South-South and Triangular Cooperation Fellow

Contract

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Background

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress. As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global organization mandated to leverage the role of the private sector in development. The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Turkey based on the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011. The center is one of the five global thematic policy centers of UNDP, supports the private sector and foundations to become transformative partners in development through research, advocacy, facilitation of public-private dialogue and brokering partnerships. ICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s offices all around the world.

Fellowship Office Background:

UNDP ICPSD leads UNDP’s private sector strategy, mobilizing the private sector to engage in development. ICPSD convenes stakeholders from public and private industry as well as foundations to facilitate knowledge sharing and partnerships, catalyzes private sector actors for developing products and initiatives for SDG implementation and provides support to raise capital through innovative financing models such as blended finance. The role of South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) in sustainable development is increasing substantially. In like manner, the private sector’s engagement in sustainable development is growingly contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). SSTC is enriching and diversifying development efforts and means through a variety of flexible cooperation modalities, such as knowledge exchanges, technology transfers, mutual learning, peer-to-peer support and innovative financing. The private sector’s engagement can further expand and enhance the outreach of the SSTC. ICPSD supports companies in tailoring their business models to respond to sustainable development needs by identifying and promoting best practices within the framework of South-South Cooperation to achieve the SDGs.

Project Description

Since the resumption of power of the Taliban on 15 August 2021, 2021, Afghanistan has faced with huge humanitarian, economic, and financial crisis. The sudden stop of international aid and grants that contributed to 40% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), freeze on international reserves which was about 9,5 billion USD, and international sanctions have triggered balance of payment, banking, and payment system crisis. The inability of the Central Bank of Afghanistan (DAB) to print banknotes and access to USD 7 billion of foreign reserves have significantly limited the execution of its key functions related to the macro-financial stability. As a result of the crisis, GDP declined by 20,7% in 2021. It is estimated that GDP will further decline by about 5% in 2022. UNDP's response to the ongoing Afghanistan Crisis aims to prevent the complete economic breakdown of the Afghan economy and to assist Afghans in constructing a new economic model that is centered around private sector-led recovery.

In line with the previous partnerships between UNDP Istanbul International Centre for Private Sector Development (ICPSD) and UNDP Afghanistan Country Office (CO), UNDP ICPSD is undertaking a series of activities under three themes to further support the country office in its work on:

1. Technical Support to the Financial and Banking Sector
2. Private Sector Resilience: Agricultural Value Chains and Access to Energy for Industrial Parks
3. Islamic Finance: Technical Assistance to Afghanistan Microfinance Sector for Economic Recovery and Women Empowerment

Afghanistan currently hosts 11 operational industrial parks primarily concentrated in Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar, Herat, and Balkh provinces. Additionally, there are plans for three more industrial parks, and construction is underway for 12 more in various provinces, including Nangarhar, Logar, Faryab, Khost, Maidan Wardak, Helmand, Herat, Parwan, Ghazni, Paktyai, and Daikundi. These industrial parks play a crucial role in Afghanistan's economic recovery, attracting investments, enhancing business security, and reducing operational costs through shared utilities and logistics facilities.

However, the country has faced significant energy crises in the past, with only 22% of the required 1,600 megawatts being domestically produced, and the rest imported from neighboring countries. In efforts to increase domestic energy production, essential infrastructure upgrades have led to disruptions in electricity supply to communities and vital services.

A reliable energy supply is essential for the effective and sustainable operation of these industrial parks, allowing them to expand their businesses, create new job opportunities, and stimulate local economic activities in their respective regions. Private sector investments are crucial for ensuring a stable and dependable energy supply.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Fellow will assist in the following duties and responsibilities:

No

Duties and responsibilities

% of time

1

Support research and development

• Support data collection, plan and prepare materials for learning collaboratives industrial parks in Afghanistan.
• Assist to analyze the technical feasibility of the proposed solutions for energy access, including an assessment of the required infrastructure and equipment and evaluate their suitability for the industrial parks.
• Support to valuate various energy options, including renewable energy such as solar, wind and hydropower for energy access to the industrial parks.
• Provide research support, collect and analyze data on energy demand through appropriate data gathering methods.
• Support to identify the energy sources that are currently available in the country and assist in the assessment of their viability for meeting the energy demand of the industrial parks.

40 %

2

Support interviews and data collection

• Assist in the conduction of appropriate consultation processes, including with private sector actors, to inform the development of the industrial parks in Afghanistan report.
• Work together with the financial technical consultant to support with the financial engineering report.
• Assist in mapping key actors for the project; assist in conducting a minimum of three multi-actor meetings with a focus on private sector participation to facilitate research development, and support the organization of additional bilateral and contextual meetings to enhance stakeholder engagement.

20 %

3

Report writing

• Assist in the development of annotated outline of the report detailing the key portions and submitted for approval to UNDP Afghanistan and UNDP IICPSD
• Assist in the preparation of reports that outline the technical feasibility of energy access for industrial parks in Afghanistan, based on the information gathered from site visits and the assessment of available energy sources.
• Assist in the preparation of report prepared through detailed documentation and analysis of data collected through appropriate consultation processes
• Assist the review process on the report with ICPSD and UNDP Afghanistan.
• Support the development and completion of a 10-page final project report summarizing the results from engagement with stakeholders progress, challenges, and lessons learned throughout the implementation of the project
• Assist in the drafting and preparation of a 20-slide presentation to communicate the findings, conclusions and recommendations to relevant stakeholders

40%

Competencies

• Excellent written and oral English skills is a mandatory requirement.
• Interest and motivation in working in an international organization;
• Good analytical skills in gathering and consolidating data and research for practical implementation;
• Outgoing and initiative-taking person with a goal-oriented mind-set;
• Good in organizing and structuring various tasks and responsibilities;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Responds positively to feedback and differing points of view;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical or mechanical engineering or related field is required;

Experience:

• Experience in organizing and facilitating consultation meetings.
• Experience in renewable energy infrastructure in Afghanistan or Persian speaking context is an asset;
• Knowledge of smart health facilities and return on investment in smart infrastructure desired
• Excellent quantitative analysis and report writing skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills, both face-to-face and online;
• Ability to engage and develop working relationships with program participants and project stakeholders.

Language skills:

• Excellent written and oral English skills is a mandatory requirement.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: The application should contain:

• Brief Cover Letter (in English) stating interest in and qualifications for the post;
• Current and complete CV in English;
• Please group all your documents into one single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Candidates who are selected for must submit prior to the interview the following documents:

• Official document(s) confirming meeting at least one of the educational requirements.

Stipend

During the time of the fellowship, UNDP will provide a monthly stipend.