Background

The High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation is scheduled to hold its 17th session on 22 to 25May 2012 in New York. The Committee created on the basis of recommendation 37 of the Buenos Aires Plan of Action for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries, (BAPA) serves as an oversight intergovernmental body responsible for monitoring progress in South-South cooperation. The Committee is also the body charged with the task of setting policies to guide South-South approaches to development.
 
As the substantive secretariat of the HLC, the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation is required to provide both substantive and organizational support to the biennial sessions of the HLC. Under the guidance of the Director and the Chief of the Policy Division, the Senior Consultant is to assist the Special Unit for South-South Cooperation (SU/SSC) in carrying out its functions as the Secretariat of the High-level Committee (HLC) including overseeing protocol, and meeting procedures pertaining to the 17th Session of the HLC.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision and guidance of the Director, the Chief of the Policy Division and the HLC Bureau, the Senior Consultant to the HLC Secretariat is expected to provide support to the Secretariat of the HLC between 1 May and 31 May 2012.
 
Specific Responsibilities: 
  • Prepare Speaking Notes and Script for the President and Chair of the High Level Committee (HLC) for use at both the organizational meeting on 3 May 2012 and during the 17th session of the HLC (22-25 May 2012) as well as  Notes for the Chairman of the Working Group on 24 May 2012 (by end of April 2012).
  • On behalf of the Director, act as the Secretary of the Organizational Session  - 3 May 2012
  • Aassist the President and Rapporteur of the Plenary and Chairman of the Working Group and act as the Secretary of the Plenary and the Working Groups -  24 May 2012.
  • Follow-up on invitation letters to the Chairman (1) of the Group of Latin American and Caribbean States to propose a candidate for the post of President of the 17th HLC session; (ii) of the Group of African States to propose for the post of Rapporteur; and (iii) of the Group of Asian States, the Group of Eastern States and, the Group of Western European and other States for the three Vice-President posts (by end of April).
  • Support Policy Chief in organizing the thematic session of the HLC and in convening meetings of the HLC Bureau.
  • Support Policy Chief in coordinating the in-sessional documents to UN Documents Control and effective follow-up to ensure their timely processing, translation and issuance.
  • Produce the List of participants prior to the HLC and List of Speakers during the session ( to be ready for the HLC report by May 29).
  • Other activities as may be required by the Secretariat.

Competencies

Core Competencies:
  • Leadership
  • Team building
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Negotiation skills
  • Gender sensitivity
  • Excellent communication skills 
Technical and Functional Competencies:
  • Substantive knowledge of the SUSSC broad policy, vision and strategy for promoting South South and triangular cooperation on a global and UN system-wide basis.
  • Credible knowledge of UNDP practice areas.
  • Knowledge of main technical/operational aspects of South South Cooperation.
  • Excellent knowledge of programming processes and work culture in UN agencies, private sector and civil society

Required Skills and Experience

Education:
  • Advanced degree in political studies or international relations or equivalent.

Experience:

  • 20 years of experience in development cooperation
  • In-depth knowledge and first-hand experience in dealing with UN conference matters, ECOSOC and UNDP Executive Board’s meetings, especially with the HLC processes on south south and triangular cooperation
  • Proven diplomatic and organizational skills; sound judgment and writing skills
  • Past experience as Secretary or Rapporteur of a major UN meeting/conference is a prerequisite.

Language:

  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

Application:
 
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.  The application should contain:
  • Cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the advertised position explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
  • P11 form for Service Contracts and individual contracts. This can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org.al/index.php?page=bus_center/vacancies
  • Financial Proposal for the assignment.  This financial proposal will specify the daily fee for the assignment during period 1-31 May 2012.  If any travel required for the assignment, it will be arranged and covered by the project, and are not to be included in the financial proposal for this consultancy.   
  • For ease of reference applicants might want to read the General Terms for IC at http://undp.by/pdf/General_Conditions_IC.pdf
  • NOTE:  Incomplete applications will not be considered. 
Evaluation:
  • Individual consultants are evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:  a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
  • * Technical criteria weight: 70%
  • * Financial criteria weight 30%
  • Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on technical part will be considered for the financial evaluation.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process. 
 
Evaluation Criteria:   Technical: 70% 
  • Advanced degree in political studies or international relations or equivalent (10) 
  • 20 years of experience in development cooperation (15)          
  • In-depth knowledge and first-hand experience in dealing with UN conference matters, ECOSOC and UNDP  Executive Board’s meetings, especially with the HLC processes on south south and triangular cooperation (20)
  • Proven diplomatic and organizational skills; sound judgment and writing skills (10)
  • Past experience as Secretary or Rapporteur of a major UN meeting/conference is a prerequisite (5)
 Eligibility to Work Legally in the United States:

Only candidates with the following documentation may apply for the position:

  • U. S. Permanent Residency Card (Green Card)
  • CURRENT G-4 Visa
  • U.S. Citizen