Consultant for the Development Account on Quality Assurance of Projects

Result of ServiceThe consultant will be expected to support the quality assurance of 28 project documents of the 18th tranche and 28 concept notes of the 19th tranche proposed for funding from the DA. Work LocationRemote / On-site Expected duration7 months with the possibility of an extension. Duties and ResponsibilitiesBackground and Objectives The Development Account (DA) is a capacity development programme of the United Nations (UN) Secretariat aimed at enhancing capacities of developing countries in the priority areas of the UN Development Agenda. The DA is funded from the Secretariat’s regular budget and implemented by 10 entities of the UN Secretariat (DESA, UNCTAD, UNEP, UN-Habitat, UNODC, ECA, ECE, ECLAC, ESCAP and ESCWA). The Account is an important vehicle for linking the normative and analytical work of these entities to operational activities, and for building synergies and cooperation between the entities, drawing on the strengths and comparative advantages of each, and in cooperation with the RCOs. The Account is a critical funding source for supporting developing countries address their capacity development priorities, facilitating the development of national policies, and is centred on the principles of sustainable development and the integration of its three dimensions (economic, social, and environmental). The DA Team is seeking to recruit a consultant to strengthen the quality assurance of projects proposed for funding from the Account, as part of an overall goal to deliver the projects in an efficient and effective manner for sustained capacity development results at country level. Work Assignment The consultant is expected to support the quality assurance of projects proposed for funding from the DA, under the overall guidance of the Senior Programme Management Officer. The work will be shared with the Programme Management Officer. The tasks will include the following: a. Conduct quality assurance of 28 project documents of the 18th tranche that are being developed based on the proposals included in the 2026 Proposed Programme Budget for finalization by end of 2025: (i) Review, analyze and draft comments on the initial drafts of project documents submitted by the entities to ensure that the projects adhere to the requirements of the DA guidelines, and are demand driven, logically and technically sound to achieve concrete and sustainable capacity building results in the target countries; (ii) Provide additional feedback on the initial and revised drafts of project documents, including through emails and Teams calls to ensure that the project documents are finalized in accordance with the required quality standards; and (iii) Collaborate with the Programme Management Officer in developing a workplan and tracking mechanism with clear milestones and timelines to complete the task within the time frame, and report regularly on the progress to the Senior Programme Management Officer. b. Review 28 concept notes for the 19th tranche to be submitted by the ten DA implementing entities in November 2025, and assist with the development of a short list and the quality assurance of the short-listed project proposals to be included in the 2027 Proposed Programme Budget, which will be finalized by mid-March 2026: (i) Review, analyze and draft comments on the initial drafts of concept notes to ensure that the projects adhere to the requirements of the DA guidelines and are demand driven, logically and technically sound; (ii) Provide additional feedback on the initial and revised drafts of concept notes, including through emails and Teams calls to ensure that the concept notes of the short-listed projects are finalized in accordance with the required quality standards; and (iii) Collaborate with the Programme Management Officer in developing a workplan and tracking mechanism with clear milestones and timelines to complete the task within the time frame, and report regularly on the progress to the Senior Programme Management Officer. c. Other duties as given by the Senior Programme Manager. Qualifications/special skillsThe consultant should have an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in economics, management, social sciences or related field. A relevant first-level university degree with additional 2 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. The consultant needs to have a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in project or programme management, evaluation or related area, including at the international level is required. Experience in economic and social development is required. Experience in the United Nations System, or any other comparable international or regional organization is desirable. LanguagesFluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official UN 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.