UNDP Jobs - 63501- Consultant for Connecting Business for Disaster Ri

Consultant for Connecting Business for Disaster Risk Reduction, Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

15-Feb-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Estimated 1 March 2016 – 31 December 2016

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

up to 195 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 Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP’s Strategic Plan. BPPS provides technical advice to country offices; advocates for UNDP corporate messages, represents UNDP at multi-stakeholder fora including public-private dialogues, government and civil society dialogues, South-South and Triangular cooperation initiatives, and engages in UN inter-agency coordination in specific thematic areas. BPPS works closely with UNDP’s Crisis Response Unit (CRU) to support emergency and crisis response. BPPS ensures that issues of risk are fully integrated into UNDP’s development programmes. BPPS assists UNDP and partners to achieve higher quality development results through an integrated approach that links results based management and performance monitoring with more effective and new ways of working. BPPS supports UNDP and partners to be more innovative, knowledge and data driven including in its programme support efforts.

UNDP’s Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development (IICPSD), within BPPS, is leading UNDP’s strategic offer to partner and work with the private sector. This offer follows an inclusive business approach and is based on UNDP past and present experience of working with the private sector at Country Offices, as well as, via existing global programs (e.g. GEF). The Connecting Business initiative is a joint initiative between UNDP, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). The Connecting Business Initiative Consultant, based in Istanbul, Turkey and in Geneva, Switzerland and will have dual reporting lines: to the UNDP IICPSD Director, in consultation with the Global Program Advisor Private Sector; and to the OCHA Private Sector Section. The Connecting Business Initiative Consultant will assist UNDP, OCHA and UNISDR in implementing the Connecting Business Initiative, specifically: assisting local businesses and business associations to utilize and strengthen existing networks to undertake disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery; conduct case study reviews and producing guidelines for the creation and operation of such business networks; and managing the creation of a global portal to connect business networks with each other and other humanitarian actors in order to disseminate capacity building resources and meet local, regional and global needs before and during emergencies. This will be done in collaboration with UNDP’s, OCHA’s and UNISDR’s Regional Hubs and Country Offices, as well as other stakeholders of the Connecting Business initiative.

Duties and Responsibilities

Support the partnership between UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA on the Connecting Business initiative

Provide documentation and briefing material to UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA on the progress of the Connecting Business initiative;
Prepare and put in place a memorandum of understanding between UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA to govern the partnership on the Connecting Business initiative.

Support the engagement by UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA with the informal advisory committee and, subsequent to the creation of a formal governance structure, the governing committee for the Connecting Business Initiative:

Set UNDP’s, UNISDR’s and OCHA’s strategy for and strategic engagement of the informal advisory committee and subsequent governing committee to provide advice on the initiative;
Prepare all correspondence with the informal advisory committee;
Set meeting agendas and draft meeting minutes;
Prepare documentation and briefing material for the committee;
It is anticipated that six informal advisory committee meetings will be held between February 2016 and May 2016. It is anticipated that three meetings of the subsequent governing committee will occur from June 2016 to December 2016;
Organize approximately six meetings of the informal advisory committee (by 20 May 2016);
Organize approximately three meetings of the subsequent governing structure once established (by 23 December 2016).

Managing the consultant in charge of the feasibility study and the implementation of the results from the feasibility study to ensure a sustainable structure for the Connecting Business Initiative is established:

Manage the work of Vantage Partners and UN online volunteers in relation to the feasibility study to ensure that the study is completed before the World Humanitarian Summit and that the study’s outcomes support the objectives of UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA;
Attend and organize stakeholder consultations for the feasibility study to be conducted by Vantage Partners by 1 April 2016;
Produce and coordinate inputs from OCHA, UNDP and ISDR into the feasibility study by 1 April 2016;
Review the feasibility study prepared by Vantage Partners by 15 April 2016;
Work with UNDP, UNISDR, OCHA, the informal steering committee and other stakeholders to implement the results of the feasibility study by 20 May 2016, including establishing a governance structure, secretariat and an administrative and financial structure for the Connecting Business initiative;
Support the creation of a governance structure, secretariat and an administrative and financial structure (by 20 May 2016).

Supporting OCHA, UNDP and UNISDR in the creation and strengthening of pilot business networks for disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery in Myanmar, Fiji/South Pacific/ Madagascar:

Assisting with the creation of a governance structure for the three pilot business networks, including advising on the governance structure and its implementation and producing constituent documents for the business networks (i.e. a constitution, memorandum of understanding and/or stakeholder agreement) by 1 May 2016;
Support the creation and strengthening of at least two other identified business networks (for example, a network in Haiti, Southern and Central America, West Africa and/or East Africa) as directed by OCHA, UNDP and ISDR by 1 December 2016;
Support the creation of a pilot business network in Myanmar (launch the network by 20 May 2016, continue to support the strengthening of the network to 23 December 2016);
Support the creation of a pilot business network in Fiji / South Pacific (launch the network by 20 May 2016, continue to support the strengthening of the network to 23 December 2016);
Support the strengthening of a pilot business network in Madagascar (by 20 May 2016);
Support the creation and strengthening of at least two other identified business networks (by 23 December 2016).

Producing guidelines on the creation and operation of business networks:

Undertake a case study review of existing business networks, including the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation, the Ebola Private Sector Mobilization Group and other business networks identified by OCHA, UNDP and ISDR, to identify the process undertaken to create those networks;
Consult with the members of the networks the subject of the case study reviews to identify challenges and opportunities associated with different processes and structures for creating business networks;
Based on the case studies and consultations, by 1 April 2016 produce best practice guidelines on the creation and operation of business networks, which will be hosted on the global portal and launched at the WHS;
Produce generic advice on the governance structure for business networks and on implementing that governance structure, including producing generic constituent documents for business networks (i.e. a constitution, memorandum of understanding and/or stakeholder agreement) by 1 May 2016;
Update the best practice guidelines following their launch at the WHS to ensure that they remain reflective of best practice by 1 September 2016;
Continue to gather and disseminate best practice, via the global portal, on the creation and operation of business networks.
Conduct at least two case studies of existing networks (by 1 August 2016);
Produce guidelines on the creation and operation of business networks (by 23 December 2016);
Produce generic documents regarding the governance structure of business networks (by 23 December 2016).

Designing and organizing a session or event at the WHS to launch the global portal, showcase business networks and obtain commitments to support the initiative:

Design and organize an event to launch the global portal at the WHS by May 2016;
Design and organize opportunities to showcase the initiative and business networks at the WHS;
Work with stakeholders to identify commitments that can be made by them at the WHS;
Produce at least two media and other communications related to this initiative for the launch at the WHS by May 2016;
Attend the WHS to coordinate events related to this initiative and to coordinate media and other communications related to this initiative;
Produce and implement a strategy for engaging stakeholders in order to obtain commitments to support the initiative at the WHS, including to engage those stakeholders in support of the ongoing work of the initiative, by 1 August 2016;
Produce a report on the initiative to be sent to stakeholders after the WHS by 15 June 2016;
Produce at least two additional media and other communications related to this initiative by 14 December 2016.

Support UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA:

Provide technical input to management briefings and other reporting processes;
Provide support to UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA on other tasks identified.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Coordinate the partnership between UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA;
Coordinate engagement with the informal advisory committee;
Manage the completion and implementation of the feasibility study;
Supporting the creation and strengthening of pilot business networks;
Producing guidelines on the creation and operation of business networks;
Designing and organizing a session or event at the WHS.

These tasks (including the timeframes for them) are subject to change by UNDP, UNISDR and OCHA, with the agreement of the consultant.

Payment

Full work-plan design for deliverables will be agreed upon with the Supervisor at the beginning of consultancy with more detailed work-plans prepared on a monthly basis, in writing. Payments will be made once a month upon submitted satisfactory timesheet and progress report against deliverables and confirmation of their timely execution and acceptance by the Supervisor/s.

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant shall have dual reporting lines: to the Director of UNDP’s Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development in consultation with Global Program Advisor Private Sector in Istanbul; and to Chief of the OCHA’s Private Sector Section in Geneva, who can delegate to other private sector colleagues working on day to day basis on the CBI Initiative and work in close coordination with the other IICPSD and OCHA team members, as well as with UNISDR. The consultant shall provide a monthly update on progress made in terms of the above responsibilities.

The Consultant will work closely with OCHA and UNISDR, as well as with colleagues in BPPS and UNDP at large, and will liaise with UNDP, OCHA and UNISDR Regional hubs and Country Offices, as appropriate. The consultant is expected to have her/his own working computer/laptop. UNDP will provide consultant an office space, access to internet connection, telephone, etc. at no cost to the consultant.

Missions and Duty Travels

The selected consultant is not expected to undertake any missions/duty travels.

Duration of the Work and Duty Station

The consultancy is for up to 195 days over a period of 10 months. The consultant is expected to start 1 March 2016 and finish 31 December 2016. The duty station is Istanbul, Turkey.

Competencies

Corporate Competences:

Commitment to UNDP’s, OCHA’s and UNISDR’s mission, vision and values;
Sensitivity to cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age differences.

Functional Competencies:

Strong partnering skills and ability to mobilize support for UNDP, OCHA and UNISDR;
Strong analytical, negotiation and communication skills, including ability to produce high quality practical advisory reports and knowledge products;
Strong legal skills in corporate law and international law;
Ability to function in a team environment.

Behavioral Competencies:

Productive and efficient worker, highly motivated;
Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize tasks;
Strong initiative and is comfortable to pro-actively reach out to new and existing external partners;
Performance-oriented and focused on results;
Persistence and willingness to follow through;
Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility;
Ability to take instructions and to learn on the job;
Communication and advocacy skills;
Curiosity and desire to work in a complex, international environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master's degree in Law, International Law or related field.

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, including experience in corporate governance or international law or comparative law;
Experience in the creation of business networks including governance structures;
Experience in writing background papers, briefing papers, talking points and speeches and organization of conference and workshops;
Experience in engaging the private sector for disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response or recovery;
Familiarity of UNDP, OCHA or UNISDR, including their work on and with Private Sector is an asset;
Knowledge and understanding of due diligence, legal arrangements for UN’s private sector engagement/partnerships in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery is an asset.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

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

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews and interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Only highest ranked 5 candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the P11 desk review will be invited for an interview”.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Knowledge and understanding of UNDP’s, OCHA’s and UNISDR’s work with business networks for disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery– max points - 15;
Knowledge and understanding of private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery– max points - 10;
Experience in the creation of business networks including governance structures – max points - 10;
Demonstrated ability to write background papers, briefing papers, talking points and speeches– max points - 5;
Research experience and experience in organizing conferences and workshops– max points: 10;
Minimum of 3 years of experience as a corporate lawyer, including experience in corporate governance or international law or comparative law; max points - 5;
Familiarity of UNDP, OCHA or UNISDR, including their work on and with Private Sector – interviews – max 5;
Knowledge and understanding of due diligence, legal arrangements for UN’s private sector engagement/partnerships in disaster risk reduction, emergency preparedness, response and recovery-interview max 10.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 (70%) points on technical part will be considered for the 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.

The award of contract will be made to the individual consultant who receives the highest combined score out of the weighted technical and financial criteria as specified above.

Application procedures
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying all-inclusive daily fee quote in US Dollars for the tasks specified in this announcement. Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to bpps.procurement@undp.org using the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Financial Proposal for Consultant for Connecting Business for Disaster Risk Reduction, Emergency Preparedness, Response and Recovery – Istanbul, Turkey" by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel to/from the duty station, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal;
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). Travel to join duty station/repatriation travel must be included in the financial proposal.

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.