Project Title:    Advancing the SDGs through Vision 2030 Jamaica

Post Level: National / International Consultant

Type of Consultancy: Individual Consultancy

Expected start date:  5 May 2019

Period of assignment/services: 50 Non-Consecutive Days, over five (5) months

Title: Innovative Finance Specialist

The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) has made significant strides in localizing and integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in its planning framework, evidenced by the close alignment of the country’s National Development Plan (NDP), Vision 2030 Jamaica, with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Vision 2030 Jamaica provides a comprehensive framework in which the linkages among economic, social, environmental and governance spheres of development are made, and presents a broad strategic thrust for the transformation of the Jamaican economy and society towards sustainable development and prosperity for the Jamaican people.

The achievement of the country’s four national goals as set out in Vision 2030 Jamaica requires among other things, an effective implementation framework buttressed by financing development priorities as well as an efficient and robust monitoring and reporting platform to monitor and track progress and where necessary take corrective action along the way. The country has made much progress in undertaking prioritization of development activities and every three years, an implementation plan - the Medium-Term Socio-Economic Policy Framework (MTF) is prepared to ensure a stage-by-stage implementation of the National Development Plan. Each MTF comprises the medium-term priority strategies and actions that will be pursued in the implementation of the Plan. The MTF is aligned with the country’s long-term vision, goals and national outcomes as contained in the NDP and allows for implementation that incorporates continuous improvement.

In advancing its country’s development, the GoJ supports, and is placing emphasis on the alignment of the SDGs to the national development plan as a means of making its own contribution to the global agenda and ‘leaving no one behind’. The 4th MTF, covering the period 2018 – 2021, was recently completed. Under MTF 2018 – 2021 Jamaica will advance the mainstreaming of the 2030 Agenda and its 17 SDGs within the implementation of Vision 2030 Jamaica.  MTF 2018-2021 shows the following alignments with the SDGS:

• The alignment of the National Outcomes (of the 4 National Goals) of Vision 2030 Jamaica and the SDGs
• The alignment of the priority sector strategies to advance each National Outcome with relevant SDG targets (see table of priorities for each outcome)

Vision 2030 Jamaica therefore serves as the axis around which efforts to achieve the SDGs will be organized. Vision 2030 Jamaica’s position regarding the implementation of Agenda 2030 was cemented in the Road Map for SDG Implementation in Jamaica[1], which identifies Vision 2030 Jamaica and specifically the MTF as the vehicle for implementation of the Agenda. 

The UNDP has contributed significantly to ongoing advancement of the SDGs through enhanced coordination mechanisms, development of a Roadmap for SDGs Implementation in Jamaica, expansion of public awareness on the 2030 Agenda and its alignment with Jamaica’s development plan and strengthening of national capacity to produce high quality data for monitoring the SDGs.

Against this background, the GoJ has requested the assistance of UNDP through the implementation of a project titled, “Advancing the SDGs through Vision 2030 Jamaica”. The overall goal of the project is to enhance the capacity of the GoJ to achieve the goals of Vision 2030 Jamaica and advancement of the SDGs. This will be achieved through the accomplishment of three project outcomes:

• The Capacity of the GoJ to Monitor, Evaluate and Report on progress, including the contribution of international development partner support/assistance towards attainment of the SDGs and goals of Vision 2030 Jamaica improved;
• Increased capacity of the GoJ to utilize new and innovative financing mechanisms to advance the financing of the country’s development priorities towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030 Jamaica and advancing the SDGs in Jamaica; and,
• Increased capacity of GoJ local authorities and municipalities to align Local Sustainable Development Plans with the National Development Plan and SDGs.

The concept of Innovative finance has over the years become an increasingly important tool for developing countries like Jamaica. Through the use of finance mechanisms such as Blue Bonds, Blended Finance and Impact Investing, countries are utilizing these instruments to help solve their development challenges. The GoJ has identified the need for increased capacity to utilize new and innovative financing mechanisms to advance the financing of the country’s development priorities towards achieving the goals of Vision 2030 Jamaica and advancing the SDGs in Jamaica.  As such UNDP is seeking the services of an Innovative Finance Specialist in order to facilitate an analysis of innovative financing opportunities within the Jamaican context.

The purpose of the Innovative Finance Specialist is to facilitate an analysis of innovative financing opportunities within the Jamaican context. This will be reflected in a policy brief detailing an analysis of innovative financing mechanisms that would be applicable to the country.

Under the guidance and supervision of UNDP and in close collaboration with PIOJ, the Innovative Finance Specialist will conduct detailed research describing current trends and opportunities in innovative finance, present recommendations to key stakeholders, and build the capacity of government agencies responsible for managing this portfolio.

Scope of Work:

Please review the TOR attached for the detailed Scope of Work.

Application Procedure:

Proposal should be submitted through the online e-Tendering system https://etendering.partneragencies.org  (search for Event ID: Jam10-0000003646) as per the deadline indicated in the system itself. Detailed user guide on how to register in the system can be accessed using the following link:-

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/procurement/business/procurement-notices/resources/

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to [email protected] UNDP will provide responses by uploading them in the system.

[1] Approved by Cabinet in June 2017