Result of Service

To contribute to the effective preparation and strengthening of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) by providing comprehensive quantitative analysis, background research, and technical options that support the various action areas of the Financing for Development outcomes. Additionally, the consultant’s efforts will enhance the engagement of researchers and experts with the FfD process, ensuring that the Policy Analysis and Development Branch of FSDO can deliver well-informed, data-driven insights and recommendations to advance sustainable development financing. This result would manifest in well-prepared and substantiated FfD4 outcomes, increased stakeholder engagement, and strengthened policy frameworks for financing sustainable development.

Work Location

Home-Based

Expected duration

3.5 Months, with a possibility for extension.

Duties and Responsibilities

Background 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. Despite the significant progress made since the adoption of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda in 2015 which provides the first comprehensive framework for financing sustainable development by aligning all financing flows and policies with economic, social and environmental dimensions, many gaps remain in its implementation. After four years of interconnected and mutually reinforcing shocks, including the COVID- 19 pandemic, geopolitical conflicts and economic instability, the SDG financing gap has ballooned to up to USD 4 trillion annually for developing countries, and laid bare additional gaps in the international financial architecture that need to be addressed to achieve the SDGs. The inability of international financial architecture (IFA) to mobilize sufficient, stable, long-term financing to address today’s needs, including the climate crisis and the SDGs, has laid bare its structural flaws and accelerated calls for reforms. Against this backdrop, Member States have decided to convene a fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) from 30 June – 3 July 2025 in Spain. FfD4 is mandated to assess progress in previous FfD outcomes, address new and emerging issues, and support reform of the IFA. FfD4 will be a key opportunity to transform proposals into action and reach a new global agreement that builds on the successes of past FfD outcomes and bridges the outstanding financing gaps that have hindered progress on the 2030 Agenda. A robust, inclusive, and well-prepared FfD4 should provide Member States with the best possible foundation for taking decisions and provide a roadmap for implementation of the intergovernmentally agreed outcome. Objective The Policy Analysis and Development Branch of the Financing for Sustainable Development Office (FSDO) of UNDESA is seeking the services of a consultant to provide quantitative analysis, substantive background research, and technical options support to the preparatory process of FfD4. The junior consultant will also support promotion of FSDO substantive outputs to strengthen engagement of researchers and experts with the FFD process. The consultant will work on several of the following action areas from the financing for development outcomes: cross-cutting issues; domestic public resources; domestic and international private business and finance; international development cooperation; international trade as an engine for development; debt and debt sustainability; addressing systemic issues; and science, technology innovation and capacity building. Work Assignment Under the supervision of the Chief of the Policy, Analysis and Development Branch, FSDO, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks and is expected to work closely with and provide regular updates and feedback to the supervisors and/or relevant members of UNDESA/FSDO on work progress via online meetings: 1. Synthesis briefs of written contributions and inputs to the preparations of the fourth International Conference members of the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development, researchers and other stakeholders: • Collect and organize documentation: Gather relevant written contributions from the Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development, researchers and other stakeholders, and categorize them by thematic areas. • Summarize and analyse key points: Create summaries of the written contributions, highlighting common themes, main arguments, and recommendations. • Synthesize findings and draft recommendations: Compile the summarized information into cohesive synthesis documents, highlighting key insights and drafting actionable recommendations based on identified gaps and consensus points. 2. Quantitative analysis and written inputs for an elements paper that will provide food for thought in formulating the outcome document of FfD4 • Prepare a quantitative analysis of the proposals identified in the first output, assessing the potential impact of the proposals along all three dimensions of sustainable development. The quantitative analysis should make use of existing international datasets related to financing for development to assess likely impacts at national, regional and global level. • Draft written inputs for the elements paper based on the synthesized findings and recommendations derived from the written contributions, as well as desk review of available literature and reports. 3. Written inputs for the zero draft of the outcome document of FfD4 • Prepare written inputs for the zero draft of the outcome document of FfD 4, based on the elements paper, and Member States’ and other stakeholders’ reactions to the elements paper, while adhering to the style of language of official outcome documents of international conferences.

Qualifications/special skills

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, statistics, development finance, or related field. A first-level university degree in the relevant academic discipline plus 2 additional years of experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree. Knowledge of financing for development and policy debates in development finance. A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in research/policy analysis related to development finance and/or related area. Demonstrable track-record in the production of analytical reports, research pieces and policy papers for readers without a strong technical background. Knowledge of MS Office applications.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in (both oral and written) English is required.

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.