UNDP Jobs - 45784- Re-advertisement - International Consultant

Re-advertisement - International Consultant - Elaboration of an Analytical Study on “The Role of Decentralized Development Cooperation in the implementation of the Post-2015 Agenda

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

12-May-2014

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

22 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

22 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

Localizing the MDGs, in a conceptual form begun only after 2005 when a guideline document was developed by UNDG. The mid-term evaluation of the MDGs in 2008 introduced certain key aspects on localization shared by the United Nations Secretary-General. There was a clear indication that the achievement of the MDGs was not just a pursuit of discrete actions to improve statistics in the respective sectors, but a long-term concerted process that required elaboration of issues on ownership, local accountability, viability of local institutions, and sustainability of gains. The lesson is that critical objectives and challenges of the post-2015 development agenda such as eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities and exclusion, and achieving environmental sustainability, would also depend on local action, community buy-in and leadership well-coordinated at and with all levels of governance. It is clear that any new development agenda will only impact people’s lives if successfully implemented at the local level.

Indeed, this is being currently emphasized in the global consultations part of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, the formulation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation where the importance of local and regional governments as well as other local governance stakeholders in development has been widely recognized.

Inclusive dialogue on the Post-2015 Development Agenda

While the first phase of the consultation was focused on the potential issues and areas to be included in a post-2015 development agenda, the means of implementation are now becoming more relevant. There is a growing demand from Member States to obtain ideas and inputs both related to specific themes and on how to make the agenda work. The continuation of the dialogue around the post-2015 agenda will focus on the following six themes: localizing the post 2015 development agenda, strengthening capacities and institutions; participatory monitoring and new forms of accountability, partnerships for implementation with civil society; and partnerships for implementation with the private sector.

Sustainable Development Goal – Open Working Group

In January 2013, the Open Working Group was established by the General Assembly to steer the formulation of the proposal on sustainable development goals (SDGs). The Group conducted a total of eight sessions on the various themes identified in the Rio+20 outcome document and emphasized that eradication of poverty, inequitable development within and among states as well as protection of the environment are amongst the most pressing sustainable development challenges facing humankind in this century. The Group also recognized that the means of implementation are an integral component in achieving sustainable development. In this regard, global partnership for development has been emphasized as key to unlocking the full potential of sustainable development initiatives.

Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.

The first High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (15 and 16 April 2014 in Mexico City), presents an opportunity for the international community to examine how effective development cooperation can be advanced in the context of the post-2015 development agenda. This meeting will also allow governments and other stakeholders to look how multi-stakeholders partnership models can contribute to the progress of the Post 2015 development agenda and come up with implementation modalities.

Within these three global development agendas, it has been recognized that local and regional governments together with other local governance stakeholders can play a key role in promoting, building and implementing the post-2015 Development Agenda. Similarly, Decentralized Development Cooperation (DDC) has been recognized as a useful tool to create dynamic and transformative partnerships and become a mean to implement it at the local level.

In 2013, in support of the preparations for the 2014 DCF, an analytical study on “Effective Decentralized Development Cooperation: flows, modalities and challenges” was developed by UNDESA providing an overview of decentralised development cooperation, addressing key concepts and principles, the evolution of the main modalities and instruments of intervention, information on cooperation flows, as well as, the main challenges that decentralized development cooperation is facing within the framework of the new global partnership for development. The comprehensive study also reviewed some key aspects of the importance of DDC as a significant type of development cooperation in the post-2015 development agenda.

Taking into account the intensification of the international deliberations/consultative processes on the scope and focus of post-2015 and the finalization of the new development agenda in 2014, a more comprehensive analysis on how the Decentralized Development Cooperation (DDC) could contribute to its implementation at the local level, is very timely.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The objective of this consultancy is to build upon the study “Effective Decentralized Development Cooperation: flows, modalities and challenges” and include a section/chapter that analyses the role of Decentralized Development Cooperation in the implementation of the Post-2015 Agenda.

The outcome study will serve as strategic input to inform global development processes such as the 2014 DCF, the Post 2015 Development Agenda and SDGs process and, the High-Level Meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation and to position the DDC as a modality in development cooperation.

Tasks:

The specific tasks for the consultant are:

To prepare high-quality and independent study on the role of Decentralized Development Cooperation in the implementation of the Post-2015 Agenda at the local level:

The analytical study is expected to:

Provide an analysis on the potential of DDC as type of development cooperation in the evolving development cooperation landscape and the post-2015 development agenda with special emphasis on:
The DDC as mean to implement the Post 2015 Agenda/SDG Open Working Group at the local level considering its ability to create inclusive initiatives and partnerships in support of all areas such as capacity building and strengthening of institutions, develop resource mobilization strategies, system of regular monitoring and accountability mechanisms, close coordination and cooperation of multi-stakeholder initiatives and partnerships.
Analyze the potential of DDC within the context of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation, with special focus on the implementation modalities to contribute to the post-2015 development agenda (e.g. the role and potential for South-South and triangular cooperation and knowledge sharing)
In light of the conceptual analysis (previous points), provide examples and good/lees goods practices on how DDC promotes key thematic areas such as Local Economic Development and urbanization.

Key Deliverables:

The consultant will be responsible for producing the following deliverables:

Develop a specific chapter on the subject to be added to the study “Effective Decentralized Development Cooperation: flows, modalities and challenges” (maximum 3 pages);
Develop an annex that addresses the topic in depth, introducing the context, progress on the Post 2015 Agenda, the involvement of GLR (GTF), the consultation process for the location of the Post-2015/SDGs and desirable contributions of DDC. These contributions would be based on the presentation of case studies, success stories to demonstrate the need to localize the Post-2015/SDGs and the contribution that can be expected from the DDC. This annex would have a maximum of 25 pages;
Review the findings and recommendations of the study in light of the new chapter and the "findings" of the Annex;
Draft a Policy Paper on the subject to serve as strategic input to inform global development processes such as the 2014 DCF. The PB would have a maximum of 3 pages;

Timeframe:

The Consultant will work under the supervision of the ART Initiative Coordinator and ART Programme Specialist. S/he is expected to work a total of 22 working days in the period between 12th May 2014 and 4^th of June 2014.

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to work in a team;
In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues including gender equality and empowerment issues, as well as a good knowledge of the inter linkages between the social, economic, environmental and cultural dimensions of sustainable development.
Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills;
Openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong analytical and conceptual skills; and
Excellent drafting and communications abilities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree in development studies, political science, international relations or equivalent;

Experience:

More than 5 years of relevant work experience; The Consultant is expected to be a well-known expert on DDC. S/he should have experience working in developing countries, with the United Nations system and other international agencies, and have extensive experience in facilitating high level meetings;
Comprehensive knowledge of international development cooperation issues, including the evolving development landscape, the changing geography of poverty, aid and development effectiveness discourse, accountability, policy coherence, progress in the quality and impact of aid as well as other key trends mentioned in this TOR;
Significant knowledge of DDC and experience in preparing reports on issues relating to the characteristics, impact, strengths and weaknesses of this type of development cooperation;
Familiarity with ongoing discussions on reform of the international development cooperation system, including the follow up to Rio+20 on sustainable development, the post-2015 UN development agenda and the post-Busan Global Partnership for effective development cooperation;
Familiarity with the work of the United Nations system and in particular the Development Cooperation Forum;
Extensive knowledge of country-level challenges in the context of DDC, in particular on quantity, quality and effectiveness issues.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in spoken and written English.

Important notice:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work;
Financial proposal (Only applications that include financial proposal will be considered);
Personal CV including past experience in similar projects.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

The award of the contract should 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;
Technical Criteria weight; [70%];
Financial Criteria weight; [30%].

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 51 point would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.