Background

A High-Level Group (HLG), reporting to the UNDG AG, developed succinct Standard Operating Procedures for Countries Wishing to Adopt the “Delivering as one” Approach (SOPs) for UN programming, M&E, business practices, joint funding, leadership arrangements and communications at the country level in the first half of 2013.

The UNDG ASG Advisory Group is currently working on the finalization of a Draft Proposed Plan of Action for Headquarters, produced by the HLG identifying bottlenecks at headquarter level that prevent the Delivering as One approach to have its intended impact on coherence, development effectiveness and efficiency at the country level.

In order to finalize the Plan of Action for Headquarters, a UNDG retreat will be held on 2-3 December 2013 in New York. There will be a first day of technical experts from across the UN system discussing the Draft Proposed Plan of Action for Headquarters and a second day ASG level meeting to discuss unresolved issues from the first day and finalize the Plan of Action for Headquarters.
 
Simultaneously, the UNDG Working Mechanisms together with participation of HLCM technical experts are preparing a set of tools and materials for the operationalization of the SOPs at the country level. These will provide supplementary, hands-on orientation and clarification on how to implement the SOPs across the various technical areas for each of the “Ones” of the Delivering as One approach.
 
The schedule foresees that first drafts of the tools and materials will be circulated by end of November and discussed at a retreat on 23-24 January 2014 in New York (date to be confirmed).

Duties and Responsibilities

The task is expected to take a total of 14 working days between 15 November 2013 and 31 January 2014.
 
The Facilitator is expected to produce the following deliverables:
  • Being up-to-date on the work of the UNDG on the operationalization of the SOPs by 20 November 2013 (2 days of preparation with material provided by DOCO upon signing of contract);
  • Consultation with the Chair of the ASG Advisory Group, the former HLG Chair and DOCO Director and other key UN officers on issues related to the agenda and other preparatory matters of the retreats by 22 November 2013 for the 2-3 December 2013 retreat and by 10 January 2014 for the 23-24 January 2014 retreat (2 days, meetings via telephone/ video);
  • Consult with the key stakeholders from across the UN system to discuss and prepare key issues for the December retreat by 27 November 2013; consult with the co-conveners of the UNDG Working Mechanisms (and HLCM technical experts as necessary) for the January retreat by 20 January 2014 (2 days of meetings via telephone/ video and desk work, as soon as possible);
  • Retreat facilitation on 2 - 3 December 2013 and 23 - 24 January 2014 (4 days in person in New York); and
  • Retreat follow-up and write-up for each retreat by 10 December 2013 for the first retreat and by 31 January 2014 for the second retreat (4 days (2 days for each retreat)).
 Travel

The Facilitator is expected to travel to New York for the meetings with retreat participants and for the retreat itself. All other deliverables can be prepared remotely.

Competencies

  • Strong facilitation and drafting skills;
  • Proven successful facilitation experience in this setting;
  • Ability to consolidate and synthesize substantive comments and views of multiple stakeholders in a balanced and concise manner;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to empathize with the various organizational mandates and cultures of the UN system.

Required Skills and Experience

The consultant is expected to possess demonstrated experience and qualifications in the following areas:
 
Education:
  • Relevant educational background with an advanced university degree in economics, public administration, business administration, social sciences or related field.
Experience:
  • Over 10 years of relevant work experience, including knowledge of the UN development system and the UNDG strategic priorities and working mechanisms;
  • Excellent knowledge of UN development operations at the country, regional and global level.
Language Requirement:
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.

Application Documents/Submission

Interested candidates must include the following documents in their application:
  • A brief technical proposal (maximum 2 pages) responding to the terms of reference;
  • Curriculum Vitae including 3 references.
*Please note that you can only upload one document (your CV) during the application process. Applicants are therefore advised to attach to the CV only and technical proposal without financial details. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted with a request to present a financial proposal.
  • Your Financial offer should be presented on the Offeror’s Letter – indicating the full cost of the service, including consultant fees, travel and DSA on specific lines; and confirming your interest and availability for the assignment. The template for the Offer Letter is accessible from the following link http://undg.org/docs/12777/Offeror's%20Letter2.docx

Individual consultants will be evaluated on the cumulative analysis method – combination of the weighted technical and financial score - to obtain the total score. The candidate scoring the highest combined weighted score will be recommended for the award of contract. The designated weights for the technical and financial criteria are 70% and 30% respectively. The maximum score is 100 points.

Step 1: Technical evaluation of the candidates CVs and Proposals. The minimum score required to pass the technical assessment is 70%. Aspects of the technical evaluation will include but is not limited to the following:
  • Responsiveness to the terms of reference;
  • Work experience with the UNDG;
  • Experience in Retreat Facilitation;
  • Availability to complete the assignment within the prescribed timeline.
Offers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
  • Technical Proposal (maximum 30 points, pass mark 21 points);
  • CV – Qualification, Relevance and Expertise in the subject matter (20 points);
  • Interview (20 points).
Technical assessment: maximum 70 points (weight 70%)
 
Step 2: Financial evaluation of the candidates who passed the technical evaluation in step 1. The lowest financial offer will receive the assigned maximum financial points (30). All other financial offers will receive points in inverse proportion.
 
The contract will be awarded to the candidate with the highest total score subject to the financial cost being within the hiring unit’s budget allocation.
 
Important: *Offers must upload the technical proposal the CV as 1 Adobe PDF file only.
 
Offerors applying through the UNDP Procurement website should submit their proposal electronically to procurement.doco@undg.org and reference “Facilitator – UNDG Retreats on Delivering as One” in the subject header.
 
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and cultures. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.