Senior Consultant for strategic prioritization and preparation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2025-2030

Result of Service The following results are achieved in line with the CF Roadmap timeline approved by the UNCT.

• The UNCT undertakes inclusive and participatory consultations with relevant stakeholders to inform the identification of strategic priorities, development of a theory of change for each priority and formulation of the CF.
• Strategic priorities for the CF are identified and agreed on by the UNCT and the Government through a participatory workshop.
• A high-quality CF is drafted in line with the UNSDG guidelines.
• The results framework of the Cooperation Framework is finalized in coordination with the RCO and team of UNCT focal points.
• Comments from the UNCT, the Government, and the regional Peer Support Group are addressed, and the responses are documented in comments matrices.

• The UNCT is configured, and an outcome document is finalized.

  Work Location Remotely

  Expected duration 6 months

  Duties and Responsibilities The United Nations System (UNS) in Bahrain has initiated the formulation of its next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) for the period 2025-2030. According to the General Assembly resolution 72/279 the UNSDCF is “the most important instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities at country level in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda)”. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (in short, Cooperation Framework) is a strategic, medium-term results framework that describes the collective vision and response of the UN system to national development priorities and results based on normative programming principles of the UN. The Cooperation Framework is nationally owned, and anchored on national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda and the principles of the UN Charter. It outlines the UN development system’s contributions based on its comparative advantages to achieve the SDGs, with a commitment to leave no one behind, human rights and other international standards and obligations. This will be the first new generation UN Cooperation Framework for Bahrain and will contain the blueprint for the UN’s strategic support to the Government in Bahrain’s high income, small, open economy context. The formulation of the Cooperation Framework will be inclusive, participatory, and co-led by the UN System and the Government. In this context, the international consultant will help design the workshops for consultations, strategic prioritization, development of the theory of change and validation as needed. The 2019 Cooperation Framework guidance and its companion pieces provide necessary tools to carry out the process. S/he will consolidate the findings from the workshops, and in close consultation with the interagency team and the RCO, will assist with the drafting of the Cooperation Framework.

Under the supervision of the Head of RCO and the overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator, the international consultant will be responsible for the following tasks.

• Prepare a brief inception report detailing work plan, questions for consultations, and a proposed agenda for the Strategic Prioritization Workshop.
• Support the planning of consultations and design of workshops.
• In consultation with RCO and the UN Interagency Team, prepare presentations and content for the strategic prioritization workshop.
• Facilitate the strategic prioritization workshop, the theory of change discussion and consolidate the outcomes of the workshops to help finalize the priorities for the Cooperation Framework.
• Draft a theory of change for each strategic priority.
• Draft the narrative of the Cooperation Framework in line with the UNSDG guidelines.
• Finalize the results framework of the Cooperation Framework in coordination with the RCO and Interagency Team.
• Address comments of the regional Peer Support Group and the government and reflect changes in comments matrix.

• Facilitate the discussion on the UNCT configuration and draft the outcome document.

  Qualifications/special skills A master’s degree in social sciences, Development Studies, Economics, International Relations, or related field is required. Ph.D. is desirable.

All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience, with a strong record in designing and formulation of complex programmes and frameworks of UN organizations is required. Experience in the formulation of United Nations cooperation/partnership/development assistance frameworks is required. Proven knowledge of the new UNSDCF guidelines is required. Experience and background in gender equality/gender analysis and gender mainstreaming in planning processes is desirable. Good understanding of the SDGs, other relevant regional or global frameworks and their implications for development cooperation is desirable. No conflict of interest such as recent or expected employment by UNCT members or implementing partners, private relationships with any UNCT members of staff or government counterparts or implementing partners; participation in the design, implementation or advising CF being evaluated, among others) is desirable. Experiencing in facilitating workshops and meetings with senior officials and multi-stakeholder groups is desirable. Good understanding of multilateralism and the role of the UN System in development cooperation in the context of the country in question (Preferred) is desirable.

Languages Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is the working language of ESCWA.

For this position, fluency in English is required.

Note: “Fluency” equals a rating of ‘fluent’ in all four areas (speak, read, write, and understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of ‘confident’ in two of the four areas.

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.