UNDP Jobs - 60399- Consultant in Public Administration

Consultant in Public Administration

Location :

Home Based Consultancy, with Mission to Tbilisi, Georgia, GEORGIA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 consultancy days with 15 consultancy day in-country mission

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

In line with the Public Administration Reform Roadmap 2020, the objective of the consultancy work is to formulate the UNDP’s role in further supporting the implementation process of the reform. Based on initial analysis and consultations, the assignment will focus especially on the major policy areas identified in PAR Roadmap’s first, second and sixth areas: Policy Development and Coordination, Human Resources Management and Local Self-Government; though, the scope to assess other areas will remain.

Achievement of this objective will mainly entail the following:

In partnership with the Government Planning and Innovations Unit, examine the respective requirements set forth through the PAR Roadmap, analyze current reforms in the public administration system and reconcile the identified challenges and needs with the most appropriate response from UNDP Georgia;
Jointly with the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) and CEGSTAR, and in line with the Human Resource Management component of the PAR Roadmap and Decree of Government of Georgia on System for Continuous Training of Civil Servants of Local Self-Government Bodies, examine civil service reforms at the national and local levels. Analyze the 2014 Civil Service Reform policy document as well as the Draft Law on Civil Service, providing focused advice on (i) creating capacity development system in the framework of the ongoing civil service reform, (ii) capacity development opportunities within the CSB, and (iii) improving coordination and communication between the key stakeholders;
In partnership with DCU, identify opportunities for making further contribution to establishing an environment for greater collaboration between development partners and government in further optimizing the coordination process where required, and maximizing the reform benefits;
Envision and provide advice for improved coordination between relevant government ministries, civil society, and the private sector. The role of the existing forums such as primarily the Donor Coordination Platform led by DCU as well as the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum - Georgian National Platform for CSOs, should also be considered.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultancy work shall be undertaken together with the UNDP in the preparation of a methodology to answer the key research questions outlined above. The team of consultants is expected to include an international expert and a national expert.

The expert will be assigned the below tasks and responsibilities:

Desk research and drafting the detailed methodology for the assessment;
Establishing close cooperation with the AoG, especially DCU, Government Planning and Innovations Unit, and CSB, as well as with the leadership of MRDI and CEGSTAR in view of undertaking the exercise jointly with their staff;
Meetings with the broad range of national and international stakeholders;
Advising UNDP and Government on respective issues;
Discussion and consultations with UNDP;
Drafting the report, including the situation analysis and recommendations on possible approaches to the public administration reform implementation process;
Development of a project proposal for UNDP, which strategically addresses the identified gaps in a relevant approach to support the implementation of PAR in Georgia;
Finalization of the report based on the UNDP feedback;
Management and direction of the local expert [and team].

Deliverables

The consultancy will be expected to provide:

Report on key finding and recommendations, including, but not limited to, the following separate chapters:

Executive summary;
Background of the research;
Summary of methodology;
Research tools used;
Jointly with DCU clarify UNDP’s position vis-à-vis other stakeholders within the framework of the DCU donor coordination system;
Jointly with AOG, CSB, and MRDI/ CEGSTAR clarify UNDP’s position vis-à-vis other stakeholders within the framework of the “Public Administration Reform (PAR) Roadmap 2020”, particularly in terms of addressing the three major policy areas of policy development and cooperation, human resource management, and local self-government;
Key findings divided by research questions;
Summary and analysis;
Recommendations based on identified needs (this may include short-term recommendations as well as medium to long term recommendations related to a way forward for implementation of the process of the public administration reform at national and local levels);

Project document for responding to the most acute needs, based on research conducted during the consultancy and analysis of the PAR Roadmap;

Mission report containing information on accomplishments and scope of work as well as respective recommendations.

Management Arrangements

The consultancy will be organized with the direct support of the Governance Reform Fund (GRF) project and UNDP-ADA-SDC project ‘Fostering Regional and Local Development in Georgia’ under the overall supervision of UNDP Georgia Democratic Governance portfolio;
Briefing and debriefing with the UNDP country office management in the beginning and by the end of the in-country mission will be arranged. Prior to the mission, UNDP will develop the meeting agenda jointly with the consultancy;
The consultancy will receive all relevant information regarding the past developments and the current political context in the country as well as other background information prior to the start of the mission;
UNDP will provide translation/interpretation support to the consultancy during the in-country mission as and when needed;
The consultancy shall provide draft inputs for the initial in-house review and upon the feedback from UNDP, finalize those for final submission.

Indicative Timing

The assessment should be conducted during the period of October-November 2015 including finalization of the report. A detailed research action plan will be agreed upon with the UNDP during the first week of the consultancy and will include the following:

Mission preparation: background research;
In-country mission (up to 15 working days);
Drafting of inputs;
Revision of UNDP feedback and finalization of the inputs.

Evaluation

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis method: Offerors will be evaluated against combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum obtainable score is 100, out of which the total score for technical criteria equals to 70 and for financial criteria – to 30. Offerors that do not meet Minimum Qualification Criteria will be automatically rejected, while the rest will form up the long list. The offerors who obtain minimum 35 points as a result of the desk review will be invited for the interview. Offerors who pass 70% threshold, i.e. obtain minimum 14 points, as a result of the interview will be requested the financial proposal.

Financial Proposal

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the ToR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount.

Maximum 30 points will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion): Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer. All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal as well.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Functional Competencies:

Advanced computer skills including Microsoft Office and web-based applications;
Proven ability to deliver quality output working under tight deadlines;
Excellent communication and facilitation skills;
Ability to communicate effectively and facilitate discussions at the senior level with government officials;
Strong and proven research and analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in public administration, political science or other related area, Doctoral degree will be an asset (Minimum Qualification Requirement: Master's degree - 10 points, higher - additional 5 points).

Experience:

At least ten years of policy advisory experience in the field of public policy and public administration(Minimum Qualification Requirement: 10 years - 15 points, more than 10 years - additional 5 points);
Extensive hands-on experience of at least 5 years of actual involvement in public administration reform (5 points);
At least seven years of experience in research and project proposal writing (5 points);
Understanding of the mandate and the role of UNDP would be an asset;
Knowledge of Georgia’s political landscape would be an asset;
Experience of working with Government Organizations and International Agencies;
Preferably public administration experience in Eastern Europe countries or countries in political transition (5 points).

Language:

Excellent English language skills (both written and oral).