Background

UNDP, the global development network for the United Nations system, is present in 166 countries and territories and is uniquely equipped to help developing countries build sustainable capacity to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). In support of this, UNDP offers a wide range of solutions to global, regional and national development challenges through a comprehensive knowledge network, expert practitioners and focused strategic areas of support.

The Effective Development Cooperation (EDC) Team, under the umbrella of the Knowledge, Innovation and Capacity Group (KICG), the Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) of UNDP, is the institutional anchor of its work on development cooperation and serves as a part of Joint Support Team with OECD to the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation (GPEDC). GPEDC brings governments, private companies, civil society and others together to facilitate and achieve the successful implementation of development effectiveness agenda. Global Partnership is led by three high profile co-chairs and provides a space for political dialogue around the implementation of commitments on effective development cooperation as well for strengthened multi-stakeholder partnerships / engagement. It also aims to support the sharing of knowledge / best practices and the building of on-the-ground evidence towards informed policy-making. 

In addition, as part of its work to enhance transparency of development cooperation at the country level as a means to promoting accountability and to support effective national planning and implementation of development activities, the EDC Team leads the overall work of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) Secretariat and leads implementation in the areas of support to the Steering Committee, outreach and information – with particular respect to partner countries. IATI supports donors in achieving their Busan commitment to publish timely, comprehensive and forward-looking aid information and developing countries and other development stakeholders in having access and using the information. EDC’s work in this area in turn supports the countries’ efforts in accessing, managing and utilizing development cooperation they receive for more effective development cooperation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision and guidance of EDC Team Leader, the Consultant will focus on the following:

  • Prepare briefings, meetings, incl. gathering in-house and external information and knowledge, seeking inputs from relevant colleagues. Substantively review and analyze the key documents to ensure that all are accurate and complete;
  • Liaise with the Regional Service Centre to coordinate various GPEDC and IATI related activities.
  • Ensure necessary follow ups with OECD Joint Support Team, IATI Secretariat, UNDP units and external partners are made on time and feedback to the team provided;
  • Support the preparation of GPEDC Steering Committee background documents as assigned by the Joint Support Team;
  • Prepare publicity and outreach material including brochures, presentations, fact-sheets and other communication with internal and external partners on KICG events, services and products.
  • Support research activities, including initiating, coordinating or conducting research in priority thematic areas.
  • Support;
  • Support the preparation of regional/thematic technical workshops including travel facilitation for Steering Committee meetings of GPEDC and IAT;
  • Maintain liaison with UNDP’s own IATI implementation team;
  • Direct outreach with partner country members of IATI in preparation for biannual partner country caucus meetings
  • Support Global Partnership’s online Community of Practice (CoP) including through facilitating e-consultations, monitoring the usage, responding to queries (Global Partnership Community Space, UNDP Lyris Email list on Aid Effectiveness and UNDP LinkedIn Page on Aid Effectiveness), etc.
 
Deliverables
  •  At least 20-25 briefs / background document on substantive priority areas in GPEDC and IATI (depending on the confirmation of key events).
  • Organize at least 3-4 events for multi-stakeholder engagement (depending on the confirmation of key events)
  • 3 publicity and outreach materials.
  • Contribution to at least 2-3 research priorities.
  • Develop and conduct at least 4-5 thematic e-discussion(s) on effective development cooperation (including transparency), which include follow-up with contributors and final compilations of contributions and key points from e-discussions.
  • Background papers on 4-5 specific thematic areas in preparation for one regional and two global IATI, two GPEDC Steering Committee/annual Seoul workshop, or other possible development cooperation related events

Competencies

Functional
  • Communicates effectively at all levels of the organization;
  • Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and acumen;
  • Excellent client orientation and interpersonal skills;
  • Capable of working in a highly pressured environment with extreme deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously;
  • Able to handle a large volume of logistical details, accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail.
  • Manages complexity;
  • Exercises the highest level of responsibility and is able to handle confidential and sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
  • An excellent team player, projecting a positive image and ready to take on a wide range of tasks to create an enabling environment for the supervisor, focusing on results for the client and responds positively to feedback.
  • Able to research, analyze and draft well and is able to present convincingly;
  • Excellent computer skills, including frequent use of Excel and PowerPoint;
  • Willingly shares knowledge and experience and makes contributions to UNDP practice areas (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives);.
  • Understanding of the United Nations system, operations and structures, this includes demonstrating keen political awareness, particularly in relation to the principles of development effectiveness and transparency.

  Corporate:

  •  Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modelling the UN/UNDP's values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
  • Excellent intercultural communication skills;
  • Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of political and ethical issues in different contexts.

Required Skills and Experience

Education
  • Master’s degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Economics, and the broad social sciences or other related disciplines.
 Experience
  • At least 3 years of work experience, with increasing independence, in an international organization;
  • Substantive exposure to and understanding of inter alia development at large;
  • Knowledge and experience with international organization/NGO/UN will be an added value.
Language requirements:
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English;
  • Good working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.
Selection process:
  • The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the highest score on technical and financial.
  •  All applicants will be initially screened against the minimum requirements as specified above. These long-listed candidates will then be technically evaluated.  Only candidates who have scored a minimum of 70% will be considered for an interview and asked to submit a financial proposal;
  • Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicant’s interview score and financial proposal with a 70-30 weighing.