UNDP Jobs - 59773- Vetted Roster - Individual Consultants: Democratic

Vetted Roster - Individual Consultants: Democratic Governance

Location :

Various Locations in Asia-Pacific and New York

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

04-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

To be determined, based on specific assignment

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

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. UNDP’s vision is to support countries in achieving the simultaneous eradication of poverty and significant reduction of inequalities and exclusion. To strengthen inclusive and effective governance, the UNDP Strategic Plan focuses on ensuring participation and voice in pursuit of equitable access to development opportunities, and working with poor and other excluded groups as agents of their own development. The plan includes the following outcomes to achieve effective governance: (i) citizen expectations for voice, development, the rule of law and accountability are met by stronger systems of democratic governance; and (ii) countries have strengthened institutions to progressively deliver universal access to basic services.

In order to ensure continued support to our initiatives, the Regional Hub (BRH) invites candidates to send their applications for inclusion in a Vetted Roster external experts. The process of including candidates in the Expert Roster are described in the later sections of this advertisement.

To be considered for inclusion in the roster, applications would need to have expertise in one or more of the following areas of expertise:

Core Government Functions;
Inclusive political processes includes;
Conflict prevention and peacebuilding;
Rule of law, justice and accountability;
Development Effectiveness.

Core Government Functions:

UNDP supports partners in the building of responsive and accountable institutions at all levels of government. This work is central to ensuring that development is both effective and sustainable for citizens. By supporting member states to deliver quality services, improve accountability and expand the opportunities for inclusive economic and social progress, UNDP builds resilience to crisis and reinforces the dynamic relationship between State and the people, at all levels of society. The required areas of expertise under core government function are listed as follows:

Local Governance & Local Development;
Public Administration/HR Management;
Civil Engagement;
Institutional and context analysis.

Inclusive political processes includes:

UNDP’s integrated approach to supporting inclusive political processes aims to harness UNDP’s experience and comparative advantage in supporting and strengthening the capacities of political processes and institutions in order to improve citizen participation, voice and accountability and rebuild a stronger and more inclusive social contract. UNDP works collaboratively to support policy development and programmatic approaches to enhance the capacities of key political institutions and groups. The required areas of expertise under Inclusive political processes are listed as follows:

Parliamentary development;
Civic engagement;
Electoral systems and processes;
Gender Equality;
Constitutional reforms;
Youth Empowerment;
Management of natural resources;
Institutional and Context Analysis.

Conflict prevention and peacebuilding includes:

UNDP’s work on conflict prevention and peacebuilding promotes social cohesion and empowering nations and communities to become inclusive and resilient to external and internal shocks. This is done by supporting and strengthening of key governance institutions needed to peacefully navigate countries away from potential conflict and ensure durable societal transformations occur. UNDP also works towards deepening gains made at the political and diplomatic level by providing strategic analysis, policy and programme support to the broader UN system and government partners. The required areas of expertise under conflict prevention and peacebuilding are listed as follows;

Conflict prevention and management;
Conflict analysis and assessment;
Political Transition;
Mediation and conflict resolution.

Rule of law, justice and accountability includes

Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights are cornerstones of UNDP’s work to achieve sustainable human development and eradicate extreme poverty. Through rule of law and human rights assistance, UNDP contributes to building peace and democratic governance across the full range of development contexts. UNDP also facilitates broader UN rule of law efforts in crisis and conflict-affected settings through the work of the Global Focal Point for Police, Justice and Corrections.

Key required areas of UNDP’s rule of law , justice, and accountability include:

Human rights;
Rule of Law, Access to Justice (A2J), Security and LEP;
Transparency and anti-corruption.

Development Effectiveness

UNDP offers a wide range of support to countries to implement their development effectiveness agendas. At the regional level in Asia-Pacific this includes acting as Secretariat to the regional platform the Asia-Pacific Development Effectiveness Facility (AP-DEF). It involves collaboration with a range of regional partners and UNDP country offices to support governments in delivering reforms that strengthen their management of ODA and other forms of development finance as well as ensuring that UNDP programming supports principles of development effectiveness. These contributions to strengthening the governance of aid also support the achievement of UNDP’s results at the country, regional and global levels.

Required key areas of UNDP’s development effectiveness work include:

Public finance management;
Development Finance and Aid Assessment (DFAA);
Development finance and cooperation policy;
South-South Cooperation.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks assigned in each individual assignment may include one or more of the following:

Policy and Strategy Development
Prepare Policy briefs, sector scan, Status papers on developmental challenges/issues based on secondary review of existing literature for evidence based advocacy and policy dialogue

Develop guidelines and national and sub-national strategy in the areas of institutional strengthening;
Review of policy literature in respect to the subject;
Formulation of strategic national and sub-national development policy;
Identification of barriers and solutions for proposed interventions;
Risk Identification and Mitigation.

Project Design, Formulation & other project related functions:

Prepare conceptual framework/concept note on new area of work/developmental challenge;
Provide Technical assistance in identification of developmental challenges, target areas, beneficiaries and partners and formulation of implementation strategy for UNDP support;
Provide technical support in development on new interventions/projects with Implementation (operational plan, monitoring and resource requirement) Institutional and management arrangements;
Identify issues, formulate and implement interventions that focus on various activities;
Conduct studies on project/program highlights, activities and processes involved;
Prepare and review Project documents;
Identify areas/beneficiaries and partners; timing, sequencing of activities; mobilization of finance;
Prepare project proposals to ensure innovation in concepts, strategies and incorporation of best practices.

Research and Documentation:

Undertake secondary research in the new areas of developmental concern based on review of existing literature;
Develop research design, research questions and scope of work for undertaking primary research in new areas;
Document good practices, case studies, innovations and pilot models for wider dissemination and sharing;
Undertake process documentation of models for upscaling.

Capacity Development/Training:

Based on capacity assessment, develop Capacity Development Plan to achieve the milestones identified and address the identified capacity gaps;
Develop target specific training tools/tool-kits and manuals based on training needs assessment;
Design training curriculum, conduct and/or coordinate trainings programmes for various stakeholders;
Carry out Capacity assessments of public institutions and government institutions for development of strategic interventions for institutional strengthening;
Design and delivery of training tool-kits, products etc;
Conduct and/or Coordinate trainings and workshops.

Knowledge Management:

Prepare knowledge and communications products related to the projects/programs (Audio, Video and Hard copies);
Review of Knowledge products (subject, design and content);
Prepare and publish featured articles and case studies in publications of the UNDP, other pertinent organizations, academic journals;
Disseminate knowledge and communications products;
Develop literature on best practices and case studies;
Contribute to Communities of Practice (CoP) of UN Solutoins Exchange (UNSE).

Monitoring & Evaluation:

Monitor and evaluate effectiveness of national and sub-national policies and programmes;
Carry out required independent monitoring and evaluation of UNDP projects;
Facilitate community and process monitoring;
Undertake Baseline and Client satisfaction surveys.

Competencies

Good track record in project management, with UNDP experience being an asset;
Understanding of Government functioning and systems;
Updated familiarity on various international projects across one or more areas of expertise;
Familiarity with UNDP ERP would be advantageous;
Working knowledge of objectives-oriented project planning, or results-based management;
Leadership skills;
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;
Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills;
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Degree in governance related field including: Law, Economics, Public administration, development studies, Business Administration, Public Policy, Social Science, Political Science, international relations.

Experience:

Following a vetting process, the successful candidates would be place in one of the following bands:

Band 1, Implementation Support: Masters Degree in relevant field with minimum 3 years of relevant work experience, or Bachelors Degree in relevant field with minimum 5 years of relevant work experience;
Band 2, Specialist Support: Masters Degree in relevant field with minimum 7 years of relevant work experience, out of which minimum 3 years of international experience as a requirement;
Band 3, Senior Advisory: Masters Degree in relevant field with minimum 12 years of relevant work experience, out of which minimum 5 years of international experience as a requirement;
Knowledge and experience in international development, governance, and Governance and Peace Building programming and policy development;
Knowledge of Governance and Peacebuilding programming;
Experience in management of post-conflict interventions;
Knowledge of high-level governance, capacity and public communication support.

Language:

Fluency in spoken and written English is a must.

Evaluation of Applicants

Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above. Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above and may be may be requested to participate in a brief interview.

Qualified women are encouraged to apply.

Applications should include:

A cover letter, clearly identifying the “Areas of Expertise” as mentioned in the background section above;
Updated CV with phone/email contacts.

Successful candidates will be included in UNDP RBAP Experts Roster for a period of 5 years, in one of the “bands” indicated above. However, the addition of an individual in the Roster does not guarantee a contract with UNDP.

Contracting:

When a request for services arises, the roster manager shall Contact the individuals included in the specific area of expertise with ToR, location and dates of the assignment seeking confirmation of availability, as well as other costs such as living allowance, travel cost, etc. The daily fee quoted by the individual during this application process shall remain as the ceiling fee and cannot be increased upwards for any offered individual assignment(s);
Travel: For each assignment UNDP shall reimburse cost of travel from the place of domicile of the individual to the place of assignment (most direct economy fare);
The individual selected for the deployment will be contracted as an Individual Contractor to the UNDP. The Contract template and associated conditions are available at
http://www.asia-pacific.undp.org/content/rbap/en/home/operations/procurement.html;
The Contract and its terms and conditions are non-negotiable.

Payment

Payment(s) shall be made following certification by the hiring UNDP Office that the services related to each deliverable, as specified in the contract, have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates specified, if any.

Other information:

This call for experts is not linked to other UNDP rosters or to a specific UNDP recruitment opportunity;
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process;

For any clarifications, please write to rcb.procurement.th@undp.org