UNDP Jobs - 71470- Consultancy to Carry Out a Comparative Advantage a

Consultancy to Carry Out a Comparative Advantage and Stakeholder Analysis of the UN

Location :

Lilongwe, MALAWI

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Apr-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

20 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

30 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 UN Country Team (UNCT) in Malawi, in planning for the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF 2019-2023), proposes to commission a study to assess the comparative advantages of the UN system in Malawi. The assessment will be based on the views of the UN’s main stakeholders, including government, development partners, civil society and the UN itself. In doing so, it is anticipated that a clearer, more focused vision will be developed, ensuring common objectives can achieve their potential for the benefit of the citizens of Malawi.

While the UN will continue to strongly support the Government of Malawi in its national priorities and delivery of services, a comparative advantage and stakeholder analysis (CASA) will be a forward-looking projection of UN capacities and its positioning at the country level. By coming together around more strategic objectives that reflect the UN’s comparative advantage, focusing on areas where the UN system can best add value, it is envisioned that the UN will contribute to Malawi’s future while also enhancing the relevance and credibility of the UN in Malawi.

Recognizing that the UN is, by no means, the only contributor to Malawi’s development trajectory, a central component of this exercise is to outline what specific areas in Malawi’s development the UN holds a comparative advantage over other stakeholders. A robust CASA will allow the UN to assess its strengths, pulling together responses to the myriad of challenges facing Malawi in a holistic manner.

Using a broad lens, the analysis will articulate how the UN in Malawi is placed in ensuring the implementation of international norms and standards; the amplification of voices of the poor; the underprivileged, discriminated and disabled, in the spirit of “leaving no one behind”; a vigorous advocacy role for greater equality, social inclusion, gender empowerment and human rights; an invigorated role as a catalyst for collaborative programmes involving all sectors of society; and a strengthened capacity to coordinate international initiatives while mobilizing expertise currently scattered throughout the public, private and voluntary sectors.

Fundamentally, the analysis should illuminate the potential in the multiple dimensions of the UNs work, especially those found at the interface of humanitarian action and development cooperation. Additionally, the UN’s ability as compared to other actors in the field in improving coherence of public, private actions across sections through norm-setting and collaboration should be discussed.

A complete catalogue of areas where the UN does or does not have a comparative advantage should not be the focus. Instead, based on an already finalized Root Cause Analysis, the CASA should, while considering all stakeholder’s activities, outline the areas where the UN adds the most value to development initiatives in Malawi.

Duties and Responsibilities

The purpose of the assignment is to assess the comparative advantage which the UN holds in Malawi and to determine how stakeholders in the development community view the effectiveness and efficiency of the UNs programming.

The objectives of the assignment are:

To determine and clarify the scope and scale of the UN’s comparative advantage in Malawi
To assess the methods; techniques and sectors, in terms of relevance, effectiveness and value for money, where stakeholders feel the UN has been/not been successful in delivery
To undertake a mapping of the role and level of engagement of other development partners and key actors in Malawi, so as to identify possible areas of cooperation and avoid duplication of effort.
To provide clear recommendations for the UN to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of initiatives, ensuring maximum transformative impact and value for money.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Fully acquainted with UN Development Assistance Frameworks and results based management orientation and practices;
Familiarity with Delivering as One; UNDAF Guidance; UN Programming Principles; UN reforms and the larger context of the changing development aid environment, particularly aid delivery, donor harmonization and alignment and aid cooperation in general;
Solid analytical and presentation skills, excellent facilitation;
Communication and negotiating skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing, Political Science, Social Science or relevant field.

Experience:

At least 10 years’ proven experience in undertaking capacity development and institutional assessments;
Demonstrated experience and strong understanding of international development as well as broad competence in analyzing both development cooperation systems and practice;
Sound knowledge of and practical experience in programme development, planning and implementation

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English.

Method of Application:

Interested individual consultants must submit Technical and financial proposals including documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one attachment by 14th April 2017. Detailed Procurement Notice and Terms of reference can be accessed through the following link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/.