UNDP Jobs

In April 2008, Nepal conducted the election for a Constituent Assembly (CA) which as a first step, proclaimed the country a Federal Republic. The CA was mandated to draft a new constitution and establish the framework for the first post-conflict general election and possibly, for local government elections. While the CA did not complete its mandate of drafting the new constitution within the May 2012 deadline, discussions are ongoing among the political actors on next steps in Nepal’s peace process and possible elections.  

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the international donor community remain committed to assisting the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) to continue to deliver its mandated functions. Recognising that the election of the 2008 CA was only the first crucial step of the peace process in Nepal, UNDP initiated an Electoral Support Project (ESP) in 2008 aimed at institutional strengthening and professional development of the ECN.  The Phase II of the project commenced in 2012 extending more comprehensive operational support for the next series of elections. The ESP support aims at building sustainable and enduring institutional and professional capacity of the ECN, of its Secretariat and its district offices that could be easily and effectively deployed in future elections. The ESP (2008-2016) consists of two phases: Phase I (2008-2011) focused exclusively on long-term electoral capacity building during the first three years following the CA election and was drawing to a completion at the time of the Project’s second revision.  Phase II (2012-2016) focuses on operational support for future electoral cycles.

A key area of ESP Phase II is technical assistance on preparations for elections including operational and logistics planning and management. To assist the project in carryout this support, the project is seeking to recruit an international advisor to provide technical assistance to ECN counterparts on electoral operation and logistics management. The project expects to recruit the advisor on a long-term agreement covering a period of 2 years with specific assignment dates defined based on the election timeline.

Objectives:

The objective of the assignment is to provide technical assistance to ENC in its preparations for upcoming set of elections in the field of election operation and logistics management. The incumbent will be required to provide advice and training to ECN counterparts on operation and logistics planning and implementation. This support is envisioned through the electoral cycle including in the pre-election, during election and post-election period.

Description of the assignment:

To provide technical assistance to Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) counterparts on electoral operation and logistics management. The Consultant shall be based in the ECN building, Kathmandu.

Period of assignment:

The duration of the Long Term Assignment (LTA) will be from 15 August 2012 to 31 July 2014 covering a total of 120 days of working period.  Upon signing of an LTA, a separate Individual consultancy contract will be signed for each assignment during the LTA period on “as and when requested” basis. The actual schedule and duration of support will be defined based on the election timeline and in consultation with the incumbent. If the elections to the Constituent Assembly are held in 22 November 2012, service of the consultant will be extensively required prior to the elections.

Scope of Work/Deliverables:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Chief Technical Advisor and in close cooperation with the ESP team and ECN counterparts.  

• Review ECN’s prevailing operation and logistics preparation for the upcoming elections and provide technical advice and strategic guidance to electoral staff and divisions in overall electoral planning, budgeting and administration including implementing and managing electoral logistics and operations activities.
• Provide strategic guidance on preparation of various election operations strategy (2012-2016), multi-year election budget and plans (election operations, security, logistics, staff deployment, training plan, communication, counting plan for election results).
• Review and provide advice on ECN’s proposed electoral implementation plans to ensure they take logistic and security considerations fully into account.
• Ensure smooth operation of the newly constructed warehouse built to safeguard the sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and equipment in the ECN HQ. Also develop warehouse management plan for district election offices.
• Build the capacity and ensure transfer of skills and knowledge to the ECN counterparts to plan, implement, manage, and monitor electoral logistics and operations.
• Conduct training/workshops to the concerned division/department of ECN in key areas of logistics and operations planning and management.
• Develop standardized reporting formats, regular reports and other required documentation, briefing, bulletin for both ECN and donors community.
• Provide advice as necessary on the procurement of electoral materials and equipment.
• Develop transportation plans to ensure the secure transport and delivery of sensitive and non-sensitive.
• As necessary provide liaison with other actors that may be involved in electoral logistics planning and management.
• Other duties as assigned by the ESP management and the ECN.

The International Consultant will submit a final report at the end of each assignment period that should compile achieved results, evaluation, recommendations for further actions, as well as practical reference points.

Quality Assurance:

• Chief Technical Advisor\International Project Manager will be primarily responsible for monitoring consultant’s progress on a regular basis as he/she will work under the direct supervision of the International Project Manager;
• Payments will be made to the consultant only after receiving a report towards the end of the individual contract period;
• Overall performance of the consultant will be evaluated towards the end of the contract, following UNDP’s standard evaluation form: “UNDP PERFORMACE EVALUATION FORM FOR INDIVIDUALS HIRED UNDER IC.’

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the project;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly and equally.

Functional Competencies:

• Knowledge and expertise in democratic governance, electoral assistance and democratization;
• Demonstrates strong intellectual and operational capacity in providing and coordinating advisory services to stakeholders in electoral processes, specifically to EMBs and civil society organizations;
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships, and good working knowledge of information and computer technology;
• Demonstrated ability to multitask under pressure and to meet strict deadlines often under hardship conditions;
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to work effectively in teams, delivering through and with others.

Education:

• Advanced University degree preferably in the field of  public relations, journalism, communications, politics or related field

Experience:

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience with electoral operations and logistics planning and management;
• Prior election experience in post conflict countries will be an asset.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English with professional writing skills is required.

Document to be included when submitting the proposal:

Application and required documents:

a. Proposal:

To be included as part of the proposal:

• Mandatory (max. 300 words): A cover letter with a brief presentation of your consultancy explaining your suitability for the work;
• Mandatory (max. 1000 words): A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.

b. Financial Proposal:

Financial proposal indicating a daily fee (UN DSA and most economic and direct Air Ticket cost will be reimbursed as per actual)

c. UNDP Personal History Form: downloadable from http://www.undp.org.np/vacancy including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Note:

1. Applicants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy
2. The candidate has to be an independent consultant (If the candidate is engaged with any organization, the organization employing the candidate will be issued with a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) to release the employee for the consultancy with UNDP).
3. Due to sheer number of applicants, the procurement unit will contact only competitively selected consultant.

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should 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 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Criteria Weight Technical:

• Criterion A: At least 7 years of experience with electoral operations and logistics planning and management (20%)
• Criterion B: Supported in preparation of election operations strategy, multi-year election budget and plans (election operations, security, logistics, staff deployment, training plan, communication, counting plan for election results) (20%)
• Criterion C: Previous experience in conducting trainings/workshops to the concerned division/department of election management bodies in key areas of logistics and operations planning and management (20%)
• Criterion D: Knowledge/Experience in consultancy work (10%)

Financial: Lowest financial proposal: 30%

Contract will be awarded to the technically qualified consultant who obtains the highest combined score (financial and technical). The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula:

((Lowest Bid Offered:)/(Bid of the Consultant)) x 30

*"Lowest Bid Offered" referes to the lowest price offered by offerors scoring at least 70% points in technical evaluation.