Background
The conflict in Syria has caused the largest displacement of people in recent times, and has severely strained economic and social systems and related institutions in neighboring countries. The absence of any prospect for a positive solution to the Syrian crisis, combined with an unprecedented influx of refugees, has brought with it substantial burdens for host communities.
The multi-faceted nature of the conflict has challenged standard conflict resolution mechanisms as well as traditional responses to protracted crises. How countries in the region can cope with the ongoing 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.
Host communities and host countries are faced with many challenges and questions about how best to cope with the situations they face. Whether living in formal or informal shelters and housing, or hosted by the community, many refugees are suffering from loss of income, loss of productive means and disrupted livelihoods. Host communities and other affected communities may be facing pressure on services, the local economy and rule of law. Given the signs that refugee populations are unlikely to be able to return safely to their homes or new settlement areas in Syria in the near future, national and international partners have started exploring alternative scenarios to effectively address the long-term impact of the unprecedented demographic shock.
There is a general recognition that prevailing policies on refugee’s status in host communities were developed under the assumption of an early solution to the conflict in Syria, which implied a rapid voluntary repatriation to their home country. The reality has shown the opposite. One area where improvements are possible is in regulatory frameworks and practices regarding residency, access to employment and services, and access to national and local social safety-nets. The legal status of refugees, local regulations and other formal and informal practices can all act as bottlenecks to refugees’ access to assistance, especially those residing in host-communities (which is the large majority). More importantly, some approaches and practice can limit the opportunities of refugees to access livelihood opportunities and to benefit from basic public services. In general, addressing such bottlenecks can reduce the longer-term financial costs and burdens of crisis response. However, circumstances vary from country to country and what would produce the best improvements in one location may be quite different from another.
Duties and Responsibilities
The main outcome of the project is to contribute to an effective policy response for the unprecedented demographic shock generated by the Syria crisis on neighboring countries.
Scope of work and deliverables:
Under the Supervision of the Policy and Crisis-Coordination Specialist, the consultant will be responsible for conducting a synthesizing exercise resulting in a chapeau document outlining key themes and findings across multiple strands of UNDP SRF’s research.
Deliverables and results:
- Synthesize multiple research inputs from UNDP SRF research projects to develop a 15-page regional chapeau document. This will involve both synthesis of technical and econometric analysis, and original analysis with a view towards future programming for presentation at a high-level event; integration of two rounds of comments from authors and consultative committee;
- Assist the Policy & Coordination Specialist (PCS) in conducting a review of technical and econometric analysis inputs to ensure all materials meet international publishing standards;
- Participate in a global publication launch event in Jordan to highlight findings and raise stakeholder interest.
TRAVEL PLAN
Part of this assignment will require the consultant to travel for 2-day mission to Amman- Jordan to Participate in a global publication launch-event to highlight findings and raise stakeholder interest. Applications should include all travel-associated costs in their financial proposal. Any travel outside of the travel listed below will be considered as Unforeseen Travel and will be treated in accordance with UNDP corporate regulations and rules.
DURATION OF THE WORK
The duration of the work is 16 working days over a period of 1 month starting January 26th
Competencies
Corporate competencies
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the United Nations;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
Functional Competencies
- Specialist knowledge of development issues and particularly development cooperation, public finance, global frameworks for financing development, economics, humanitarian aid and appeals;
- Highly familiar with the UN Humanitarian and Development nexus and interventions
- Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
- Capable of working in a high-pressure work environment with frequent urgent deadlines;
- Ability to multi-task;
- Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
- High level logical and methodical organizational skills.
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 humored 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, PhD preferred, in Development Studies, Public Administration, International Affairs, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.
Professional Experience:
- At least combined 10 years of relevant work experience, with at least 5 years’ experience leading and coordinating research;
- Previous experience in producing and authoring policy-related knowledge products;
- 4 years’ experience in supporting Resilience programming in emergency situations is an advantage;
- 4 years’ experience in the Middle-East is a strong advantage.
Language Skills:
- Fluency in English, Arabic language is an advantage.
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 all documents mentioned above to website: Proc.contract.rscjo@undp.org : not later than 23 January 2018.
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, PhD preferred, in Development Studies, Public Administration, International Affairs, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field;
- At least combined 10 years of relevant work experience, with at least 5 years’ experience leading and coordinating research.
Shortlisted Candidates will be then assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria.
Evaluation of Candidates (max 100 points):
- At least combined 10 years of relevant work experience, with at least 5 years’ experience leading and coordinating research: 25%
- Previous experience producing and authoring policy-related knowledge products: 25%
- 4 years’ experience in supporting Resilience programming in emergency situations is an advantage: 20%
- 4 years’ experience in the Middle-East is a strong advantage: 20%
- Fluency in English, Arabic language is an advantage: 10%.
Step II: Final evaluation
The final evaluation will combine the scores of the desk review and the financial proposal with the following weights assigned to each:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will 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 technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Technical Criteria weight: [70%]
Financial Criteria weight: [30%]
Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.