Background

The conflict in Syria has caused the largest displacement of people in recent times, and has severely strained the economic and social systems and related institutions in neighbouring countries. The absence of a prospect for positive solution to the Syrian crisis and the significant influx of refugees brought substantial stress to the hosting societies and communities.

The multifaceted nature of the conflict has challenged standard conflict resolution mechanisms as well as traditional responses to protracted crisis. How the countries in the region cope with the lengthening conflict in Syria and the unprecedented demographic shock and what can be done to improve international burden sharing are therefore questions of regional and international concern.

Going into its third year (2017-2018), given the nature and magnitude of the 3RP, there is a critical need to build a strong platform for more tools and guidance on resilience programming for the effective response to the crisis, by support to the drafting of the resilience plan across participating countries.

Recalling the UNDP Administrator’s message to UNDP leadership in the region, where she referred to the ‘3RP as a global first for UNDP in terms of leading a  resilience -based response at both the regional and country levels in the context of such a crisis…representing a unique opportunity for scaling up UNDP’s programmes and projects, particularly in a region seeking more resilience-based development investments’ there is evidence to confirm that UNDP has contributed to the next generation of crisis response by introducing the resilience-based development approach.

The UNDP policy brief accessible via the Solutions Alliance website (above link) sets out essential characteristics of the response including importance of financial predictability, promising space for new funding mechanisms that reduce fragmentation, and the centrality of national plans that align and even integrate humanitarian needs with development frameworks.

The UNDP Sub-Regional Response Facility (SRF) recently presented new tools to support the resilience-based response to the Syria crisis, including actions taken to strengthen investment in national and sub-national systems. This was developed in direct response to the UNDP commitments in the Grand Bargain of the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit, the RDF and the Dead Sea Resilience Agenda.

The five key principles for resilience-building programming from the Dead Sea Resilience Agenda now anchor the 2017-2018 Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan (3RP). Moreover, a localization tracker is embedded in the 2017-2018 3RP planning guidance.  Guidance Note 2, on Incorporating and Communicating resilience Programming. It defines and establishes guiding questions for all sectors across the 3RP to assess partnerships with local responders such as local NGOs, municipalities or line ministries are crucial for providing effective utilization and support of existing local institutions, systems and infrastructure. Activities which aim to enhance capacities in local organizations national and local institutions are necessary to enhance the sustainability of the crisis response.

Duties and Responsibilities

The primary outcome of this project will be support to the development of five country chapter and authoring a regional overview. The technical support is intended to strengthen resilience programming through the application of resilience tools, including the resilience lens.  This will be used by all partners programming across the 3RP, will aid and equip UN country offices in becoming hubs of resilience expertise, and positions UNDP at the forefront of the resilience agenda in the region.

Deliverables and results expected are as follows:

• To provide technical support virtually

• To consult with UNDP personnel (SRF/Country Offices) on content of existing resilience support and test and validate strengthened guidance;

• To analyse lessons learned from the state of resilience programming paper, social cohesion index, UNDP livelihoods s

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards

• Advocates and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the “UN delivering as One”.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism

Functional Competencies

• Well versed in the work on resilience, conflict prevention, reconciliation, and conflict sensitive approaches in countries and contexts emerging from conflict (post conflict settings);
• Sound understanding of resilience issues with a capacity to foster concrete linkages with community security, governance, livelihoods  and related efforts ;
• Possesses the ability to serve as an effective advocate for clients with demonstrated capacity to work with the United Nations;
• Demonstrated expertise in developing programmatic platforms, as well as all strategic partnerships and coordination mechanisms;
• Significant experience in assessing opportunities/challenges and designing programmes for livelihoods and income generation and developing an innovative approaches to applying a resilience-based approach to complex emergencies; 
• Strong methodological and research skilling, and familiar with quantitative research techniques;
• Effective communication skills and ability to establish good working relationships with national and local authorities, and international interlocutors.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client
• Interacts effectively with all levels of the organization
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure and tight deadlines
• Demonstrates openness to change
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master's Degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Public Administration, International Affairs, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

 Professional Experience:

• More than 10 years of continued professional experience in the referred field in countries in transition.

• Previous professional experience in the region will be an asset.

• A thorough understanding of early resilience, recovery, governance and conflict prevention work, including programmatic synergies between them;

• Knowledge and practical experience of implementing recovery initiatives in crisis contexts, with international/UN agencies or government institutions.

• Knowledge and practical experience in planning and implementing community-based livelihoods programmes;

• Knowledge of resilience-based approaches to development, in particular in conflict and post-conflict societies, including experience in conducting conflict analysis processes

• Demonstrated skills in leadership, organization, administration, negotiation, diplomacy, team building and staff supervision; Proven ability to work both at policy and field level,

• Knowledge and understanding of the regionalcultural, political and development context will be a distinct advantage;

• Knowledgeable about UN’s programme management/strategy regulations, systems and procedures, including execution modalities;

• Capable of working in a highly pressured environment and ready to take on a wide range of tasks;

• Self-motivated and able to recommend options for resolution of issues;

• Culturally sensitive and demonstrates appreciation for different cultures and practices;

• Able to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;

 Language Skills:

• Fluency in English, Arabic an asset

• Knowledge of another UN language is an asset

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS.

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Candidates that fail to submit the required information will not be considered.

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;

• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the table given in section D. template provided. 

  All necessary information including: Complete Procurement Notice, The Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement http://procurement-notices.undp.org/

  Interested candidate shall apply the CV/P11 to Job advertisement website, hence consultant should submit to website:  Proc.contract.rscjo@undp.org : not later than 7th October, 2016 the following documents:

• CV/P11

• Confirm availability and financial proposal

• Brief description of why you consider yourself as the most suitable for the assignment that show your competence to undertake this assignment in the country.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Interested candidates should provide lump sum fees for requested services with detailed breakdown (consultancy fees, travel, living allowances, tickets, etc.)

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Step I: Screening and desk review:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Development Studies, Public Administration, International Affairs, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field (as per mentioned above) Mandatory submission of CV or UNDP Personal History form (P11);

• Brief description of why he/she considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment

• Competences and qualifications based on the UNDP P11 form submitted by each candidate.

Shortlisted Candidates will be then assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria.

Evaluation of Candidates (max 100 points):

• More than 10 years of continued professional experience in the referred field in countries in transition. 15%

• A thorough understanding of early resilience, recovery, governance and conflict prevention work, including programmatic synergies between them; 15%

• Knowledge and practical experience of implementing recovery initiatives in crisis contexts, with international/UN agencies or government institutions. 15%

• Knowledge and practical experience in planning and implementing community-based livelihoods programmes; 15%

• Knowledge of resilience-based approaches to development, in particular in conflict and post-conflict societies, including experience in conducting conflict analysis processes. 15%

• Previous professional experience in the region. Knowledge and understanding of the regionalcultural, political and development context; 15%

• Knowledgeable about UN’s programme management/strategy regulations, systems and procedures, including execution modalities; 10%

 Step II: Final evaluation

The final evaluation will combine the scores of desk review and financial proposal with the following weights assigned to each:

• Shortlisting: 70%;
• Financial proposal: 30%