Background

UNDP works to advance gender equality and empower women as agents of change and leaders in the development processes that shape their lives towards a more inclusive, sustainable and resilient world. Gender equality and women’s empowerment is integrated in the organisation’s work in promoting sustainable development pathways, inclusive and effective governance systems and resilience building.  This report intends to provide intellectually independent, empirically grounded analysis of development issues, trends, progress and policies in order to help advance human development. HDRs are based on the premise that “people are the real wealth of a nation” using empirical data to impact policies that enlarge people's choices and create an enabling environment for people to enjoy long, healthy and creative lives or simply to “advance the richness of human life, rather than the richness of the economy in which human beings live” (Amartya Sen).  Today, more people are healthier, live longer, are more educated, have more access to goods and services and more power to select leaders, influence public decisions and share knowledge. Yet much more remains to be done in expanding choices and improving well-being for all people in all countries and communities, and for generations yet to come.

 Objectives of the report

This African Human Development Report aims:

• To review progress on human development in the region and establish the links between Sustainable Human Development, women empowerment and gender equality in Africa;
• To use existing and newly generated research, to provide evidence and demonstrate the intrinsic value of gender equality with a focus beyond economic aspects to social and environmental gains;
• To explore political, social and structural constraints to globally and nationally identified goals and targets while showcasing lessons learned from successes and failures in the African context;
• To provide policy recommendations that would lead to fundamental changes in policies, institutions, incentives, ideas and social processes to achieve Africa’s transformative vision.

 Partnership

The Report will be prepared through a consultative process, using new and existing empirical research produced by a team of UNDP in-house experts led by UNDP Africa working in close collaboration with the Policy Bureau, leading scholars and development practitioners.

Timeline of the research project

Given the scope and dimensions of the report, each background paper will be prepared over a cumulative period of 2 months.The duration of the assignment is between May 2015 and July 2015.  During this period, the consultants may be required to travel and spend time in New York for in-depth discussions with UNDP,the Advisory panel and in facilitation of stakeholders’ consultations.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will work closely with the Chief Economist and the Strategic Advisor of RBA. They will be available to (a) carry out background research and (b) provide technical backstopping on the preparation of the second regional Human Development Report.  The background paper author will be responsible for carrying out stipulated research in the areas assigned to each in the timelines required.

General Tasks:

• Undertake conceptual research, carry out case studies and surveys and write background papers to help deepen and broaden the analysis and the coverage of the report with the aim of generating ‘new’ knowledge;
• Produce an initial paper outline based on the assigned thematic areas and related background paper concept note;
• Prepare a clear analysis of development in the region from a human development perspective. This might include an overview relating theoretical aspects of human development and the regional context. Investigate the root causes of constraints on human development. Track development gaps and their impact on population groups, especially the vulnerable. Incorporate analysis highlighting the advances achieved in human development;
• Introduce updated national or regional indicators of development, including the Human Development Index. Discuss the method of calculating the main indicators and note any data or conceptual difficulties;
• Carry out policy analysis related to selected thematic areas including synthesis of information and research to scrutinize systematically the causes and consequences of current policies; assess the performance of these policies and produce policy options;
• Review the effectiveness of previous or current policies. Include an examination of policy-monitoring indicators that may be traced from year to year;
• Examine traditions, historical and cultural norms, and the social and economic environment to evaluate the local constraints on policy-making;
• Explore aspects of the regional and global context that broaden or limit government policy choices. Include the policies of other governments and regional or international institutions;
• Identify policy alternatives. Explore experiences in countries that are grappling with similar issues under similar circumstances.
• Carry out structured analyses of all policy alternatives, including cost-benefit analyses and evaluation of possible micro-level impacts of policy shifts and compare trade-offs in resource efficiency across outcomes. Identify potential winners and losers;
• Work with staff of UNDP to turn the research/analysis into UNDP-RBA working papers and other significant publications.

Deliverables:

• Annotated  Paper Outline  due date 1 June 2015;
• First draft background papers due date  2 June 2015;
• Second Draft  Background paper due date 3 July  2015;
• Final Paper (including working paper) due date  31 July 2015.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values including working in a culturally diverse environment;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates ability to function in a team environment and shares knowledge and experience.

Functional Competencies:

• Excellent verbal and writing skills with strong academic and policy knowledge;
• Knowledge in research and analysis related to sustainable human development, gender equality and women’s empowerment with particular focus on Africa and developing economies;
• Outstanding analytical and negotiations skills;
• Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally;
• Strong ability to take initiative to move complex processes forward to achieve articulated results, work at varying levels and on different initiatives simultaneously (personal organization and ability for multi-tasking);
• Possess ability to work under pressure and to accommodate change; and
• Demonstrable networking capability, interpersonal skills and strong ability to promote team work;
• Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated capacity to perform outstanding original research including statistical analysis and data mining.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Advanced University degree in development and applied economics, macroeconomics, quantitative economics, or equivalent qualifications;
• A PhD in any of the above areas would be an added advantage.

Experience:

• Minimum of fifteen years of work experience in the areas of interest (sustainable human development, women’s empowerment and gender equality);
• Fully literate in terms of software and e-networking;
• Substantial experience in development research and policy analysis related to political economy.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral English communications skills;
• Fluency in any of other UN Languages spoken in Africa would be an added advantage.

Note:

The candidate selected will be required to take UNDP’s mandatory training on Gender, and on the Prevention of Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Abuse of Authority, within two months of their assuming their functions in this position.

There must be evidence of similar works done in the past on issues related to sustainable human development, women’s empowerment and gender equality.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Technical proposal

• A short paper – maximum of 500 words  on  modelling the  impacts on  socio  Economic  ,indicators food security and food security and poverty  in that brings out (a) emerging issues; (b) research methodology; (c) proposed approach to deliver on the tasks enumerated; and (d) possible risks associated to achieving the objectives of this study and how to address the identified risks.
• Filled the P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (Blank form can be downloaded from here). Evidence of key deliverables and results could be attached to the document;

Financial proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable deliverables as indicated below:

The assignment will be delivered by an individual consultant within 2 months with deliverables staggered between May 2015 and July 2015 (25 working days).  All individual consultants must follow this schedule when submitting their financial proposal. All financial proposals should be submitted separately to rba.procurement@undp.org no later than 25 May 2015.

• The template for the Financial Proposal  form can be downloaded from here http://webapp3-docs.undp.org/procurement_notices/notice_doc_22235_644055519.docx.
• Please Note: The total working days per month are estimated to be 21.75 days.
• The cost of travel air tickets, living allowance, visa for staying in New York for attending consultations during this assignment will be borne by UNDP (and should not be part of this financial proposal).
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. professional fee, and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services.)

Payment Modality:

• 15% of Contract sum upon satisfactory completion of  the Annotated Background Paper Outline
• 35% of Contract sum upon satisfactory submission of a draft background paper; and
• 30% of Contract sum upon satisfactory completion of the second draft background paper
• 20% Contract sum upon satisfactory completion of a final paper including working paper for publication by UNDP

Travel

Successful consultants must be able to travel to participate in face to face meetings and facilitate consultations in countries if required. When such a request comes, the organization shall bear the cost of travel including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses based on extant policies and rules.

Should the Individual Consultant (IC) wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal  expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior  to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Criteria
Candidates will be assessed based on the following technical criteria:

Technical Evaluation (70%):

• Quality and relevance of similar tasks undertaken in the past with concrete results (50 points);
• The technical proposal (50 points);
• Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 per cent  of the total technical scores will be considered for the Financial Evaluation; and
• Financial Evaluation (30%): (The professional fee should be calaculated based on the understanding that there are 21.75 working days in a month. The fee should be quoted in US dollar only.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z),

• p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
• y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
• µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
• z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The final evaluation method will be based on a cumulative analysis of both the technical and financial proposals.When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will 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 per cent
• Financial Criteria weight:  30 per cent      

General Terms and Conditions of Contract for the Services of an Individual Contractor can be downloaded from  here

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.

Important

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. 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.