Leaving No One Behind Specialist

UNRCO BTN organization mission TBD

The LNOB Specialist will serve in the Office of the Resident Coordinator (RCO) with the overall goal of enhancing the application of the LNOB Principle throughout all UN programming and operations in Bhutan. The LNOB Specialist is expected to be a person living with a disability.

The assignment takes place at a critical juncture. The United Nations in Bhutan has recently agreed the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2024-2028) with the Royal Government of Bhutan. This is the overarching framework for all UN development assistance in the country. Given the early stages of the implementation of the Framework, a strong push on leaving no one behind, led by the LNOB Specialist, will ensure that the LNOB Principle is thoroughly embedded throughout the implementation and following up of the Cooperation Framework.

Meanwhile, Bhutan is a country undergoing rapid socio-economic change while maintaining its commitment to Gross National Happiness (GNH). Despite progress in poverty reduction, education, and healthcare, inequalities persist, especially for women, rural populations, and persons with disabilities. The LNOB Specialist will work to ensure that LNOB considerations are integrated throughout government planning and action, including under the 13th Five Year Plan.

In this assignment, the UN Volunteer Specialist will contribute to ongoing efforts to promote social inclusion and reduce inequalities across different sectors, particularly focusing on vulnerable populations. The role will involve working closely with UN agencies, government counterparts, civil society organizations, and development partners.

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Office, Office of the RCO Bhutan, the LNOB Specialist will undertake the following tasks:

1. Support to UN Coordination:
• Assist the RCO in coordinating UN efforts in Bhutan to ensure a cohesive approach to LNOB principles, including tackling inequality, fostering alignment between different agencies’ initiatives;
• Provide secretarial services and substantive input to working groups, normative groups and other UN convened meetings and forums;
• Provide inputs into policy, programming, operations and other actions that have LNOB components;
• Other tasks, as directed by the Head of Office or the Resident Coordinator, that support UN coordination.

2. Research and Data Analysis:
• Conduct research on LNOB related issues in Bhutan, including gender, rural-urban divides, disability, and socio-economic status;
• Obtain, analyze and report on data relating to LNOB, including marginalized populations;
• Prepare detailed reports and policy briefs highlighting findings and providing evidence-based recommendations for addressing LNOB priorities.
• Other tasks, as directed by the Head of Office or the Resident Coordinator, that involve research and data analysis;

3. Support to Policy Development:
• Collaborate with government ministries and UN agencies to develop policies aimed at reducing inequality, ensuring alignment with the SDGs and Royal Government of Bhutan’s priorities (13 FYP), with a particular focus on LNOB.
• Provide technical support in drafting and refining national policies that ensure an LNOB approach, with attention to social inclusion, especially for disadvantaged groups.
• Assist in reviewing existing national policies through an LNOB, inequality and inclusion lens, identifying areas for improvement, and suggesting relevant amendments.
• Other tasks, as directed by the Head of Office or the Resident Coordinator, that support policy development.

Results/expected outputs:

As an active RCO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the RCO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including:
• Enhanced integration and application of LNOB principles throughout UN coordination;
• High-quality research and data analysis on LNOB principles applied to development planning and policies in Bhutan;
• Enhanced application of LNOB principles throughout policy development in Bhutan.