Consultant – Tools and Methodologies to inform Inclusive Green Economy Policies for Poverty Reduction

As the global development network of the United Nations, UNDP, operating in 166 countries, works with partner countries on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. Globally significant progress has been made on a number of dimensions of poverty over the last two decades. Yet despite the significant gains, poverty remains a key challenge across the developing world, affecting more than a billion people. Apart from income poverty, other indicators of well-being such as nutrition, maternal and child health, women’s empowerment and inequality are also matters of concern. The task of improving well-being along these multiple dimensions now is only expected to become harder as new challenges such as climate change and ecosystems decline become more acute, with largely negative consequences predicted for millions of poor and vulnerable people in developing countries.   It is in this context that the transition to greener economies can be viewed as an opportunity to address the challenges of natural resource limits and climate change, resulting in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities.   As recognized by the Rio+20 Conference Outcome Document, inclusive green economies can serve as a means to reducing multi-dimensional poverty and achieving sustainable and more equitable development. The role of public policies during transition periods is key if these objectives are to be met. Efforts are needed to ensure that policies do not exacerbate levels of poverty and inequality. e.g. through the loss of jobs and livelihoods, or increased utility costs, and that they help to empower people and communities so that all can contribute to and benefit from greener models of growth and social development.  Hence, one of the key challenges in the transition to and adoption of inclusive green economy approaches, particularly for developing countries, is meeting the joint pursuit of growth, poverty reduction and sustainability. A number of countries are already themselves elaborating on green economy policies and attempting to integrate them into national development strategies. There is also country-driven demand and post-Rio mandate for the UN system to help share experiences, develop and refine tools, methodologies and measures that can help partner countries better design and implement policies needed for achieving growth, poverty reduction and sustainability jointly.   To support national inclusive green economy initiatives by ministries of finance and planning, and sectoral ministries, the UNDP-DESA-UNEP Joint Programme entitled Supporting a Green Economy Transition in Developing Countries and LDCs: Building Towards Rio+20 and Beyond, funded by the Government of Netherlands, is commissioning research on green economy related tools, methodologies and measures that can help ministries of planning, finance, and other sectoral ministries in partner countries to understand, assess and act on the links between inclusive green economies and poverty reduction efforts. Such assessments then set the basis for identifying policy options and monitoring/measuring progress on the joint pursuit of growth, poverty reduction and sustainability and the transition to greener, more inclusive economies.   Tools and methodologies which provide an in-depth understanding of the synergies and tradeoffs between green economy approaches and multi-dimensional poverty reduction pursuits often exist in a fragmented form, are still in a nascent stage, and/or their applied application is limited. The consultant will prepare a report on Tools and Methodologies to Inform Inclusive Green Economy Policies.   To develop the report, the consultant will begin by reviewing a package (of relevant literature) provided, to be complemented as appropriate by the consultant, on tools and methodologiesfor Inclusive Green Economy and Poverty Reduction Approaches.     Secondly, having reviewed the relevant literature, the consultant is expected to produce an objective assessment of methodologies (diagnostics) and tools and measures (policy/financial instruments and measurement frameworks) that can be organized around the development planning cycle, and provide quantitative and/or qualitative information to inform country level understanding of: The types of assessment methodologies available for informing poverty reducing, inclusive green economy decisions, and the likely outputs that such assessments produce (including an analysis of how useful these outputs are towards helping countries frame forward-looking, transition plans). The specific and/or combination(s) of tools and measures which, when applied, can help to assess and act on the synergies and tradeoffs and thus bridge the gap between green economy approaches and multi-dimensional poverty objectives. This can allow the tools and measures to be tailored to different country needs and contexts. Knowledge and information gaps that would need to be addressed, even after existing tools and methodologies are applied, in order to frame comprehensive country-led inclusive green economy plans. The report is being planned in parallel with additional work-streams under the UNDP-DESA-UNEP Joint Programme. This assignment will complement work on the Poverty Reduction and Inclusive Green Economy Approaches paper, which provides insights on the linkages and the what of policy options. In contrast, this paper is expected to provide insights on the how to go about selecting policy options based on improved understanding and assessments. These two linked reports/papers may initially be merged as one report/paper depending what is deemed most useful to address country needs and contexts. Lastly, this work and its application will be embedded in the broader work of the UNDP-DESA-UNEP Joint Programme, as well as the UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative. Both initiatives focus on country-led capacity development, which enables stronger institutional governance, coordination, and stakeholder engagement on the Poverty-Environment Nexus and inclusive green economy approaches. In so doing, these initiatives help ensure strong national ownership of a long-term process of transformational change. The tools and methodologies available through this work will be used through these programmes to support green economy initiatives by ministries of finance and planning, sectoral ministries, and other national partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance and supervision of the MDG Support Cluster, Poverty Group (Cluster head) and in collaboration with Policy Specialist MDGs, Project Leader GEJP, the Environment and Energy Group the consultant will:  Review existing knowledge of relevant literature on tools and methodologies to inform poverty reduction and inclusive green economy approaches and undertake comprehensive analysis of methodologies (diagnostics) and tools and measures (policy/financial instruments and measurement frameworks) that can be organized around the development planning cycle, and provide quantitative and/or qualitative information to inform country level understanding  Use the analysis, findings to: Develop a menu of tools and methodologies organized around the development planning cycle that supports national understanding and assessment of green economy approaches on the prospects for growth and multi-dimensional poverty including the specific types of information they generate, their data needs, and their strengths and weaknesses. Identification of knowledge/information gaps that would need to be addressed, even after existing tools and methodologies are applied, in order to frame comprehensive country-led plans. Compile all information into a report with a particular emphasis on when and how to use the tools and methodologies, and share for consultation and feedback. Finalize the report. Deliverables: Annotated outline of the report – indicating clearly tools and methodologies that will be examined further  A set of tools and methodologies for policy-makers that help develop practical approaches for poverty reduction in the context of transitioning to a green economy including their pros and cons; limitations and applicability for policy-making   Draft full report for peer review in time for the Inclusive Green Economy Tools workshop to be held in Nairobi late May 2013 Final report incorporating all relevant comments

Competencies

Functional Competencies:  Excellent knowledge and understanding of human development and multi-dimensional poverty aspects; Good knowledge of green economy approaches, climate change, ecosystem services and the links to multidimensional poverty, including through policy advisory work;   Good knowledge on developing and using environmental, climate and/or economic and social tools and assessment methodologies and/or impact assessments;  Strong analytical skills, and the ability to synthesize information and analysis from a number of sources;  Excellent written and oral communication skills and competency in editing and proofreading skills; must be detail oriented and organized  Core Competencies:  Demonstrate integrity by modeling values and UN ethics standards   Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;   Demonstrate culture, gender, religion, nationality and age tolerance and ability to adopt    Give helpful advises and comments to colleagues   Skills to work in team, good organizational and communicative skills   Constructive and enthusiastic approach to scope of work rendered   Response friendly to critics and dissent   Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Treats all people fairly without favoritism

Required Skills and Experience

Education:  At least a Master’s degree in Development, Micro and/or Environmental Economics. A PhD is preferred. (10 points) Experience:  At least 10 years relevant experience, in an academic institution, research think tank or international agency; (10 points)   Knowledge of UNDP corporate priorities, with a specific focus on Sustainable Human Development; (10 points)   Proven experience developing and/or using environmental, climate and/or economic and social tools and assessment methodologies and/or impact assessments; (10 points).   Proven experience in producing or facilitating development-related knowledge products; (10 points) Language:  Ability to speak and write clearly and compellingly in English; (10 points)   Proficiency in the usage of computers and with standard software (10 points) Note:  The payment shall be made in the following manner: Annotated outline of the report – indicating clearly tools and methodologies that will be examined further A set of tools and methodologies for policy-makers that help develop practical approaches for poverty reduction in the context of transitioning to a green economy including their pros and cons; limitations and applicability for policy-making Draft full report for peer review in time for the Inclusive Green Economy Tools workshop to be held in Nairobi late May 2013 Final report incorporating all relevant comments The consultant shall report to MDG Cluster Team Leader and liaise with the Policy Specialist on MDGs for any queries and assistance on a day-to-day basis. The consultant is expected to incorporate comments and suggestions from the Poverty Group, Environment and Energy Group, select UNEP and UNDESA colleagues, and other reviewers on the documents to be submitted. FC: 30000

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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