UNDP Jobs - 56233- Consultant

Consultant - Regional Adviser

Location :

Bangkok, THAILAND

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

10-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

20-May-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

4 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

70 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

Despite the region’s rapid economic growth, resource consumption and carbon emissions in Asia now outstrip the rest of the work. The region is home to 63% of the world’s poor (ADB, 2011) who mostly rely on natural resources for their livelihoods. Unsustainable natural resource management, unequal distribution of natural resources and lack of pro-poor environmental governance have left many in the region vulnerable.

The UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative is a global UN-led programme working in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe and CIS. It supports country led efforts to mainstream pro-poor and gender responsive environment objectives into national and sub-national development, from policy making, planning and budgeting to implementation and monitoring.

In Asia and the Pacific, PEI works in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and the Philippines. PEI works with Ministries of Finance, Planning, Local Government and Environment to direct public and private investments to achieve inclusive green economies. PEI supports Governments in three broad areas, including analysis and developing evidence for policy reforms, capacity building for institutional change and advocacy and communications to support policy implementation.

The overall outcome of PEI is to “Enhanced implementation of pro-poor environmentally sound development policies, plans and budgets for inclusive and sustainable growth”.

The expected outputs are:

P-E approaches and tools for integrated development policies, plans and coordination mechanisms applied;
Cross-sectoral budget, expenditure frameworks, coordination mechanisms, and environment-economic accounting systems institutionalised;
P-E approaches and experiences are documented and shared to inform country, regional and global development programming by the UN and Member States.

Institutional Arrangements

The Consultant will report to the Regional Team Leader for Inclusive Growth, UNDP BRH and will work closely with members of PEI AP regional team and UNDP Inclusive Growth and Governance teams.

Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

The assignment is expected to last 70 days during 10 June and 30 September 2015. The assignment is based at the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, Thailand. Travel to Asia Pacific PEI countries might be required (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal and Philippines, etc).

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant will work alongside the Regional Adviser in UNEP ROAP and members of the PEI AP regional team, and will work closely with the Inclusive Growth team members, including Extractive Industry Expert, SDGs Expert and Economist to ensure stronger alignment between PEI and UNDP Inclusive Growth priorities. The Consultant will also liaise with members of the Governance team, including the Governance of Climate Finance team.

Output 1. Co-Manage the joint UNDP-UNEP Poverty Environment Initiative Asia Pacific (PEI-AP)

Related actions:

Develop PEI-AP regional work plans and budgets in collaboration with PEI country teams and PEF;
Monitor and report on progress of PEI-AP in collaboration with PEI country teams and PEF;
Provide technical oversight to UNEP PEI-AP staff and consultants;
Support organization of PEI-AP related-events;
Support development of PEI-AP sustainability strategy and action plan.

Deliverables:

Regional work plan and budget developed and revised;
PEI-AP quarterly and biannual progress reports submitted to and accepted by the RTL IG and PEF;
Regional team functioning effectively, including with regular team meetings, clear staff ToR developed, and performance evaluated;
One PEI events developed and delivered successfully;
Draft PEI-AP sustainability strategy and action plan accepted by RTL IG for onward submission.

Output 2. Provide strategic and technical advice to PEI country teams (government, UN) to ensure timely and quality delivery of PEI-AP country activities:

Related actions:

Develop and revise PEI-AP project documents, work plans and budgets in collaboration with PEI country teams when required;
Provide regular technical input to the implementation and M&E of PEI country-level activities through on-line support and in-country missions;
Support PEI country teams in maintaining and increasing development partners support to deepen implementation and ensure sustainability.

Deliverables:

Country project documents, work plans and budgets developed and accepted for submission by the RTL IG;
At least 5 country products, ToRs and outputs developed and cleared by RTL IG;
Concept note developed and cleared by RTL IG for resource mobilization for at least one PEI country programme.

Output 3. Develop PEI-AP regional knowledge products and strategic partnerships:

Related actions:

Develop a regional knowledge product and communication materials and disseminate PEI’s knowledge, results and lessons learned through key events and different communications channels;
Explore and develop strategic partnerships within and outside UNEP and UNDP.

Deliverables:

At least one regional knowledge product and communication material developed and disseminated through a regional event and multi-media (e.g. PEI and UNEP ROAP websites);
At least one partnership developed and agreed (e.g. with UNCDF on LoCAL, Extractive Industries).

Output 4. Strengthen PEI collaboration with UNDP’s work in the region

Related actions:

Develop collaboration with UNDP’s on-going initiatives in the region;
Provide PEI input to UNDP’s corporate and regional level work in the region.

Deliverables:

At least one joint activity undertaken in collaboration with UNDP’s initiatives, (e.g. Extractive Industries, SDGs process, PAGE-Green Economy, etc.);
PEI input provided into UNDP’s regional strategy, work plans, concept notes and reports as requested by UNDP HQ and BRH.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Monthly progress report on output deliverables below:

Regional work plan and budget developed and revised;
PEI-AP quarterly and biannual progress reports submitted to and accepted by the RTL IG and PEF;
Regional team functioning effectively, including with regular team meetings, clear staff ToR developed, and performance evaluated;
One PEI events developed and delivered successfully;
Draft PEI-AP sustainability strategy and action plan accepted by RTL IG for onward submission;
Country project documents, work plans and budgets developed and accepted for submission by the RTL IG;
At least 5 country products, ToRs and outputs developed and cleared by RTL IG;
Concept note developed and cleared by RTL IG for resource mobilization for at least one PEI country programme;
At least one regional knowledge product and communication material developed and disseminated through a regional event and multi-media (e.g. PEI and UNEP ROAP websites);
At least one partnership developed and agreed (e.g. with UNCDF on LoCAL, Extractive Industries);
At least one joint activity undertaken in collaboration with UNDP’s initiatives, (e.g. Extractive Industries, SDGs process, PAGE-Green Economy, etc.);
PEI input provided into UNDP’s regional strategy, work plans, concept notes and reports as requested by UNDP HQ and BRH.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Positive, constructive attitude to work.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree in social sciences, environment, development studies, public administration, or other related areas.

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional experience working on issues related to environment and poverty; and application of those skills in other sectors such as natural resource management and climate change is an advantage;
Practical experiences of working in/with government;
Knowledge of and experiences with UNDP;
Demonstrated practical experiences in financial analysis and numeracy skills;
Experience of working in Asia; other international experiences advantageous;
Ability to take on multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Language:

Excellent communication skills, both written and oral in English;
Ability to write clearly and compellingly in English;
Knowledge of regional languages is an advantage, but not required.

Required documents

Interested candidates are requested to submit the following documents:

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability, specifying proposed professional fee (daily rate). Document can be downloaded at http://webapp3-docs.undp.org/procurement_notices/notice_doc_22139_257032221.pdf

Personal CV or P11

Criteria for selection of the best offer

Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%