The United Nations System (UNS) in the Gambia has launched the preparation and formulation of its next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The UNSDCF is “the most important instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities at country level in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda)”. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (in short, Cooperation Framework) is a strategic, medium-term results framework that describes the collective vision and response of the UN system to national development priorities and results based on normative programming principles.

The Cooperation Framework is nationally owned, and anchored on national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda and the principles of the UN Charter. It outlines the UN development system’s contributions sought by national stakeholders to reach the SDGs in an integrated manner, with a commitment to leave no one behind, human rights and other international standards and obligations.

Based on the UN development system’s policy expertise and its comparative advantages, its normative agenda, and its ability to leverage, influence and unlock a broad range of resources for development, the Cooperation Framework reflects:

(a) The expectations national stakeholders have of the UN development system’s contribution to national development;

(b) A shared vision and strategic priorities of the United Nations, framed within the broader landscape of partners;

(c) The strategic partners with whom the UN system will work in pursuit of development solutions;

(d) How the UN system and its partners will contribute to accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda; and

(e) The financial and non-financial commitments of the UN system and partners in the wider context of the financing required to reach the SDGs in the country.

The UNSDCF will cover the period 2023-2028 and will be prepared in close partnership with the government, international development partners, private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media and other relevant stakeholders. As an integral and critical part of the UNSDCF process, the UN Common County Analysis (CCA) has been developed which analyzes the overall context of The Gambia and provides the analytical baseline for discussion on the next UNSDCF priorities in the country. The development of the Cooperation Framework will be inclusive, participatory, co-led by the UN System and the Government and premised on the tenets of sustainable development. To that end, an international consultant is needed to help consolidate the findings of the CF consultations and to facilitate the process of developing the Cooperation Framework, that will describe the collective response of the UN Country Team to the priorities of the Government of The Gambia.

The assignment may require the consultant to physically be present in The Gambia for a period of 10 -15 days (specific number of days to be finalized) over the duration of the consultancy. (March 2022 to  July 2021 – (60 working days)), under the overall guidance of the Economist, of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and reporting directly on day-to-day matters to the UN The Gambia Programme Coordinating Group (PCG).

Dutie and Responsibilities

As provided for in the UN Cooperation Framework Internal Guidance, the development of the Cooperation Framework will entail, but not limited to, the following in line with Roadmap (Annex 1) for the process:

1. Facilitating the UN internal visioning exercise; UN comparative advantage analysis; SWOT analysis; and developing the theory of change;
2. Facilitating the UN prioritization process – facilitating the UN, in consultation with national partners, to choose strategic priorities and related development results (outcomes and outputs) in which to invest its collective efforts, capacities and resources; 
3. Drafting the Cooperation Framework narrative;
4. Developing a results matrix, including indicator definitions;
5. Developing a costed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.
6. Facilitating the UNCT configuration dialogue;
7. Facilitating the development of the Cooperation Framework governance structure and guide;

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the consultant will be responsible for preparation, implementation, and administration of the assignment, which includes but is not limited to:

• Facilitate discussions among UNCT and PCG about the concept and findings of the CCA and progress on the development of the Cooperation Framework;
• Draft an annotated outline and prepare the methodology for the analysis of the reports, indicating which key issues will be raised in each section of the report, and present to UNCT – prepare inception report;
• Support the facilitation of the CF consultations with the provision of tools for engagmennt during the consultations.
•  
• Consolidate outputs from all consultations and coordinate the preparation of draft Cooperation Framework report;
• Facilitate discussion within the UNCT and larger stakeholders’ community, as required, on  Cooperation Framework to validate the draft reports;
• Revise the reports in line with the findings from the validation session and comments/feedback;
• Submit final reports.
•  

Submit Technical and Financial Proposals to: bids.gm@undp.org 

Email subject: CF Consultancy