Senior International (Lead) Consultant to develop the Somalia Vision 2060 at United Nations Economic Commission for Africa: (Deadline 23 April 2024)

Result of Service

The assignment is expected to result in the Somalia Vision 2060 document. Impact and Outcomes: The successful development of Somalia Vision 2060 will provide a clear and actionable roadmap for the country’s future, setting the stage for transformative change. It will aim to achieve measurable improvements in economic prosperity, political stability, social equity, and environmental sustainability, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for all Somalis.

Home-based, with travel to Mogadishu or designated venue.

Expected duration

5 months

Duties and Responsibilities

Somalia, emerging from decades of conflict, is at a pivotal point in its history. The nation embarked on a process of rebuilding its institutions and economy after more than two decades of conflict and instability. By August 2012, the country provisionally adopted a new constitution, which paved the way for the establishment of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and its constituent five federal member states (FMS). Despite this, the country continues to face weak institutional capacity, fragile security and complex politics, which have constrained economic recovery and reconstruction. The country has continued to grapple with pressing socio-economic challenges, including poor economic and social indicators, high unemployment, internal displacement and outward migration have been common features of the country. To highlight a few, the country’s real GDP growth has been low, averaging 2 percent per year for the past 5 years (2019-2023). On the positive side, Somalia’s external debt was drastically reduced from 64 percent of GDP in 2018 to less than 6 percent of GDP by the end of 2023, following the completion of the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative. Driven by this initiative, policymakers and change agents within the country have agreed that Somalia should urgently address the critical constraints on economic and social progress, reconstruction and recovery. Somalia seeks to harness its strategic location, human capital, and natural resources to transform into a stable, democratic, and economically vibrant country by 2060. The new vision will be derived from dialogue among all the stakeholders and consensus built on forging ahead with an inclusive national development agenda. Thus, it will provide a sense of national commitment based on thorough analysis and diagnosis of the country’s past and present situation and future opportunities. Additionally, it will present realistic and attainable possibilities for the nation. This, in turn, will enable the policymakers to set out the policies, initiatives and measures required to deliver on the vision. The overriding aim of the Vision is to create a prosperous, secure, democratic, inclusive, and competitive country with a high quality of life. The fundamental intention is to transform the country into a middle- to high income country status, providing wellbeing to all its citizens on a sustainable basis. With Somalia`s current resource base and structural characteristics, prioritization and sequencing of initiatives would be crucial. The specific objectives of the Vision 2060 in the short and near-term include the promotion of peace, security, reconciliation, justice for all and the rule of law in the country; and the implementation of policies that will ensure macroeconomic stability, improved economic infrastructure, productive private sector economic activities, and reduction of food insecurity and aid dependence. In the medium and long-term, the Vision 2060 aims at transforming Somalia to knowledge-based economy, with improved education and health standards to provide skilled and competitive workforce and foster entrepreneurship. Objective of the Consultancy Assignment The main objective of the consultancy is to guide a team of national and international experts and work with them for the formulation of a comprehensive and strategic Somalia 2060 document, through a consultative, inclusive and participatory process. The Vision should satisfy some of the following characteristics: • To be a shared, long-term development blueprint for the country, which serves as an anchor for the national development plans (NDPs) that, in turn, provide the framework for comprehensive, measured social and economic development. • To promote a shared commitment of all stakeholders to ensure sound policies, which are sequenced and prioritized. Impact: • The successful formulation of a long-term strategic vision for Somalia that guides future development and policy-making. • Enhanced ownership and commitment to the Vision 2060 by local stakeholders. Outcomes: • A detailed and actionable Somalia Vision 2060 document. • Increased collaboration between international bodies, the Somali government, and local communities. Duties and responsibilities To ensure a successful delivery of Vision 2060, the international consultant will work with a team of national and international consultants and carry out the following: 1. Lead the drafting of the Somalia Vision 2060; 2. Engage with all relevant stakeholders and agree on the best methodology and approach for the formulation of the vision; 3. Propose an inception report indicating the (i) methodology; (ii) detailed roadmap; (iii) detailed outline (table of content) , that will be followed to produce the Vision; 4. Provide guidance and coordination for the production and collection of the different documents, analyses, data, inputs necessary for the production of the vision; 5. Provide guidance and coordination for organizations of the different consultative processes that need to be organized for the formulation of the vision; 6. Build on historical facts and other considerations and provide guidance on different scenarios that should be considered in terms of possible futures for the country; 7. Use all available inputs, collate them and produce the Vision document; 8. Foster capacity building of national counterparts all along the process; 9. Propose a theory of change including plans, strategies, policies, reforms and interventions; 10. Coordinate with international experts and organizations to incorporate best practices; 11. Develop communication strategies to promote Vision 2060 among stakeholders. The realization of the entire exercise should meet some of the following requirements: 1. A thorough analysis of Somalia’s current political, economic, social and environmental landscape. 2. Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including government officials, civil society, and international partners, to consult, gather inputs and build consensus. 3. An analysis and stocktaking of successful development pathways in the world that could be contextualized to the case of Somalia, outlining critical enablers and success factors as well as factors of risks and failure. 4. Alignment of the vision with the strategic objectives of AU Agenda 2063, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the East African Community Vision 2050, the IGAD strategic frameworks and the Doha Plan of Action for Least Developed Countries. 5. Design of a framework for the implementation of Vision 2060, including milestones and performance indicators necessary to achieve the envisioned outcomes. 6. Development of a risk assessment and mitigation strategy to address potential challenges. 7. A monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan to track progress and adapt strategies as needed. 8. Propose a theory of change including plans, strategies, policies, reforms and interventions 9. Coordinate with international experts and organizations to incorporate best practices. 10. Gender sensitivity and inclusivity throughout the development of Vision 2060.

Advanced and/or postgraduate degree in Economics, social sciences, strategic planning; Development studies, public policies, Management, Business administration; or any other related field. A first level university degree in a combination of additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the master’s degree. • The consultant will have at least 7 years of work experience in strategic planning and management, change management and/or organizational development. Development of long-range programme frameworks or similar management tools and a track record in programme development, monitoring and evaluation, capacity development and administration is desirable; • Familiarity and/or experience in working with the United Nations and/or regional entities. • Broad understanding of African development issues and challenges, with demonstrated ability to provide advice and guidance in strategic matters • Sound understanding of Africa-related strategies and policies of major bilateral and multilateral agencies and relevant experience in working with regional organizations and partners. • Excellent interpersonal and management skills; • Proven ability and experience in efficient planning and execution of tasks; and high level of initiative

Languages

Fluency in English, with good writing and analytical skills.

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.