National Consultant - Enhanced Monitoring Mechanism (EMM), Vanuatu

The Committee for Development Policy (CDP), a subsidiary body of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), is mandated to monitor the development progress of countries graduated and graduating from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The Economic Analysis and Policy Division (EAPD) of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) serves as the substantive secretariat of the CDP and supports the Committee in carrying out its mandates, including its work related to LDC graduation and monitoring. The Committee has been implementing the Enhanced Monitoring Mechanism (EMM) (Report of the CDP, E/2026/33, Supplement No. 13), in line with ECOSOC resolution 2026/6 (para. 3), General Assembly resolution 67/221 (para. 21), and the Doha Programme of Action for the LDCs (DPoA; A/RES/76/258, Annex, para. 284). In its capacity as the substantive secretariat of the CDP, EAPD supports the implementation of the EMM by preparing annual monitoring reports to assess development progress and identify signs of possible regression; facilitating consultation meetings between the Committee and the governments concerned; continuously monitoring countries and responding to crises and emergencies under the Crisis Response Process; and recommending strengthened support measures based on monitoring outcomes. The objective of this consultancy is to assist Vanuatu in strengthening its national capacities to implement the EMM by identifying relevant indicators and supporting their integration into national data, monitoring and evaluation frameworks for development planning. At the request of the Government of Vanuatu, EAPD will provide capacity development support to assist national authorities in integrating the EMM into the monitoring and evaluation frameworks of National Development Plans (NDPs) and/or sectoral development plans, as well as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) monitoring. This support will enhance national ownership of the monitoring process, improve the alignment of EMM indicators with national development priorities, and strengthen the country’s capacity to monitor progress after graduation from the list of LDCs. This consultancy is for the UN Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation project, “Technical assistance for integrating the Enhanced Monitoring Mechanism (EMM) into the monitoring and evaluation framework of country National Development Plan” (WBSE: SB-001377.99.12). Work Assignment: The specific responsibilities/tasks are to: Produce and submit an inception report of less than 600 words, describing the methodology and processes to be used in undertaking the work and a detailed work plan. EAPD will provide necessary background information, including relevant CDP reports and the outcome of consultations with the Government and other stakeholders, if any. Produce a report not exceeding 8,000 words which includes the following: a. Building on databases that the CDP uses in its monitoring of Vanuatu (LDC indicators, Supplementary Graduation Indicators, and country-specific higher-frequency indicators contained in the EMM dashboard), identify the most relevant indicators related to the particular vulnerabilities of Vanuatu, their reporting frequency and availability at disaggregated levels; b. Review existing national indicators or systems in place by relevant line ministries to monitor development progress, crises and emergencies; c. Based on the review of the monitoring and reporting system through the EMM and national data and monitoring systems, provide recommendations: - to integrate EMM experience into existing national monitoring systems; and - to utilize existing national systems for reporting by the country to the CDP and others, such as SDG tracking. - Explore and validate whether AI-assisted tools are available for credibly tracking data. - Assist EAPD in organizing a national validation workshop in Port Vila in Q4 2026 by coordinating with the Government and key stakeholders, managing logistical arrangements, and leading the presentation of the report.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in economics, social or environmental studies, international law (trade), natural sciences, development studies, or a related discipline. * At least 8 years’ experience in development policy analysis, including some experience working with LDC country. * Have demonstrated technical/scientific expertise relating to public policy. * Excellent policy analytical, technical, managerial and drafting skills. * Ability to prepare and present reports in English. Languages Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN Language is an advantage.