Consultant Macroeconomic Expert
CONSULTANT – MACROECONOMIC EXPERT
Location:Tripoli, Libya (Ministry of Planning)
Type of Contract:Individual Contract
Post Level:International Consultant
Languages Required:English and Arabic
Duration of the Contract:6 months
Level:C-IMS
Project Title:Immediate Assistance to the Libyan Political Dialogue and Government of National Accord (GNA)
Project Description
Libya is experiencing significant political conflict, insecurity and economic challenges five years after the 17 February 2011 Revolution. The overall environment is characterized by deep political polarization, increased institutional uncertainty, continuous violence and growing threat of terrorism.
In accordance with its mandate, UNSMIL has been actively engaged in efforts to mediate a peaceful resolution to Libya's political and institutional crisis and bring an end to the armed conflict. After the 17 December signature of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), the formation of the Government of National Accord (GNA) is an important step towards restoring state institutions in Libya and create the environment and opportunity to reinvigorate the process of Libya's democratic transition.
UNDP is providing substantive and logistical support to UNSMIL to widen the support to the LPA and provide technical assistance to the GNA.
Currently, Libya faces a host of economic difficulties. Falling oil prices worldwide, coupled with unreliable oil output have strained the government’s ability to pay for employees and services. Resuming regular oil exports is of utmost importance.
Equally important however, is planning for the near and long-term future of the Libyan economy. The public sector is the nation’s largest employer and is bloated and inefficient. It is vital that Libya’s civil service is right-sized and streamlined, both to increase effective delivery of services to the public and to reduce costs.
The Ministry of Planning has requested UNDP to recruit a Macroeconomic Expert to provide expert advice and conduct research on macroeconomic issues, with the overall aim to support the GNA to assist in reforming the Libyan economy as a means to help advance the implementation of the Libyan Political Agreement (LPA).
Scope of work
The overall objective of the consultancy will be to support the Ministry of Planning with macroeconomic expertise. The responsibilities of the macroeconomic expert will be to:
- Formulate an Economic Vision for Libya
-Based on extensive meetings with public and private sector representatives identify macroeconomic and socio-political policy challenges, and support the MoP/ GNA to draft an overarching economic vision that reflects the broad national economic policy priorities;
- Identify Economic Policy Priorities
-Formulate high impact Libya wide economic and social sectoral policy priorities in close coordination with relevant line ministries;
-Coordinate the implementation of sectoral policies in close collaboration with relevant line ministries;
-Review policy recommendations from line ministries and ensure that they are in line with national priorities and economic strategies;
-Propose policy initiatives on specific economic issues of urgency that can contribute to the improvement of the overall socio-economic conditions in key sectors;
-Analyze and prepare possibilities and recommendations to reducing the public sector wage bill;
-Respond to ad-hoc requests for economic policy advice, and develop specific background papers on economic issues as required by theMoP / GNA.
- Develop an Economic Diversification Strategy
-Analyze possibilities and prepare broad policy recommendations to ease dependence on oil exports and increase the role and contribution of the private sector to the Libyan economic output;
-Prepare medium and long term policy options to promote infrastructural development, improve the overall business environment, stimulate small and medium sized enterprises, and establish robust education and healthcare systems to improve skill sets and socio-economic development;
- Perform other analytical tasks or any other duties reflecting the overall purpose of supporting the Technical Cooperation Function in the Libyan MoP.
Duration of Work
The contract will be for a period of 6 months,
Duty Station and management arrangements
The consultant will be based at the Ministry of Planning in Tripoli for the duration of the assignment.
The expert will work under the overall guidance of the Director, Technical Cooperation, Ministry of Planning, and will submit end of monthly progress reports with detailed timesheets to the Director, Technical Cooperation, Ministry of Planning, and to the project manager, Political Dialogue project.
Deliverables and Payments
Activities / Estimated Duration to Complete / Payment and approvals- Under the overall guidance of the Director Technical Cooperation,Mop and in close consultation with UNDP, develop anEconomic Vision for Libya
- Under the overall guidance of the Director Technical Cooperation, Mop and in close consultation with UNDP, identify Economic Policy Priorities
- Under the overall guidance of the Director Technical Cooperation, Mop and in close consultation with UNDP, develop an Economic Diversification Strategy
Required Skills and Experience
-Advanced university degree in economics with specialization in macroeconomics, econometrics and/or development economics;
-At least 11 years’ practical experience in the area of macroeconomic and / or development economics;
-Extensive understanding of the economic issues related to development in post-conflict settings;
-Previous experience working with the international development community;
-Experience of working in the MENA region, preferably in Libya a district advantage
-Fluent in written and spoken English and Arabic a necessary requirement