UNDP Jobs - 55171- National Consultant: Business Operations Strategy

National Consultant: Business Operations Strategy (BoS)

Location :

Kampala, UGANDA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

27-Apr-2015

Application Deadline :

13-Apr-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 Working Days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

60 Working Days

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

Under the overall leadership and guidance of the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), the Operations Management Team (OMT) endeavors to facilitate the implementation of Delivery as One (DaO) by harmonizing operational practices of UN bodies, agencies, funds and programmes in Uganda. Moreover, the OMT proposes and implements inter-agency initiatives to ensure the quality of support services, while utilizing resources effectively.
Within this context, the UNCT has decided to adopt and implement UN Development Group’s (UNDG) pilot results-based framework to plan, monitor, implement and evaluate operational activities, namely the Business Operations Strategy (BoS). The BoS will outline critical inter-agency harmonization and operations activities planned to support the new UNDAF implementation cycle: 2016-2020 prioritized after conducting various operational analyses in light of new needs coming out of the UNDAF and Costed Action Plan, Agencies Operational Policies and Procedures, the OMT operational/common services baseline and field operations reports.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work

Within this framework, this consultancy intends to develop a finished product of the 5yrs (2016-2020) Business Operations Strategy (BoS) as a key deliverable in close collaboration with the OMT and its technical working groups as well as other thematic groups of the UN including the Programme Management Team, the M&E Team, etc. The strategic stages within the formulation process include conduct of an Operational Analysis (Baseline Analysis: data collection and analysis of operational data to determine current status); cost benefits analysis and strategic prioritization (rationalizing and ranking in terms of the most benefit and cost); determining new needs and requirements (review of the UNDAF results framework to determine new needs and advice on system requirements to address those new needs); leading the strategic formulation process (developing the results and M&E matrixes as well as 5yrs budgeting) and finalizing the BoS (supporting the editing of the BoS narrative, including the governance & accountability framework and validation and approval).

Within this framework, the proposed pillars of the BoS under which the analysis shall be done include ICT, Logistics/Transportation and Finance, Procurement, Human Resources, HACT and One House respectively based on the work of the OMT Working Groups and the current country context. Note that OMT structural reconfiguration may result as part of the strategic review process.

Duties & Responsibilities

The detailed duties and responsibilities of the Consultant are as follows:

The Consultant will be primarily responsible for taking the lead in all technical, (meeting/discussion) facilitation, administrative support required by the OMT for the development of the operations feasibility/prioritization report and facilitation toward the development of the BoS including the:

Operational Data Collection/Analysis:

Development of required data collection templates;
Actual collection of operational data in collaboration with OMT at Kampala and field levels (Northern Uganda);
Data Rationalization and Analysis.

Operational Analysis:

Baseline: ( Supply)

Current Service Offering (both agenciesspecific and common service mapping).

Needs/Requirements (Demand)

Programme related Needs (deducted from the UNDAF/One Programme);
Other, non-programme related needs (field operations, etc.).

Cost-Benefit- Analysis and Prioritization:

Identifying, ranking and sequencing of common services by contextual relevance, cost, UNCT capacity, mandate, etc.;
Develop Common Service Priority Ranking (Baseline Report) with clear baselines indicators at the pillar and outcome levels.

Strategic Process:

Developing the BoS Results Matrix

Identify suitable outcomes as per the above operational analyses;
Develop outputs per outcome;
Identify and set baselines, targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 5yrs at outcome level with required resources (budget);
Include indicative resource requirements at the outcome level;
Set lead agencies at the output and activities level.

Developing the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework:

Develop clear M&E matrix as per UNDG BoS M&E guidelines;
Develop required reporting and tracking tools with a clear link to current electronic Management Information System (eMIS);
Develop M&E management arrangements and frequencies.

Developing the Annual Work Plan: 2016:

Develop and cost annualized activities per output for 2016 as per UNDG template.

Develop BoS Narrative/Submission:

The OMT/BoS technical Team, working closely with the Consultant (offsite), and the OMT Working Groups will develop the various narrative sections of the BoS;
The Consultant will edit the final draft version of the document and present to the OMT/PMT (VCT, Skype Session) and seek their feedback;
The Consultant, with OMT Chairpersons and RCO, will facilitate the presentation of draft BoS to the UNCT for review (VCT, Skype Session) and incorporate inputs toward the development of the final draft;
This consultancy contract will end after the UNCT approves the final version of the BoS.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The detailed duties and responsibilities of the Consultant are as follows:

The Consultant will be primarily responsible for taking the lead in all technical, (meeting/discussion) facilitation, administrative support required by the OMT for the development of the operations feasibility/prioritization report and facilitation toward the development of the BoS including the:

Operational Data Collection/Analysis:

Development of required data collection templates;
Actual collection of operational data in collaboration with OMT at Kampala and field levels (Northern Uganda);
Data Rationalization and Analysis.

Operational Analysis:

Baseline: ( Supply)

Current Service Offering (both agenciesspecific and common service mapping).

Needs/Requirements (Demand):

Programme related Needs (deducted from the UNDAF/One Programme);
Other, non-programme related needs (field operations, etc.).

Cost-Benefit- Analysis and Prioritization:

Identifying, ranking and sequencing of common services by contextual relevance, cost, UNCT capacity, mandate, etc.

Developing the BoS Results Matrix:

Identify suitable outcomes as per the above operational analyses;
Develop outputs per outcome;
Identify and set baselines, targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for 5yrs at outcome level with required resources (budget);
Include indicative resource requirements at the outcome level;
Set lead agencies at the output and activities level.

Developing the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework:

Develop clear M&E matrix as per UNDG BoS M&E guidelines;
Develop required reporting and tracking tools with a clear link to current electronic Management Information System (eMIS);
Develop M&E management arrangements and frequencies.

Developing the Annual Work Plan: 2016:

Develop and cost annualized activities per output for 2016 as per UNDG template.

Develop BoS Narrative/Submission:

The OMT/BoS technical Team, working closely with the Consultant (offsite), and the OMT Working Groups will develop the various narrative sections of the BoS;
The Consultant will edit the final draft version of the document and present to the OMT/PMT (VCT, Skype Session) and seek their feedback;
The Consultant, with OMT Chairpersons and RCO, will facilitate the presentation of draft BoS to the UNCT for review (VCT, Skype Session) and incorporate inputs toward the development of the final draft;
This consultancy contract will end after the UNCT approves the final version of the BoS.

Deliverables/Outputs:

Operational Data Collection and Analysis (Onsite);
Operational Analysis (Baseline, Needs & Requirements, Cost-Benefit Analysis & Strategic Prioritization) (Onsite);
Strategic Process (Formulation of Results Matrix, M&E Framework & AWP 2016) (Onsite);
Develop BoS Narrative/Submission of Final UNCT Approved BoS (Offsite).

Institutional Arrangements

The contractor/consultant will be supervised by the OMT chair through the BoS technical team. He/she will report to the OMT Chair who is responsible to approve and accept outputs and performance on behalf of the OMT with guidance with the BoS Technical Team. During the contract period, the contractor is expected to interact with the OMT various working groups, the PMT, the UNACs, the M&E Team, the UNCG and specific agencies where necessary.

Duration of Work

This consultancy, aimed at providing technical support to the OMT on the BoS formulation is expected to run for no more than (60) days only. The consultancy (technical support) to be scheduled to provide the required technical support at different stages of the formulation process.

Duty Station

Kampala, Uganda with travel to UN joint field offices including Northern Uganda where necessary.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism:

Knowledge and understanding of UN’s operational context in Uganda, particularly in the fields of common services and the Business Operations Strategy;
Ability to identify key procedures and issues, conduct data collection, operational analyses and discussions with decision-makers to propose solutions to these issues;
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

Corporate competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree (Masters) in operations, finance, auditing, logistics, procurement, management, statistics or development related field preferably with specific focus on international development and humanitarian operations.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience with procurement, logistics or operations having quantitative analysis background and having UN experience;
Professional training in, and experience with statistical/operational analyses, and inter-agency procurement activities involving multiple UN agencies;
Experience working with Business Case Analysis and Business Process Harmonization in an international context;
Experience working in Uganda for an international organization such as a UN agency;
Expertise in operational support activities required to ensure high-quality and cost-effective delivery of UN’s development and humanitarian assistance, particularly within the context of Uganda;
Experience with holding operational analyses to identify benchmarks on quality and efficiency for inter-agency operations activities, and monitor and implement these activities accordingly;
Knowledge of UN’s legal context in Uganda, and the Uganda market, particularly to facilitate UN’s inter-agency harmonization, operational support and procurement activities.

Language:

Fluent in English (both written and spoken).

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Payment shall be by the lump sum modality in the following 3 instalments. These shall be all inclusive (of transport, field allowance, and cost of communication) and the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components:

Operational Data Collection and Analysis & Operational Analysis (Baseline, Needs & Requirements, Cost-Benefit Analysis & Strategic Prioritization) 30%;
Strategic Process (Formulation of Results Matrix, M&E Framework & AWP 2016) 30%;
Develop BoS Narrative/Submission of Final UNCT Approved BoS 40%.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Cumulative analysis;

The award of the contract shall 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%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria – Maximum 70 points;

Criteria:

Education (Masters) in operations, finance, auditing, logistics, procurement, management, statistics ) - 10;
Language skills - 5;
Knowledge of procurement, logistics or operations related work - 10;
Relevant experience in conducting similar assignments - 15;
Relevance of experience in report writing and drafting - 10;
Description of approach/methodology to assignment - 20.

Application Procedure

The candidate is required to submit an electronic application directly uploaded on the UNDP jobs website with all the requirements as listed here below. Annexes and further information may be downloaded on http://procurement-notices.undp.org/. (Reference # 55171).

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

The application should include the following documents/information:

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP (see Annex II);
Updated Personal CV highlighting past experience in similar assignments and with 3 professional references with contact details (email and telephone);
Technical Proposal: suggested outline for technical proposal;
The offerors' interpretation of the assignment;
Approach and methodology for undertaking the assignment;
Work-plan.

Financial proposal (in template provided in Annex II) stating an all-inclusive fixed lumpsum fee for this assignment in Ugandan Shillings, supported by a breakdown of costs. Such total lump sum price must include professional fee, and costs necessary to conduct the assignment such as communication costs, etc. The consultant will be paid against the completion of specific, measurable deliverables as identified in this TOR.

Annexes

Annex I: Individual Contractor General Terms and Conditions;
Annex II: Template to Confirmation of Interest and Availability and Submit the Financial Proposal.

For clarifications, please send your email to justine.naiga-bagonza@undp.org, diana.nabbanja@undp.org and agnes.kintu@undp.org.