The United Nations Resident Coordinator System has announced a prestigious international consultancy opportunity for the formulation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2027–2031 for the Maldives. This assignment represents a high-level strategic role within the UN development system and plays a decisive role in shaping the UN’s collective engagement with the Government of Maldives over the next five years.
The UNSDCF is the most important planning and implementation instrument of the UN at the country level, aligning UN agencies, funds, and programmes around national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For senior development professionals, this consultancy offers not only professional recognition but also the opportunity to influence long-term development outcomes in a Small Island Developing State (SIDS).
This article provides a complete, in-depth guide to the consultancy, including background context, responsibilities, deliverables, eligibility criteria, skills required, duration, location, and why this role is significant for international development experts.
About the UNSDCF 2027–2031
The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) is the strategic roadmap guiding how the UN system supports a country’s development agenda. In the Maldives, the new UNSDCF will cover the period 2027–2031, succeeding the current 2022–2026 framework.
Purpose of the UNSDCF
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The UNSDCF:
- Aligns UN support with national development priorities
- Accelerates progress toward the 2030 Agenda and SDGs
- Promotes Leaving No One Behind (LNOB)
- Applies a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)
- Integrates gender equality, sustainability, resilience, and climate action
- Ensures coherence across UN agencies through shared results and accountability mechanisms
The framework is informed by:
- Country Analysis (CA)
- Independent evaluations
- Voluntary National Review (VNR 2023)
- UNCT Gender Scorecard
- Business Operations Strategy (BOS 2.0)
- UN reform and UN 2.0 principles
Role Overview: International Consultant (UNSDCF Maldives)
The UN is recruiting one International Consultant to lead and facilitate the entire UNSDCF formulation process. The consultant will work closely with:
- UN Resident Coordinator
- Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO)
- UNSDCF Technical Team (UNTT)
- UN Country Team (UNCT)
- Government counterparts and stakeholders
Duty Station
- Malé, Maldives (with both remote and in-country assignments)
Contract Type
- International Individual Consultant (CON)
Duration
- 15 February 2026 to 30 May 2026
Deadline to Apply
- 3 February 2026
Key Responsibilities and Duties
The consultant’s responsibilities are strategic, analytical, and facilitative in nature. They are aligned with official UN Cooperation Framework Internal Guidance.
1. Desk Review and Inception Report
The assignment begins with a comprehensive desk review of:
- National development strategies
- Country Analysis (CA)
- Previous UNSDCF evaluations
- Sectoral policies and frameworks
Deliverable:
An Inception Report outlining:
- Methodological approach
- Detailed work plan
- Timeline aligned with the UNSDCF roadmap
2. Internal UN Visioning and Strategic Analysis
The consultant will facilitate internal UN processes, including:
- Comparative advantage and capacity analysis of UN agencies
- SWOT and root-cause analysis
- Collaborative development of the overall Theory of Change
These sessions ensure the framework reflects the UN’s unique value proposition in the Maldives.
3. Strategic Planning and Prioritization
One of the most critical tasks is leading strategic prioritization dialogues, capturing inputs to define:
- Priority development areas
- Expected outcomes and outputs
- Thematic focus aligned with national and global priorities
This step ensures focus, realism, and impact in the framework.
4. Drafting the UNSDCF Document
The consultant will draft the full UNSDCF narrative, following official UN guidance and structure, including:
- Development context and justification
- Strategic priorities
- Theory of Change
- Results framework
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) arrangements
- Governance and coordination structures
The draft must ensure policy coherence, results-based management, and alignment with UN reform principles.
5. Results Matrix Development
A core technical responsibility includes developing the Results Matrix, covering:
- Outcome and output indicators
- Baselines and targets
- Means of verification
- Alignment with SDGs and national indicators
This matrix forms the backbone of accountability and performance tracking.
6. Validation Workshop
The consultant will organize and facilitate a multi-stakeholder validation workshop, involving:
- Government ministries
- Development partners
- Civil society
- UN agencies
- Other national and non-state actors
Feedback from this workshop must be systematically integrated into a revised final draft.
7. Support to UN Country Team Configuration
The consultant will support:
- Optimization of UNCT structures
- Governance and coordination arrangements
- Resource and capacity alignment for effective UNSDCF implementation
Deliverables and Timeline
| Deliverable | Description | Modality | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deliverable 1 | Inception Report | Remote | 28 Feb 2026 |
| Deliverable 2 | UN Visioning & Comparative Advantage Report | Remote | 15 Mar 2026 |
| Deliverable 3 | Strategic Prioritization Workshop Report | In-country | 2 Apr 2026 |
| Deliverable 4 | First Draft UNSDCF | Remote | 20 Apr 2026 |
| Deliverable 5 | Validation Workshop & Revised Draft | In-country | 10 May 2026 |
Required Qualifications
Education
- Master’s degree or equivalent in:
- Development Studies
- Economics
- Social Sciences
- Public Policy
- International Relations
- Related fields
Professional Experience
- Minimum 12 years of progressively responsible experience in:
- Strategic planning
- Development cooperation
- Policy analysis
- Results-based management
- Strong preference for experience within:
- UN system
- International development organizations
- Proven track record in:
- UNSDCF or UNDAF formulation
- Country Analyses
- Multi-agency strategic frameworks
Technical Expertise
- Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE)
- Leaving No One Behind (LNOB)
- Environmental sustainability and resilience
- SDG localization, monitoring, and reporting
- Familiarity with latest UNSDCF Guidance
- Knowledge of UN reform and Resident Coordinator system
Desirable Experience
- Experience in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
- Prior work experience in the Maldives
- Strong facilitation of inclusive, participatory consultations
Language Requirements
- Excellent written and spoken English
- Knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage
Travel Requirements
The assignment includes two in-country missions:
- Strategic Prioritization Workshop (March–April 2026)
- Validation Workshop (May 2026)
Each mission is approximately 5 days.
Why This Consultancy Is Important
This consultancy is not a routine UN assignment. It directly influences:
- National SDG acceleration pathways
- UN strategic positioning in the Maldives
- Long-term policy coherence and development financing
- Integration of climate resilience, digital transformation, and social inclusion
For senior consultants, this role enhances:
- Global UN portfolio credibility
- Exposure to UN system-wide coordination
- Strategic leadership recognition
Application and Selection Notes
- No application fee is charged at any stage
- The UN never requests bank or financial information
- Selection is based on qualifications, experience, and technical fit
Final Thoughts
The International Consultant for UNSDCF Maldives 2027–2031 role is a rare and highly strategic opportunity for seasoned development professionals. It combines policy leadership, stakeholder engagement, and system-wide UN coordination within a forward-looking development agenda.
For experts seeking to shape national development trajectories while working at the highest level of the UN development system, this consultancy represents both impact and prestige.
