Background
The second generation 2009-2012 of the United Nations Development Framework (UNDAF II) is the common strategic framework for the operational activities of the United Nations System (UNS) in Nigeria. The over 1 billion dollar UNDAF provides a collective, coherent and integrated UNS response to the country’s priorities and needs, expressed in the 7-Point Agenda, which is implemented through the Medium Term National Development Plan (NDP) with a long term Vision 20:2020, expected to transform Nigeria to one of the top 20 economies by 2020. Nigeria’s development priorities are expressed within the framework of the MDGs and other commitments, goals and targets of other international conferences, summits, conventions and human rights instruments of the United Nations.The Nigeria UN Country Team (UNCT) is among the 31 UNCTs that were scheduled to start a new UNDAF in January 2013. However, to align the UNDAF II with Nigerian Government’s Vision 20:2020 and its first implementation plan, the UN system and the Government have extended the current UNDAF for additional year to 2013. The UNCT together with the National Planning Commission and relevant partners/stakeholders is planning to commence early roll-out and completion of the next UNDAF to ensure a timely submission of the Country Programme Documents (CPDs) to Agency executive boards in early 2013.
In Nigeria, the Programme Management Team (PMT), which is established by the UN Country Team, is the organ of the UN system in Nigeria for planning and monitoring development policy and programmatic collaboration across resident and non-resident agencies. The PMT represents a key instrument of the UNCT – together with the Operations Management Team (OMT) – in advancing the strategic goal of self-starter “Delivery as One” in Nigeria. In 2011, the PMT developed a broad DaO/UNDAF III process draft road-map, which was approved by UNCT. In order to overcome some of the design and implementation challenges identified during the Mid-term review of UNDAF II, UNCT is determined to build internal capacity to remain relevant to Nigeria by developing smart result matrix and mainstreaming the programming principles of Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) and Results Based Management (RBM) in UNDAF/P III.
Duties and Responsibilities
The Assignment:The UNCT Nigeria has agreed, in principle, to become a self-starter DaO Country by January 2014. In order to translate the UNCT vision into action, the development of UNDAF III is a critical spring board for robust inter-agency work and joint programming. Although the UNCT through PMT has initiated steps toward the realization of this vision, experience from other countries indicates that, the process would require solid technical support for the initial UNDAF/P planning, development and implementation phase. The Country Team is required to apply the five programming principles (human rights-based approach, gender equality, environmental sustainability, result-based management and capacity development), which are intended to strengthen the quality and focus of UN responses to national priorities based on the UN system’s common values and standards. These programming principles constitute a starting point and guide for the country analysis, as well as for all stages of the UNDAF/P formulation, including results planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. The UNCT is therefore seeking a seasoned DaO and UNDAF/P international Consultant(s) with proven experience in UNDAF/P and strategic planning for UN coherence on a retainer basis to support the entire process in Nigeria. The Consultants will come in, on “as-and-when required basis” until the UNDAF/P is completed and UN Coherence progressively enhanced and takes off in Nigeria.
Under the guidance and supervision of the RC/UNCT, the UNDAF & DaO Consultant(s) will assist in the development of the UN Coherence strategy for the UN System in Nigeria. This would entail supporting the development of country analysis, strategic programming, capacity building, the UNDAF/P preparation and implementation management.
Specific Tasks and Deliverables:
Under the direct supervision of the RC/UNCT and in close coordination with the PMT, RC Office, the UNDAF-DaO Task teams and thematic groups, and other relevant stakeholders, the consultant(s) will carry out the following tasks:
Review of the draft simplified Country Analyses (CA). Within the framework of the 5 UN programming principles and underpinned by the DaO concept, the consultant(s) will assess and prepare written comments on the quality of the CA based on the following criteria:
- Quality of analyses of Human Rights-related gaps and emerging Nigerian developmental challenges;
- Quality of analyses on the situation of the country with respect to the standards set in the Millennium Declaration (MD)/MDGs and other internationally agreed development goals and treaty obligations;
- Quality of analyses on patterns of discrimination and inequality, and in describing the situation of excluded groups and those made vulnerable due to the denial of their rights;
- Quality of analyses on capacity assets and gaps/needs at different levels (structures, systems, processes) that must be addressed for national development;
- Quality of analyses on the involvement of non-government stakeholders and on the situation with respect to ensuring the active and meaningful participation of groups subjected to discrimination including the poor, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDS and different groups of women;
- Quality of analyses on the risks of conflict and natural disasters as well as the readiness of the country to respond;
- Provide considered recommendations on the main pillars of UNDAF/P for Nigeria;
- Provide technical input for the planning of the CA validation/strategic prioritization retreat.
- Arriving at a Results Framework and Draft Logframes, division of labour, and finalize the Logframe with UNCT;
- Training Core UN Task team, Government and Partners to lead and support the process in Nigeria;
- Developing key elements for the UNDAF/P Result Matrix.
- Draft the UNDAF/P ( One UN Programme) and finalized UNDAF III;
- Ensure the relevance of the UNDAF: (i) in relation to the issues and their underlying causes, and challenges identified by the CA undertaken at the beginning of the current programme cycle and in the context of national policies and strategies; and (ii) as a reflection of the internationally agreed goals, particularly those in the MD/MDGs, and international norms and standards guiding the work of UN agencies and adopted by UN;
- Ensure that the design and focus of the UNDAF meet the following criteria:
- UNDAF is results-oriented, coherent and a focused framework on the basis of the UN comparative advantages;
- UNDAF results are feasible and linked to agencies’ Country Programmes and projects strategies;
- UNDAF outcomes are realistic given the UNDAF timeframe and resources;
- UNDAF’s responds to the challenges of national capacity development and promotes ownership of programmes by the national partners;
- UNDAF incorporates the 5 programming principles;
- UNDAF integrates the concepts of gender equity and equality, and other cross-cutting issues reflected in programming;
- UNDAF acts as a coordination and partnership framework;
- UNDAF acts as a mechanism to minimize transaction costs of UN support for the government and for the UN agencies;
- UNDAF acts as a framework for the development and implementation of common services, linking security, financial and operational aspects;
- UNDAF Monitoring and Evaluation framework for monitoring progress of UN system response is established in accordance with the MDGR and/or other frameworks as defined by international standards.
- Within the framework of the 5 UN programming principles and underpinned by the DaO concept, the consultant(s) will facilitate and support: the development of the UNDAF Action Plan for the UNDAF;
- Agencies in the preparation of their CPDs and Nigeria CCPD (if required);
- The development of UN consolidated Annual Action Plan for 2014; and
- The setting up of the governance structures for the DaO.
The duration of this consultancy is from May, 2012 to June, 2013 on ‘as and when required basis’ and working days between the contractual period.
Duration Activities Location
May, 2012 (5 work days) Review of the draft of the simplified Country Analyses (CA) Home-based
June-July, 2012 (15 work days) Facilitating and leading the strategic planning workshop Nigeria
July-August,2012 (5 work days) Participate in the drafting of the UNDAF/P Home-Based
Sept. (5 work days) UNDAF III Finalized Home-Based
October, 2012 (5 work days) Support consensus building and validation process Home-based/Nigeria
at Federal and State levels
Oct-Dec (10 work days) Support Agency CPDs and CCPD (UNDAF Action Plan) development Home-based
May-June 2013 (5 work days) Led and support the finalization of 2014 Annual Home-based/Nigeria
Consolidated Work-plan (UNDAF Action Plan) for UNS in Nigeria
Competencies
- Proven coordination skills; solid team management experience and ability to synthesize various reports;
- Strong understanding of different aid modalities and government strategies on ODA and evolving aid effectiveness concepts and principles;
- Experience in HRBA/RBM training;
- Strong programme management skills, proficiency in developing smart UNDAF M&E and Results Frameworks;
- Experience in UN reform planning and UN coherence concepts;
- Understanding of and experience in UNDAF/UNDAP planning;
- Strong understanding of rights-based approaches and experience in undertaking analysis grounded in rights-based approaches;
- Familiarity with the UN system and CCA/UNDAF/P & DaO process;
- Proven ability to provide strategic advice on UNDAF/P in DaO setting;
- Proven ability in leading an UNDAF/P process in DaO environment;
- Excellent analytical skills;
- Excellent English writing and oral skills.
Required Skills and Experience
- A minimum of 15 years’ professional experience in the international development field;
- Doctoral/advanced Degree in Economics, Development Economics, Education or Social Science.