Consultant for Public Sector Innovation Study: Philippines

The objectives of this consultancy are: (i) to provide an up-to-date assessment of the national public sector innovation environment, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance capacity in the Philippines, following the structure of the Public Sector Innovation National Framework developed by UN DESA under the project and complemented by the consultant's in-depth subject-matter expertise and country-specific knowledge; (ii) to offer appropriate options to further develop the public sector innovation framework and AI governance capacity; and (iii) to prepare background materials, coordinate consultations, provide coordination and logistics between UN DESA and relevant ministries in the Philippines, and to support the overall assessment process.

Remote

15 May - 15 Aug 2026, with a possibility of extension

As governments adopt new frameworks and tools to accelerate SDG implementation, there is a growing need to approach public sector innovation with a clear sense of purpose—one that prioritizes public value and long-term societal outcomes beyond efficiency gains. Innovation should be seen as an intentional practice, supported by safe spaces for experimentation and an institutional culture that values learning. This requires an enabling environment for public sector innovation, including comprehensive policy frameworks that promote flexibility in processes and working methods, while fostering creative and adaptive mindsets among public servants. In this context, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), through its Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG), launched the project Strengthening National Capacities to Design and Implement Public Sector Innovation Strategies for Accelerating Progress Toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project supports governments in articulating clear innovation strategies aligned with national development plans and SDG implementation frameworks. As part of this initiative, a national study will be conducted for the Philippines to assess the current public sector innovation landscape and support the Government in strengthening its innovation frameworks in line with national priorities. Under the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer and Governance and Public Administration Officer of the Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government of UN DESA, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: 1. Identify and analyze key events, policies, or initiatives that have shaped the country's current public sector innovation landscape to better understand how public sector innovation has evolved. 2. Identify and analyze the intended objectives and desired outcomes of public sector innovation and AI governance capacity within the national contexts. 3. Identify and analyze the institutional leadership, existing strategies, and governance structures for public sector innovation and AI governance at the national level with reference to effective practices at the sub-national level where relevant, and produce a mapping of key institutional stakeholders working on public service innovation, including their roles and relationships with each other. 4. Identify and analyze key enablers and barriers to public sector innovation, including the legal and regulatory frameworks, leadership, funding and resource availability, human capacities and human resource policies in public organizations, and organizational culture. 5. Identify and analyze broader system-level enablers and barriers, including mechanisms for crosssector collaboration, monitoring, public-private partnerships, infrastructure (including cross-sector collaboration mechanisms, digital infrastructure, incentives, etc.), and stakeholder engagement. 6. Assess and synthesize the key risks, barriers and challenges identified across the above areas, including cross-cutting issues that constrain public sector innovation more broadly. 7. Identify and analyze existing mechanisms currently in place for measuring and evaluating public sector innovation, including how they feed back into policy changes, funding decisions, and the scaling up of successful innovations. 8. Based on the findings from tasks 1 to 7, provide suggestions and options that the Government could consider in updating its public sector innovation framework and AI governance capacity. The suggestions should be specific and actionable, and should cover the various dimensions covered in tasks 1 to 7 as appropriate.

• Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in public administration, social sciences, development studies, development management, business administration, data science, artificial intelligence, information and communications technology, or related field is required. • A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of public administration, public sector innovation or public sector reform at the national or international level is required. Experience in digital governance and emerging technologies with a good understanding of ethical, legal, social and governance issues is desirable. • Experience in research and analysis and producing policy reports on the innovation ecosystem, including AI, is desirable. • A strong background in the Philippines' innovation ecosystem is required. • Experience with UN agencies and the UN Secretariat is desirable

Fluency in (oral and written) English is required.

Not available.