UNDP Jobs - 56867- Post-2015 Partnership Platform for Philanthropy

Post-2015 Partnership Platform for Philanthropy – Flagship Report Consultant

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

22-Jun-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 June – 30 September, 2015

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

20 June – 30 September, 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

Over the past decade, the Millennium Development Goals, or MDGs, have been critical in mobilizing resources and driving real progress on some of the world’s most pressing problems. With the MDGs’ deadline of 2015 fast approaching, discussion over what should succeed these goals — known as the “Post-2015 development agenda”— is an important collective undertaking for anyone concerned with international cooperation. As this agenda, also referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is being negotiated, there has been a push to utilize international funding for development more effectively through enabling innovative models of collaboration by a wider group of partners and stakeholders.

The Post-2015 Partnership Platform for Philanthropy (the Platform) project, focuses on philanthropy’s input into this developmental landscape by helping grantmakers to better understand the opportunities for engaging in the global development goals processes. The Platform main objective is to deepen collaboration between philanthropy and other development stakeholders in shaping and implementing the Sustainable development Goals. It offers institutional points of engagement for philanthropy at the country and also global levels which facilitate long lasting partnerships in achieving the goals.

The project also assists governments and the UN system in comprehending the added value of philanthropy’s direct engagement, including amplifying the voice and action of their grantees and partners in determining and achieving international targets and strategies.

The Platform project has begun in July 2014 with pilots in Kenya, Colombia, Ghana, Indonesia and global outreach efforts.

Rationale of the Assignment

UNDP seeks a consultant to assist in preparing a report which will review progress achieved by the Post 2015 Partnership Platform for Philanthropy activities so far and contribute to the discussion about value from philanthropic engagement with the UN and other stakeholders in implementing the sustainable development goals.

The report will be about 20-30 page document. Primarily it will show progress achieved to date with the implementation of the Platform (March 2014- July 2015). Based on the findings and observations from the field, the report will demonstrate what has been the contribution of the Platform to deepening collaboration between philanthropy and the UN, i.e. for philanthropy to better understand implementation of the SDGs, what are the key incentives for philanthropy’s engagement (with the UN) in implementing the SDGs and what are the concrete opportunities on the ground. A short analysis will be provided of what are the key indicators that facilitate collaboration between philanthropy and other stakeholders on the ground.

The report will build on the initial background research paper findings and recommendations and analyze how recommendations were applied and what have been implications on the effectiveness and efficiency of philanthropic giving.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant will gather and analyse evidence from the field as well as key relevant philanthropic literature and draft the body text of the report. In doing so, she/he will work under the guidance and supervision of the UNDP Private Sector and Foundation Team stationed in Istanbul, Turkey, with the inputs and cooperation of the country offices’ teams: Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia and Ghana, as well as consultation from the project’s partners: Foundation Center and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.

Guiding framework for analysis and presentation:

Positioning Platform as a new mechanism in the development cooperation landscape;
Evaluation of past experiences and patterns;
Demonstrating the evidence of progress towards the goal;
Understanding the constraints;
Understanding the drivers that move forward;
Understanding the next phase and potential for scaling up, including the path into decentralization and deepening in country work, replication and others.

The proposed guiding questions for the report are:

What the UN has done and should do better or differently to engage more philanthropy in the SDGs implementation in the next stages?
What are good examples of UN policies and practices that have demonstrated an effective engagement of philanthropy in collaborative ventures;
Has the Platform been effective, and to what extent, in engaging philanthropic leaders in the discussions about the SDGs, globally and at the country level?
Has the Platform sparked thematic policy discussions on the contributions of philanthropy in implementation of the SDGs?
Has the Platform ignited meaningful collaboration examples focusing on most crucial issues at country levels;
Has the Platform created institutional arrangements which facilitate philanthropic engagement with other stakeholders and specifically governments;
What are the modalities for collaboration with corporate philanthropy, international and growing southern philanthropy, trust and fund based philanthropy, family foundations, scholarships - case studies with input and examples from pilot countries;
What can work better: exploring the potential for innovative modalities of collaboration and partnerships on the ground

The proposed pillars and activities of the initiative-specific Flagship report should include but not be limited to:

Component 1: Develop outline for the work, design templates, questionnaires and structures:

Develop report structure;
Explore the results of the country interviews of philanthropy and analyse the required additional inputs based on the suggestions from partners and Private Sector and Foundations team on the additional testimonies and interviews;
Develop the templates for the country case studies to feed in to the report;
Build in recommendations from the research paper “Philanthropy as Emerging Contributor to development cooperation” commissioned by UNDP develop the outline for analytical testing and research;

Component 2: Conduct and analyse interviews and case studies, analyse emerging patterns and develop findings and conclusions from the progress of the Platform:

Conduct interviews with selected philanthropists at global level, as well as analyse interview results performed by Foundation Center in countries;
Summarize the results of monitoring of the Platform activities to date;
Summarize the case studies from country experiences and draw connections and conclusion to be used for modalities of engagement with private sector and philanthropy.

Component 3: Based on the results of the analysis and interviews, as well as literature review regarding collective impact and systems thinking, develop a theoretical framework for the Platform’s operations at country level and globally:

Perform literature review to develop the theoretical component of the report – methodologies in the multi-stakeholder collaboration;
In collaboration with the Country Coordinators of the Platform and global team - Private Sector and Foundations team - develop the suggestions on modalities of engagement of philanthropy around SDGs implementation;
Collect the thoughts on the role of philanthropy in the development cooperation as listed in the influential blogs and development effectiveness practitioners;

Component 4: Write the report and assist in designing the final publishable deliverable for the presentation during UN General Assembly in September 2015:

Collect and present testimonies as outlined in the report’s structure;
Research on the design of the similar type products as well as understand the basic UNDP guidance on the UNDP commissioned papers and reports;
Present the analysis, methodologies and findings in a simple, readable form;
Coordinate the service providers for the report’s design and collect inputs and comments from country offices, Private Sector and Foundations team and partners.

Target audience:

The report is aimed to communicate to the UN, philanthropy, CSOs to achieve a better understanding by philanthropy the SDGs as well as better understanding of the UN of the role of the philanthropy in the development agenda:

Philanthropic foundations;
Policy makers, government, donors: to obtain information on how to coordinate efforts through partnership policies and allocate resources to leverage the role of the philanthropy in the implementation of SDGs;
Broader UN system;
CSOs, NGOs and other grantees to understand how this collaboration initiative can stimulate and enhance the service delivery and impact;
Private companies, impact investors and other emerging actors in development

Required timeframes:

Component 1: Target Due date – 30.06.2015. Integrate all the comments and feedback for Component 1. Target Due date – 30.06.2015;
Component 2: Target Due date – 31.07.2015. Integrate all the comments and feedback for Component 2. Target Due date – 31.07.2015;
Component 3: Target Due date – 10.08.2015. Integrate all the comments and feedback for Component 3. Target Due date – 15.08.2015;
Component 4: Target Due date – 02.09.2015. Integrate all the comments and feedback for Component 4. Target Due date – 10.09.2015.

Reporting Line

The consultant will be accountable to the Global Team of Private Sector and Foundations Team for the completion of the tasks and duties assigned under the scope defined. The report shall be submitted to the Team Manager, Private Sector and Foundations for final approval. All of the reports are subject to approval by the Team Manager, Private Sector and Foundations in order to realize the payments to the consultant. Without submission and approval of the deliverables, the consultant shall not receive any payment even if he/she invests time for this assignment.

Reporting Language:

Deliverables should be prepared and submitted in English.

Title Rights

The title rights, copyrights, and all other rights whatsoever nature in any material produced under the provisions of this ToR will be vested exclusively in UNDP.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Commitment to UN mission, vision and values;
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Strong analytical and research skills in philanthropy, work of UN, development effectiveness and development cooperation subjects;
Understanding of the changing role of philanthropy in development and financing for development;
Understanding of the country context in regards of development and philanthropy: Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia and Ghana;
Sound understanding theory of multi-stakeholder partnerships and evolvement of role of private sector and foundations in the work of foundation;
Ability and experience to deliver quality reports within the given time with forward-looking conclusions and recommendations;
Ability to produce high-quality outputs and in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs;
Ability to focus on impact and results for the client, promoting and demonstrating an ethic of client service;
Ability to work independently, flexibly and under pressure utilizing initiative;
Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage competing priorities;
Flexibility in responding to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in relevant fields - international development, international relations, business administration
PhD in a related research area is an asset.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant international experience with minimum of 5 years in issues related to philanthropy in international grantmaking;
Proven track record of publications, preferably in the area of emerging donors and philanthropy, in English (samples may be requested as reference);
Proven track record in understanding the UN System, MDGs and Post-2015 Development Agenda;
Proven track record of research or other development work in developing countries,
Proven track record of research or other development work pertaining multi-stakeholder partnerships for development;
Proven track record of quality reports within the given time with forward-looking conclusions and strategic recommendations;
Previous research/analysis experience related to the multistakeholder partnerships.

Language:

Fluency in English is required (written and verbal);
Working knowledge of other UN official language(s) is desirable.

Notes:

Internships (paid/unpaid) are not considered professional experience;
Obligatory military service is not considered professional experience;
Professional experience gained in an international setting is considered international experience.
Experience gained prior to completion of undergraduate studies is not considered professional experience;
Documents that demonstrate participation to project cycle management are not considered an internationally recognized project management certificate.

Application Submission Process

The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:

Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file).

Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc).

Provide samples of proven track record of publications, preferably in the skills development area, based upon excellent writing and analytical skills in English

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal

Applicants are instructed to submit their 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=45780.

The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for Post-2015 Partnership Platform for Philanthropy Flagship Report Consultant" by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline will 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.

Application Evaluation Process

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%]

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

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

Sound understanding of an ongoing dialogue on philanthropy in development cooperation and development effectiveness – 20 points;
Sound understanding of the UN system, MDGs, Post-2015 Development Agenda process and SDG framework – 20 points;
Proven track record of publications, preferably in related areas, based upon excellent writing and analytical skills in English – 20 points;
Proven track record of quality reports within the given time with forward-looking conclusions and strategic recommendations – 20 points;
Previous research/analysis experience around multi-stakeholder partnerships – 20 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation

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.

UNDP is applying 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.

UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

The assignment is home based and the IICPSD will not provide equipment or facilities to the consultant during the assignment. UNDP will provide project documents and background information, and facilitate meetings with the stakeholders. All documents and data provided to the consultant are confidential and cannot be used for any other purposes or shared with a third party without any written approval from UNDP.

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

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.