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UNDP "Growing Inclusive Markets" Initiative
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Consultant-Research Associate, New York, NY
United Nations Development Programme, based out of New York, seeks a Consultant-Research Associate for the Partnerships Bureau “Growing Inclusive Markets” Initiative
Background
Over the last few years, UNDP has been examining and encouraging the role that business can play in accelerating development. This work, and the role of the private sector in development in general was further catapulted into a top priority after the release of the report of the Secretary-General by the UN Commission on the Private Sector and Development in March 2004 in its report, Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Making Business Work for the Poor. UNDP is now keen to build on this work and identify how business can contribute to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by examining and reviewing the experience of companies in developing pro-poor business models. The new flagship UNDP multi-stakeholder Initiative on “Growing Inclusive Markets” is UNDP’s most visible strategic and sustained global advocacy tool for the important role of the private sector in achieving the MDGs.
Under the over-all supervision of the Programme Manager of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, the Consultant/Research Associate will be working with key experts and members of the Initiative Team in the research, production and writing of a series of discrete deliverables (a background paper and a guidance note ) and provide overall research assistance to the Initiative in preparation for a toolkit produced for UN country offices to partner with companies to effectively implement and disseminate pro-poor business models
Specific tasks
The Consultant will be responsible for the following outputs:
1. Background Paper on “ Patient Capital and Blended Financing Models in financing Pro-Poor Business Models”
Based on existing methodologies and a comprehensive analysis of both primary and secondary case studies, the consultant will conduct a desk study on “Patient Capital and Blended Financing Models in financing pro-poor business models”.
2. Guidance Note for Strategy Note on “Putting the Growing Inclusive Markets Approach into Action: Initiatives and Localization Agenda”. Given the positioning of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative Report as a “provocation for action”, the second deliverable is a strategy note that will be developed in collaboration with the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative Team to provide the basis for the terms of the reference for the post Report launch implementation strategy including the potential setup of a fourth work stream for Implementation. This strategy note will be developed by the current GIM team but will require the commissioning of a guidance note of lessons learned from existing initiatives currently underway including country level public private foras and action research platforms, and activities by other institutions involved in the space of inclusive business
The consultant will provide principal research assistance for the following output:
1. Diagnostics to Implementation Growing Inclusive Markets Toolkit to assist in the development of business models and facilitate country level partnerships with the private sector by using GIM’s three step approach to identify and capture inclusive business opportunities: identify opportunities, understand the market conditions, and find solutions.
Position Requirements
• Effective oral and written communications skills
• Attention to details , problem-solving ability and strong follow-up skills
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively, and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Must be able to answer phones, keep calendars, order supplies, enter data, file, copy fax
• Excellent organizational, time management, and strong interpersonal skills
• Note taking skills, summarizing meetings and teleconferences
Qualifications
• Masters degree in economics or public policy.
• 3 years of relevant experience and expertise in issues related to the private sector, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and in-depth knowledge of “pro-poor” business and their potential to contribute to development
• Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills
• Computer proficiency: MS word and Power Point
• Fluent in English, proficiency in French and/or Spanish is a strong asset.
Selection process
In accordance with UNDP consultancy procedures, traditional procurement rules will apply, in line with new guidelines pertaining to Special Service Agreement contracts (SSA). As such, UNDP considers the application and the performance during an interview as a technical offer to this request for proposals. Candidates that have been short listed will be asked to submit a financial offer / daily fee separately – both elements (technical and financial) will be relevant to make a decision for the assignment.
Interested candidates should submit email their resume with writing samples to the programme manager of the Initiative, Sahba Sobhani at gim@undp.org
Background
Over the last few years, UNDP has been examining and encouraging the role that business can play in accelerating development. This work, and the role of the private sector in development in general was further catapulted into a top priority after the release of the report of the Secretary-General by the UN Commission on the Private Sector and Development in March 2004 in its report, Unleashing Entrepreneurship: Making Business Work for the Poor. UNDP is now keen to build on this work and identify how business can contribute to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by examining and reviewing the experience of companies in developing pro-poor business models. The new flagship UNDP multi-stakeholder Initiative on “Growing Inclusive Markets” is UNDP’s most visible strategic and sustained global advocacy tool for the important role of the private sector in achieving the MDGs.
Under the over-all supervision of the Programme Manager of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, the Consultant/Research Associate will be working with key experts and members of the Initiative Team in the research, production and writing of a series of discrete deliverables (a background paper and a guidance note ) and provide overall research assistance to the Initiative in preparation for a toolkit produced for UN country offices to partner with companies to effectively implement and disseminate pro-poor business models
Specific tasks
The Consultant will be responsible for the following outputs:
1. Background Paper on “ Patient Capital and Blended Financing Models in financing Pro-Poor Business Models”
Based on existing methodologies and a comprehensive analysis of both primary and secondary case studies, the consultant will conduct a desk study on “Patient Capital and Blended Financing Models in financing pro-poor business models”.
2. Guidance Note for Strategy Note on “Putting the Growing Inclusive Markets Approach into Action: Initiatives and Localization Agenda”. Given the positioning of the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative Report as a “provocation for action”, the second deliverable is a strategy note that will be developed in collaboration with the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative Team to provide the basis for the terms of the reference for the post Report launch implementation strategy including the potential setup of a fourth work stream for Implementation. This strategy note will be developed by the current GIM team but will require the commissioning of a guidance note of lessons learned from existing initiatives currently underway including country level public private foras and action research platforms, and activities by other institutions involved in the space of inclusive business
The consultant will provide principal research assistance for the following output:
1. Diagnostics to Implementation Growing Inclusive Markets Toolkit to assist in the development of business models and facilitate country level partnerships with the private sector by using GIM’s three step approach to identify and capture inclusive business opportunities: identify opportunities, understand the market conditions, and find solutions.
Position Requirements
• Effective oral and written communications skills
• Attention to details , problem-solving ability and strong follow-up skills
• Proven ability to work independently and effectively, and handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Must be able to answer phones, keep calendars, order supplies, enter data, file, copy fax
• Excellent organizational, time management, and strong interpersonal skills
• Note taking skills, summarizing meetings and teleconferences
Qualifications
• Masters degree in economics or public policy.
• 3 years of relevant experience and expertise in issues related to the private sector, the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, and in-depth knowledge of “pro-poor” business and their potential to contribute to development
• Excellent writing skills, as well as strong analytical aptitude, communication and presentation skills
• Computer proficiency: MS word and Power Point
• Fluent in English, proficiency in French and/or Spanish is a strong asset.
Selection process
In accordance with UNDP consultancy procedures, traditional procurement rules will apply, in line with new guidelines pertaining to Special Service Agreement contracts (SSA). As such, UNDP considers the application and the performance during an interview as a technical offer to this request for proposals. Candidates that have been short listed will be asked to submit a financial offer / daily fee separately – both elements (technical and financial) will be relevant to make a decision for the assignment.
Interested candidates should submit email their resume with writing samples to the programme manager of the Initiative, Sahba Sobhani at gim@undp.org
