Recruitment of an Individual Consultant for Rwanda LDC Graduation Assessment

UNDP
Recruitment of an Individual Consultant for Rwanda LDC Graduation Assessment Call for individual consultants

Reference: UNDP-RWA-00419
Beneficiary countries or territories: Rwanda
Registration level: Basic
Published on: 16-Sep-2026
Deadline on: 22-Sep-2026 06:00 (GMT -4.00)
Description

 Recruitment of an Individual Consultant to assess the Implications of Least Developed Country (LDC) Graduation for Rwanda, funded by UNRCO/UNDP and managed by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN).


Submission type/ Category:

Rwandan nationals based in Rwanda with demonstrated knowledge of LDC graduation topics, international trade, development finance and economic development in Rwanda

Job Title:

Individual Consultant

Duty station

Kigali, Rwanda

Reporting to:

Chief Economist a.i., MINECOFIN

Type of contract:

Individual Consultant Contract (Local)

Expected starting date:

October 1, 2026

Duration

35 days (retainer) 1st October – 18th December

 

1.     Background


Rwanda reached an important development milestone in 2024 by meeting the eligibility thresholds for graduation from the United Nations category of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) for the first time, at the March 2024 triennial review of the Committee for Development Policy (CDP). Rwanda met two of the three graduation criteria — the Human Assets Index and the Economic and Environmental Vulnerability Index — while remaining below the income threshold. In line with established United Nations procedures, Rwanda will be considered for a possible recommendation for graduation at the next triennial review in March 2027, provided that the criteria are met again and that the broader assessment supports a sustainable graduation pathway.

 

      Rwanda is in the same graduation cohort as Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania, both of which also met the criteria for the first time in 2024. While this progress reflects sustained efforts in economic and social development, the period leading to the 2027 review is critical: graduation is not a technical or statistical exercise alone; it requires preparation both for the review process itself and for the transition beyond LDC status.

     If recommended for graduation in 2027, Rwanda would, in line with CDP practice for vulnerable and first-time graduating economies, likely be granted an extended five-year preparatory period before graduation formally takes effect (following endorsement by ECOSOC and the General Assembly) — meaning graduation could take effect around 2030 or later, depending on the transition period effectively granted.

 

Graduation carries both opportunities and risks, including the phased withdrawal of LDC-specific international support measures in trade (e.g., preferential market access, the WTO Services Waiver, and de minimis TRIPS flexibilities), finance (concessional financing terms and access to LDC-specific funds) and technical cooperation.

At the request of the Government of Rwanda, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator will engage UNDP to recruit, on behalf of the UNCT, an individual consultant to provide technical

advisory support to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) in preparing Rwandas self-assessment of the LDC graduation process.

2.     Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to support the Government of Rwanda, through MINECOFIN, in preparing an evidence-based assessment of Rwanda’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status. The assignment should determine what Rwanda stands to gain or lose from graduation, quantify where feasible the magnitude of potential impacts, identify which risks require policy intervention, and recommend a sequenced set of measures that Government should implement before, during and after graduation.

 

This activity contributes to strengthening policy and institutional measures that support inclusive economic transformation, economic diversification, resilience, and access to sustainable development finance. Through technical analysis, stakeholder consultations, and the preparation of an assessment report, the assignment will help safeguard Rwanda’s long-term development financing prospects, and support economic transformation priorities.

 

3.     Objectives of the Assignment Overall Objective

To support the Government of Rwanda in undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the implications of graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status and in preparing an evidence-based self-assessment of a potential graduation.



4. Scope of Work


The individual consultant will provide technical advisory support to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) to prepare and support Rwanda’s own self-assessment of the LDC graduation process, considering the international support measures for LDCs, including opportunities, risks, and options to support a smooth transition. 

 

Proposal should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.

Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging functionality in the portal. UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.


http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org  using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders.  Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.


Procurement Unit 

Rwanda CO


Email address: procurement.rw@undp.org
Surname: Procurement Unit