Result of ServiceThe ultimate result of the service will be to support the effective preparation, delivery, and follow-up of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). The contractor will contribute to the drafting of written materials, facilitate engagement with members of the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF), and provide organizational and logistical support for FfD4-related meetings and events. The contractor will assist FSDO in the intergovernmental negotiation process by collecting and analyzing inputs from Member States and stakeholders, and supporting the assessment of negotiation positions. Additionally, the contractor will contribute to outreach efforts by updating the FfD4 and IATF websites, maintaining the initiatives list, and supporting academic engagement and seminar planning. Following the conference, the contractor will help disseminate the outcome document, continue website updates, support academic follow-up activities, and contribute to the preparation of the IATF report. Work LocationOn/Off UNHQ premises Expected duration4 Months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe Financing for Development (FFD) process at the United Nations (UN) is a unique platform to address financing challenges and reforms to the international financial architecture. In July 2015, world leaders came together in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia to adopt the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (the Addis Agenda) at the Third International Conference on Financing for Development. Yet Member States have noted with concern the lack of progress made on financing for development commitments since the adoption of the Addis Agenda. They acknowledged that the challenges of the moment merit the attention and focus of policymakers at the highest level and expressed concern that the mobilization of sufficient financing from all sources, including official development assistance, remains a major challenge in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Member States agreed to convene a Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4) in from 30 June – 3 July 2025 in Sevilla, Spain. The Addis Agenda mandated the creation of an Inter-agency Task Force on Financing for Development (IATF) to review progress. Since its inception, the IATF, comprised of over 60 UN agencies and programmes, and led by DESA, has published nine annual Financing for Sustainable Development Reports (FSDR, http://developmentfinance.un.org). The FSDR is the major substantive input to the annual FFD Forum, and its analysis and policy recommendations have informed the intergovernmentally agreed conclusions and recommendations of those Forums. 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 based on the evidence and knowledge in the international system. In the agreed modalities for the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, Member States invited relevant intergovernmental organizations to participate in the deliberations of the Conference and its preparatory process. The chair of the IATF has offered to the international organizations in the Task Force that they use it to serve as one mechanism to contribute to the Conference. In view of this, FSDO will engage the services of an individual contractor to provide outreach support to FFD4 and its preparatory processes, focussing on leveraging the inputs and contributions of the members of the Task Force, including helping them organize events and engagements at the 4th Preparatory Committee meeting (30 April – 1 May 2025), intersessional meetings and the FFD4 conference, as needed. The individual contractor will also support the analytical work of DESA and the Task Force members. Work Assignment Under the supervision of the Chief of the Policy Analysis and Development Branch, FSDO, the individual contractor will be responsible for the following: 1. Support the substantive and organizational preparations for FFD4 related events and meetings by: • Providing inputs to various written documents such as correspondence, background notes, statements, talking points, scenarios, meetings notes and summaries, as well as external communication products; • Working with the members of the IATF to support their engagement and provide timely information to facilitate participation, including their submissions to the impact initiatives and organization of side events; • Providing organizational and logistical support during the 4th session of the FFD4 Preparatory Committee and the intersessional negotiations. 2. Support FSDO staff in the intergovernmental negotiations of the FfD4 outcome document from April through end-June, by: • Collecting and analysing written and oral inputs/comments on the draft outcome document from Member States and other stakeholders on financing for development topics and priorities; • Assisting in the analysis of Member States’ positions in negotiations. 3. Assist in the outreach efforts for FFD4 and its preparatory processes by: • Contributing to the update of the FFD4 and IATF websites and communication-related activities; • Supporting FSDO’s coordination efforts to increase knowledge and boost engagement of international organizations and the academic community with FFD4 by maintaining the initiatives list, facilitating academic engagement, and contributing to the planning of academic seminars. 4. Assist in the follow-up process after the FFD4 Conference by: • Disseminating the FFD4 outcome document to institutional and other stakeholders • Providing further updates to FFD4 and IATF websites on the outcome of the Conference • Assist in the implementation of academic seminars • Providing inputs to IATF Report • Providing inputs to the development of an indicator framework 5. Perform other ad hoc substantive and administrative duties as required. Qualifications/special skills• A first-level university degree in economics, international affairs, communications or a related field. A first-level university degree, in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience, may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. • A minimum of two years of progressively responsible work experience in development finance, international development and/or related area. • Familiarity with the work of the United Nations on sustainable development and financing for development issues is desirable. • Prior experience with the UN system and/or other international organizations is desirable. LanguagesEnglish 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. Additional InformationNot available. No FeeTHE 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.
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