UNCDF Jobs - 45634- Quality Assurance and Policy Consultant

Quality Assurance and Policy Consultant

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Homebase with travel to Nepal

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-May-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 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

UNDP and UNCDF is providing support to the Local Governance and Community Development Programme II (LGCDP II) which is a national programme which is being implemented by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) and supported by a range of other development partners. LGCDP II’s Programme Document (PD) comprehensively describes LGCDP II’s rationale and approach along with its vision, goals and purpose. The individual programme components and management arrangements are also fully described in the PD as is the Programme log frame and the results and reporting framework.

LGCDP coordination and oversight mechanisms were delivered in highly fragmented ways in the first phase of LGCDP and incurred high transaction costs. The new arrangement will represent a significant improvement in the efficiency and effectiveness of in-house policy advice, coordination and quality assurance, which will guide planning and implementation of LGCDP II core activities and aligned programmes.

The Programme and Policy Support Facility (PPSF), established as a joint UN programme of support to LGCDP and agreed upon by the Government, development partners and UN agencies, consists of three Pillars. Pillar 3 has three principal functions:

Coordination and liaison between the Government and development partners with respect to LGCDP II;
Provision of programme and policy support at the national level;
Quality assurance & verification of LGCDP II on behalf of the Government and development partners.

A DP Coordinator Cell is in the process of being established to strengthen these functions and a quality assurance (QA) framework has been agreed for LGCDP II. Detailed QA operational guidelines are in the process of being developed and are expected to be endorsed the National Advisory sub-committee (sub-NAC) by mid May.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the Assignment:

A quality assurance consultant is sought to support effective establishment of the pillar III functions:
Support effective establishment of the DP Coordination Cell following recruitment of DP Coordinator and Programming and Monitoring Analyst
Complete quality assurance assessment to establish a baseline based on the LGCDP II QA operational guidelines
Provide support to the ongoing baseline and citizen perception study in terms of coordination and consultation with key stakeholders

Scope of Work:

The consultant will work closely with LGCDP II Government counterparts in MoFALD and DP representatives to:

Support the induction period for the DP Coordination Cell by assisting in effective implementation of programme management arrangement, including:
Programme monitoring and reporting through the annual monitoring and evaluation plan (AMEP)
Stakeholder consultations and planning in all output groups (1-9) documented in Annual Strategic Implementation Plan (ASIP);
Technical assistance procurement planning and approval through the annual technical assistance plan (ATAP)
Programme operational decisions and policy recommendations in sub-NAC;
Programme policy approvals in the National Advisory Committee (NAC);
DP coordination in regular DP meetings;
Complete a baseline quality assurance assessment based on the QA operational guidelines (to be) developed for LGCDP II. This assessment should be reviewed with representatives from Government, development partner and other stakeholders in the June NAC meeting;
Support the team of consultants in terms of coordination among key stakeholders, consultation and information sharing about progress and initial results

Deliverables:

The following products are expected:

The consultant is expected to produce the following deliverables:

Assist the DP Coordination Cell get familiar with LGCDP and to document and share key LGCDP II updates in regular reporting, e.g. weekly update;
Assist the DP Coordination Cell and the PCU/MoFALD produce statutory programme reporting, e.g. FMRs, OAG audit, trimester progress report;
Assist the DP Coordination Cell and the PCU/MoFALD with priority activities such as Baseline & Citizens’ Perception Survey, as well as reviews of annual planning documents, e.g. ASIP, ATAP and AMEP;
Complete quality assurance baseline assessment report based on template developed in the QA operational guidelines.

Competencies

Strong analytical and writing skills and a track record of producing high quality reports and other materials;
Professional competencies in Microsoft Window, Word, and Excel &Powerpoint;
High level of communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills and experience in working effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
Sensitivity to diverse opinions and difficulties arising from differing social and cultural perceptions;
Ability to contribute towards conflict resolution in the workplace.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Public Management, Public Policy, Public Finance or other related fields.

Work Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant professional experience with programme management and working in complex, Government-led, programmes in developing countries;
At least 5 years working experience on local governance issues in developing countries;
Working experience with Local Government System in Nepal is desirable.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in English is required.

Documents to be included when submitting the application form online:

Interested individual consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate your qualifications:

Proposal (Reply online): Brief motivation letter (not more than two pages) indicating why the applicant thinks is an outstanding candidate for the job, with a brief description on how the scope of work will be dealt with;
Financial proposal (Reply Online): The financial proposal must indicate daily professional fee in USD;
Detailed Personal CV and/or UN P.11 Form ( Upload Online).

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical Criteria weight: 70%

Experience related to services: 30%;
Written proposal/test and/or interview result: 50%; and
Expertise & Availability: 20%.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% technical points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

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.