Objective To develop a set of operational guidelines for the UN system’s support to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in conflict and post-conflict situations, in line with paragraph 301 of the Doha Programme of Action (DPOA). The guidelines will serve as a practical roadmap to enhance the coherence, coordination, and effectiveness of UN system support, ensuring it is tailored to the unique needs of conflict-affected LDCs and aligned with national priorities, UNSDCFs, and the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Special emphasis will be placed on how these interventions can contribute to addressing the structural challenges that impede progress toward LDC graduation. Under the overall guidance of the Team Leader, LDC Unit, Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS) and the direct supervision of a Programme Management Officer, the contractor will be responsible for the following tasks: 1.Conduct a review of existing UN system support to conflict-affected and post-conflict LDCs at global, regional and national levels, including through review of mandates, strategic plans of relevant UN agencies, UNSDCFs and graduation related strategies. 2. Undertake a mapping exercise to identify the existing capacities, gaps and overlaps in the UN system support to conflict and post-conflict LDCs and provide recommendations. 3. Hold consultations with relevant UN entities (members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group on LDCs and beyond), RCs, UNCTs, government representatives and other relevant stakeholders through interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). 4. Prepare draft operational guidelines covering: • Principles and approaches of the operational guidelines for enhanced support to LDCs in order to strengthen the path to sustainable peace and development and graduation • Identify possible areas of cooperation across the main areas of the UN system –to establish a sustainable path to (peacebuilding, institution-building, enhancing resilience, food security, graduation from LDC category. • Modalities for system-wide coordination at global, regional and country levels for LDCs in conflict and post-conflict situation. • Recommended actions, tools and resources 5. Develop annexes, including: • Stakeholder mapping • Monitoring and Evaluation framework The assignment will be carried out over a period of three months, since the commencement of the work. The assignment will require a combination of in-person and virtual consultations with relevant stakeholders, including members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Group for Least Developed Countries. Given the anticipated frequency and intensity of engagement — including an estimated 4-6 consultations, as well as needs-based bilateral discussions in both formal and informal settings — vendors/contractors with a presence in or the capacity to operate effectively in New York are strongly preferred Expected Outputs and Delivery Dates The sequence of outputs will be as follows with concrete deadlines within the stipulated timeline • Draft workplan for feedback from OHRLLS and a number of participating UN agencies • Outline of operational guidelines and methodology • Draft operational guidelines and annexes as mentioned above • Revise and finalize the guidelines and annexes • Final revised document with annexes Performance Indicators • Timely delivery of outputs as per the schedule • Depth and quality of analysis and alignment with the DPOA and relevant UN frameworks, especially conflict and graduation contexts • Responsiveness to feedback from OHRLLS and other stakeholders • Clarity, conciseness, coherence and practicality of the operational guidelines      Specific Requirements/Information The assignment will be undertaken by an institution with proven expertise and a team meeting the following qualifications: • Demonstrated institutional expertise in the peace–development nexus, conflict prevention, sustaining peace, and resilience-building, with a strong understanding of the interlinkages between peace, governance, and sustainable development in LDC contexts. • Extensive experience in supporting UN system coherence and inter-agency coordination, including through analytical mapping, policy frameworks, or operational guideline development for UN entities at global, regional, and country levels. • Proven capacity to conduct evidence-based research and consultations with UN agencies, Resident Coordinators, UN Country Teams, and government counterparts, using participatory and system-wide approaches. • Substantive knowledge of the Doha Programme of Action (DPOA) and its linkages with LDC graduation processes, particularly in conflict-affected and post-conflict settings. • Demonstrated ability to translate policy analysis into operational guidance with clear principles, coordination modalities, and monitoring frameworks. • Strong background in developing practical tools and frameworks that inform UN programming in prevention, peacebuilding, governance, and resilience. • Proficiency in producing high-quality analytical and policy outputs aligned with UN standards of clarity, coherence, and practicality. • Institutional capacity to mobilize a multidisciplinary team, including senior experts in peacebuilding, development economics, governance, and data analysis. This RFI is issued to analyze the suppliers market availability and ascertain capacity for executing the required services. Interested suppliers are asked to provide a company profile (structure, years in business) and supporting documents which includes a detailed provision of the services offered that are relevant to the requirements listed above. Submissions must be e-mailed to Ramona Muresan ([email protected]) on or before the deadline date indicated in the system and must include: (1) Company Profile (2) Supporting/reference documents The email subject should have the RFI reference number and the title of the RFI.