Sustainable Economic Development Specialist

UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in some 170 countries and territories, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners. UNDP has been supporting the Kyrgyz people in their struggle against poverty since it opened an in-country office in 1993. https://www.kg.undp.org/content/kyrgyzstan/en/home.html

UNDP's Strategic Plan (2018-2021) has been designed to be responsive to the wide diversity of the countries we serve. The diversity is reflected in three broad development contexts: eradicating poverty; structural transformations; and building resilience.

Working on both policy and field levels, Sustainable Economic Development (SED) Cluster has a solid programme portfolio focused on development planning and finance, green inclusive transition, digital economic transformation and regional & local development. SED leads Integrated National Financial Framework process in the country and actively supports national SDG-aligned strategic planning, manages multinational Aid4Trade project in Kyrgyzstan for trade facilitation, economic empowerment of rural communities and promotion of green value chains, provides assistance for digital skills building, develops financial mechanisms for green finance acceleration, enhances capacity of local entrepreneurs and public managers and beyond. Providing technical support to mainstreaming and accelerating 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals in national implementation, SED contributes directly to SDGs 1, 3, 5, 8, 11, and indirectly to 9, 10, and 12. The cluster has a vast network and actively engaged with the Office of the President, key line ministries, business associations, UN Agencies and IFIs, local civic organizations, research institutions, etc.

The high priority workstreams include but not limited to promotion of the deployment of electric mobility for low-carbon development in the Kyrgyz Republic, digital transformation, entrepreneurship support, design and launch of a national green finance vehicle, scaling up green project preparation facility, gender issues in fiscal policy, SDG investor Map, support local development.

Under the direct supervision of the SED Team Leader Azamat Usubaliev, the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

1. Assist UNDP CO in developing and positioning its green and digital economic transformation portfolio (30%):
• provide inputs to CO concept notes, activity ideas, publications, project and programme documents on green economy and digital transformation;
• prepare background documents on green economy, sustainable finance, digital development related issues and projects for SED team and senior management (including talking points, presentations, briefs and other);
• assist the SED team in coordinating green economy and digital transformation projects with other CO clusters, UN agencies and development partners;
• mainstream digital as enabler into UNDP CO portfolios on key programme areas;
• assist to implementation of internal UNDP CO and SED knowledge management strategies;
• increase awareness of UNDP CO on green economy and digital development issues.

2. Assist in partnership building, resource mobilization and programming actions (20%):
• explore CO opportunities to raise funds for green economy and digital transformation projects and activities: assist in searching, supporting and developing submissions for funding proposals;
• support the Team Leader in liaison and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders to ensure proper coordination and partnership;
• provide assistance and substantive support to SIEG programming actions.

3. Assist UNDP CO in projects / activities implementation (40%):
• provide logistical and substantive support to the SED team and CO in organising events on the topics of green economy and digital transformation (including with invitations, logistics, presentations and follow-ups);
• participate in the preparation of terms of reference for green economy and digital development projects;
• assist CO communications team in the production of press-releases, infographics, social media content.

4. Other (10%):
• Support other/ad hoc activities within the SED team as seen relevant and needed.