Principal National Consultant for the United Nations Country Analysis

Indicative Process and Coordination 1.Develop or refine the methodology, workplan, and annotated structure of the UNCA 2.Review and synthesize existing analytical materials, including: oUN agency inputs oNational development strategies and sectoral policies oAnalytical work from international financial institutions and development partners 3.Facilitate targeted consultations with key stakeholders (government, UN agencies, development partners, civil society, private sector) 4.Consolidate and integrate inputs into a coherent and consistent analytical narrative 5.Ensure alignment with: oUNSDCF evaluation findings oNational priorities and policy frameworks oUN guiding principles (LNOB, HRBA, gender equality, resilience, sustainability) 6.Draft and revise the UNCA report based on feedback from the RCO, UNCT, and stakeholders Deliverables 1. Inception report and methodology 2. Presentation to UNCT of the approach 3. First draft of UNCA. This should include but not limited to the following: a. A report with an overview of development challenges and opportunities (including PPTs with key findings, data and charts). The overview will summarize 10-12 key development challenges and opportunities for the country b. Each development challenge, in not more than 2 pages, will include summary of the following: How is this challenge related to the national priorities? - Why is this challenge critical and brief description of the inter-relations with other development challenges? - What SDGs touch upon? - What are the immediate, root and underlying causes for this challenge? - What are the risks? - What are the groups left behind most impacted with this development challenge? - What are the opportunities/acceleration pathways that will be created by addressing this challenge? 4. Present findings to UNCA Standing Analytical Team (SAT) and UNCT for internal UN consultations and for external consultations with the Government, development partners, etc. 5. Consolidate inputs and present Final UNCA report

Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic

5 months (Estimated amount of actual time to worked: 20 days

Purpose of the Assignment The principal national consultant will be the main penholder of the process. He/she will receive inputs from the foresight analysis, CF evaluation as well as from the national stakeholders’ consultations. Background and Context The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) represents the primary instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities at the country level in support of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It reflects the UN system’s collective response to national priorities and is developed in close partnership with the Government and other stakeholders. The United Nationals Country Analysis (UNCA) is the UN system’s independent, impartial, and collective assessment and analysis of a country’s development context. It examines progress, gaps, opportunities, and bottlenecks in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and serves as the analytical foundation for the Cooperation Framework. In the Kyrgyz Republic, the current UNSDCF 2023–2027 is entering its final phase, and its independent evaluation is underway. Building on the findings of this evaluation, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), in close collaboration with the Government, will develop a new UNCA to inform the design of the next Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF 2028–2032). The UNSDG Cooperation Framework Companion Guidance 2019 and the 2020 Companion Package are the main reference for the design and implementation of the UNSDCF. Its chapters broadly follow the stages of the programme cycle of UNSDCF. This guidance has recently been revised, and its first two chapters have been finalized in 2024. These include the chapters on the Roadmap and the erstwhile Common Country Analysis, the latter renamed as the chapter on the UN Analytical Function. UN Analytical Function Per the new guidance, the UN analytical function is an inter-agency mechanism (an inter-agency team) of the UN development system at the country level that provides ongoing analysis of complex challenges that are both systemic (focusing on emergent and interdependent elements) and forward-looking (analyzing the forces driving future change and utilizing internal and external early-warning and forecasting capabilities). The UN analytical function includes: (1) at least one comprehensive UN country analysis (UNCA ) per programme cycle (usually at the end of the penultimate year of the ongoing Cooperation Framework, to inform the design of the new Cooperation Framework); and (2) regular (at a minimum, annual) horizon scanning of key changes in the country context throughout the CF cycle. The analytical function entails the following: 1.As collective intelligence of the UNCT to make sense of complexity, interrelated development challenges, risks and opportunities. 2.To generate an integrated analysis and evidence that informs decision-making by external stakeholders and the UN. 3.To enable the UN’s advocacy and partnership building. 4.To inform strategic thinking and agility to position the UN. 5.To provide evidence for selecting the strategic priorities – in consultation with the Government, for the next cooperation framework. 6.(As relevant) to provide development-related evidence in support of diplomatic efforts and peacebuilding initiatives The UNCA will provide a forward-looking, evidence-based, and integrated analysis of Kyrgyzstan’s development trajectory. It will draw primarily on existing analytical work, including national strategies (such as the National Development Programme 2030), the Voluntary National Review 2025, sectoral analyses, UN reports, and analytical outputs from international financial institutions and development partners (including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, IMF, and others). The UNCA will reflect UN Guiding Principles, including Leave No One Behind (LNOB), human rights-based approaches, gender equality, sustainability, resilience, and accountability, while also incorporating emerging frameworks such as the Pact for the Future, UN 80, and the evolving UN development system reform agenda. Governance While the strategic guidance emanates from the Resident Coordinator in consultation with the UN Country Team (UNCT), the consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Head of RCO.

• A master’s degree in international development, public policy, economics, social sciences or related field is required, a PhD will be an asset. • Demonstrable experience of seven to ten years in leading or conducting country-level analysis for international organizations, specifically to inform development cooperation strategies. • Have completed at least two assignments of similar scope involving country analysis (e.g. cooperation frameworks or programme documents). • Excellent writing skills, with a strong ability to produce clear, concise, and well-structured analytical documents, including the ability to synthesize complex information. Submission of links to relevant sample reports is encouraged to support the evaluation. • Prior experience working with the UN system or similar multilateral organizations is highly desirable. • Demonstrated experience in applying qualitative analytical methods in country assessments. Submission of links to relevant sample reports is encouraged to support the evaluation. • Strong understanding of the development and political context and working experience of Central Asia, experience of working in Kyrgyzstan will be an asset. • Knowledge of the UN role, UN reform process and UN programming especially of the UNSDCF at the country level. • Familiarity with the 2030 Agenda and SDG related processes.

English and Russian are the working languages of the United Nations in Kyrgyzstan. For the position advertised, knowledge of English and Russian both oral and written, is required. Working knowledge of Kyrgyz is an advantage.

Not available.