Result of Service

The consultant will provide technical, analytical and process backstopping, including through policy and technical advice, to support the HLEG in (i) finalizing its recommendations on measures of progress that complement and go beyond GDP, (ii) supporting the presentation of these recommendations to the General Assembly, and (iii) promoting the transition towards the subsequent United Nations-led intergovernmental process, paving the way for their use at the country level to foster inclusive and sustainable development.

Work Location

Remotely

Expected duration

up to 5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the most widely used benchmark to measure a country’s economic progress and the value of its domestic production of goods and services. However, GDP has also been used in unintended ways. Importantly, it is not a good measure of sustainable development or welfare. Action 53 in the Pact for the Future mandates the UN Secretary-General to establish an independent high-level expert group (HLEG) to develop recommendations for a limited number of country-owned and universally applicable indicators of sustainable development that complement and go beyond GDP… [and] to present the outcome of its work during the eightieth session of the General Assembly. It further foresees the initiation of a United Nations-led intergovernmental process following the completion of the work of the independent HLEG and considering its recommendations. Since the establishment of the HLEG, substantial analytical and consultative work has been undertaken to develop the conceptual framework for going beyond GDP, refine candidate domains and indicators, and compile stakeholder feedback through consultations with Member States, UN system entities and other constituencies. Building on this ongoing work, the next phase will focus on consolidating and finalizing the HLEG’s recommendations, translating them into the report to be presented to the Secretary-General, development of communications materials, and supporting the transition toward a United Nations-led intergovernmental process envisaged in Action 53. The objective of this consultancy is to provide technical, analytical and process backstopping, including through policy and technical advice, to support the HLEG in (i) finalizing its recommendations on measures of progress that complement and go beyond GDP, (ii) supporting the presentation of these recommendations to the General Assembly, and (iii) promoting the transition towards the subsequent United Nations-led intergovernmental process, paving the way for their use at the country level to foster inclusive and sustainable development. Work Assignment: The consultant will, under the supervision of the Chief of Data Innovation and Capacity Branch at United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), undertake the following activities in support of implementing the mandate of the HLEG: a) Provide substantive advice and analytical backstopping to the HLEG to consolidate, refine and finalize the agreed key dimensions and narrative of progress that go beyond GDP, ensuring coherence across pillars/domains and clarity of narrative. b) Advise the HLEG in finalizing the conceptual framework and ensuring that it is internally consistent, communicable, and aligned with the mandate. c) Advise the HLEG in validating and sharpening the proposed headline indicators and complementary dashboard elements, including reviewing feasibility, data availability, statistical capacity implications, and practical pathways for country-owned measurement. d) Advise the HLEG in developing recommendations on how to enhance data and statistical capacities outlining the key parameters of a ‘UN Data Agenda to Value What Counts’ as a major capacity-building and resourcing initiative to enable country-owned measurement. e) Undertake the necessary research and preparation of substantive material needed to support the above-mentioned activities. f) Provide technical and analytical inputs to the Secretary-General’s report conveying the recommendations of the HLEG to the UN General Assembly, as required. g) Prepare transition materials to support the initiation of the United Nations-led intergovernmental process following completion of the HLEG’s work, including an issues log of open questions. h) Work closely in coordination with staff members of the UN Secretariat providing further support to the work of the HLEG.

Qualifications/special skills

Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, public administration, management or a related field. A first-level university degree, in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience in domains relevant to the work assignment, might be accepted instead of the advanced university degree. Experience: A minimum of fifteen (15) years of progressively responsible experience in the field of programme management, data analytics and development policy research is required. Experience in providing substantive and analytical support to senior experts and officials is required. Experience in providing substantive and analytical support to consultative processes including with Member States, civil society, academia and other stakeholders is required. Proven ability to communicate effectively with various constituencies is required.

Languages

Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in spoken and written English is required.

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.