Outputs and target due dates
1 Inception report detailing the work plan, methodology and timeline of delivery for the consultancy assignment (07 October 2022)
2 Design and launch a programme contributing to the effective implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan (03 November 2022)
3 Submit the first draft of the action plan for the creative industry roadmap, including the results monitoring framework
(15 December 2022)
4 Submit the criteria in selecting cities participating in the designed programme supporting the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan; submit city-level good practices in enhancing resilience and innovations of MSMEs in the creative industry sector (31 January 2023)
5 Submit the final draft of the action plan for the creative industry roadmap, including the results monitoring framework, with inclusive stakeholder inputs and the final consultancy report with strategic recommendations to elevate the impact and sustainability of the creative industry roadmaps and the designed programme supporting the implementation of the Philippine Creative Industries Development Plan (28 February 2023)
Manila, the Philippines
The consultancy will last from 01 October 2022 to 28 February 2023.
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are the engine of job creation, economic growth, and poverty reduction in the Philippines. The 2021 Updating of the List of Establishments by the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that there were 1,080,638 registered business enterprises operating throughout the country. Of these, 1,076,122 (99.58%) are MSMEs and the remaining 4,516 (0.42%) were large enterprises. Together, these MSMEs generated a total of 5,380,815 jobs, or 62.66% of the country’s total employment in 2020.
The economic impact of the creative industry is critical. In 2021, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI)-Competitiveness and Innovations Group (CIG) estimated that the sector reached a minimum value-added of USD 7.6 Billion, which was 7.12% of the total gross value-added, attributed to core creative activities based on its 2017 performance. Furthermore, the 2021 estimates of the DTI foresee 5.02 million jobs or equivalent to 11.6% of the total national employment signifies the continuing job and opportunity creation that the MSME sector contributes to our macroeconomic well-being. The sector also plays a significant role in Philippine trade with creative goods and creative services, amounting to USD 4.2 Billion in 2021 and accounting for 6.57% of total trade volume of the country. The average growth in total creative goods exports is estimated to be 11.3% (from 2015 to 2019). Comprising mostly with MSMEs, the creative industry sector in the Philippines is diverse and critical to national economic growth. The sector has significant impact on export earnings, income and job creation, particularly among women and youth. The sector is a critical agent in realizing the inclusive and sustainable development in the Philippines from economic, social and environmental perspectives. It possesses considerable potential for inclusive economic growth and innovation in the Philippines. .
However, the creative industry sector and MSMEs active in this sector area vulnerable to economic shocks and uncertainties from disasters, especially the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters. The World Risk Index ranks the Philippines as 8th in the world in its vulnerability against natural disasters. Combined with the unexpected effects of the recent typhoon, volcanic eruption, and earthquake that affected many parts of the country, the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to implement robust policies and good practices aimed at strengthening MSME resilience, especially among women and young entrepreneurs in the creative industry. From 2020 to 2021, a total of 138,843 recorded establishments, including both MSMEs and large enterprises, permanently closed and temporarily stopped operation status which affected 565,446 workers.
In this context, DSDG/UNDESA requires the services of a consultant to support the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Philippines in strengthening capacities of women and youth-owned Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in the creative industry sector in the Philippines and elevating their resilience to economic shocks and uncertainties. This is a national consultancy assignment based in Manila, the Philippines. Recruitment of the consultancy is therefore on a local basis. Only nationals from the Philippines will be considered.
Under the overall supervision of UNDESA, the national consultant will be engaged in the following tasks:
• Formulate a policy action plan to implement the creative industry roadmap, and that is linked to the capacity development needs of MSME entrepreneurs in the creative industry to accelerate the progress towards the areas of poverty reduction (SDG 1), inclusive economic growth and decent work (SDG 8), as well as making communities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11). At the national level, the policy action plan will support achieving the common objectives of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, MSME Development Plan 2017-2022, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Plan 2020-2030, draft Creative Economy Roadmap 2030, and the pending Philippine Creative Industries Development Act.
• Support and enable national and local government agencies to be involved in the formulation and implementation of creative industry roadmap for innovations that would rebuild the creative industry stronger to enhance income and create jobs and stimulate inclusive development across the country.
• Provide policy recommendations to strengthen the creative industry roadmap and expand its contributions to the creative industry to achieving SDGs in the Philippines.
Academic Qualifications: Master’s degree or equivalent in economic studies, sustainable development, development studies, with experience in the creative industry sector, or related field. In lieu of an advanced degree, a Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of experience in a related field are acceptable
Experience: a. A minimum of five (5) years of experience in consultancy service on MSME related issues with focuses on the creative industry sector. Must be familiar with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) development in the creative industry sector and their contributions to achieving the SDGs in the Philippines. Experience with management of data collection, analysis and technical reporting is required.
b. Solid experience providing senior-level policy advice and strategic analysis on the identification of focuses and priorities to enhance policy impact on strengthening MSME resilience at national and sub-national levels in the Philippines. Solid experience in preparing inter-agency, inter-departmental coordinating, reporting, and providing policy advisory services for the implementation of sustainable development policies in the country.
Language: Excellent research, analytical, technical writing and communication skills. Good command of English is required, ability to communicate with local language is desirable
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.