UNDP Jobs - 56716- International Consultant

International Consultant - New Deal Implementation Support Coordination and Management

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Jul-2015

Application Deadline :

03-Jun-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 Months

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 International Dialogue on Peacebuilding and Statebuilding (IDPS) began in 2009 after the 3rd High Level Forum in Accra that provided the mandate. It brings together the International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF) under OECD/DAC and the g7+. INCAF convenes international aid agencies and is co-chaired by UNDP. The g7+ was created in 2010 and now includes a group of 20 countries that self-identify as fragile states. The g7+ has received much positive international attention among donor agencies and in the international debate, as it represents the voice of fragile states. The New Deal has also helped establish a basis for more focus on capacity development and a gradual and realistic movement towards greater use of country systems for long-term sustainable development. The key achievement of the IDPS has been to launch the New Deal at the Busan High Level forum in November 2011 after an intensive process of negotiation between the g7+ and INCAF. It represents a new and improved approach to planning and assessment in fragile states with a strong focus on 5 Peacebuilding and Statebuilding Goals (PSGs). The New Deal recognizes the need for simple and streamlined planning processes, building on compacts agreed upon between governments and donors to ensure joint prioritization and mutual accountability. New Deal implementation typically includes a government-led fragility assessment organized around the 5 PSGs, a compact and a continuous monitoring and dialogue process. A number of countries have carried out fragility assessments, including DRC, Comoros, Liberia, Timor Leste, South Sudan, and Sierra Leone; Afghanistan is now undertaking one. Somalia and Sierra Leone have established compacts and Liberia and DRC have decided to establish one. The Ebola crisis is currently preventing active progress in Liberia and Sierra Leone, but their governments remain strongly committed and they have decided to use the New Deal as the framework for the Ebola recovery. Afghanistan and Yemen have established mutual accountability frameworks that are very close to New Deal standards for compacts, and Yemen recently joined the g7+. CAR has both made their intention to use the New Deal as transition frameworks clear. The current mandate of the New Deal expires in 2015, and the Steering Group meeting of the IDPS in Washington on 13 October 2014 agreed to conduct an independent review of the New Deal as part of the background to renew its mandate. The review will build on in-depth country cases and country discussions. In the remaining time under the current mandate, there is agreement to focus on achieving progress in a few countries and overcoming the obstacles to this, including through high level joint visits.

UNDP launched a donor funded New Deal implementation support facility in early 2014 with a two-year budget of USD 5.3 million. This has allowed UNDP to step up its engagement in New Deal processes and provided support to work in Sierra Leone, Liberia, DRC and Guinea Bissau. At the same time, UNDP Country Offices continue their existing engagement in other countries, including in Afghanistan and Somalia. Beginning in April, UNDP has circulated quarterly updates with financial and results based information. Through the support facility, UNDP aims to effectively connect the country level with the global policy debate and learning process at the heart of the New Deal. In addition to the country level support, the facility provides capacity support to the g7+, enabling g7+ participation in international meetings on the New Deal. UNDP is currently developing a set of additional activities to be managed as part of the New Deal facility that will focus on policy research, guidance and strengthening the capacity to implement the New Deal. This proposal will build on the opportunity to learn from the growing country experience with implementation of the New Deal and address the need for more knowledge and guidance, including on the readiness of fragile states to implement the SDGs.

Scope of Work, Responsibilities and Description of the Proposed Analytical Work

UNDP is seeking to engage a consultant to support and help manage the implementation of the New Deal support facility. The consultant will work as part of the Strategic Policy Unit in the Bureau for Policy and Program Support at UNDP Headquarters in New York and will report to Senior Policy Advisor on Crisis, Risks, Fragility, and Resilience who is also the project manager for the New Deal Implementation Facility. The consultancy is planned for a period of six months. Deliverables Manage UNDP’s country level support for New Deal implementation under the New Deal support facility. This includes strengthening UNDP’s country level capacities to engage national and international partners in each country in the New Deal implementation; Facilitate meetings and discussions, guide and manage the development of implementation plans and roadmaps, concept notes and ToRs at a high strategic level; Provide mission support at the country level and participate in global and regional UNDP meetings and workshops as required; Develop strong and innovative concepts for New Deal implementation at the country level that translate New Deal principles and recommendations into practice; Advise on, and prepare new country allocations from the facility. The target is to increase the number of UNDP Country Offices with active support for New Deal implementation from 7 to 12 within the six month period. Engage UNDP’s global partners in the New Deal, including the g7+, OECD/DAC, other UN partners, the World Bank and bilateral donors including supporting UNDP Senior Management in their contacts with these New Deal partners; Ensure that UNDP adds value to the global debates on development and fragility building on UNDP’s comparative advantage. As required, participate in meetings of the IDPS at the global level. Engage with partners and UNDP management at all levels, including Ministers and Senior Management. Draft policy papers and briefing notes for internal and external use, including briefings for UNDP senior management. Specifically, prepare UNDP’s participation in meetings related to the New Deal in September 2015 and if required, subsequent meetings. Coordinate and provide direction in UNDP’s relationship with and support for the g7+ and its Secretariat. Develop UNDP’s role in support of the g7+ and ensure that it adds value. The immediate challenges in the next three months are to establish a Liaison Office Post in New York to support g7+ countries’ missions to the UN. And to develop UNDP’s partnership with ODI including formalizing an agreement with ODI on this. Support UNDP’s work on guidance notes and policy research under the overall direction of the project manager and Team Leader. The target is to launch and oversee work on 3 guidance notes and up to 7 research papers within the initial period of 6 months. Produce high quality report on progress in the implementation of the New Deal facility, including through regular quarterly updates to UNDP’s New Deal partners. Undertake relevant and focused contacts to key bilateral donors to solicit feedback and keep them informed about UNDP New Deal activities. The immediate task will be the report for July 2015. Oversee the budgeting and financial management of the New Deal support facility conducted by administrative support staff. Ensure that the facility has access to budget lines that are up to date and reflect budget structure and allocations as decided by the project manager and UNDP management. Ensure that quarterly financial reporting is correct, clear and sufficient. Prepare the financial report for the July quarterly report and subsequent reports if required. Prepare work on a new two-year program for the UNDP to support New Deal implementation in 2016-17 through analysis of UNDP’s contribution so far, discussions with New Deal partners and internal stakeholders and UNDP management. Consider the need for a review or an evaluation of the current facility. The work on the new two-year program will begin in September 2015.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide an update on progress on development of strong and innovative concepts for New Deal implementation at the country level that translate New Deal principles and recommendations into practice; Advise on, and prepare new country allocations from the facility. Provide ideas on new countries to target for New Deal implementation;
Produce narrative and financial report for 2nd quarter of New Deal Facility. Undertake relevant and focused contacts to key bilateral donors to solicit;
Provide an update on progress on development of strong and innovative concepts for New Deal implementation at the country level that translate New Deal principles and recommendations into practice; Advise on, and prepare new country allocations from the facility. Provide ideas on new countries to target for New Deal implementation;
Support UNDP’s work on guidance notes and policy research under the overall direction of the project manager and Team Leader. The target is to launch and oversee work on 3 guidance notes and up to 7 research papers within the initial period of 6 months.feedback and keep them informed about UNDP New Deal activities (Approximate Deadline) By the end of 1 Month
Provide an update on progress on development of strong and innovative concepts for New Deal implementation at the country level that translate New Deal principles and recommendations into practice; Advise on, and prepare new country allocations from the facility. Provide ideas on new countries to target for New Deal implementation;
Support UNDP’s work on guidance notes and policy research under the overall direction of the project manager and Team Leader. The target is to launch and oversee work on 3 guidance notes and up to 7 research papers within the initial period of 6 months. (By end of Month 2);
Provide update on work on two-year program for UNDP to support the New Deal. Undertake relevant and focused contacts to key bilateral donors to solicit feedback and keep them informed about UNDP New Deal activities ( By the end of 3 Months)
Provide an update on progress on development of strong and innovative concepts for New Deal implementation at the country level that translate New Deal principles and recommendations into practice; Advise on, and prepare new country allocations from the facility. Provide ideas on new countries to target for New Deal implementation;
Continuing support to UNDP’s work on guidance notes and policy research under the overall direction of the project manager and Team Leader. The target is to launch and oversee work on 3 guidance notes and up to 7 research papers within the initial period of 6 months.(By the end 4 Months);
Produce narrative and financial report for 3rd quarter of New Deal Facility activities;
Undertake relevant and focused contacts to key bilateral donors to solicit feedback and keep them informed about UNDP New Deal activities( By the end of 5 Months);
Undertake relevant and focused contacts to key bilateral donors to solicit feedback and keep them informed about UNDP New Deal activities;
Provide full report on activities during the 6 months period and full handover if needed. ( By the end of 6 Months).

Competencies

Demonstrated ability to work and articulate ideas and concepts clearly at a high strategic level, convince and persuade others and translate ideas into practical action;
Ability to explain conceptual issues to different stakeholders in a clear way;
Strong analytical and writing skills with a proven record of publications in internationally recognized media on issues related to post-conflict engagement and fragile states;
Flexibility and excellent organisational skills and ability to deliver on time and under pressure;
Ability to identify creative solutions and solve problems;
An excellent team player with an open and service-minded attitude; and,
Ability to connect with and work well with internal and external partners.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in development economics, finance, environmental science, international relations or other relevant discipline.

Experience:

Seven years of progressively responsible experience in international development;
Substantial experience with development problems in post-conflict countries and fragile states is required. Knowledge of, and experience with the New Deal and the g7+;
Country level experience in post conflict countries and fragile states as well as experience as an active participant in the global level debate on peacebuilding and statebuilding;
Solid experience with project management, reporting, stakeholder management and working with diverse teams and across organisation to achieve same goals. Solid experience in donor relations and diplomacy skills. Solid experience with budgeting and financial reporting.

Language:

Fluency in English is required;
Working knowledge of French will be an advantage.

Documents to be included when submitting the Proposals:

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

Personal CV or P11and three (3) references;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
Financial Proposal that indicates the daily rate in USD;
Financial Proposal.

Contracts based on daily fee:

Applicants are instructed to submit their daily rate financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to bpps.procurement@undp.org, using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=52799. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for "New Deal Implementation Support coordination and management, New York USA” by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline may be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal. UNDP will cover travel to and from New York. In general, UNDP will not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.For HQ (New York) based positions no perdiems will be paid in addition to the daily fee as well as no relocation costs.

Mission Travels:

The consultancy will be required to travel which will be organized by UNDP (in economy class).

Official travel out of New York may be required as part of the consultancy, including to g7+ countries[, in accordance with UNDP standard policies and procedures. DSA will be provided for such mission travel which will also be on Economy Class. It is expected that an average of at least one mission/travel per month will occur. Perdiems and other travel related costs will be organized and covered by UNDP within the allowance of UNDP’s travel policies.

[1] The g7+ countries are: Afghanistan, Burundi, CAR, Chad, Comoros, Cote d’Ivoire, DRC, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Haiti, Liberia, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor Leste and Togo, Yemen, Sao Tome & Principe.

Evaluation:

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology [weighted scoring method], where 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 technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Technical Criteria weight: 70%.

Financial Criteria weight: 30%

UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores

Criteria for use in the Technical Evaluation

A total maximum of 100 points will be assigned in the technical evaluation. 80 points will be allocated on the basis of review of CVs and 20 points on the basis of interview. The 100 points will be assigned as follows;
Experience in international development at a high strategic level working on post-conflict countries and fragile states as well as being a participant in the global policy debate: Up to 20;
Country level experience in Post Conflict countries a: Up to 15;
Experience with management of projects, reporting, financial management and donor relations: Up to 30;
Working knowledge of French (and additional languages): Up to 5;
Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70 out of the obtainable 100 points in the technical evaluation will be considered in the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation: (30%)

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

Where:

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.

Other important considerations:

UNDP Personal History Form

In addition, applicants will be requested to fill and sign a PH 11 Form and submit it together with Curriculum Vitae on the online application portal. To note, a completed PH 11 Form will be required at the time a selected applicant signs an Individual Contract (IC) or his/her employer, if employed, signs a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) for work associated with this assignment.

UN Personal History form (UN PH11) can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Office and equipment:

UNDP will provide the following office facilities: a) office space/access to UNDP premise; b) Telephone and internet connection;

Annexes and Reference:

Individual Consultant's General Terms and Conditions are provided here:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.