UNDP Jobs - 60735- National Lead Consultant

National Lead Consultant - UNDP Parliamentary Support Project (Preparatory Phase) - (Open to Sri Lanka Nationals Only)

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months, with the possibility of extension for an additional 1-3 months

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

As the most representative and highest legislative body in the country, Parliament is the first state institution that the Constitution of Sri Lanka identifies. Chapter I, Article 3 of the Constitution speaks about “the Sovereignty of the People” and specifically states in Article 4 a) that “the legislative power of the People shall be exercised by Parliament, consisting of elected representatives of the People and by the People at a Referendum”. As such, Parliament has a pivotal role in the democratic governance of the country with wide ranging duties and responsibilities in legislative, oversight and representative functions. The capacity of Parliament to fulfill its constitutional mandate needs to be strengthened in order to achieve the vision and objectives of a vibrant democracy, economic prosperity, maintaining peace, upholding the rule of law and human rights, advancing gender equality and youth empowerment, and promoting social justice in the country. Following the Parliamentary elections in August 2015, the Government of Sri Lanka has expressed a strong desire to strengthen the effectiveness of Parliament through improved performance of its representative, legislative and oversight functions in response to the growing expectations of people for more efficient and effective governance and better outcomes from their representatives.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka supports inclusive and effective democratic governance by advocating, advising, fostering impartial spaces for dialogue, facilitating consensus, and supporting the strengthening of institutions. UNDP provided technical assistance to the Parliament of Sri Lanka through a project implemented from 2005-2008 that was preceded by a preparatory phase from 2003-2004. The project was comprehensive in scope and aimed to deliver five outputs ranging from strengthening and reorganizing the committee system for improved performance of legislative and oversight functions; revamping the structure and organization of the Secretariat to provide a clear differentiation between administrative, legislative and technical support areas; upgrading human resources according to a plan that was to be developed as part of the project and subsequently approved; and supporting provision of state-of-the-art parliamentary ICT services to assist MPs, staff, the media and civil society based on development of a long-term strategy to enhance public awareness, parliamentary outreach and Parliament’s involvement and interaction with all sectors of society. Whilst a number of positive project results were achieved, the project could not fully achieve its ambitious objectives given the challenging political context combined with the limited financial and other resources available at the time.

Following the August 2015 parliamentary elections, and on the request of the Parliament, UNDP provided international technical expertise for an orientation programme for the 63 new MPs of the 8th Parliament. Following the orientation seminar, the Parliament’s leadership made a formal request to UNDP to consider initiating, in partnership with the Parliament, a fully-fledged programme aimed at strengthening the institution and developing its internal capacities. Additionally, UNDP, which is perceived as a traditional and neutral development partner, has been requested to “play a pivotal role in coordinating parliamentary support activities of all donors and mapping out a common parliamentary support strategy.”

Given the above background, and building on its previous support to Parliament, UNDP is in the process of launching a preparatory phase of assistance to Parliament with the objective of: 1) formulating a parliamentary development support strategy and project document for long-term technical assistance to Parliament; 2) providing coordination support for liaising between parliament, UNDP, other development partners and other stakeholders for development of a coordinated strategy of support to Parliament; and 3) providing research and evidence-based policy advice and technical support for the immediate/priority legislative, oversight and representation activities of Parliament.

Scope and Objectives

UNDP Sri Lanka is seeking the immediate services of a National Lead Consultant for the above-mentioned preparatory phase of its Parliamentary Development Support Project.

Management Arrangements

The National Lead Consultant will be based in the Parliament building and will report to the Secretary General of Parliament on substantive aspects of his/her deliverables, and to UNDP’s Policy Specialist (Democratic Governance) for contractual purposes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide research and other substantive inputs for the formulation of a parliamentary development support strategy and project document for long-term technical assistance to Parliament, including the conduct of context and institutional assessments, support for mapping parliamentary processes, updating information material, conducting interviews and internal surveys, etc.;
Effectively plan, strategically manage and collaboratively execute project activities, including handling of day-to-day project activities and issues;
Effectively liaise between Parliament, UNDP, other development partners and other stakeholders, as required, to meet the objectives of the preparatory phase of assistance to Parliament; and
Provide research support and evidence-based policy and other substantive inputs as well as administrative support to the Secretary General for the immediate/priority legislative, oversight and representative activities of Parliament.

Expected Outputs:

Research and other substantive inputs provided for formulation of a parliamentary development support strategy and project document for long-term technical assistance.
Project activities effectively executed and outputs achieved.
Effective coordination and collaboration facilitated between Parliament, UNDP, other development partners and other stakeholders.
Research and other substantive inputs as well as administrative support provided to assist the Secretary General in meeting the immediate priorities of Parliament.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Excellent analytically and conceptual thinking.
Good understanding of constitutional systems, the legislative, oversight and representative roles and functions of Parliament as well as the system of governance in Sri Lanka.
Knowledge of human rights, human rights-based approaches to programming, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and an overall substantive knowledge of development issues.
Ability to synthesize large amounts of information, write well-structured and analytical research briefs and papers, as well as provide written substantive inputs to context and institutional assessments, concept papers, project proposals, etc., in English.
Excellent oral and interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with the parliamentary leadership and staff as well as a range of stakeholders.
Good organizational and administrative skills, and the ability to prioritize work deliverables.
Knowledge and demonstrated experience with Results Based Management (RBM) principles is desirable.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and records.
Demonstrates good judgment and maturity.
A team player.
Good working knowledge of word-processing and internet software applications; and excellent electronic research skills.

Corporate competences:

Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
Demonstrates consistency in upholding and promoting the values of the UN in actions and decisions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Degree or equivalent in political science, law, development studies, public administration or other relevant field;
A Master’s degree or equivalent in any of the said areas is desirable.

Experience:

At least 5 year’s work experience carrying out policy and/or programming functions;
Programme and/or project management experience is desirable.

Language:

Excellent English language skills, oral and written;
Working knowledge of Sinhala and/or Tamil.

Financial Proposal:

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______________________________________)

Amount in words:(Rs._______________________________________________________________)

Note:

Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones, i.e., upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” financial proposal including his/her consultancy and professional fee, communication costs such as telephone and internet usage and printing costs (outside of that provided at the Parliament premises), return travel from home to office, ad-hoc costs, stationery costs, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant.

For an Individual Contractor who is of 62 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal referred to above

Payment of Services

Installment 1 – 30% upon below deliverables:

Research and other substantive inputs provided for formulation of initial stages of a parliamentary development support strategy and project document for long-term technical assistance;
Project activities demarcated for 1st month effectively executed and outputs achieved;
Effective coordination and collaboration facilitated between Parliament, UNDP, other development partners and other stakeholders during 1st month;
Research and other substantive inputs as well as administrative support demarcated for 1st month provided to the Secretary General in meeting the immediate priorities of Parliament;

Installment 2 – 30% upon below deliverables:

Research and other substantive inputs provided for formulation of mid-stages of a parliamentary development support strategy and project document for long-term technical assistance;
Project activities demarcated for 2nd month effectively executed and outputs achieved;
Effective coordination and collaboration facilitated between Parliament, UNDP, other development partners and other stakeholders during 2nd month;
Research and other substantive inputs as well as administrative support demarcated for 2nd month provided to the Secretary General in meeting the immediate priorities of Parliament;

Installment 3 – 40% upon below deliverables:

Research and other substantive inputs provided for formulation of latter-stages of a parliamentary development support strategy and project document for long-term technical assistance;
Project activities demarcated for 3rd month effectively executed and outputs achieved;
Effective coordination and collaboration facilitated between Parliament, UNDP, other development partners and other stakeholders during 3rd month;
Research and other substantive inputs as well as administrative support demarcated for 3rd month provided to the Secretary General in meeting the immediate priorities of Parliament;

How to Apply:

The application should contain:

An updated CV which includes qualifications, competencies, relevant experience and contact details of 2 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing and overall suitability to this TOR;
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors, including the credentials on offer, brief interview and the offer which provides the best value for money for UNDP;
Duly filled financial proposal as mentioned above and paste below the last page of your CV, and upload them as a single document.

Note:

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.