Social Protection Strategy and Reform Specialist

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

Result of Service

The ultimate result of the service is the delivery of a report that follows the below mentioned outline structure: Introduction • Briefly summarize the overarching goals and key strategies of Oman's 10th Five-Year Development Plan related to the paper's topic, setting the stage for the paper's focus. • Highlight the paper's purpose, particularly its role in providing insights and recommendations for the remaining period of the 10th Five-Year Plan and the upcoming 11th Five-Year Plan. • Clearly define the paper's specific scope and area of focus, outlining the particular aspects of the 10th Plan that will be analyzed (work programs and strategic goals). In this introductory section, the paper will set the context by succinctly presenting the framework of Oman's 10th Five-Year Development Plan in relation to the topic addressed in the paper. It will describe the methodology of the analysis and how the conclusions drawn from it will help to shape the goals and strategies for the 11th Five-Year Plan. Context • Overview of the current situation relevant to the paper's focus area. • Objectives of the 10th Five-Year Plan related to the topic. • Brief historical context or previous efforts in this area, if applicable. • Description of key achievements in this area since the adoption of the 10th Plan. This section will establish a comprehensive background for the paper by examining the current state of affairs in the relevant domain, aligning it with the specific objectives of the 10th Five-Year Plan. It will offer a contextual understanding by connecting present circumstances to past efforts and trends, thereby providing a solid foundation for the subsequent analysis. This historical and situational overview is crucial for appreciating the complexities and nuances of the topic under review. Analysis of Current Challenges and Threats • Detailed examination of the main challenges and threats faced in achieving the plan's objectives. • Data-driven analysis, including statistical trends, case studies, or recent developments. • Identification of underlying causes or contributing factors to these challenges. • Analysis of external factors (e.g., geopolitical, economic, environmental) and internal vulnerabilities • Short-term and long-term implications of identified threats. In this section, the paper will delve into a comprehensive analysis of the challenges impeding the success of the relevant objectives outlined in Oman's 10th Five-Year Development Plan. It will employ empirical data, trend analyses, and case studies to provide a clear and factual representation of the issues. Moreover, this part will describe the various threats to achieving progress on the plan's goals and form a risk on the paper's topic. Exploration of these challenges and threats will be crucial for understanding the root causes and contributing factors to progress as well as crafting resilient and adaptive strategies capable of mitigating risks in the present and future. This is crucial for developing effective strategies to address barriers, making this section pivotal to the paper's analytical depth and practical relevance. Opportunities for Progress • Identification of opportunities that can be leveraged. • Innovative approaches, best practices, or success stories that can inform strategies. • Pinpoint potential areas ripe for investment, reform, or partnership that could catalyze progress within the plan's scope. The exploration of opportunities is essential to balance the challenges and threats. It involves identifying positive avenues and best practices that can be adapted or adopted. This could include learning from international models, innovative technologies, or novel partnerships. The focus is on uncovering areas where strategic interventions can yield significant benefits, pushing the plan toward its desired outcomes. Recommendations for the Remaining Period of the 10th Plan and the Creation of the 11th Five-Year Plan • Formulate concrete and actionable recommendations that stem directly from the analysis conducted in previous sections. • Develop strategies aimed at addressing the identified challenges and mitigating the outlined threats, ensuring these strategies are feasible within the current plan's framework. • Propose methods to capitalize on the identified opportunities, suggesting how these can be integrated into the current and future planning cycles. The recommendations section is pivotal, translating the insights and analyses into practical steps and strategies. These recommendations should aim to optimize the remaining period of the 10th Five-Year Plan and lay a solid foundation for the 11th Five-Year Plan. They should be specific, realistic, and aligned with Oman's broader developmental objectives, ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to the nation's ongoing progress. Conclusion • Summary of key findings. • Final thoughts on the potential impact of recommendations on future development plans. References • Citing all data sources, literature, and external references used in the paper.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

1 Month

Duties and Responsibilities

Background: The Sultanate of Oman has pursued ambitious economic and developmental strategies since the mid-1970s to achieve sustainable economic growth and enhance the quality of life for its citizens. These strategies, embodied in five-year development plans, aim to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. Economic diversification is a key goal, reducing reliance on oil revenues by developing sectors such as manufacturing, fisheries, agriculture, mining, and services. The country prioritizes infrastructure development, including roads, ports, and airports, fostering economic growth, facilitating transportation and trade, and attracting foreign investments. The tenth five-year plan (2021-2025), part of the "Oman 2040" vision, emphasizes achieving financial balance, reducing budget deficits, and enhancing economic integration with neighboring countries. The plan aims for sustainable economic growth, focusing on key economic sectors and international competitiveness. Despite challenges, Oman has successfully formulated ambitious national goals, addressing economic and social development within an integrated time frame and organizational structure. The plan focuses on policies and program choices to tackle development challenges, reflecting a commitment to balanced economic and social development. Oman places significant importance on financial transparency, technological development, and preparing for the fourth industrial revolution. Efforts include creating a comprehensive statistical information system and conducting censuses and surveys to provide necessary indicators until 2030. In 2021, Oman outperformed the Arab world's average on development challenges but aligned with the global average. Despite challenges, the country demonstrated improvements in addressing inequality and governance, emphasizing the importance of inclusive development. Oman's five-year plans underscore its commitment to sustainable development, improving citizens' quality of life and positioning the country for future prosperity. Duties and Responsibilities: The international consultant is expected to deliver the following outputs: - Based on a template provided by the project team in cluster 6, develop an English draft report of not more than 12 pages by the end of February 2024; - Review the draft based on written (or otherwise communicated) feedback from the project team.

Qualifications/special skills

A Master's degree or equivalent in development studies or related area is required. All candidates must submit a copy of the required educational degree. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. A minimum of 10 years of professional work experience in international development cooperation is required. A minimum of 5 years of professional work experience in social protection/welfare is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat; and Arabic is a working language of ESCWA. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic 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.

Additional Information

Not available.

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.