Consultant to Provide Substantive Policy and Data Support for Monitoring and Follow-up of the Sevilla Commitment

The ultimate result of the service is the substantive and data-driven support to the monitoring and follow-up of the Sevilla Commitment, including through high-quality analytical inputs to the 2027 Financing for Sustainable Development Report, notably the “in numbers” and “in-depth” chapters on debt and science, technology, innovation and capacity building (STI), as well as thematic work on public finance and fiscal space; strengthened evidence-based analysis through data compilation, quantitative assessment, and visualizations to inform progress monitoring across multiple action areas of the FFD outcomes; and effective substantive support to the conceptual development, preparation and delivery of FFD-related meetings, including Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) meetings and expert consultations, contributing to informed policy dialogue and implementation follow-up.

On premises (UNHQ-NY)

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Background and Objectives The Financing for Development (FFD) process at the United Nations (UN) is a unique platform to finance the SDGs and ensure that financing for development discussions are aligned with and promote policies and investments for long-term sustainable development that are economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable. The FFD process enables policy dialogues between finance, foreign affairs and development officials, which has become increasingly critical in a world characterized by rising systemic risks that require multifaceted and multisectoral responses. The Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) adopted the Sevilla Commitment in 2025, a comprehensive outcome document that builds on the successes of past FFD outcomes and sets out an ambitious global framework for financing sustainable development. The Sevilla Commitment reflects Member States’ resolve to address the persistent and growing financing gaps that have hindered investment in sustainable development, to address debt challenges, and to drive reforms of the international financial architecture. With the adoption of the Sevilla Commitment, the focus of the FFD process shifts to monitoring progress in its implementation and following up on the commitments made. The Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF), coordinated by the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) at the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), plays a central role in this follow-up process, including through the annual Financing for Sustainable Development Report (FSDR). In view of this, FSDO will engage the services of a consultant to provide substantive support for its work on monitoring and following up on the Sevilla Commitment, including through the IATF and its 2027 FSDR. Specifically, the consultant will support the development and delivery of data-driven monitoring of progress in implementation in multiple action areas of the FFD outcomes, through the “in numbers” and “in-depth” chapters on debt and science, technology, innovation, and capacity building (STI) in the 2027 FSDR. The consultant will also provide substantive support to the organization of FFD-relevant meetings, including IATF meetings. Work Assignment The consultant will work across multiple action areas of the FFD outcomes, including debt and science, technology, innovation, and capacity building (STI), and a thematic focus on public finance and fiscal space, with emphasis on monitoring and following up on implementation of the Sevilla Commitment. Given the data-driven nature of the work assignment, the consultant will engage in quantitative analysis, including processing large amount of data, compiling datasets fit for analysis and employing a variety of analytical methodologies that keep pace with evolving standards in the field. Under the supervision of the Chief of the Policy, Analysis and Development Branch, FSDO, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks: 1. Data processing and outline for “In numbers” and “in-depth” chapters of the 2027 FSDR • Research, compile and analyse data on progress in implementation of the Sevilla Commitment related to debt, STI, and public finance and fiscal space, for use in the relevant “in numbers” and “in-depth” chapters of the 2027 FSDR; • Coordinate with IATF members and other relevant stakeholders to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness of data and analysis; • Identify and propose suitable data visualizations and charts to support the “in numbers” and “in-depth” chapters on debt and STI, as well as a thematic focus on public finance and fiscal space; • Draft preliminary outline for the “in-numbers” and “in-depth” chapters of debt and STI. 2. Inputs and charts for the “in numbers” and “in-depth” chapters of the 2027 FSDR • Prepare draft written inputs and charts for the “in numbers” chapters on debt and STI in the FSDR, drawing on the data compiled under task 1, providing concise, data-driven summaries of key progress indicators; • Prepare draft written inputs and charts for “in-depth” chapters on debt and on STI in the FSDR, drawing on the data compiled under task 1. • Prepare draft written inputs and charts on a thematic focus on public finance and fiscal space drawing on the data compiled under task 1. 3. Support the conceptual development, planning and preparation of meetings relevant to the FFD agenda, which include IATF meetings at the principal and technical levels; and an expert meeting of IATF on public finance and fiscal space by: • Preparing background documents, concept notes, agendas, and other substantive inputs for such meetings; • Organizing and delivering of meetings, including coordinating with relevant stakeholders and experts. 4. Provide monthly progress reports on the status of the assignments. Methodology The substantive work will be based on: - A desk review of available literature, data sources and reports on key issues in the FFD agenda; - Quantitative analyses, including using statistical software and programming language if needed - Engagement with IATF members and other key stakeholders, where required. This will be facilitated by the supervisor of this consultancy, where necessary. The consultant is expected to work closely with and provide regular updates and feedback to the supervisor and/or relevant members of FSDO on work progress.

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, finance, social science, or other related fields. • A minimum of two (2) years of experience in research and quantitative analysis related to economics and/or related area; • Knowledge of financing for development and policy debates in development finance, especially in public finance and fiscal space, is desirable; • Demonstrable track-record in the production of analytical reports and research pieces is desirable; • Knowledge of MS Office applications is required; • Knowledge of statistical software, such as Stata, and programming language, such as R and Python, is desirable;

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Not available.