Background
Offeror's letter download link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IFWlCKytbr5-Flg0VEu4XDr8xLdi0VjD
With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at its core, the UN has embarked on an ambitious reform to reposition the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. A cornerstone to implement the reform objective is the new generation of United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Frameworks (now renamed United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, UNSDCF), which has been elevated to be “the most important instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities at country level in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda). The UNSDCF guides the entire programme cycle i.e., it drives the planning, implementing, monitoring, reporting and evaluating of the UN development system’s collectively-owned development results to accelerate progress towards the 2030 Agenda.
As the United Nation’s current Development Assistance Framework for the People’s Republic of China is ending in 2020, the UN Country Team in China is embarking on the process of developing a new Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework in line with the expectation of the UN Reform. This consultancy aims to reinforce the existing capacity in the Resident Coordinators Office to conduct economic research informing the new program cycle and specifically, those processes related to preparing the new UNSDCF, including the evaluation of the current Assistance Framework, conducting a Common Country Assessment, and prepare new UNSDCF.
Organizational Setting and Reporting Relationships: The Consultant will be working in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) and report to the Head of the Office and to the Resident Coordinator.
Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities: Within delegated authority, the Consultant will be responsible of the following duties:
Summary of Functions
- Coordinates evidence-based Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UN Country Team (UNCT) of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in China
- Oversees the provision of substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to Resident Coordinators (RC) and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners
- Leads the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs
- Directs SDG knowledge generation and management
Description of Functions:
1. Coordinates evidence-based SDG analysis in support of a shared understanding by the UNCT of sustainable development trends, challenges and opportunities in China
- Directs research, analysis, consolidation and presentation of SDG-related data, as well as information on emerging best practices in sustainable development, paying special attention to gender and capacity development, and proposes policy options to RCs/UNCTs;
- Oversees the identification and analysis of issues that impact multiple SDGs and their targets and proposes ‘accelerator interventions' that can help unlock and accelerate progress towards sustainable development across multiple areas;
- Directs the assessment of sustainable development trade-offs and risk factors, as well as early-warning indicators that may undermine the achievement of SDG targets and impact the UN’s role and programme in the country and identifies appropriate measures to address them;
- Supervises collection and analysis of data on UN country level operations in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, identifies gaps and proposes follow-up actions;
- Manages research, development and presentation of policy papers, guidance notes and other knowledge based-tools and directs discussion in country-level forums to help influence and advance policy dialogue on achieving the SDGs;
- Coordinates the preparation of UN flagship reports, including the analysis of data and ensures the provision of evidence to build the case for policies and interventions on SDGs;
- Oversee the monitoring regional and global economic trends and issues, analyzes their implications for the realization of the SDGs at the country level and recommends additional issues for consideration.
2.Oversees the provision of substantive advice on innovative economic and SDG policies to RCs and UNCTs, as well as to national counterparts in government and other relevant partners
- Guides substantive support to the RC/UNCT on SDG-related issues, particularly on policies to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs, including through Mainstreaming, Acceleration and Policy Support (MAPS) and similar processes, and evaluates and pursues potential trade-offs between SDGs;
- Leads the identification of issues and recommendations for the UNCT on how UN country-level operations can be optimized and better respond to sustainable development needs and emerging trends in country;
- Elicits, evaluates and consolidates policy options proposed by UNCT members, ensuring an integrated approach to the UN’s policy advice to national counterparts in government and other external partners,
- Plans and directs the work of the in-country UN Joint Policy Team (or equivalent) and drives cross-pillar nexus approaches in country to policy, analysis and assessment.
3. Leads the development by the UNCT of a new generation of SDG programmes with a strong investment orientation and focus on acceleration towards achieving the SDGs
- Manages the development and implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), including the UNSDCF evaluation; Common Country Assessment, and UNSDCF preparation.
- Supervises the provision of substantive support to programme formulation and revision throughout the UNSDCF cycle, based on sound SDG analysis;
- Oversees the provision of substantive support to the UN joint programming process to strengthen the formulation of a new generation of UN joint programmes that are aligned with the SDGs, oriented towards investment, and have impact at the national level;
- Guides UNSDCF result groups in the implementation of joint workplans to ensure SDG-relevant and SDG-responsive UN operational activities for development;
- Reviews and endorses recommendations to enhance UN support to governmental and multi-stakeholder processes on SDG policy development and capacity development.
4. Directs SDG knowledge generation and management
- Plans, facilitates and enhances local, regional and global communities of practice and knowledge networks and promotes collaboration, peer support, innovation good practices, lessons learned, needs, and opportunities in the area of sustainable development;
- Directs research, analysis and presentation of best practices and lessons learned from implementation of UNCT projects and programmes, with a view to advising the RC and UNCT on actions to strengthen the policy orientation of the UN;
- Coordinates the monitoring and analysis of best practices and successful models implemented by the UN in country and suggests options for developing these into bankable national SDG investment policies and programmes;
- Oversees the provision of advice on global/corporate guidelines, tools and other materials related to sustainable development policy.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
- Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
- Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
- Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
- Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
- Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
- Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
- Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Required Skills and Experience
Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in economics, sustainable development, public policy, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Experience: A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in sustainable development policy, economic analysis or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.
Language: Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Chinese is an advantage.
Evaluation Criteria
The award of the contract will be made to the Individual Consultant who has obtained the highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions. Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. The offers will be evaluated using the “Combined Scoring method” where:
- Technical evaluation - 70%; (includes 20% of Job Related Technical Expertise; 25% of Relevant working experience; 25% of Methodology & Approach to Assignment)
- Financial Evaluation - 30%.
UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.