UNDP Jobs - 49480- International Research Management Consultant

International Research Management Consultant

Location :

Dhaka and Home Based, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Oct-2014

Application Deadline :

18-Sep-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

45 working days from October 2014 to December 2014

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

Approximately 40 million people in Bangladesh live in urban areas, out of which 21 per cent live below the poverty line. Such poor urban households live in inadequate and insecure houses, often in unsanitary conditions. Difficulties in accessing employment are made worse by having little or no social protection. There is limited access to health and education opportunities. With one of the highest urbanization rates in Asia, the situation continues to worsen for an increasing number of urban poor in Bangladesh.

The project

UPPR works with communities in 23 towns and cities across Bangladesh to develop the capacity of poor women to manage their communities’ development issues and tackle the needs they identify as most important. The project began in 2008 and seeks to reduce urban poverty in Bangladesh by sustainably improving the livelihoods and living conditions of 3 million poor and extreme poor people living in urban areas, especially women and children by August 2014. Key outputs include:

Urban poor communities mobilized to form representative and inclusive groups and prepare community action plans;
Poor urban communities have healthy and secure living environments;
Urban poor and extremely poor people acquire the resources, knowledge and skills to increase their income and assets; and,
Pro-poor urban policies and partnerships supported at the national and local levels.

To achieve these outcomes UPPR works with over 2,500 Community Development Committees (CDCs). Over 90% of leadership in CDCs is provided by women and they manage the Participatory Identification of the Poor (PIP); the development of Community Action Plans (CAPs); and oversee the implementation of community contracts.

To provide this support, the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations work together to manage and implement UPPR. It is the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) that hosts and executes UPPR at a national level. In the towns and cities in which UPPR works, it does it jointly with the Municipality or City Cooperation. UNDP manages the implementation of the Project, and UN-Habitat supports the components that work on improving living conditions. Beyond the contributions of these actors, the majority of funding is provided by UK aid (GBP 60 million).

The project has been extended from August 2014 to March 2015. In that period activities focusing on sustainability and establishing best practices are planned.

The Research, Evaluation and Learning Unit (RELU)

RELU leads UPPR’s work on result measurement and communication. The RELU consists of one national M&E Coordinator and one national M&E Expert. They are supported by nine national consultants who undertake data collection. The RELU also has an international communications consultant (remote with field visits) and one junior international communications consultant (remote). RELU was managed by an international M&E Specialist up to August 2014.

Established in 2013, RELU has undertaken a wide number of studies. These include the measurement of multidimensional poverty; the participatory measurement of women’s empowerment; and the measurement of short term outcomes from water and sanitation interventions. So far in 2014 UPPR has undertaken a further livelihoods study and a water quality testing study. Further studies are being implemented currently with more planned before the project ends in March 2015. Current work includes follow-up studies on both multidimensional poverty and women’s empowerment; and an assessment of settlement living conditions, focusing on physical infrastructure. The multidimensional poverty index study is especially important as it is a headline indicator for the project’s poverty reduction work. Proposed work includes a lessons learned and sustainability study of savings and credit groups and an assessment of early and forced marriage in slum areas. Additional studies are also under consideration.

RELU leads the delivery of results focused and strategic reporting. Key activities include donor reports in September 2014 and February 2015 as well as disseminating findings from studies outlined above.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives:

To provide technical support and quality assurance to the Research, Evaluation and Learning Unit of the Urban Partnerships for Poverty Reduction project as it delivers and reports upon the final phase of its research portfolio.

Scope of work and expected outputs / deliverables

The consultant’s work will have the following scope:

Work with firms and national and international consultants to finalize research inception reports, in particular advising on sampling and the use of qualitative and quantitative methods. Studies will include an assessment of settlement living conditions, focusing on physical infrastructure; a lessons learned and sustainability study of savings and credit groups; and an assessment of early and forced marriage in slum areas;
Provide quality assurance on data analysis and final reports by firms and national and international consultants;
Provide advice to the M&E Coordinator on qualitative and quantitative data analysis plans and quality assure analysis products. Studies will include the multidimensional poverty index study and a study, women’s empowerment, and short term outcomes for households receiving tubewells and latrines;
As required provide technical guidance to the M&E Coordinator in the development of sampling strategies, data collections tools, and data collection plans;
In collaboration with the International Communications Consultant, contribute to the writing and design of research reports and associated communications material as well as the development of donor reports for UK aid; and
Provide advice and comments to the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP and UK aid on other research and evaluation activities pertaining to urban poverty as required.

Expected outputs will include:

Quality assured and completed inception reports for three studies (likely to be lessons learned and sustainability study of savings and credit groups, an assessment of early and forced marriage in slum areas, and a value for moneys study). The consultant will review and provide feedback to consultants or firms on the appropriateness and quality of the reports;
Quality assured data analysis and final reports for two studies (the multidimensional poverty index study; and the assessment of settlement living conditions). The consultant will review analysis and provide feedback to firms and/or UPPR staff and provide advice on the quality of the final analysis. The consultant will provide feedback to firms and provide advice on the quality of all final reports;
Quality assured data analysis and completed briefing reports on two studies (women’s empowerment and short term outcomes for households receiving tubewells and latrines). The consultant will support and finalize data analysis. They will also write both briefings and collaborate with the International Communications Consultant on finalizing the reports.

Scope of bid price and schedule of payment:

Remuneration of the successful contractor will be fixed and bids should be submitted on this basis. No adjustment will be given for the period and determined by the specified outputs as per this ToR. The price should take into account all HR costs and professional fees, travel costs, subsistence and ancillary expenses;
UNDP shall effect payments, by bank transfer to the consultant’s bank account, upon acceptance by UNDP (in consultation with LPAD) of the deliverables specified in the ToR. Payments will be made based on milestone deliverables upon submission of invoice and upon certification of the work completed.

Payment instalments:

30% of the contract amount upon finalisation of women’s empowerment briefing report (31st October 2014);
20% of the contract amount upon finalisation of the MPI study (30th November 2014);
30% of the contract amount upon finalization of the SIF briefing report (14th December 2014);
20% of the contract amount upon finalisation of the SLCI study (31st December 2014).

Terms:

The selected contractor will prepare and submit a work plan for approval and report progress;
Payment for services of the contractor will be made upon certification of the deliverable and submission of invoice by the International Project Manager, UPPR.

Responsibilities of the contractor regarding cost component:

All cost related to this assignment including logistics, office arrangements, accommodation, etc. (including when in travel within Bangladesh) shall be borne by the contractor.

Responsibilities of UNDP regarding cost component:

UNDP shall pay the lump sum amount quoted in the financial proposal and shall be paid as achievement of milestones as per the TOR;
Achieving the deliverables shall be the sole responsibility of the contractor. Any delay shall be communicated and plan to achieve the deliverables shall be communicated by the contractor to the UPPR team.

Identification of risk and risk mitigation plan:

Risk Identification – delay in the delivery of milestones due external factors. The consultant will be solely responsible for the deliverables and will be responsible to achieve these milestones;
A focal person/team from the UPPR project will coordinate the task between the consultant and UPPR. The International Project Manager will quality assure the final products.

Key performance indicator:

The achievement of milestone deliverables.

Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

The work will be overseen by the International Project Manager of UPPR.

Timeframe and deadlines

The work is estimated to require 45 working days from October 2014 to December 2014. This position is home-based with two missions to Bangladesh to cover a total period of 24 days inclusive of travel days. The precise dates of visits will be determined to coincide with key phases in study inception, data analysis, and reporting.

Inputs

UPPR will provide all necessary data and contacts. During the field visit UPPR will facilitate the visit and provide transport and office space as required. UPPR will not provide a laptop.

Evaluation

Individuals will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, 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

Financial proposal would be asked from only the shortlisted candidates and Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% points in the technical criteria would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Technical Weight: 70 points

Technical Criteria:

Qualitative and quantitative research expertise in multidimensional poverty index; women’s empowerment; and water and sanitation 30 points;
Expertise in providing technical guidance and quality assurance on research management to colleagues and firms :15 points
Expertise relating to urban poverty reduction and slums 15 points;
Expertise in communicating research results to a wide audience including donors and national government 10 points

Financial Weight: 30 Points

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrates team-building capacity including interpersonal and communication skills and ability to cope with a difficult environment where formal institutions of government are at the embryonic stage;
Deals diplomatically with challenging bureaucratic processes and pressure to meet strict deadlines;
Builds strong relationships with clients focusing on impact and result for the client and respond positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree with social research components from recognized university.

Experience:

Seven years of experience in undertaking research and evaluation work;
Experience of managing at least five separate research studies for INGOs or multilateral aid agencies, including at least one in an urban poverty context.

Relevant expertise:

Evidence of undertaking research in at least two of the following areas: multidimensional poverty index methodology; women’s empowerment; and water and sanitation.

Language:

Fluency in writing and speaking in English