UNDP Jobs - 45581- National Consultant: Country Analysis

National Consultant: Country Analysis

Location :

Harare, ZIMBABWE

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

26-May-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

7 weeks

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) has developed a new economic blue print, the 2013-2018 Zimbabwe Agenda for Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset). The objective of the Zim Asset is to provide an enabling environment for sustainable economic empowerment and social transformation.

Accordingly, the Government of Zimbabwe and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), through the 2013 ZUNDAF Annual Review and 2014 ZUNDAF Planning Process, have worked to ensure that the Zimbabwe United Nations Development Assistance Framework (ZUNDAF) remains aligned to national development priorities.

In going forward, the ZUNDAF roll-out process provides an opportunity to determine, with the Government and Development Partners, how best the United Nations can continue to support national development efforts.

In rolling out its next ZUNDAF, the UNCT in close consultation with the Government and other Development Partners, will conduct a country analysis to provide the evidence required for results-based UN engagement.

In line with the 2014 UNCT Annual Work Plan, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) will engage two consultants (national and international) to conduct the Country Analysis.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the Country Analysis is to identify key development challenges in order to substantially inform the design of the next ZUNDAF in such a manner which ensures the achievement of development results in support of National Development Priorities, emerging issues in the Post-2015 Development Agenda, as well as other internationally agreed development goals and obligations.

The Country Analysis will improve the understanding of decision-makers, partners and other stakeholders of the current status of the population in the country and the causes of shortfalls and inequities as the basis for recommending actions. It will also serve for policy advocacy around emerging issues and the leveraging of partnerships and resources.

Specific Objectives:

Strategic analysis to identify the root causes of the existing and emerging development challenges and their effects on the population, particularly on youth, women, persons with disabilities, mobile & migrant populations, people living with HIV & AIDS, etc.;
Analysis of the social sectors and the ability to provide robust social protection mechanisms which ensure resilience and sustainability;
Assessment of the status and trends in the realization of population rights for development and well-being since 2010;
Identify and analyse the barriers and bottlenecks that prevent disadvantaged families from benefiting from required interventions and services, including the social, political and economic conditions;
Identification of capacity gaps of rights holders to make claims and duty bearers to meet their obligations. Analyse the extent to which gender inequalities and the fulfilment/non-fulfilment of the rights of women affect overall inequalities and deprivations;
Analysis of the economic sector, and its contribution to development processes, including the private sector and employment;
Analysis of opportunities for (and obstacles to) free, active and meaningful participation in national governance and development processes and outcomes;
Analysis of the capacity for risk reduction, crisis prevention and disaster preparedness at the national and district levels, including non-state actors;
Analysis of how to best support Government, non-government stakeholders and development partners to ensure all opportunities are capitalised upon in reaching the national development priorities. Propose recommendations for key areas of UN focus for the next ZUNDAF.

Timeframe and main deliverables:

The place of assignment is Harare. The consultants will have a temporary office in the UNRCO with frequent visits to UN agencies. The duration of the assignment will be seven weeks, from 26 May to 11 July 2014. The Country Analysis will be developed by an international consultant together with a national consultant, in line with the scope as detailed in these terms of reference.

The international consultant will be the team leader the national consultant reports to.

First week: Meetings and communication with the UNRCO, ZUNDAF Steering Committee and ZUNDAF Thematic Group technical leads, and collection of required documents, as well as an annotated outline of the Country Analysis agreed to;
Second week: Interviews with selected and agreed-to stakeholders conducted;
Third week: Interim report of the Country Analysis for review by UNRCO/ZUNDAF Steering Committee/UNCT;
Fourth week: Feedback from the ZUNDAF Steering Committee et al on preliminary findings of the Country Analysis;
Sixth week: Completion of the report and presentation of the findings of the Country Analysis to the UNRCO/ZUNDAF Steering Committee/UNCT;
Seventh week: Present the Country Analysis findings at the stakeholders validation workshop.

Methodology:

The overall approach will be through an evidence-based analytical assessment, participatory and orientated towards learning how to enhance development results at the national level. To conduct the analysis, the consultants will primarily build on and analyse available accurate data, such as major national reports, studies, surveys, research etc. While interviews are a key instrument, all analyses must be based on observed facts to ensure that they are sound and objective.
UN agencies, ZUNDAF Thematic Groups, and GoZ counterparts will provide the necessary information, data, support and guidance required to carry out planned activities and prepare the Country Analysis. The Country Analysis will be reviewed firstly, by the ZUNDAF Steering Committee and the GoZ before it is presented for validation at an all stakeholders workshop.

The Country Analysis is commissioned by the UNCT and overseen by the ZUNDAF Steering Committee and the Office of the President and the Cabinet (OPC) at the design, implementation, reporting and finalization stages. Day-to-day management of this exercise at technical level will be supported by the UNRCO.
The UNDG Guidelines for UNDAF Country Analysis shall be closely understood and adhered to. Based on the guiding documents, and in consultation with the GoZ and the UNCT, the consultants will develop a tailored methodology for this specific exercise including human rights based and gender sensitive methods.

Data collection methods and process shall consider all the Programming Principles identified in the 2012-2015 ZUNDAF (Capacity Development, Environmental Sustainability, Gender Equality, Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) and Result-Based Management (RBM), as well as other cross-cutting issues as deemed appropriate.

Key Reference Documents:

2012 Zimbabwe Millennium Development Goals Report (MDGR);
2012-2015 ZUNDAF and Joint Implementation Matrix;
2012 and 2013 ZUNDAF Annual Review reports;
2013-2018 Zim Asset;
Major National Policies and Strategic Plans;
Major national surveys & studies, including the 2012 National Population Census and the 2011/12 Poverty, Income and Consumption Expenditure Survey, 2013 Study on Urban multidimensional poverty & deprivation, DHS 2010-2011, MIMS 2009, MICS 2014, ZIMVAC, Agriculture Survey;
Country Programmes and Plans of the UN agencies;
Mid Term or End-of-programme/project evaluation reports of all UN agencies;
UN Evaluation Group Guidance Note on Application of Programming Principles to the UNDAF (2010);
UN ZUNDAF Gender Mainstreaming Data Collection Report (forthcoming);
Any other relevant documents provided by the UNRCO or UN agencies.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent knowledge of the UN system and UN joint country programming processes (CCA/UNDAF);
Good knowledge and experience with the national development frameworks, especially Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Post-2015 Development Goals, PRSP, SWAP, key legislation, etc.;
Specialised technical knowledge, including data collection and analytical skills, mainstreaming HRBA to programming and gender equality and women’s empowerment;
Good knowledge of Results Based and Human Rights Based Management principles, logic framework analysis, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and participatory approaches;
Good communication skills, including the ability to write high quality reports, conduct studies and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
Excellent communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork and adept at working with people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds;
An understanding of and ability to abide by the core values of the United Nations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, development studies, social science, economics, international relations or other related field.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant experience and proven expertise with CCA/UNDAF processes, evaluations and reviews, including strong understanding of UN’s relevant Programming Guidelines on Gender Equality, Human; Rights-Based Approach, Capacity Development, Environmental Sustainability and Result-Based Management;
Practical experience in the East and Southern African region and/or knowledge of the development issues in low income countries is an asset;
Proven track record in evaluation and review writing.

Language:

Proven excellence in written and spoken English, including excellent report writing skills as well as analytical and computer skills.

Other relevant information regarding the post:

Reporting and Quality Control for the assignment:

The Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Head of UNRCO and overall guidance of the UN Resident Coordinator. The UNRCO will provide liaison support in identifying institutions and individuals that the consultant is expected to engage with in the course of the assessment. The UNRCO will also provide support at each stage of the assignment in terms of availing documents and facilitating meetings relevant to the assessment.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Letter explaining why the consultant is the most suitable for the work;
Brief Description of Approach to Work/ Methodology;
Financial proposal;
Personal CV and P11 which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.

Financial Proposal:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable deliverables (qualitative and quantitative). The financial proposal must include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Evaluation:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
Having received the highest combined score of the technical and financial scores.

Technical Criteria weight; 70%;
Financial Criteria weight; 30%;

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points out of 100 points at the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

For more Background information on Zimbabwe:

http://www.zimstat.co.zw/
http://www.zimstat.co.zw/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=65:census/uninzimbabwe
http://www.zw.undp.org/content/zimbabwe/en/home.html
www.zw.one.un.org