UNDP Jobs - 82225- Programme Coordination Consultant

Programme Coordination Consultant - National

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Jan-2019

Application Deadline :

10-Dec-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

10 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

10 Months

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

Background

UNDP Sri Lanka began its innovation work in 2014, which resulted in the first National Summit on Foresight and Innovation for Sustainable Human Development held in 2016. The primary outcome of the Summit was to strengthen the foresight and innovation eco-system through the establishment of a Social Innovation Lab in the country. Following a scoping mission conducted by Pulse Lab Jakarta to gauge the readiness of the institutions and organizations for a Lab of this kind, and extensive deliberations with multiple partners and stakeholders on possible ways forward, Citra Social Innovation Lab was established as a joint cost-shared initiative between the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Research and UNDP.

Citra use foresight and innovation tools to prototype and test development solutions to ensure they are agile and holistic before nation-wide implementation. The Lab facilitates creating an environment that is conducive to looking at problems from different perspectives and delivers holistic and sustainable development solutions.

Since its inception, Citra Labs has worked with different ministries and have engaged and continues to engage with the various projects that are initiated by them. The Lab closely engages with the network of partners in order to bring value addition to the solutions that are being developed.

The Programme Coordination Consultant will be tasked with liaising and coordinating with the Different Ministries as well as the other partners who are engaged with Citra Labs, further developing the partnerships between them.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Innovation Focal Point, the Programme Coordination Consultant will be responsible for coordination between the Citra Lab and the Government partners.

Coordinate and liaise between the Citra Lab, Government partners, UNDP and development sector organizations who will work with the Lab;
When required, be based at partner ministry/department/organization to liaise and support the partnership with Citra Lab;
Maintain relationships with key stakeholders, government entities and departments, network partners, policy makers, and all other relevant parties as required;
Scope areas of opportunity and identify potential partnerships with Government entities;
Develop partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders involving youth, technology and innovation, both externally such as at universities and ICT associations, as well as internationally with different UNDP clusters, and the Government of Sri Lanka;
Assist in any and all other tasks as required for the operation of the Lab.

Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

The Organization will;

Ensure timely work is carried out in order to meet each target in accordance with the pre-planned timeline;
Be open to working collaboratively with the facilitators from the partnering organization and the Citra team to ensure the programme fits with the needs of the public sector in the country;
Work effectively with all relevant stakeholders and partners to create impactful and positive ways forward.

Expected Outcomes/Deliverables

Successfully liaise between Citra Social Innovation Lab and Government partners;
Identify potential areas of engagement for Citra within the Government and successfully support the coordination of such efforts;
Successfully represent Citra Lab within the based Government office/department;
Maintain notes and reports of meetings;
Managing projects and related specific activities within given constraints of time;
Conduct periodic and post-project reviews to ensure that the project is on track;
Coordinate functional perspectives from within and outside project teams;
Support with project related communications and advocacy efforts;
Ensure all project documentation is updated and conveyed to relevant stakeholders on time;
Enforce and develop integrated development plan representing appropriate level of detail;
Ensure risks have appropriate mitigation and contingency plans.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The Consultant will be contracted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Sri Lanka on behalf of Citra Social Innovation Lab.

The Consultant should incorporate all related costs in their financial proposals.

Timeframe

The expected duration of the assignment is approximately 10 months from the time of entering into the Contract;
The target date of commencement of the work will be January 2019, with the expected date of full completion of the assignment being October 2019, making allowances for any un-envisaged challenges.

Competencies

CONSULTANt PROFILE

competencies

Familiar with the work of UNDP Sri Lanka;
Excellent coordination skills;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships with UNDP and Government;
Experience working with civil society organizations, government ministries, and youth groups, as well as working in a team from a variety of cultures;
Strong communication and collaboration skills with experience in motivating cross-functional teams to meet ambitious project goals and timelines;
Direct experience supporting innovation processes and tasks;
Strong research, organizational, and networking skills;
Interested in social entrepreneurship, ideas and innovation;
Creative flair and originality;
High level of motivation, ability to show initiative and work independently without much supervision;
Ability to travel, occasionally to remote locations;
Prior experiences in developing strong partnerships and working relations with actors from various backgrounds.

Partnerships

Ability to engage effectively and build partnerships with government actors at the highest levels, and provide high quality advisory services and substantive input to all related activities.

Results

Ability to facilitate the achievement of meaningful results, especially in terms of further developing the existing partnership between UNDP, Ministries as well as other network of partners.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

A minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Communications, International Development, Social Sciences or any related fields.

Experience:

Minimum of three years of experience working in the public sector and working with other public-sector officials in various capacities;
Experience in event/project management, coordination and advocacy;
Experience in working in/with the Government, development partners and private sector;
Prior experience working in the UN system will be an advantage;
Experience is building strategic partnerships and networks with diverse actors.

Language:

Excellent working knowledge of Sinhala and English language skills, especially in conducting meetings and facilitating workshops in both languages.

How to apply

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site at www.lk.undp.org.

The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work;
Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation, and overall suitability to this TOR;
Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer, and a brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for UNDP
Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address:consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

Financial Proposal

All-Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR _________________________

Amount in words: LKR ____________________________

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All-Inclusive Daily Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights are required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been identified in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily per diem and costs for accommodation/meals/incidentals expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA Contracts.

Payment for services

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished and corresponding number of work days put in towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.