UNDP Jobs - 45536- Project Liaising Consultant

Project Liaising Consultant

Location :

Tbilisi, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 months

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

Recent evidence of public sector innovation, along with particular cases of investments made in innovative solutions illustrates that that the latter is a key driver in the process of development. Despite that, there is a lack of innovation culture and mind-set along with the scarce number of qualified professionals in Georgia.

In the absence of innovation culture, per se, Public Service Development Agency of the Ministry of Justice of Georgia, PSDA has successfully managed to introduce innovative services and products during the past few years. The substantial Civil Registration Reform initiative, followed by projects of innovative character significantly raised benchmark of public service delivery and boosted citizen expectations. This has served as a powerful incentive for PSDA to keep innovating and meeting ever-growing customer expectations. In the light of the increased expectations towards service delivery, keeping up with the possibilities offered by the rapidly developing technologies is a rather challenging task. The agency does not have in place a structured and systematic approach towards innovation, meaning that innovative ideas depend on a handful of individuals. Thus a more disciplined approach, diverse experience and skilled human resources spread across the agency could lead to new ways for government services to be designed and delivered.

Currently PSDA is at the disposal of all public institutions in Georgia, which either have no capacity or find it less feasible to maintain an in-house R&D and innovations management team. In order to effectively serve these organizations and help them attain the best possible outcomes for public and customers, it is essential to take a more structured approach towards innovations management.

In support of PSDA institutional capacity building, UNDP Georgia launches 6-month sub-project “Fostering Culture of Innovations towards improved Public Services and Citizen-centered Approach”. The initiative is implemented within the frame of Sida-funded project:” Governance Reform Fund” (GRF).

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall goal of the sub-project is to build a culture of innovations within PSDA to support innovative solutions towards more efficient and higher quality public services for citizens.

The expected sub-project output is development of capacity of Research and Innovations Management Division under the Research and Development Department of PSDA to act as an agency-wide hub for innovative ideas and methodology unit to transform those ideas into new or improved public services.

The sub-project will pursue the achievement of the above output through:

Needs assessment of agency’s staff to be performed with the special emphasis on capacity gaps of the Research and Innovations Management Division;
Tailor-made trainings in Innovations Management, Results-Based Management, Gender Mainstreaming and study tour to be organized for the selected PSDA staff members;
Special events, conference, presentations, internal meetings along with other awareness raising activities to be held in order to improve communication internally and with the key stakeholders;
The idea management software to be developed and introduced to stimulate and support innovative idea generation agency-wide.

Successful implementation of the sub-project will contribute to the development of a strategic and systematic approach to innovations within the agency. Increased capacity of the Research and Innovations Management Division will transform the newly created structure into a hub for agency-wide innovative solutions. Since the PSDA within its capacity works with public organizations to improve their products and services, the increased capacity of the agency will benefit public sector at large, by embedding innovation capability across the public services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of UNDP Capacity Development Fund, Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and the Public Service Development Agency (PSDA), the Project Liaising Consultant develops and performs activities as outlined below:

Work together with International/Local Consultants to ensure successful achievement of the expected sub-project output;
Participate in the development of a tailor-made training program for the PSDA selected staff on Innovations Management to be performed by International Consultant in Innovations Management/Trainer to make sure that the program is tailored to the existing needs of the agency and the local context;
Participate in the development of a Strategic Roadmap to further build Innovations Culture within PSDA, by assisting the International Consultant in Innovations Management/Trainer both technically and content-wise, and in close cooperation with relevant PSDA staff members;
Act as a resource-person for Research and Innovations Management Division throughout the training program development, delivery of trainings, experimenting and working on designing innovative solutions;
Provide support in organizing activities (training, conference, workshop) envisaged by the sub-project and in close cooperation with UNDP Project Coordination Unit (PCU);
Provide assistance in data collection, report on the progress of the sub-project on a monthly basis to the UNDP Project Coordination Unit and PSDA and consequently prepare final report;
Provide day-to-day support of technical and administrative aspects of the sub-project; in particular: support PSDA and hired consultants in logistical issues, prepare the participants’ lists, ensure proper attendance at the trainings; provide handouts/stationary if needed. Act as a liaison person for PSDA to PCU;
Perform other duties as required.

Deliverables

Provide monthly and final report along with M&E documentations/data in accordance to the action plan.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Offerors not meeting any of minimum qualification requirements will be automatically disqualified. Only offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the desk review (i.e. minimum 35 points) will be considered as qualified offerors and invited for the interview. Those offerors passing 70% threshold of maximum obtainable scores as a result of the technical evaluation (desk review and interview) will be shortlisted and requested to provide financial proposal.

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.

Competencies

Core Competencies

Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies

Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications;
Excellent communication skills;
Ability to fulfill complex workload under significant pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree preferably in Public Administration, Business Administration or any related field (minimum qualification requirement - 20 points)

Experience:

At least 5 years of progressive experience in national or international organizations, preferably with focus on capacity building, organizational development, project management, monitoring and evaluation (minimum qualification requirement: 5 years - 10 points, more than 5 - additional 5 points);
Experience of work in Innovations management, especially in the context of public sector innovations is an asset (10 points);
UNDP work experience and familiarity with UNDP rules and regulations is an asset (5 points);

Language Requirements:

Fluency in Georgian and English languages.

Open to Georgian Nationals only.