiveness;
• Support and contribute to policy research initiatives within the Ministry under the auspices of the Research Working Group.

Specific deliverables

• Advisory services to the Minister with regard to:
  • Macroeconomic policy;
  • Monetary and fiscal policy;
• Advisory and strategic inputs paper to the Minister’s interlocution with stakeholders;
• Advisory and strategic inputs paper on policy research conducted by the Ministry;
• Support for coordination of the Ministry’s work in the area of the National Development Strategy (NDS);
• Monthly report detailing advisory support provided to both the Minister and the Ministry;
• Monthly debrief to UNDP through the UNDP Economic Advisor.

Competencies

Corporate Responsibility & Direction:

• Serves and promotes the vision, mission, values, and strategic goals of the Republic of Zimbabwe and UNDP.

  Managing for Results:

• Plans and prioritizes work activities to meet the goals set by the Minister;

• Strategic approach to problem solving.

Partnering & Networking:

• Builds and sustains relationships with key constituents (internal/external/bilateral/ multilateral/public/private/academia/civil society);
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of the Republic of Zimbabwe and UNDP;

• Demonstrates ability to handle working relationships with senior officials, academics and technical experts.

  Innovation & Judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;

• Generates creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;

• Devises new systems and processes, and modifies existing ones, to support innovative behaviours.

  Communication:

• Demonstrates outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Economics, with a strong emphasis on macro-economic analysis, development economics, economic planning and quantitative skills. A candidate with a PhD is highly desirable. Practical knowledge and experience of Zimbabwe and its development issues are an added advantage.

Experience:

• 10 years of post-qualifying demonstrated experience in macroeconomics/development economics at the national or international level;
• In-depth knowledge and experience in policy making in complex and challenging development setting;
• Substantial experience in macroeconomic policy including monetary and fiscal policies, poverty reduction strategies, inclusive growth, structural transformation and sustainable development issues including the SDGs;
• Applies the required depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise to meet job demands;
• Possesses extensive knowledge of economic development issues and familiarity with major economic policy issues, economic models and the SDGs;
• Capable of applying economic theory and practice to the specific country contexts;
• Demonstrates strong quantitative skills and the ability to carry out high quality economic research, including statistical analyses;
• Possesses proven ability to analyse global perspectives, with the ability to offer practical policy advice on economic issues based on local realities;
• Uses Information and Communications Technology (ICT) effectively as a tool and resource;
• Extensive experience in research, policy analysis, and advocacy;
• Experience in writing briefings, policy notes and speeches to senior officials.

Language:

• Fluency in English. Fluency in local languages is an advantage.

Applicants are requested to upload copies of:

Latest CV highlighting the relevant experience. Prospective candidates could apply either as a team or as individuals. When applying as a team, the CVs of all experts in the team should be provided, along with the application; Updated P11 Form template of which can be downloaded from this website - http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc; A detailed technical proposal on undertaking the tasks and evidence of previous work;

Please group all your documents (CV, P11, Technical Proposal and certificates) into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Incomplete applications will not be given consideration.

Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Evaluation criteria:

The Consultant will be evaluated based on qualifications and the years of experience, as outlined in the qualifications/requirements section of the ToR. In addition, the Consultant will also be evaluated on the following methodology:

Technical Criteria weight: 70%;

Financial Criteria weight: 30%;

The award of the contract shall be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the Terms of Reference.

“UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Well qualified candidates, particularly women and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply”.