Consultant on poverty and inequality assessment in Africa

Final ECA assessment framework on poverty + inequality assessment and Country analysis reports ((Namibia, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Egypt).

In person

6 Months

1. Background

In less than 3 years Africa has been hit with an equal number of crises, largely originating outside its borders. Russia's war in Ukraine has hindered Africa's recovery from the covid-19 pandemic by increasing food and energy costs, disrupting trade, narrowing fiscal space and decreasing the flow of development funds throughout the region. The conflict arose at a time when Africa is still striving to place its economy on the path to recovery amidst global inflationary pressures and a highly unpredictable environment. The Covid-19 pandemic had already increased African debt and stretched governments abilities to expand fiscal spending while costing over 250,000 African lives and pushing an estimated 55 million Africans into extreme poverty.
According to ECA’s Economic Report on Africa, poor households move into and out of poverty because of exogenous shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic and that their inability to manage uninsured risks only increases their vulnerability. So, achieving sustained poverty reduction requires thoroughly understanding the nexus of poverty, risks and vulnerability. Non-poor people and those living just above the extreme poverty line are the most likely to fall into poverty because of the pandemic. Given such substantial flows of households into and out of poverty, even when net numbers remain largely static, the Economic Report on Africa applied a vulnerability–poverty–resilience framework to analyze the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on household well-being in Africa.
Given the continued impact of overlapping shocks on poverty and inequality, ECA will deepen its work in this area in order to deepen its knowledge generation to inform policy and provide technical assistance to member States. ECA is therefore seeking the services of a consultant to provide technical support for this purpose.
With crises entrenching poverty and exacerbating inequalities in Africa, understanding how to effectively assess vulnerabilities associated falling into poverty is critical for robust evidence-based policy response.
ECA has developed a methodology for analyzing poverty and inequality for applicability following crises. The methodology provides insights into factors associated with moving into and out of poverty, and why some households remain poor for a prolonged period, has been designed by GPSPD to guide in the formulation of evidence-based policies on how to effectively address poverty, inequality and the risks associated with vulnerability.
Three Member States (Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Namibia) have expressed interest in capacity building to support for assessment and estimation of poverty and vulnerability. This RPTC request builds on ECA work on poverty and inequality and responds to country demand for technical assistance.

2. Objectives of the consultancy
The overall objective of this consultancy is to support the formulation of ECA’s methodological approaches to poverty and inequality and their application in selected member States. The consultant will support the Governments of Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, and Namibia to better assess poverty, inequality, and vulnerability with a view to formulating robust policies to address the challenges and build resilience.
The specific objectives as follows:
a) To technically support the preparation of an ECA assessment framework on poverty and inequality as well as vulnerability to both
b) To technically support the application of ECA’s assessment approaches on poverty and inequality in selected African countries

3. Duties and responsibilities
a) To technically support the preparation and finalization of ECA’s assessment framework on poverty and inequality

b) To apply ECA’s methodological framework on poverty and inequality to 6 African countries (Namibia, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Egypt).

c) To technically support workshops, consultations and engagements on poverty and inequality with member States and partners

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in in economics, development studies or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Ph.D. would be an advantage
A minimum of seven years of proven experience in relevant experience working on macroeconomic research, analysis and modeling is required.
Experience in poverty and inequality analysis is required.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of the other is an advantage. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an asset.

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.