Jobs - 51849- Consultancy Services: Development of a Business Op

Consultancy Services: Development of a Business Operations Strategy

Location :

Islamabad, PAKISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Dec-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

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

The UN General Assembly and Economic and Social Council resolutions have repeatedly called for the UN system to harmonize business operations, with the aim of reducing operational transaction costs and duplication of the operational support to programme delivery. For this purpose, the UN Development Group (UNDG) High Level Committee on Management (HLCM) was mandated to work with UNCTs to improve programme and business operations. In this context, the Secretary-General, through a study involving experts at the country level, unveiled the need for results-based planning and monitoring activities to strengthen strategic thinking and prioritization of harmonization efforts with a focus on the highest value added. The Business Operations Strategy (BoS) guidelines was created in 2012 as the UNDG response to these needs and requests.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Pakistan through the United Nations Operations Management Team (OMT) shall engage a Service Provider (referred to as “Consultant” hereafter) to undertake the task of developing a Business Operations Strategy for the UN Agencies in Pakistan based on the UNDG guidelines on Business Operations Strategy (BOS). In particular, the BOS should aim at reducing costs and harmonizing business activities of the UN Agencies in Pakistan through joint business initiatives. The document should serve as an easy-to-use framework to better harmonize, synchronize, monitor and manage UN’s joint business activities in the country. It would also allow the OMT (and the UNCT) to improve monitoring, management and implementation of joint business initiatives in the medium-term and in a coherent way by establishing clear linkages with Pakistan’s One UN Programme II (OPII) for 2013-2017.

Management of Consultancy Services

The Consultant will report to the UNDP Co-chair of the Operations Management Team (referred to as “Supervisor” hereafter and work under his overall guidance. Through the Supervisor, the Consultant will implement the deliverables described below in consultation with other member of the OMT.

The Consultant will not provide any substantive or operational information regarding UN’s operational services and procurement activities to third parties without the written consent of the UNCT.
This consultancy will be administrated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and all relevant UNDP rules, policies and procedures will apply.
Supervisor will ensure that the Consultant receives access to the respective offices of the UN agecnies for relevant meetings, presentations and training sessions.

Scope of Services

In consultation and other forms of engagement with the UNCT, OMT and other stakeholders, the Consultant shall produce a draft BOS to include:

Operations Analysis: Defines the results focus and prioritizes the results areas according to the outcome of costs and benefit analysis for each suggested business solution. Includes Baseline Analysis, Needs Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Cost Benefit Analysis and Prioritization;
Business Operations Results Framework (with narratives): Translates the business solutions to specific result statements (outcomes, outputs) and adds a short narrative for each results area. It also suggests a required budget per outcome/output;
Business Operations Monitoring, Evaluation and reporting: Defines outcome and output level indicators, targets and baselines;
Business Operations Governance Mechanisms. Define expected mode of governace mechanism;
Business Operations Budgetary Framework: Describes the resource requirements, including a resource map of existing resources, the resource gap and a resource mobilization strategy;
To operationalize the Business Operations Strategy: Outlines the implementation of BoS through work planning, including the concepts of integrated (OMT) work plan and the use of the standardized MoU for Common Services.

Timelines and Deliverables

December 2014

Conducts data collection & analysis of operational services, processes and procedures.
Provides Baseline Analysis, Needs Analysis, draft Cost Benefit Analysis(CBA) and Requirements Analysis on operational services, processes and procedures;
Facilitates OMT retreat i.e. business prioritization exercise to determine strategic operational services and finalize related CBA.

January 2015

Presents a draft BOS to include:

Business Operations Results Framework, reflecting medium-term outcomes and outputs in line with the OPII cycle.
Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, reflecting outcome and output level indicators, allowing for monitoring and evaluation of the impact of business operations.
Business Operations Governance Mechanisms.

February 2015

Facilitates BOS validation workshop with stakeholders;
Submits the finalized BOS to OMT and UNCT.

Remuneration, Costs and Payments

Each applicant will indicate the cost of services for each deliverable in US dollars when applying for this consultancy. The Consultant will be paid in US dollars and only after clearance of the OMT and the supervisor confirms the completion of each deliverable. In accordance with UNDP rules, the amount paid should be considered inclusive of all associated costs including travel, communications, social security, pension and income tax.

Competencies

Functional competencies:

Knowledge and understanding of issues pertaining to UN’s work in Pakistan, particularly in the operational support services (Common Services) e.g. services in the areas of Procurement, ICT, HR, Logistics, Security etc.;
Knowledge and understanding of the General Assembly resolution GA/Res/67/226 on harmonization of business practices within UN agencies;
Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues;
Ability to engage others for data collection;
Ability to apply sound judgment in the context of assignments given, and work under pressure;
Shows persistence and remains calm in stressful situations;
Shows pride in work and achievements, demonstrates professional competence and mastery of the subject matter;
Responds positively to feedback and different points of view;
Conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

Planning and Organizing

Develops clear goals that are consistent with the terms defined here;
Identifies priority activities and assignments, and adjusts them as required;
Allocates appropriate time and resources for completing work by foreseeing risks and developing contingency plans accordingly;
Monitors and adjusts plans as necessary, and uses time effectively.

Accountability

Takes ownership of responsibilities and honors commitments;
Delivers assigned tasks within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
Takes personal responsibility for his/her shortcomings.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

At least undergraduate degree in business management, economics or another relevant discipline.

Experience:

Minimum of 10 years of experience in operations & programme management, conceptualization of business processes and procedures;
knowledge and application of Result Based Programming and Budgeting working with international organizations such as UN bodies and agencies. Application of BOS and UNDAP planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting strategies;
Expertise in UN’s development and humanitarian activities, particularly in the context of Pakistan;
Experience with mapping, evaluation and development of UN’s operational/common/joint services;
Expertise in international and national legal and regulatory frameworks.

Language:

Excellent knowledge of English; and
Working knowledge of Urdu an asset.

Note:

The Consultant is required to have the above professional and technical qualifications, and selection will be made based on both overall cost of services and these qualifications.