UNDP Jobs - 60667- International Consultant to Support the Evaluation

International Consultant to Support the Evaluation of National Employment Strategy and Design a New Strategic Framework in this Area

Location :

Chisinau, MOLDOVA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

30-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

November 2015-May 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 working days

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 Government of Moldova explicitly acknowledges its commitment to generate employment and link migration and development at the local level. Institutions at all government levels are becoming increasingly aware that migration is one of development factors; this is especially true for emigrants and their potential support to the home communities through local essential service improvement (water, sanitation, education, health and social services), skill and knowledge transfer and income generating opportunities.

Given the stringent need to further advance with the implementation of the Decentralization Strategy and embedding migration aspects into development processes, the State Chancellery together with United Nations Development Programme have designed a new Programme phase of the Integrated Migration and Local Development Programme. The project is designed to support Central Public Authorities (CPAs) and LPAs to develop and implement strategic policies, methodologies and procedures related to temporary, permanent and circular migration and link them to local development processes, which will enable further design and implementation of joint service improvement and income-generating initiatives, ensuring equal access for women, children, young people the elderly, the disabled, and other population groups in selected localities. Moreover, the project is developed as a replicable approach with potentials for scaling up, with intensive capacity building and strengthening of national and local public authorities to better plan, manage, budget, and implement inclusive public service management with participation of community members, including migrants.

Thus, as seen above, integrating migration into local development requires a systematic, tangible and programmatic approach. The current project is proposed on the basis of the results achieved during the implementation of 3 phases of JILDP (2007-2015), which has put a series of methodological approaches and strategic frameworks in place. It supports integrated and systematic local development planning and management, by tackling both central and local levels.

The Overall Objective of the Programme is: Communities affected by migration benefit from improved essential local services, namely water and sanitation, health, social and education services, and have access to income-generating opportunities, including improved employment reintegration support for returnees.

Considering the specific local development context, current situation and needs, the project sets two primary outcomes:

Outcome 1: The Ministry of Labour, Social Protection and Family and the National Employment Agency have mandates, capacities and resources to provide qualitative employment reintegration services to all returnees;
Outcome 2: Local public authorities have the capacities and resources to engage with community members, including migrants, and to promote know-how transfer from abroad with a view to improving local essential services and offering opportunities for income-generating activities.

The intervention supports the implementation of national development priorities, while responding to challenges of European Union driven reform. It is built on the priorities of the Government Programme 2015-2018, the National Development Strategy Moldova 2020, the National Decentralization Strategy 2012-2015, the Strategy on Migration and Asylum, the United Nations Partnership Framework (for 2013-2017), and Swiss Cooperation Strategy Republic of Moldova 2014-2017. In order to ensure an impact maximization and tangible results, the project intervention envisages strong synergies with BRD/IOM and NEXUS, as part of the programmatic intervention funded by Swiss Cooperation Office SDC.

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the International Consultant's assignment is to provide substantive expert consultancy and policy support to MLSPF in the process of the evaluation of National Employment Strategy and design of the new strategic framework in this area, taking special account of integrating and mainstreaming migration aspects in this policy document.

For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 – Terms of Reference.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrated capacity of team-orientation work, excellent planning and organizational skills;
Strong, research, communications and writing skills;
Sensitivity and respect for human rights and gender equality;
Ability to achieve results and deadlines in a timely manner, maintaining a high standard throughout.

Functional Competencies:

Proven commitment to the core values of the United Nations; in particular, is respectful of differences of culture, gender, ethnicity, nationality, language, age, HIV status, disability, and sexual orientation, or other status;
Strong analytical, reporting, and writing abilities;
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;
Positive, constructive attitude to work;
Excellent human relations, coordination, planning and team work skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master Degree in economics or related social sciences, public administration or related areas.

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional working experience in the field of employment, labour market dynamics, adult training policies, programmes employability, with substantial recent work experience in the field, migration etc.;
Proven work experience in public administration related to employment or employability, employment agencies, other relevant public institutions;
Proven experience in developing analytical reports and conducting research on employment, migration, decentralization, local governance, public finances;
Proven experience in developing and delivering training programs for central and local governments, employer organizations, worker organizations, NGOs, etc.;
Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO. Previous experience in working with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset.

Language:

Proficient in written and spoken English;
Knowledge of Romanian and/or Russian is a distinct asset.

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

Proposal:

Explaining how the applicant responds to each of the qualification requirements and why he/she is the most suitable for the work (particularly providing details on the previously implemented similar projects and assignments and previous experience in the fields related to this consultancy as described in the terms of reference);
Describing a short vision on achievement of tasks.

Personal information (Personal History Form/P11) including records of past experience in similar projects/assignments and concrete outputs obtained with the three references;

Financial proposal in (USD, specifying a total lump sum amount) as described below.

The detailed Terms of Reference and Procurement Notice can be found at http://www.undp.md/jobs/current_jobs.

Initially, individual consultants will be short-listed based on the following minimum qualification criteria:

Master Degree in economics or related social sciences, public administration or related areas;
Minimum 7 years of professional working experience in the field of employment, labour market dynamics, adult training policies, programmes employability, with substantial recent work experience in the field, migration etc.

The short-listed individual consultants will be further evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

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

a) Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation;
Technical Criteria weight – 60% (300 pts);
Financial Criteria weight – 40% (200 pts).

Technical evaluation will be based on a thorough desk review of applications.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% score of the technical evaluation (at least 210 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.Technical evaluation scoring:

Master Degree in economics or related social sciences, public administration or related areas - maximum 30 points;
At least 7 years of professional working experience in the field of employment, labour market dynamics, adult training policies, employability programmes with substantial recent work experience in the field of migration etc. - maximum 45 points;
Proven experience of work in public administration related to employment or employability, employment agencies, other relevant public institutions - maximum 20 points;
Proven experience in developing and delivering training programs for central and local governments, Employer Organizations, Worker Organizations, NGOs, etc. - maximum 10 points;
Proven experience in developing analytical reports on employment, migration, decentralization, local governance, public finances - maximum 20 points;
Previous experience in development assistance or related work for a donor organization, consulting company, or NGO. Previous experience in working with UN agencies or international organizations is an asset - maximum 10 points;
Excellent command of English, knowledge of Romanian and Russian will be considered an advantage - maximum 15 points;
Interview - maximum 150 points.