Result of Service

An evidence-based policy paper of about 25-30 pages that will illustrate how the role of governance and strong institutions, or absence thereof, have implications for economic development, peace and security in Africa. These findings can support members states in developing strong governance structures and institutions which can be the basis for their economic growth and development as well as promoting promote peace, security, and stability.

Work Location

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Expected duration

6 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The study will focus on selected country case studies to illustrate how the role of governance and strong institutions, or absence thereof, have implications for economic development, peace, and security in Africa. It will demonstrate cross-country experiences with a view to providing policies and strategies that may be emulated. The study will focus on.
a) The nature and capacity of governance systems and institutions, at the national and sub-national levels, and how they promote peace, security, and stability in African countries or otherwise.
b) How governance and institutions underpin sustained economic growth and development.
c) The inclusivity of governance systems, including the role of youth and women, the importance of space for policy dialogue, as well as oversight and accountability mechanisms, and how such makes for collective ownership of development processes and outcomes.
d) Draw comparative experiences from various countries and regions including outside Africa on how strong institutions and capable governance systems have facilitated economic development in those countries and regions- the lessons, opportunities, and policy options.
e) Develop policy guidelines and recommendations for building capacity and leveraging on strong governance structures and institutions

Qualifications/special skills

PhD in Political Science, Public Administration, Economics, development studies, International Relations/Affairs, or any related social science field is required.
A minimum of Ten (10) years of professional or teaching experience on research and policy analysis on governance and institution building issues
An excellent track record of publications in political and socio-economic development, conflict resolution, peace and security, human rights and related issues on Africa
Proven experience of research and policy analysis on governance and institution building issues

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this consultancy, fluency in English is required. Working language of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Additional Information

The ECA, UNOAU and the AU Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security in partnership, are conducting two studies with a view to providing policy support, advice and recommendations to African governments, policy makers, and other key stakeholders in improving governance and institutional capacity to promote economic development in Africa, and to enhance the role of youth in post conflict reconstruction and development in Africa. The themes of the two studies are on: “Governance, Institutions and Economic Development in Africa”. and the other is on the “Role of Youth in Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development in Africa”. ECA is to lead the preparation of the former study, in collaboration with the AU and UNOAU, while UNOAU is to lead on the latter, with the active partnership with the AU and ECA. The present TOR is on the former study.
BACKGROUND
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the African continent witnessed unprecedented economic growth over the last two decades. Year after year, it dominated the ten fastest growing regional economies globally. The continent was deemed as being uniquely positioned to take advantage of a new global economic pattern and seize the opportunity for generating and maintaining growth to improve the socio-economic conditions of its people. This was demonstrated by the coming together of 55 African countries for the launch and signing of the agreement on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) at the 10th Extraordinary Meeting of the Heads of State of the African Union on 21 March 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. Once implemented, this would make the AfCFTA the largest free trade area in the world.
Notwithstanding, Africa’s commodity-led boom of the millennium has been unsuccessful in advancing domestic goals and objectives or building sustainable and resilient economies. In 2020, this became evident by Africa’s inability to withstand the multiple global shocks, including food and energy crises, rising inflation, debt tightening, transboundary issues, as well as the climate emergency. The extent of these socio-economic vulnerabilities was further complicated in terms of the recovery process by the Russia – Ukraine war radically increasing the number of people in Africa living in extreme poverty by 18 million in 2022. Since the pandemic, Africa’s growth trajectory has decelerated.
It is evident that governance and institutional capacity are central to economic growth and prosperity. Governance provides the environmental context for institutions to flourish and be strengthened, necessary for creating predictable rules, processes, and incentives for economic actors to operate. A stable and thriving market environment is usually underpinned by political stability and capable institutions. Institutions set the rules, regulate market conduct, support market actors, and adjudicate in market conflicts and competition. Furthermore, public institutions provide the basic social services that support the operation of the market. The rule of law, due process, predictable administration, and foresighted leadership, which are all components of governance, are essential for a good market environment and economic development.
Indeed, some scholars have argued that nations fail because of the nature, capacity, and resilience of institutions, which is a function of the governance systems and quality of leadership and direction for countries. As such, the key questions that this study will focus upon are; what is the relationship between governance, the capacity of institutions and the engendering of peace, security, stability, and economic development in Africa? What are the differing experiences of African countries? What does the empirical evidence demonstrate in this regard? How can governance systems and institutions support the process of accelerating the realization of Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030 by promoting inclusive growth, rapid economic development and fostering a socio-political environment of peace, stability, and security? What are the key policy recommendations to support countries in improving the nature of their governance systems, capacity of institutions and accelerating economic development in Africa? The foregoing constitutes the subject matter and problematique of this policy study.

RATIONALE

With the goals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reaching its midpoint towards expiration, in the face of increasing and multifaceted global challenges the African continent is unlikely to meet the global frameworks/goals of Agenda 2030. These concerns are raising alarms bells all over and a consensus is emerging that the current development models in Africa are not fit for the purpose towards implementing activities and programmes for Africa’s sustainable transformation.

The trend of democratic reversals in Africa and the increasing challenge of peace and security are likely to have daunting effects on economic development and the prospects of achieving the SDGs. Peace and security are sine-qua-non for development and vice versa. Durable stability lies in sustained and inclusive economic growth, structural transformation through the elaboration of national development strategies which integrate appropriate macroeconomic, fiscal, environmental, and social policies. If Africa is to pursue accelerated socio-economic development, it must address continuing trends of inequity, and marginalization a critical condition for sustainable growth and development as well as peace and security. Achieving peace, security and economic development must be based on sound governance systems that is accountable, people oriented, and service driven, with capable state institutions which are the major anchors of state performance and delivery. Wherever institutions are weak, and governance is poor, the capacity to promote peace, security and economic development is likely to dwindle remarkably.
To rescue the SDGs, the UN has been tasked with providing a focused and coherent capacity development support to build and strengthen the capabilities of member states and pan-African institutions to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. In line with this new mandate, ECA and UNOAU are partnering with the African Union to undertake an analysis and provide a fresh new perspective towards attaining durable accelerated socio-economic development and peace and stability along with an accelerated socio-economic development towards achieving Agenda 2063 and 2030 which is a critical condition for stability in the continent.

Objectives of the Study
The overall objective of this policy study is to explore ways of promoting sustainable development in Africa and achieving the goals of Agenda 2063 and Agenda 2030. As such and to provide a new strategic model to address Africa’s pressing needs on the path to sustainable development, the study will examine the interface of governance systems and institutions in promoting sustained economic growth and development, peace, security, and stability in Africa. The study will draw on the comparative experiences of African countries juxtaposing those that have done relatively well with those that have not, and the rationale behind the differences in the context of their governance systems and institutional capacity. It is essential to identify in concrete details those key state institutions that have transformative capacity and facilitate economic development, peace, security, and stability, and how the governance systems have either reinforced or undermined them and the implications.

No Fee

THE 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.