International Consultant – Private Sector Specialist, Uganda Consultancy

The Government of Uganda has embarked on the implementation of its National Development Plan III (NDP III) 2020/21 – 2024/25 which is aligned to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).? The goal of the Plan is to increase household incomes and improve the quality of life of Ugandans through Government led, private sector driven, resource-based job-rich industrialization. NDP III also states that the private sector will be the main engine for growth, job creation and increased household income.

Private sector is recognized as a key partner to the achievement of the universally adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It plays an important role as an engine of economic growth and job creation in developing countries. It provides goods and services, generates tax revenues to finance essential social and economic infrastructure, develops new and innovative solutions that help tackle development challenges and it is a central actor in addressing climate change.

In Uganda, the private sector generates 77 percent of formal jobs, contributes 80 percent of GDP, funds 60 percent of all investments and provides more than 80 percent of government domestic revenues. To this end, NDP III aims to increase capacity and competitiveness of the private sector to engage in the emerging digital and creative economy, drive the industrialization effort, increase exports, create jobs particularly for the youth; and ultimately lead sustainable inclusive growth in Uganda. Attainment of objectives of NDP III also premised on the private sector financing 38.6 percent of the budget for the planned interventions.

Rationale

UNDP Uganda has also embarked on the implementation of the Country Programme 2021 – 2025 (CPD) to support Uganda’s development aspirations as enshrined in the NDP III. The CPD is aligned to the 2030 Agenda, NDP III and the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2021 – 2025. The CPD also recognizes the private sector as strategic partner for UNDP in supporting the country’s efforts to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, accelerate the structural transformation process for sustainable and inclusive development and build resilience to crises and shocks.

The Country Office therefore needs to reposition and strengthen its work with the private sector in this new environment post COVID 19. To this end, the country office intends to align its private sector work more closely with its overall vision of contributing to “empowered lives, resilient nations” and focusing on how the private sector and markets can contribute to economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable human development. As such, UNDP Uganda is seeking the services of a seasoned expert to strengthen the private sector development and engagement capacity of the Country Office.

The private sector development and engagement consultant will also support the preparation of project proposals with a significant private sector engagement component; lead the Country Office’s effort to mobilize private finance for SDGs; and support the alignment of business strategies and operations to the SDGs. S/he will also aid the private sector in their effort to address the impact of COVID 19 including through partnerships for unlocking the potential of digital economy, contribute to ecosystem development? solutions and other forms of integrated support for MSMEs business continuity and resilience.

Scope Of Work

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Resident Representative or her designate, the specialist will carry out the following tasks:

• Map out private sector financing models, business models and operations in order to identify barriers and solutions for private sector engagement and financing of the SDGs and COVID-19 strategies;
• Scan the opportunities in the country based on partner-specific intelligence and the competitive landscape; and identify where the country office competency strengths overlap with partner/client needs;
• Lead efforts to expand UNDP’s engagement with the private sector in the context of the 2030 Agenda, the implementation of the third National Development Plan (NDPIII), the UN Sustainable Development Co-operation Framework and COVID 19 socio-economic recovery;
• Support UNDP to design and implement appropriate interventions, solutions and strategies to support MSMEs especially those affected by COVID-19;
• Support the Country Office in preparing project proposals with a private sector engagement component;
• Develop the Country Office’s broader private sector engagement strategy to drive a coherent and strategic approach to the establishment and management of partnerships with the private sector; act as focal person for knowledge exchange, lessons learned and innovation dissemination on private sector development & engagement for RBA and its Country Offices;
• Provide strategic guidance and advisory support to all Country office policy and programmatic interventions with regard to private sector engagement.
• Support the development of a Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Plan for the Country Office to facilitate resource mobilization aimed at private sector engagement;
• Support the brokering and develop partnerships with bilateral and multilateral development partners, International Financial Institutions, the United Nations family, key Government Institutions and development partners with the objective to develop joint initiatives to support national development priorities;
• Support the design and launch of major private and partnership events.

Expected Outputs

The expected deliverables of the assignment include:

• A Country Office Private Sector Engagement Strategy?to drive a coherent and strategic approach to the establishment and management of partnerships with the private sector?30 March 2021;
• A Partnership and Resource Mobilisation Plan to facilitate the Country Office Private Sector Engagement Strategy -15 May 2021;
• Strategy Note for the CPD 2021 -2025 Country Office Private Sector Engagement -15 June 2021;
• Four project proposals with a Private Sector Engagement component with at least two targeting partnership with financial and philanthropy sectors -31 July 2021-30 September 2021;
• Three knowledge products on UNDP’s Private Sector Development and Engagement interventions -15 November 2021- 30 December 2021 – 31 January 2022.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Strong project management skills;
• Positive, constructive attitude and consistently approaches work with energy;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback.

Technical And Functional Competencies

• Practical knowledge of private sector development and engagement, development finance solutions i.e. impact investment, inclusive market development, digital economy, financial inclusion, capacity building, advisory services and fund raising are required;
• Demonstrated field experience with governments, private sector and development partners and foundations in the area of private sector and mobilizing private capital is essential.
• Knowledge of and capacity in policy analysis in the area of private sector development and engagement as well unlocking private sector to address the SDGs and COVID 19 response is an asset;
• Strong analytical, communication and presentation skills;
• Outstanding ability with report writing and communication especially digital tools is required.

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Tagged as: Private sector, Uganda, UNDP