Private Sector Development Specialist with focus on Blue/Green Economic Growth

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The main challenge that faces entrepreneurs and innovators in Guinea Bissau is the weakness of its entrepreneurial ecosystem. There are several local, regional and international actors working in this space, ranging from technical and financial support providers, incubators, innovators and entrepreneurs. However, there is no solid network that connects them, no facilitation platform, knowledge hub or, more importantly, a culture of fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The UNDP Country Office supports the Government of Guinea Bissau in creating an entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and enabling business environment that is attractive to domestic and foreign investment and supporting private sector development and contributing to advancing the SDG 2030 and 2063 agendas. The emphasis is on the nascent start-up scene, business development and the creative industries. The Private Sector Development Specialist will be responsible for programming, policy advice, partnership building, resource mobilization of the Entrepreneurship Development programme addressing particularly Blue/Green economic growth to unlock the country Small Island Developing States (SIDS) potential, Private Sector Development and related topic-specific issues and projects/programmes. S/he collaborates with the relevant technical teams within the Guinea Bissau Country Office (CO), Regional Bureau for Africa and relevant technical teams at HQ (UNDP BPPS – Bureau for Program Policy Support and UNDP CB -Crisis Bureau and other Central Bureaus to unlocking entrepreneurship development through the programmatic, advocacy, partnership and communication commitments of UNDP Guinea Bissau. S/He will provide substantive support to the CO to address complex development challenges to advance on the innovation/digitization and entrepreneurship angle of the Blue/Green Economic growth strategy for Guinea-Bissau and identify and formulate opportunities for increased partnerships and resource mobilization.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of the Strategic and Economic Cluster
the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Support cross-cutting private sector entrepreneurship and innovation agenda; effective management of the private sector, innovation and entrepreneurship development initiatives • Facilitate and maintain strategic partnerships and resource mobilization including undertaking advocacy and information, communication and knowledge management • Undertake thorough analysis and keep updated trends of evolution of the socio-economic situation of the country related to the specific portfolio and topical issues; • Establish and manage a practitioner-led online knowledge management platform to promote entrepreneurship and private sector innovation and network for practitioners • Provide technical guidance and coordination in the conceptualization, implementation and monitoring of various initiatives and interventions within the unit, including the development of entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem and the ongoing Blue Economy, Tourism and Financial Inclusion, and 3x6 initiatives; • Ensuring coherence and coordination across projects within the unit with other UNDP Guinea Bissau clusters, units and projects, including the UNDP Impact Hub, Leadership Academy, and initiatives from the Hack4SDGs and the PALOP Innovation Journey • Ensure Effective management of the private sector portfolio focusing on quality control of the full cycle of programming from formulation, monitoring, implementation, and reporting • Support the Head of the Strategic and Economic Unit (SEU) to develop new concept notes, project documents and cost-sharing agreements as required.
• Conduct an analysis of the environmental scanning and donor intelligence in the areas of private sector development and explore possibilities of establishing and attracting resources in private equity funds • Identify strategic and innovative areas of collaboration with interested development partners in supporting private sector entrepreneurial and innovation development, value-added chains and trade; • Generate and communicate successes and best practices, with the aim of informing the national-level policy and political dialogue in the fields of value-added chains, private sector entrepreneurial and innovation development, and trade; • Work closely with the Unit’s data team to advise on the elaboration of guidelines, methodolo-gies, approaches, best practices with evidenced based supporting documentation meant to accelerate results-oriented implementation of the projects that address Blue/Green and Tour-ism programmatic portfolio under the purview of the unit and the post; • Provide technical support in the implementation, monitoring, and reviews of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) and the UNDP coun-try programme related to the areas of private sector focus; • Identify strategic and innovative areas of collaboration with interested development partners in supporting private sector entrepreneurial and innovation development, value-added chains and trade;

Accountability Adaptability and Flexibility Building Trust Client Orientation Commitment to Continuous Learning Communication Creativity Empowering Others Ethics and Values Planning and Organizing Professionalism Respect for Diversity Self-Management Working in Teams

providing policy and/or technical advice in the areas of private sector entrepreneurial and innovation development, value-added chains and trade. • Knowledge and insights from start-up scene a plus • Human-centered design experience a plus • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau, a small country in Western Africa, ranks 176th on the Human Development Index.. The capital is Bissau and the official language is Portuguese. However, many people outside of Bissau speak one of the autochthonous languages or the widely spoken Creole. English is not commonly used. The country’s 1998-99 civil war and the persistent political instability devastated the economy and progress in development. Infrastructure in general is very limited , also with respect to the tourism industry. Guinea-Bissau continues to experience periodic political disruptions and instability . All travelers to the country should closely monitor the political situation. Visitors should avoid political gatherings and street demonstrations. Demonstrations typically begin or end in front of the former Presidential Palace. For safety and security issues, UN Security in the country will provide security advisory and guiding procedures. Guinea-Bissau is a hardship E duty station but considered a family duty station. It has many limitations in terms of reliable education and health services (there is a UN Clinic for UN staff). There are recurrent electricity cuts, even in the capital city. Guinea-Bissau is a unique country. It provides an interesting and enriching environment and requires a mature level of cultural awareness and more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility, ability, and willingness to live and work under harsh and potentially hazardous conditions involving physical hardship and little comfort are essential. Living conditions at the Duty Station: Please find the below link to find detailed information related to living conditions at Guinea-Bissau Station. https://intranet.undp.org/unit/ohr/onboarding/SitePages/Home.aspx Smoking/Non-Smoking environment (as applicable): Non-smoking