Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the global development network of the United Nations system that is on the ground in 177 countries, with its Headquarters in New York, USA. The Bureau of Management is a central Bureau of UNDP Headquarters that deals with the development of corporate strategies, policies, tools and systems in the key management areas of human resources, finance and administration, budget, procurement, information and communications technology, legal, security, management consulting, and multi-partner trust funds. Drawing on sound analytics and a risk-management approach, BoM supports UNDP in the achievement of development results through management advice, innovative business solutions and other corporate services in operations management in line with evolving needs and expectations of development partners and international best practices. BoM also oversees policy adherence in operations management, safeguarding UNDP’s accountability vis-à-vis United Nations Member States and other relevant partners.

The Directorate of the Bureau of Management (BoM) consists of a small team advising and supporting the Assistant Administrator/Director and Deputy Directors of BoM on a wide range of management issues with significant corporate implications. The Directorate is also responsible for integrating and coordinating activities of 9 BoM Units. The revamping of Programme and Operations Policies and procedures (POPP) in key management areas so as to support UNDP Country Offices and Regional Bureaus meet their business needs, is a key initiative of the Directorate. The POPP is available at https://info.undp.org/global/popp/Pages/default.aspx.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the POPP Enhancement Project Manager, and with UNDP Bureau of Management Content Owners, the Consultant will:
  • Revise existing UNDP Prescriptive content into a new prescriptive content format that consists of (i) Policies, (ii) Procedures, (iii) Roles and Responsibilities, (iv) Glossary/Definitions;  (v) Templates and support roll out of the content as needed;
  • Review and provide feedback on the inputs made by Content Owners with the objective of making the content readable, concise, coherent and consistent across the different Units;
  • Support the migration of content into the new POPP.
Facilities Provided by UNDP:
  • The Consultancy will be home based. 

Competencies

 Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Management Competencies:
Judgment/Decision-making
  • Good judgment and initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact;
  • Ability to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve the goals and objectives of the UNDP.
Leadership:
  • Strong managerial and leadership skills;
  • Demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and/or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, procurement, financial and administrative management policies;
  • Proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment;
  • Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor and transfer knowledge/skills;
  • Motivated by a willingness to respond rapidly and effectively to the needs.
  • Strong analytical, judgmental skills.
  • Use initiative to deliver required outputs and planned results.
  • Independent assessment and integrity.
Managing Performance:
  • Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work of others;
  • Ability to make timely decisions;
  • Ability to coach, mentor, motivate and develop staff and encourage good performance.
Task Management:
  • Plans, prioritizes and delivers a variety of tasks on time;
  • Exercises sound judgment/analysis;
  • Develops creative risk management solutions;
  • Is able to operate and function at a senior level.
Building Trust:
  • Reputation for dealing honestly and openly with issues and staff;
  • Recognized and respected by peers, clients and staff.
Core Values and Ethics:
  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and commitment to the principles of respecting in the workplace a climate of diversity;
  • Support the organizations corporate goals and values;
  • Comply with UNDP Rules and Procedures and code of conduct;
  • Demonstrate a high degree of integrity.
Teamwork:
  • Build effective client relationships and partnerships, both within and outside the organization;
  • Display excellent interpersonal skills;
  • Building and sharing knowledge;
  • Provides guidance and support to others;
  • Make valuable practice contributions to the BOM Offices
Communication:
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills;
  • Excellent drafting skills on prescriptive policy and procedures; experience drafting UNDP policies and procedures is an asset.
  • Listens actively and responds effectively.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:
  • Master degree or equivalent in Law, Business, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field.
Years of Experience:
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in development work at the international level;
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience as a writer/editor authoring/editing relevant publications and products;
  • Experience on revision of institutional policies and procedures;
  • Experience and knowledge of the UN system is desirable and familiarity with UNDP procedures is, in particular, highly desirable.
Language Requirements
  • Excellent oral and written skills in English;
  • Knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset.
Documents to be included when submitting proposals:

Interested individuals must submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications:  
 UNDP Personal History form P11.  A personal CV is welcome in addition.
 
Note:

The P11 form can be downloaded at the following web address: http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc or in the attachment to this procurement notice.

Travel:

No travel is envisaged except where face-to-face meetings may be required (not more than once a month).

Evaluation process:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:
 
Step I- Screening

Applications will be screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:
  • Education: Master degree or equivalent in Law, Business or related field, Development Studies and social sciences or related area of study; 
  •  Experience: Minimum of 10 years’ experience in development work at the international level and minimum of 5 years of experience as a writer/editor producing/editing relevant publications and products;
  •  Language: Complete fluency in English (written and oral) and knowledge of other UN official languages is an asset. Interested candidates should include information on their language skills in their P11 or CV.
Step II : Shortlisting by Desk Review

UNDP will conduct a desk review to produce a shortlist of candidates by evaluating:
  • Competences and qualifications based on the UNDP P11 form submitted by each candidate; and
  • Candidates will be assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria:
Criteria for Evaluation of Candidates: Max 100 points
  • Experience on revision of policies and procedures: 35 %;
  • Relevant experience in writing and /or editing: 25 %;
  • Experience and knowledge of the UN system is desirable and familiarity with UNDP procedures is, in particular, highly desirable: 20%;
  • Substantive understanding of and/or background in one or more work of the following areas of specialization: Finance,  Human Resources, Procurement: 20%.    

Total: 100%                                                                                         

Up to 10 candidates who score the highest in the desk review and also meet the minimum threshold (70 points) will be invited to take part in a written test to assess their writing and editing skills. 
 
Step III: Written Test
 
The written test will be submitted to the shortlisted candidates via e-mail and they will be given a deadline to respond to the required questions.  The written tests will be evaluated as per the following criteria:

Criteria for Evaluation of Written Tests: Max 100 points
  • Accuracy: 30;
  • Organization, Structure and presentation: 30;
  • Logical reasoning and analysis: 20;
  • Tailored to audience: 10;
  • Creative writing/style:10.
The threshold to pass the written test is 70 points.
 
Step IV: Face to Face Interviews/Phone Interview
 
Following the written test, the candidates who pass the written test will be contacted for an interview (100 points). Only the candidates scoring 70points in the interview will be considered for the financial evaluation.

The questions and scoring for the interview is confidential.
 
Step V: Financial Proposal
 
The candidates who pass STEP IV “Interview” will be requested to provide their financial proposals, which shall contain a daily rate. The daily rate should be inclusive of all costs. The successful candidate is expected to work from home. Communication will be done by email and telephone/Skype.
 
Step VI : Final Evaluation (combined scores )
 
The final evaluation will combine the scores of the desk review, written test, interview and financial proposal with the following weights assigned to each:
Final Evaluation:100 per cent
  • Desk Review:  25 %;
  • Written test:  25%;
  • Interview: 20%;
  • Financial proposal:30 %.
Contract Award

Up to 3 candidates obtaining highest scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into a Long Term Agreement with UNDP.
 
Framework Agreement

UNDP plans to enter into a Long-Term Agreement (LTA) with the three top-ranked successful individual contractors to ensure the timely availability of required capacities to undertake work when needed. The successful individual contractors will be called  to provide services on a needs-basis and based on the fixed unit price. Please note that the LTA does not form a financial obligation or commitment from UNDP at the time the LTA contract is signed, and that such an agreement is non-exclusive.

When a specific need arises, the successful individual contractors will be approached and provided with a specific TOR and deliverables (and expected timeframe) but still within the scope of the responsibilities stated in the LTA. The successful individual contractors are expected to provide Confirmation of Interest on the specific services required and submit Financial Proposal based on the agreed LTA Daily Rate Consultancy Fee as well as the agreed timeframe or delivery time. The Individual Contractor that offers the best value for money will be issued a Purchase Order (PO). Financial commitments will only be established each time a PO for the specific services/TOR for Individual Contractor is committed.
This LTA has a cumulative ceiling amount that may accrue to the individual contractor during the life of the LTA, but the said amount shall remain as an upper limit, and must not and cannot be interpreted or understood as either a financial commitment or guarantee of business volume.
 
The duration of LTA is for 2-year period subject to satisfactory performance by the individual contractor. 

Payment Modalities
  • Payment to the individual contractor will be made based on the deliverables and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager;
  • Payments will be made to the individual contractor based on the number of days worked and deliverables accepted.