International Consultant - Feasibility Study for the Establishment of a Joint UN Fund in Kazakhstan (2026–2027)

Result of Service

DELIVERABLES AND PRELIMINARY TIMELINE The consultant will submit an Inception Report containing the refined methodology, workplan, and analytical framework by 10 April 2026. The Preliminary Findings will be delivered on 25 April 2026 and will present the interim analysis, key findings, and potential design options. The UNCT Review will take place by 4 May 2026, during which the UNCT will provide feedback to be incorporated into the report. The assignment will conclude with the Final Report, a comprehensive feasibility study with annexes and recommendations, to be submitted by 20 May 2026.

Work Location

Remote

Expected duration

2 month (20 days)

Duties and Responsibilities

BACKGROUND The UN Country Team (UNCT) in Kazakhstan endorsed the Resource Mobilization and Partnership Strategy (RMPS) 2026–2030 in January 2026. The RMPS provides a unified framework to strengthen coordination, diversify financing sources, and expand strategic partnerships in support of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2026–2030. Responding to Kazakhstan’s evolving development context as an upper-middle-income country with ambitious national reform priorities, the RMPS positions the UN system as a strategic partner, convener, and catalyst for financing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To operationalize the RMPS, the UNCT approved an action plan for 2026. A central action under this plan is the initiation of a feasibility study to assess the establishment of a joint UN fund in Kazakhstan during 2026–2027. The proposed joint fund would aim to serve as a strategic, multi-year financing platform designed to incentivize joint programming, reduce transaction costs, enhance predictability of resources, and strengthen alignment between national priorities and UNSDCF outcomes. The feasibility study will also assess whether the proposed mechanism should be structured as a country-level pooled fund, a Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) administered through the UN MPTF Office, or an alternative hybrid modality. COUNTRY CONTEXT Kazakhstan’s development financing landscape is characterized by a strong domestic resource base, increasing fiscal constraints, and evolving national priorities aligned with the 2030 Agenda. While significant progress has been made in areas such as poverty reduction, education, and digital transformation, recent assessments point to uneven SDG progress, particularly in climate action, gender equality, and environmental sustainability. Public financing remains the main source of development funding, and government cost-sharing arrangements with UN agencies continue to enable policy advice and technical assistance. However, these arrangements are increasingly affected by procedural complexity and annual budget-cycle limitations. IFI engagement is primarily loan-based, with grant financing remaining limited but expanding in selected sectors such as climate resilience, digitalization, and human capital development. Access to global vertical funds and private sector financing remains underutilized and requires stronger coordination, pipeline development, and institutional arrangements. In addition, evolving fiscal consolidation measures and prioritization within national budgets may limit flexibility for multi-year cost-sharing unless structured through more predictable instruments. Against this backdrop, the proposal to establish a joint UN fund emerged from stakeholders’ interviews during the RMPS development process. The study will therefore examine how a joint fund could complement — rather than duplicate — existing financing instruments and enhance the UN’s comparative advantage in integrated policy support. PURPOSE The purpose of this feasibility study is to assess the viability, added value, and optimal design options for establishing a joint UN fund in Kazakhstan to support the implementation of the UNSDCF 2026–2030. The study will: 1. Assess the strategic rationale and demand for a joint UN fund within Kazakhstan’s development and financing context; 2. Analyze potential fund models (e.g. pooled fund, multi-partner trust fund, blended financing window) and identify the most suitable option(s); 3. Examine governance, management, fiduciary, and accountability arrangements in line with UN rules and regulations; 4. Identify potential funding sources, including government co-financing, IFIs, bilateral donors, private sector, and philanthropic partners; 5. Assess risks, opportunities, and sustainability considerations, including political economy and institutional capacity; 6. Provide clear, actionable recommendations and an indicative roadmap for establishment and operationalization (2026–2027), or alternative options if a joint fund is not deemed feasible. SCOPE OF WORK The consultancy is expected for 20 days within the period 1 April 2026 – 20 May 2026 and will include, but not be limited to: • Desk review of relevant strategic documents (UNSDCF, RMPS, INFF, national development strategies, comparable UN joint funds); • Analysis of existing financing mechanisms and lessons learned from comparable country contexts; • Develop design options for a joint fund and assess potential operational requirements; • Finalize the feasibility study narrative. The report is expected to be approximately 30 pages (including graphs, as needed) and meet standards for a strong analytical product (clear structure, logical flow, clarity, and appropriate referencing). Validate findings with the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) and the UN Country Team (UNCT). METHODOLOGY The consultant is expected to apply a mixed-methods approach, combining: • Desk review and analytical assessment; • Qualitative stakeholder consultations (interviews and/or focus groups); • Comparative analysis of international best practices; • Political economy and risk analysis; • Gender equality, human rights, and environmental sustainability lenses throughout the analysis. A detailed methodology and workplan will be proposed by the consultant and finalized during the inception phase. MANAGMENT AND COORDINATION The consultancy will be managed by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) in consultation with the UNCT. PAYMENT SCHEDULE The consultant will receive 20 percent of the payment upon contract signature. An additional 30 percent will be released upon approval of the Inception Report. The remaining 50 percent will be paid upon approval of the Final Report.

Qualifications/special skills

- Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in social sciences, development studies, economics, international relations, or a related field is required - At least 10 years of relevant professional experience, including work in sustainable development analysis, financing instruments, or development cooperation with international organizations is required - Demonstrated expertise in financing for development, pooled funding mechanisms, RBM, gender equality, and human rights-based approaches is required - Strong understanding of the SDGs and UN development system, preferably in middle-income country contexts is desirable - Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills are desirable

Languages

Language Requirements - Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Russian is an asset.

Additional Information

The evaluation of the consultant will be conducted using a cumulative analysis or combined evaluation method, which considers both technical and financial aspects. A contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer: 1. Meets all minimum technical requirements, and 2. Receives the highest combined score based on the following weighted criteria: • Technical Evaluation: 70%, • Financial Evaluation: 30%. Payments will be linked to the deliverables and made upon the consultant’s satisfactory completion and approval of each output. ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES The consultant must have their own laptop and other necessary technical equipment to complete the assignment. All documents produced during the consultancy period will be treated as confidential, and the rights to distribute and/or publish them shall reside solely with the United Nations. Applicants shall submit: • CV(s) and sample(s) of relevant previous work; • Technical proposal outlining approach, methodology, and workplan; • Financial proposal (inclusive of all costs).

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.