Background

UNDP is the UN's global development network advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. In its drive to promote sustainable human development, UNDP is currently implementing hundreds of projects in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, mainly through its Country Offices (COs) and the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). Technically, this work is supported by the following Practices: Democratic Governance; Poverty Reduction; Energy & Environment; HIV, Health and Development (HHD); Crisis Prevention & Recovery; Knowledge, Innovation & Capacity Development; Partnerships; and Gender.

The European region is experiencing the highest burden of NCDs (cardiovascular disease, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes), accounting for 77 percent of the burden of disease and almost 86 percent of premature mortality .  The UNDP IRH is partnering with WHO Europe to support responses to NCDs and address the social, economic and environmental determinants (SEEDs) of health and health inequalities. Multi-sectoral responses outside the health sector can help to contribute to addressing the NCDs risk factors of poor diet, harmful use of alcohol, tobacco use and physical inactivity.

Working with WHO, UNDP’s support to countries focuses on the areas of:

  • linking NCDs to development instruments to address prevention and impact mitigation;
  • assisting with planning of National Strategies for NCDs; and
  • advancing tobacco prevention and control through supporting national strategy development and national coordination mechanisms, legislative reviews, and prevention of corruption as appropriate.

SEEDs of health and health inequities have been recognized as important factors that need to be addressed to achieve sustainable human development / / / . SEEDs of health and health inequities have an impact on the burden of Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs), play a critical role in the efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and are playing an increasingly dominant role in the post-2015 global development and health debate as the main pillars for sustainable human development.  

The HHD Regional Team at the Istanbul Regional Hub is looking for an experienced International Consultant with a proven track-record on addressing NCDs, as a leading threat to human health and development, from a multi-sectoral perspective. Efforts will build on UNDP’s ongoing collaboration with WHO Europe within the framework of the Regional Joint Interagency Task Team on Non-communicable Diseases and Social Determinants of Health (SDH) and the WHO Europe Office for Investment for Health and Development.

A strong focus will be to link up with ongoing regional work on the SEEDs of health and health inequality  and support to the development of “Health Inequalities” chapter for UNDP’s upcoming Regional Human Development Report (RHDR) on Inequalities. The consultancy will also build on the outcomes of the Regional Inequalities Dialogue held in Istanbul, Turkey in January 2015.

Work input: We anticipate a level of effort of approximately 100 working days.
Location:  Istanbul, Turkey/with 4 missions within the EECA region (3-4 working days each)

Duties and Responsibilities

Reports to the Regional HIV, Health and Development (HHD) Team Leader at UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub (Supervisor) and the Regional HHD Programme and Legal Specialists. Collaborates through the Regional HHD Team Leader with the technical leads and HHD Focal Points in UNDP’s COs throughout the region. All activities and tasks will be coordinated in strong collaboration with WHO Europe.

  • Technical support to countries and UNDP COs on addressing NCDs (including main risk factors such as harmful use of alcohol, smoking, unhealthy diets and physical inactivity, implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), issues around mental health and the link to disabilities) through a multi-sectoral, whole of government approach;
  • Contribution to efforts of providing overall guidance on further developing and operationalizing UNDP’s service offerings in the area of NCDs and health inequalities and translating these into country level programming (including integration into National Development Strategies and nationalization of the Sustainable Development Goals);
  • Strategic contribution to “Health Inequities” chapter of the upcoming Regional Human Development Report (RHDR) on Inequalities;
  • Contribution to UNDP Country level fundraising for flagship NCDs programmes;

The Consultant is expected to be based at the IRH for the period of the consultancy.

Deliverables:

  • Provided technical support/advise to at least 4 countries/UNDP COs with addressing NCDs through a multi-sectoral and whole of government approach;
  • Contributed to at least 3 national efforts of integrating NCDs, SEEDs of health and health Inequalities into key national development strategies and documents (also in the context of the operationalization of the Sustainable Development Goals - SDGs);
  • Provided strategic input, contributions and review of “Health Inequities” chapter (up to 10 pages) of the RHDR on Inequalities;
  • Supported at least 4 UNDP COs with fundraising efforts related to NCDs and health inequalities programming;
  • Produced End of Consultancy Report (up to 15 pages) with lessons learnt and key entry points for further programming.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

  • Commitment to the principles set forth in the UN High Level Declarations on Non-communicable Diseases;
  • An excellent understanding of NCDs, health, health inequities, their impact on sustainable human development, and the measurement of the impact;
  • Excellent organizational skills, ability to work independently, strict adherence to completing assigned tasks in a timely manner;
  • Quality-oriented professional, constructive approach to obstacles and delays in planned performance;
  • Excellent research and drafting skills;
  • Excellent communication skills, oral and written.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • An advanced degree (masters or higher) in public health, human development, international development or other relevant field.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of relevant regional experience in the field of health and development with a particular focus on NCDs and SEEDs of health;
  • Excellent research, analytical and drafting skills;
  • Successful track-record in research and translating results into technical advisory work in the field of health and development;
  • At least 2 years of experience working with UN agencies specifically in the context of health (addressing NCDs, SEEDs and other health-related developmental issues) is a strong advantage.

Publications:

  • Multiple publications related to health and development with a particular focus on NCDs, SEEDs of health and health inequities, in English.

Language skills:

  • Fluency and ability to communicate and perform complex research in English;
  • Knowledge of other regional languages especially Russian is a plus.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and a lump sum financial proposal in US$.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • responsive/compliant/acceptable;
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (desk review and interview) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
  • Having submitted an acceptable writing sample.

Only candidates who received at least 70% of total technical score (desk review and interview) can be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria -70% of total evaluation: max. 50 points:

  • Relevant education: max. 2.5 points;
  • At least 5 years of relevant regional experience in the field of health and development with a particular focus on NCDs and SEEDs of health: max. 15  points;
  • At least 2 years of experience working with UN agencies specifically in the context of health (addressing NCDs, SEEDs and other health related developmental issues): max. 10 points;
  • Experience in research and technical advisory work in the field of health and development: max. 7.5 points;
  • Interviews: max. 10 points;
  • Writing sample: max. 2.5 points;
  • Publications (as listed in P11): max. 2.5 points.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation: max. 21.5 points

The interview will include questions covering the following (maximum of 10 points): 
Interview (Technical expertise) - max. 4 points;
Interview (Competency and organizational skills) - max.  3 points;
Interview (communication skills and language) - max.  3 points.

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

  • Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • Writing sample in English, not edited by others and a filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV. Please combine these documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
  • Financial Proposal* - specifying a lump sum in USD, including all consultant’s costs for the consultancy (e.g. communication, office costs, travel to join duty station/repatriation travel costs related to 2 missions within the region (3-4 working days each)). 2 additional mission costs will be covered separately as per the UNDP rules and regulations. Specific timeline for deliverables (listed above in Section II) and payment schedule will be agreed upon with the Supervisor and will become part of the contract.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, travel to join duty station/repatriation travel health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). 
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
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under:  http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

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.