Location :
Pretoria, SOUTH AFRICA
Application Deadline :
15-Oct-13
Additional Category
Millennium Development Goals
Type of Contract :
Individual Contract
Post Level :
National Consultant
Languages Required :
English
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)
30-Oct-2013
Duration of Initial Contract :
4 months
Expected Duration of Assignment :
4 months
Background
Following a long period of apartheid, which ended with the introduction of democracy in 1994, South Africa has been facing social and economic inequalities. With an average income inequality, as measured by Gini Coefficient, hovering around 0.69, South Africa remains one of the most unequal countries in the world. The current growth rate in the country is too sluggish to cut the high unemployment rate, which will continue to exacerbate economic and social inequalities. One must be concerned with inequality in South Africa for many reasons.
First, inequality matters for both poverty and growth. Increased inequality for a given level of average income, education, health or land ownership will almost always lead to higher levels of both absolute and relative deprivations in these dimensions, and lower average growth rates. A highly unequal income distribution is almost always accompanied by high levels of poverty incidence. Hence, a triangular relationship exists between inequality, growth and poverty. Second, inequality matters in what it stands for, the relative well-being of various groups in a society. Inequalities between clearly defined groups (for example, according to ethnicity) can pose national security problem in forms of social unrest, riots, crime, violent conflict and public disturbances.
A perceived sense of inequality is a common ingredient of rebellion in societies. South Africa, with the largest and most advanced economy in Africa, will continue to play an important role in regional and global affairs. Similar to many economies in Africa, the positive growth in South Africa is yet to translate quickly into significant poverty reduction due to deep-rooted problems such as high unemployment, stark inequality and structural barriers. A comprehensive study that helps broaden access to innovative and cutting edge analytical work on the dynamics and drivers of economic and social inequalities in the most advanced economy in Africa would make a significant contribution to efforts to sustain the growth momentum in the medium to longer term in order to reach desired changes in poverty level.
The study findings will serve as an important tool of policy renewal process in several dimensions of human development by raising the quality of the policy debates on policy options to address the drivers of economic and social inequalities. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa plans to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics and drivers of social and economic inequalities in South Africa. The study will facilitate collaborative, cutting-edge analytical work on the effects of social and economic inequalities on economic development in South Africa. The study will provide a comprehensive report that specifically explores the various interconnections between various dimensions of economic and social inequalities over the long term, and the challenges and policy options required to address social and economic inequalities in South Africa.
To carry out the study, the UNDP Country Office in South Africa will work with the critical stakeholders in South Africa such as the Department of Economic Development, Statistics South Africa, the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Youth Development Agency, the National Planning Commission and selected Provincial Governments in the nine provinces that make up the country namely, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Limpopo.
First, inequality matters for both poverty and growth. Increased inequality for a given level of average income, education, health or land ownership will almost always lead to higher levels of both absolute and relative deprivations in these dimensions, and lower average growth rates. A highly unequal income distribution is almost always accompanied by high levels of poverty incidence. Hence, a triangular relationship exists between inequality, growth and poverty. Second, inequality matters in what it stands for, the relative well-being of various groups in a society. Inequalities between clearly defined groups (for example, according to ethnicity) can pose national security problem in forms of social unrest, riots, crime, violent conflict and public disturbances.
A perceived sense of inequality is a common ingredient of rebellion in societies. South Africa, with the largest and most advanced economy in Africa, will continue to play an important role in regional and global affairs. Similar to many economies in Africa, the positive growth in South Africa is yet to translate quickly into significant poverty reduction due to deep-rooted problems such as high unemployment, stark inequality and structural barriers. A comprehensive study that helps broaden access to innovative and cutting edge analytical work on the dynamics and drivers of economic and social inequalities in the most advanced economy in Africa would make a significant contribution to efforts to sustain the growth momentum in the medium to longer term in order to reach desired changes in poverty level.
The study findings will serve as an important tool of policy renewal process in several dimensions of human development by raising the quality of the policy debates on policy options to address the drivers of economic and social inequalities. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in South Africa plans to develop a deeper understanding of the dynamics and drivers of social and economic inequalities in South Africa. The study will facilitate collaborative, cutting-edge analytical work on the effects of social and economic inequalities on economic development in South Africa. The study will provide a comprehensive report that specifically explores the various interconnections between various dimensions of economic and social inequalities over the long term, and the challenges and policy options required to address social and economic inequalities in South Africa.
To carry out the study, the UNDP Country Office in South Africa will work with the critical stakeholders in South Africa such as the Department of Economic Development, Statistics South Africa, the Department of Trade and Industry, the National Youth Development Agency, the National Planning Commission and selected Provincial Governments in the nine provinces that make up the country namely, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State, Northern Cape, Gauteng, North West, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Limpopo.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Economic Advisor in South Africa, the Consultant will be responsible for the following:
- Prepare a situation analysis of the dynamics and drivers of social and economic inequalities in South Africa;
- Undertake an initial scoping exercise to identify sources of data and information, including surveys, development plans and reviews on social and economic inequalities in South Africa;
- Work with the UNDP Economic Advisor to enhance capacities of both national and provincial governments to develop coherent policy responses to the drivers of economic and social inequalities in South Africa;
- Facilitate collaborative, cutting-edge analytical work on the effects of social and economic inequalities on economic development in South Africa;
- Liaise with different stakeholders and partners including: relevant national and provincial government offices, UN specialized agencies, bi-/multi-lateral agencies, private sector associations and civil society groups (including those representing women, minority groups and marginalized people) to provide a credible, home-grown, and authoritative voice in improvement in the data systems on inequality statistics and analysis to facilitate evidence-based policy formulation and decision;
- Identify policy constraints that have constrained South Africa’s ability to tackle social and economic inequalities;
- Facilitate high-level policy dialogue forum with experts and stakeholders inside and outside government to disseminate the key findings and generate necessary understanding for appropriate policy reforms;
- Assist UNDP South Africa in the preparation of a UNDP Country Office programme on strengthening national and provincial capacities to address social and economic inequalities in South Africa.
- Output 1: Study report on the dynamics and drivers of economic and social inequalities in South Africa;
- Output 2: Study report on the effects of social and economic inequalities on economic development in South Africa;
- Output 3: Capacity development of relevant national and provincial stakeholders to develop coherent policy; responses to the drivers of inequality and improve the data systems on inequality statistics and analysis to facilitate evidence-based policy formulation and decision;
- Output 4: High-level policy dialogue forum with experts and stakeholders inside and outside government.
Competencies
- Excellent knowledge of the country’s context especially the development dynamics and the working environment;
- Good knowledge and understanding of inequality, human development and the international development agenda with a demonstrated expertise in the triangular relationship between inequality, growth and poverty;
- Strong organizational and planning skills and proven experience in supporting development planning, including through the conduct of public policy assessments;
- Knowledge of, and exposure to, a range of cross-sectoral and cross-cutting issues (such as gender equality, special approaches for addressing the circumstances of marginalized groups, etc.);
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities and perform well under pressure;Excellent interpersonal skills to build and sustain relationships with key constituents (internal/external/bilateral/ multilateral/public/private; civil society and academia);
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and competency in basic editing and proofreading skills; must be detail oriented and organized;
- Knowledge of econometrics and modelling;
- Proficiency in various MS Office applications and other IT applications. Proficiency in STATA software is an asset.
Required Skills and Experience
- Post-graduate degree in economics, development economics, development studies, public policy and/or relevant field of social sciences. A master’s degree minimum. PhD is preferred.
- A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible and relevant experience in the field of economic development, working with development planning processes at the national and provincial levels, preferably in South Africa;
- Proven track record of excellence in development assessments, and record of research work on inequality, poverty and development issues.
- Excellent command in written and spoken English is essential;
- Good ability to communicate in the official language of the country.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.
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