Background

I. Corporate Background:

UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities and exclusion, and build resilience so countries can sustain progress.

As the UN’s development agency, UNDP plays a critical role in helping countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (ICPSD) is the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) global organization mandated to leverage the role of the private sector in development.

The ICPSD was established in Istanbul, Türkiye based on the Partnership Framework Agreement signed between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the United Nations Development Program in March 2011.

The center is one of the five global thematic policy centers of UNDP, supports the private sector and foundations to become transformative partners in development through research, advocacy, facilitation of public-private dialogue and brokering partnerships. ICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s offices all around the world.

II. Fellowship Office Background:

Under its Crisis Response and Resilience thematic area, ICPSD actively supports a diverse range of private sector entities and communities in disaster-prone, conflict-affected, and economically challenged regions.

The focus is on enhancing business resilience and crisis response capabilities through strategic partnerships and specialized technical support. ICPSD collaborates closely with UNDP and local stakeholders to conduct risk assessments, facilitate disaster risk reduction, and support recovery efforts. The approach ensures inclusive support for businesses of all sizes, from multinational corporations to MSMEs, focusing on critical economic sectors and geographic concentrations.

Key services include Business Impact Assessments (BIAs) for effective crisis management, tailored business coaching programs, and initiatives to strengthen community and MSME resilience.

Technical assistance in energy access and disaster risk financing is also provided to foster sustainable economic growth in vulnerable areas.

III. Project Description

Violent extremism poses a significant threat to peace, stability, and development, particularly in Africa, which has become the global epicenter of such activities. Despite a worldwide decline in terrorism-related deaths over the past five years, attacks in Africa have more than doubled since 2016, with nearly half of all terrorism-related fatalities in 2021 occurring on the continent.

Given the transnational nature of extremist groups, a coordinated and collective response is essential, involving regional governments, civil society organizations, youth, women, traditional leaders, media, academic institutions, the private sector, and local communities.

In response to these challenges, ICPSD is conducting various studies aimed at addressing the systematic drivers of violent extremism related to economic grievances and highlighting the challenges and opportunities within value chain supporting functions.

These studies combine qualitative interviews outlining the challenges faced by value chain actors and a quantitative survey capturing perceptions of livelihood barriers and opportunities.

To further these efforts, the fellowship program aims to promote cutting-edge research on private sector development in East and West Africa, focusing on areas such as value-chain enhancement, livelihood opportunities, and socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable populations.

By fostering innovative solutions to the challenges identified in the studies, the program supports rigorous research efforts to generate new insights, theories, and methodologies.

These contributions are intended to advance both academic knowledge and practical solutions, ultimately creating sustainable opportunities for the most vulnerable segments of society.

II. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

I. Institutional Arrangements:

The fellow will work under the supervision of the UNDP ICPSD Johannes Sahmland-Bowling. Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs to and DSA during field visits (if any), etc.

shall be covered by the same source of funding as that for the assignment.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Fellow will assist in the following duties and responsibilities: