UNDP Jobs - 45377- Consultant: Foresight Expert for UNDP Foresight an

Consultant: Foresight Expert for UNDP Foresight and Policy Making Event

Location :

Home-based with 1 mission to Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

16-Apr-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 1 May - 20 June 2014

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Approximately 9 days

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Within the framework of its work, UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and CIS (RSC) each year organizes a Research & Development (R&D) event whose purpose is to cover a novel approach or a trend that may apply to development (e.g. In 2012, the R&D event covered complexity science and development, in 2013 it covered behavioural science and gaming in policy making). The intention is to continually scan the horizon for the new methods of problem solving that may apply to and support UNDP in responding more effectively to development priorities it is working on with its counterparts.

This year, mid-June, the R&D event will cover foresight and policy making (foresight via crowdsourcing, foresight via social media, foresight via big data, etc.). Namely, the complex changes that are happening in the development, social, economic, technical and other aspects of the contemporary world requests also a different, future – oriented approach. The overall environment is dynamic and complex, exposed to various types of tensions (e.g. climate change, demographic challenges, evident future lack of resources etc.), while new value systems are emerging on the account of the traditional ones. Policy – and decision – makers are more and more oriented towards new methods of governance that is significantly based on future oriented plans and scenarios. This also refers to the area of development. Foresight is based on strategic framework of participative, transparent; accountable, communicative practices that lead to better understanding of the presence and better – informed policies for the future. Therefore the ideas is to bring several top notch outfits with very practical yet different methods of conducting foresight and present it to UNDP colleagues, while addressing certain particular issues that the Country Offices (COs) are facing.

In this context UNDP RSC is seeking to deepen its understanding of the insights foresight and policy making can bring to design new professional services for public policies and development programs and to explore possibility of integrating these insights into its development programmes. Therefore UNDP seels to engage a short-term International Consultant who will present the current state of affairs in foresight while addressing certain particular issues that the COs are facing.

Duties and Responsibilities

RSC is seeking the support of a consultant to deliver the following services:

Work with Knowledge and Innovation Team (KIT) staff to define the content and agenda for the first day of the event, advice on its structure from the perspective of foresight for policy making, methodologies and its practical applications;
Design, deliver and co-facilitate one day during the 2-day event in Istanbul (1 day will consist of a presentation of the current state of the affairs on foresight, methodological approach and implementation of practical work on selected case studies);
Provide background materials and specific case studies to UNDP;
Advise on how to structure potential follow up activities ensuing from the event.

Deliverables

Task 1 - 30% of total amount paid upon delivery of following services by 15th May 2014:

Agenda for the part of the event focused on foresight in policy making (covering foresight via crowdsourcing, social media, gaming);
Research content and case studies that are particularly suitable for development organization and governmental audiences with respect to implementation of the foresight in policy making;
Preparation of case study and support materials that can be used during the event as well as for future learning activities.

Task 2 - 70% of total amount paid upon delivery of following services by 20th June 2014:

Co-facilitation of the event and facilitation of the inputs of other speakers/participants on that day, in cooperation with K&I team;
Presentation of the comprehensive state of affairs on foresight globally and analysis of 2-3 concrete case studies that look at a particular development problem a client has, a method to address it, and the subsequent action;
Design and chair at least 1 working group session where the participants will be lead through the process of addressing a development problem into something that can be addressed by a particular foresight methodology;
A short report with key takes from the event and recommendations for action in the format of a blog.

Location:

Home based, with travel one approximately 2-day mission to Istanbul, Turkey.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Good communication and presentation skills;
Knowledge of development issues;
In depth understanding of design and analysis of foresight engagement in the context of governance competencies, development sector, strategic planning;
In-depth understanding of tools and approaches to apply foresight methodologies in development;
In-depth knowledge on collective intelligence, crowdsourcing, scenario and strategic planning.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced University - PhD in social science, foresight and scenario planning, or computer science.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in researching and practical applying of foresight methods and concepts in governance, development sector, international NGOs, strategic planning, collective intelligence, crowdsourcing or strategic planning;
At least 5 years of experience in applying foresight methodologies in government policy making context and development;
A recognized expertise in the field, as illustrated by number of publications, articles, research;
Substantive knowledge of the current, cutting edge applications of foresight methodologies (including in the development sector), collective intelligence, crowdsourcing or strategic planning;
Demonstrable experience in delivering trainings, lectures/presentations on foresight/foresight methodologies to international audiences.

Language skills:

Proficiency in English language.

Evaluation of Applicants

The offers will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into account a combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal. The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points.

Educational background - max. 15 points;
Professional experience in areas relevant for the assignment - max. 10 points;
Reference list of at least 3 similar work/projects - max. 15 points;
Methodology and approach on how the assignment will be carried included detailed timetable of the proposed activities - max. 20 points;
Knowledge of foresight/foresight methodologies - max. 10 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
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.