UNDP Jobs - 52309- International Consultant

International Consultant - Voter Education Advisor

Location :

Home-based with two (2) visits to Cairo, Egypt

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Jan-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

80 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

80 working days within the period from 15 January to 15 July, 2015

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 Global Programme for Electoral Cycle Support (GPECS), UNDP’s most important vehicle contributing to the formulation and implementation of electoral policy, consists of country, regional, global and gender components that sustainably support policy development, knowledge management and programme support and that use a process-driven approach rather than an event-driven one. GPECS has also innovated in new areas of demand, including on developing electoral indicators, media and elections, and youth participation. The overall goal to which GPECS contributes is towards deepening democracy and accelerating human development. In the Arab region, GPECS is supported through a US$7 million contribution agreement with SIDA, and works towards building coherence in electoral support in the region through dialogue, partnership and initiatives that strengthen electoral knowledge, and reinforce the participation of youth and women in political and civic life. The Arab component also supports national efforts, through UNDP country level electoral assistance projects, to enhance capacity of electoral authorities to play their role in the professional, transparent, and credible administration of elections.

As part of its support at the country level, the Arab component of GPECS is seeking a Senior Voters Education Advisor to provide technical assistance to the Government of Egypt, through the UNDP project titled ‘Strengthening of the Democratic Process in Egypt’ in the areas of voter and civic education.

Within this context, and under the guidance of the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) in Egypt and the Regional Electoral Advisor, the Voter Education Advisor’s main activity is to supervise the day to day operations for the Voters Education Initiative in addition to ensure the success delivery for its outputs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Main responsibilities of the Voter Education Advisor are:

Under the guidance of the Regional Electoral Advisor and the Chief Technical Advisor in Egypt contribute with inputs and team guidance for the implementation of the on-going Voters Education Initiative (VEI);
Progressively review and oversee the completion of some of the VEI products (audio, TV and other interactive media);
Develop concepts (strategies, methodology, action plans, etc.) for the continuation of the VEI;
Supervise launching and initial implementation of the initiative;
Develop the Voter Education Initiative workplan for 2015;
Envisage new activities on voter education that might be regionalized.

Expected Output/Deliverables of the Consultancy Assignment

The Voter Education Advisor should submit a periodic and final report covering the following topics / activities:

Recommendations for the completion of some of the VEI products (audio, TV and other interactive media);
Launch the voters education campaign;
Oversight of the beginning of the implementation of the dissemination strategies;
Concept note on a series of roundtables on different topics regarding voter education;
Facilitation of roundtables, giving input around international experiences;
Concept note for a Voter Educational Comic Book;
Concept note for a regional event on innovative approaches to enhance the participation of women and youth in the electoral process;
Recommendations on potential regional activities on voter education.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to the Electoral Project’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race and age sensitivity;
Strong organizational and reporting skills;
Results oriented, strong team player with outstanding interpersonal and coordination skills;
Ability to work independently;
Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines with a positive attitude;
Understanding of UNDP procedures, rules and regulations are an asset; and
Demonstrated sensitivity, discretion, tact and courtesy in relation to the Egyptian Electoral sensitivity, development principles and projects, implementing partners, and national and international personnel of varied nationalities and backgrounds.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge of legal and technical terms;
Knowledge of processes and working culture of international organizations, government ministries and community based organizations; and
Organizational and prioritization skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced University degree in social sciences, communications, public administration, public policy, or related field;
A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

At least 15 years of diversified and progressively responsible professional experience in civic/voters education/media/ public information activities;
Previous experience on voter education programs using radio channels;
Abilities to communicate, negotiate, analyze, elaborate and present reports and statements;
Proven ability to work under pressure and produce output that are accurate, timely and of high quality;
Previous experience in Egypt or other courtiers in the MENA region is an asset;
Knowledge of the media landscape in Egypt is an asset; and
Sound knowledge of gender issues and commitment to improving the participation of women in electoral processes.

Language Requirements

Fluency in written and spoken English;
Arabic is an asset.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications and interest:

Completed and signed P11 form including past experiences;
Cover letter titled: “Voter Education Advisor” explaining why you are the most suitable for this assignment;
Financial proposal.

Interested individuals must submit their applications online through UNDP Online Recruitment System. Applicants are encouraged to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it on the online application, although regular CVs are also acceptable. The P11 Form can be obtained at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Financial Proposal

Daily fee contract

The financial proposal should specify the daily fee and a breakdown for all envisaged costs (all travel costs to join duty station/repatriation travel including tickets (economy class).

Travel
The consultant will be expected to undertake two (2) trips to Cairo, Egypt. Each trip will require five (5) weeks presence at the premises of the “Strengthening of the democratic process in Egypt” project.

Application evaluation process

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer will be 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 Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% weight score of the obtainable points of 100% points in technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 points:

At least 15 years of diversified and progressively responsible professional experience in civic/voters education/media/ public information activities - 30 points;
Sound knowledge of gender issues and commitment to improving the participation of women in electoral processes - 20 points;
Previous experience in Egypt or other courtiers in the MENA region is an asset - 20 points;
Previous experience in voter education programs using radio channels – 20 points;
Knowledge of the media landscape in Egypt is an asset - 10 points;

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process