UNDP Jobs - 60684- Research Consultant on SSC and TrC

Research Consultant on SSC and TrC

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

26-Oct-2015

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

6 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

6 Months with possible extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funds

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 United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, UNDP offers global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

South-South cooperation (SSC) and triangular cooperation (TrC) have increasingly demonstrated their contribution towards achieving development results through a variety of flexible cooperation modalities, including knowledge exchanges, technological transfer, financing and peer support. The potential for SSC and TrC in contributing towards the achievement of sustainable development and poverty eradication has not been fully leveraged. Thus, as articulated in its 2014-2017 Strategic Plan, UNDP also aims to be a global operational arm for broadening and deepening SSC and TrC.

The SSC team within the Development Impact Group of the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) in UNDP Head Quarters is working to achieve an increased scale and effectiveness of UNDP’s support to SSC and TrC, as well as deeper cooperation with emerging partners on shared development priorities.

Duties and Responsibilities

In order to advance research agenda on SSC and TrC and also document UNDP’s knowledge gained in supporting SSC and TrC, UNDP will bring on board an Research Consultant who will work on the following:

The review and compilation of existing case study drafts on SSC and TrC by fact checking, checking the text and data for accuracy;
Organizing peer reviews of knowledge products through correspondences with peer reviewers and partner organizations;
Coordination of editing, desktop publishing and printing for all knowledge products produced by the SSC team;
Background researches necessary to produce knowledge products on SSC and TrC related mostly to LLDC, LDCs and SIDS contexts; and
Dissemination of these knowledge products through various networks and channels.

The final product of the consultancy will be multiple edited final versions of different advocacy and knowledge products which will be disseminated at various events and social media platforms.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The following is an indicative list of deliverables, subject to modification based on the changing needs and priorities of the team:

From 26 October-31 December 2015:

Three case studies related to SSC and TrC finalized.
Editing, desktop publishing and printing of various knowledge products with includes newsletter, brochures, and reports to be featured and disseminated at planned events.
Dissemination of these knowledge products through various networks.
Research on SSC and TrC in LLDC, LDCs and SIDS as needed.

From 2 January -29 April 2016

Three case studies and other advocacy materials developed in terms of organizing peer review of the case studies, coordinating editing, desktop publishing and printing.
Dissemination case studies and other advocacy materials through various social media channels, events and to partners.
Concept notes and background papers on potential topics related to SSC and TrC in LLDC, LDCs and SIDS.

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will be supervised by the Lead Advisor on South-South Cooperation, Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS). S/he is expected to work closely with the respective task managers in the team and incorporate the comments and suggestions from other reviewers.

Duration of the Work:

Services will be provided over a period of 6 months (26 October 2015 – 29 April 2016), with possibility of extension based on available budget, the needs of the team and satisfactory performance.

Payment:

The payment will be made in an all-inclusive lump sum at the end of the month, based on delivery of deliverables.

Competencies

Strong understanding of development issues, including on South-South Cooperation, especially in the context of LDCs, LLDCs and SIDS;
Proven record of research and analytical support with outstanding writing and editing skills;
Proven ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
Proven ability to multi-task effectively to meet tight deadlines;
Respect for diversity and ability to work in a multicultural team.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in communications, journalism, international relations, economics, social science or related fields.

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional relevant experience with development organizations or research institutes;
Strong familiarity with international development issues, including South-South cooperation, and development issues in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS;
Good knowledge of communication tools and channels.

Language skills:

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English;
Competency in another UN language is an asset.

Personal CV and/or UNDP Personal History Form

Applicants must submit their CV or Personal History Form through this Online system. Click “Apply Now” button, fill in necessary information on the first page, upload the document and click “Submit Application”. Please note that the system takes only one attachment. Scan all documents into a single PDF file to attach.
To note, a completed PH 11 Form will be required at the time a consultant signs an Individual Contract (IC) or his/her employer, if employed, signs a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) for work associated with this assignment. UN Personal History form (UN PH11) can be downloaded from here(http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc

Evaluation method

Applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ technical qualifications (70%) and financial proposal (30%).

Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and scored using the following criteria:

Strong working experience with a multilateral organization: 30%;
Strong familiarity with international development issues in LLDC, LDCs and SIDSs, including SSC/TrC: 30%;
Experience in research, knowledge management, including development of advocacy and knowledge products: 20%;
Experience in communications, media outreach with a multilateral development organization: 20%.

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70 of the obtainable points of 100 points (70%) in technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial 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

Only the highest ranked candidates will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The contract will be awarded to the applicant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: (1) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and (2) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Other Important Considerations:

Office and equipment:

UNDP will provide the following office facilities: a) office space/access to UNDP premise; b) Telephone and internet connection. The Consultant will have access to an office space only twice per week.

Annexes and References:

Individual Consultant's General Terms and Conditions are provided here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.