Background
Project Description?
UNDP is seeking to undertake a stock-taking exercise on its work in the area of stabilization with a view to developing a consistent, yet adaptable, corporate position and common narrative on UNDP’s role, objective and delivery capacity regarding stabilization efforts – based on principles of sustainable development – and on the basis of identified good practice and lessons learned.
The concept of stabilization has been used in various ways by international actors, including as a means of generating and (re)establishing safety, security and legitimacy; and laying the groundwork for longer-term recovery and development. Stabilization measures often consist of small and medium scale initiatives in the livelihood, infrastructure, security or governance/justice sectors that are implemented together with local partners and in accordance with the priorities of local communities. Stabilization measures are in most cases “quick impact” measures of high visibility that are implemented in the immediate aftermath of military operations and/or political settlements with the objectives to increase the visibility and legitimacy of the local (and national) authorities and to create a conductive environment for sustainable peace and development.
Though each setting is unique, UNDP is rolling out different, tailor-made activities on the ground that are labeled as stabilization. UNDP currently has stabilization initiatives underway in different forms in Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Pakistan and Somalia. There is currently consideration to implement similar initiatives in other country contexts. In most cases, these activities are implemented in a mission setting, where the UN Security Council mandates the UN to implement specific stabilization activities. In other cases, these activities are assimilated into existing work conducted by the UNDP Country Office (CO)/UNCT under the early recovery or resilience banners.
At present, UNDP lacks a corporate approach to stabilization, which can create inconsistency when interfacing with interlocutors at the national and international levels. Furthermore, the political, security, reputational, programmatic, and operational risks, as well as the administrative costs associated with stabilization activities can be significant.
These realities highlight the importance of reviewing existing practice and developing a consistent, yet adaptable, corporate position and common narrative on UNDP’s role, objective and delivery capacity regarding stabilization efforts – based on principles of sustainable development – and on the basis of identified good practice and lessons learned. In crisis settings, the organization is accountable for offering its country offices guidance and best practices on what amounts to stabilization interventions in the development sector and how UNDP can best position itself to influence this agenda.
In light of this, UNDP aims to take stock of existing activities under the banner of stabilization and to discuss how to combine long-term peace and development objectives with short-term recovery and stabilization efforts with a view to identifying corporate principles and parameters that country offices could use to guide strategies and interventions, including institutionalizing relevant support on which country offices could draw. This internal exercise aims also to define and highlight UNDP’s added value (and any limitations) as an implementing partner for stabilization measures.
This initiative will be carried out in a phased approach, the first of which will be a stocktaking of current UNDP practice in different country settings. This exercise will be followed by a UNDP workshop to assess the findings of the stocktaking and to determine a forward course of action based on recommendations emanating from the stocktaking. The scope of the follow-on work will be determined on the basis of this internal assessment and may include development of key guiding principles, redlines and good practices, common guidelines and/or key messages. Follow-on work may also include engagement of other UN system actors on common approaches and parameters for action?
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of Work
To advance the initial (stocktaking) phase of the exercise, UNDP is seeking a senior consultant (Stabilization Adviser) to review and analyze its stabilization interventions in the field; identify best practices; provide a working definition of stabilization for the organization; and advise the organization on its approach to stabilization as a basis for an internal workshop that will bring together UNDP’s leaders, field practitioners and central bureau with the objective of reviewing UNDP’s experience, assessing the findings of the stock taking and discussing the way forward. The stocktaking will be carried out through a combination of desk review, interviews and focus groups, and field visits to select countries in which UNDP is currently undertaking stabilization activities. The exercise will also be informed by preliminary findings of the ongoing review of capacities of UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes on sustaining peace.
The stocktaking will include a report and visual presentation prepared covering the following key areas:
Identification of lessons learned and best practices based on UNDP’s experience;
Nature and scope of UNDP programmatic interventions that deliver on stabilization and coherence of these interventions, including synergies, integration and overlap between recovery/early recovery interventions and stabilization;
UNDP operational context, set-ups and opportunities/challenges to timely delivering on stabilization ((i.e. mission setting vs. non-mission setting);
Risks to UNDP associated with stabilization interventions and civil-military cooperation in the context of stabilization;
Identification of UNDP policy gaps (if any) when implementing stabilization interventions;
Gender analysis of UNDP’s interventions as an implementing partner for stabilization measures;
Recommendations on risk management approaches and red lines for implementation of stabilization interventions by UNDP;
Recommendations on UNDP’s package/offer on stabilization to donors and national counterparts.
Expected Outputs and Deliverables
The Consultant is expected to deliver the following tasks:
Inception meeting with UNDP stakeholders and preparation of an inception report laying out the proposed approach of the stabilization expert to conduct the stock-taking (approx. 5 pages);
Initial desk review and literature review of UNDP’s Stabilization interventions in the field;
Stakeholder interviews and focus group discussions, including with UNDP’s Central Bureaus;
Field visits to three (3) case study countries to conduct interviews with UNDP Country Offices management; programme and project managers; concerned UN Missions’ senior leadership; stabilization and stabilization-like programme donors; national counterparts; direct beneficiaries; and implementing partners;
Interview with other country offices also implementing stabilization activities;
Interviews with other stakeholders including, donors, and think tanks;
A mid-term briefing in person or via VTC, skype or phone with UNDP’s Stabilization Task Force;
Delivery of an in-depth draft report reflecting findings and preliminary recommendations to be shared with UNDP’s Stabilization Task Force for feedback;
A visual presentation (approx. 20-30 slides) to be shared with UNDP’s Stabilization Task Force in advance of the Stabilization workshop,
And in-person presentation of findings and recommendations at the UNDP Stabilization workshop;
A final report taking stock of UNDP’s stabilization intervention and presenting recommendations after conclusion of all consultations (approx. 40 pages).
Specific outputs and delivery due dates are as follows. For all outputs, review and approval by the Project Manager is required:
Output 1: Inception report outlining proposed methodology and approach (approx. 5 pages)
Estimated duration to complete: Within 5 working days
Output 2: Mid-term briefing with preliminary observations and findings based on desk review, field work and consultations (via Skype, VTC or phone)
Estimated duration to complete: Within 25 working days
Output 3: In-depth draft report based on desk review, field work and consultations
Estimated duration to complete: Within 30 working days
Output 4: Visual presentation of findings and conclusions (approx. 20-30 slides)
Estimated duration to complete: Within 35 working days
Output 5: Presentation of findings and recommendations at UNDP stabilization workshop
Estimated duration to complete: Within 40 working days
Output 6: Final report based on feedback from Stabilization Task Force and participants in the UNDP stabilization workshop (approx. 40 pages)
Estimated duration to complete: Within 45 working days
Institutional Arrangement
The Stabilization Adviser will report to the Project Manager in the UNDP Crisis Response Unit in relation to all services and deliverables. The UNDP Stabilization Task Force will be responsible for providing substantive inputs and advice throughout the project, to be coordinated through the Project Manager. Quality assurance for the deliverables of the Stabilization Adviser shall be assured by the Director of the Crisis Response Unit.
The Stabilization Adviser shall communicate (via email, Skype and/or phone) on a weekly basis with the Project Manager in regard to progress against the scope of work. All outputs are to be delivered in line with the specifications under Section D.
The Stabilization Adviser is expected to engage with senior management and technical experts in UNDP Central Bureaus, Regional Hubs and concerned Country Offices through targeted interviews and/or focus groups. Other stakeholders to be interviewed and consulted by the Stabilization Adviser as part of the project include: senior leadership of UN Missions and other entities; stabilization and stabilization-like programme donors; as well as national counterparts, direct beneficiaries, and implementing partners in countries included in the stocktaking.
The Project Manager will provide the Stabilization Adviser with necessary documentation and contacts within UNDP at the start of the project. He/she will provide support services for coordination of the inception meeting (Output 1), mid-term briefing (Output 2) and workshop (Output 5). The Project Manager, supported by the Stabilization Task Force, will provide a local focal point for coordination and logistical services support to the Stabilization Adviser for each of the three country visits.
Duration of the Work[1]
The duration of work for this assignment is not to exceed 45 working days, the final report is expected to be delivered on the basis of feedback received during the Stabilization workshop;
The target date for the start of work is October 17th 2016 or as negotiated with the Consultant;
UNDP Stabilization Task Team will provide feedback on: 1- the in-depth report to be presented on week 5; 2- the visual presentation of the findings and conclusion to be presented at the workshop within one week of submission. The final report will be submitted following the feedback received during the Stabilization workshop.
Duty Station
This assignment is home based, with the expected following travel: 1- Three days in NY to meet with Stabilization Task Force and UNDP Senior Management before submitting the inception report outlining proposed methodology and approach; 2- Travels to the field following the endorsement of the inception report to visit 3 UNDP Country Offices (Iraq, DRC, and Pakistan) to conduct interviews with stakeholders (UN and UNDP Country Management, beneficiaries, donors, national counterparts); 3- Five days in NY present his/her findings at the UNDP Stabilization workshop and finalize and submit the final report. All missions’ costs should be included in the price offer.
During his/her assignment, the Stabilization Advisor is expected to be in regular contact with the Stabilization Task Team through the Project Manager, and delivering outputs as agreed.
[1] The IC modality is expected to be used only for short-term consultancy engagements.? If the duration of the IC for the same TOR exceeds twelve (12) months, the duration must be justified and be subjected to the approval of the Director of the Regional Bureau, or a different contract modality must be considered.? This policy applies regardless of the delegated procurement authority of the Head of the Business Unit.?
Competencies
Core Values/Guiding Principles:
Integrity:
- Demonstrate consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UNDP in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct.
Professionalism:
- Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work;
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Cultural Sensitivity and Valuing Diversity:
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff;
- Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity.
Core Competencies
Leadership:
- Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
- Ability to interact across a wide spectrum of people.
Ethics and Values:
- Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.
Organizational Awareness:
- Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Development and Innovation:
Take charge of self-development and take initiative.
Required Skills and Experience
Qualifications of the Successful Individual Contractor
A master level degree, preferably a PhD in political science, international law, international politics and/or subjects relevant to stabilization and fragile and conflict affected states;
At least 15 years of experience working on policy development in an inter-agency/inter-governmental setting, and demonstrated ability to navigate in a complex political context;
Proven understanding of gender responsive peace building and state building;
Working knowledge of the international conflict architecture and multi-lateral partnerships relevant to stabilization;
Extensive experience in writing analytical research reports/ project reports/consultancy reports;
Practical experience working on stabilization issues in a fragile or conflict affected area;
Demonstrated knowledge of UN programmatic intervention design and implementation, as well as UN planning and coordination methods, and UNDP rules and regulations.
Evaluation
Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments
All proposals must be expressed in lump sum pricing option. The Lump sum must be “all-inclusive[1]”. Furthermore, the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components. The financial proposal should include all mission travel costs to the following destinations[2]:
New York: 3 days for initial meetings with Project Manager, Stabilization Task Force and other relevant colleagues; 5 days for briefing at UNDP Stabilization workshop and delivery of final report
Baghdad: Est. 3 to 5 days for field research and stakeholder interviews
Kinshasa: Est. 3 to 5 days for field research and stakeholder interviews
Islamabad: Est. 3 to 5 days for field research and stakeholder interviews
Schedule of payment
Output 1: Inception report outlining proposed methodology and approach (approx. 5 pages)
Payment amount: 25%
Output 3: In-depth draft report based on desk review, field work and consultations
Payment amount: 25%
Output 6: Final report based on feedback from Stabilization Task Force and participants in the UNDP stabilization workshop (approx. 40 pages)
Payment amount: 50%
Recommended Presentation of Offer
Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the application in UNDP Job Site (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded; therefore please include all docs in one file):???????
CV or Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of at least three (3) professional references using the template attached in Annex 1 but can also be downloaded from this link: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc).? Alternatively, an updated CV indicating 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 can be submitted; however, UNDP may later request a P11 form to be completed.
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology on how the Stabilization Advisor will approach and complete the assignment.
NOTE: Please group all your documents into one single PDF file when uploading to the UNDP Job Site because the system allows only one attachment.
Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal
Applicants that pass the technical evaluation will be contacted and asked to submit their financial proposals indicating an all-inclusive daily fee in US Dollars for this consultancy.
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required (the prevailing price for an economy class ticket on the most direct routes shall apply; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract such as the cost of mission travels, as applicable.
Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer
The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose proposal is determined as having the highest combined score of the technical and financial scores, calculated as follows:
Technical criteria weight (70%)
Financial criteria weight (30%)
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points out of 100 at the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.
The technical evaluation will be based on the following criteria with the corresponding points (out of a total 70 points):
Criteria 1: At least 15 years of experience working on policy development in an inter-agency/inter-governmental setting, and demonstrated ability to navigate in a complex political context - 20 points ?
Criteria 2: Proven understanding of peace building and state building - 20 points
Criteria 3: Working knowledge of the international conflict architecture and multi-lateral partnerships relevant to stabilization - 15 points
Criteria 4: Extensive experience in writing analytical research reports/ project reports/consultancy reports- ?15 points
Criteria 5: Practical experience working on stabilization issues in a fragile or conflict affected area -?15 points
Criteria 6 - Demonstrated knowledge of UN programmatic intervention design and implementation, as well as UN planning and coordination methods, and UNDP rules and regulations – 15 points
Financial evaluation (maximum 30 points):
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.
[1] Same as above
[2] These dates are for calculation purposes only and destinations will be confirmed shortly.