Background
In April 2008, Nepal conducted the election for a Constituent Assembly (CA) which as a first step, proclaimed the country a Federal Republic. The CA was mandated to draft a new constitution and establish the framework for the first post-conflict general election and possibly, for local government elections. While the CA did not complete its mandate of drafting the new constitution within the May 2012 deadline, discussions are ongoing among the political actors on next steps in Nepal’s peace process and possible elections as early as late 2012, although more likely in 2012.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the international donor community remain committed to assisting the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) to continue to deliver its mandated functions. Recognising that the election of the 2008 CA was only the first crucial step of the peace process in Nepal, UNDP initiated an Electoral Support Project (ESP) in 2008 aimed at institutional strengthening and professional development of the ECN. The Phase II of the project commenced in 2012 extending more comprehensive operational support for the next series of elections. The ESP support aims at building sustainable and enduring institutional and professional capacity of the ECN, of its Secretariat and its district offices that could be easily and effectively deployed in future elections. The ESP (2008-2016) consists of two phases: Phase I (2008-2011) focused exclusively on long-term electoral capacity building during
the first three years following the CA election and was drawing to a completion at the time of the Project’s second revision. Phase II (2012-2016) focuses on operational support for future (but still unscheduled) electoral cycles
The project provides support in key areas including voter registration, strategic planning, profession development and cooperation, gender mainstreaming among others and key to achievement of outputs is the long-term capacity building of ECN counterparts. It is within this context that the project seeks an international training and capacity building advisor to provide technical assistance to both ECN and ESP in developing a comprehensive capacity building strategy, ensuring the support provided through the different activities are in line with the strategy and recommend and identify specific measures to retain staff and institutional memory within ECN.
Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives:
The overall objective of the assignment is to enable sustained capacity building of ECN to prepare for and conduct credible and transparent elections. The incumbent will be required to develop a comprehensive capacity building strategy, provide advice and training to ECN counterparts and support ESP in ensuring sustainability of its capacity building support.
Description of the assignment:
To provide technical assistance to both ECN and ESP in developing a comprehensive capacity building strategy, ensuring the support provided through the different activities are in line with the strategy and recommend and identify specific measures to retain staff and institutional memory within ECN. The Consultant shall be based in the ECN building, Kathmandu.
Period of the assignment:
The duration of the Long Term Assignment (LTA) will be from 15 August 2012 to 14 August 2014 covering a total of 180 days of working period. Upon signing of an LTA, a separate Individual consultancy contract will be signed for each assignment during the LTA period on “as and when requested” basis. The specific schedule and duration of each assignment to be defined in consultation with the incumbent.
Scope of Work/Deliverables:
The Training and Capacity Development Advisor will be part of a team of specialists supervised and guided by the Chief Technical Advisor (CTA). Her/his primary task will be to advice and guide ECN and ESP on capacity building activities, and will systematically refer to reports on the 2008 CA Election, the mid-term review of ECN’s Strategic Plan, the ECN Training Needs Assessment and reviews of the ESP as source to carry out her/his work. S/He will be working closely with ESP and ECN counterparts and will be responsible for providing technical advice and help to develop the technical capacity of ECN in the relevant areas of the electoral activities.
Key Functions and Responsibilities:
- Providing expert advice and guidance to the ECN and ESP on all training and capacity building related matters;
- Familiarizing relevant ECN and ESP staff with international best practice on capacity development activities;
- Advising the ECN and ESP in developing and implementing a long term training plan and a strategic capacity development strategy that identifies the relevant areas and functions / staff based on the training needs assessment already conducted;
- Advising the ECN on designing and implementing training and capacity development programme(s) to maintain ECN staff capacity at HQ, local level. The training programme(s) to include BRIDGE (“Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections” Project) modules customized to Nepal electoral experience. S/he may seek opportunities for professional development of electoral staff both inside and outside Nepal as approved by the ESP and ECN;
- Advising the ECN and ESP on design and preparation of training materials for ECN staff on all levels;
- Advising the ECN and ESP in the developing of training materials, planning, preparation and implementation of operational training programs for upcoming election;
- Conducting a review of the ongoing BRIDGE programme;
- Providing general advice to ECN on improving the archiving and knowledge management sharing systems;
- Providing advice and assisting ECN in enhancing its induction program for new recruits;
- Providing advice and assisting ECN and ESP in developing indicators and monitoring and reporting on capacity building activities;
- Performing any other tasks as assigned by the CTA.
The key results have an impact on the overall ELECT efficiency in providing advisory services and success in strategy development and planning for ECN staff capacity development and institutional consolidation. Accurate, thoroughly researched and documented electoral advice ensure client satisfaction and enhance UNDP credibility in the area of electoral training and capacity development.
The International Consultant will be obliged to prepare a final report at the end of each assignment period that should compile achieved results, evaluation, recommendations for further actions, as well as practical reference points.
Quality Assurance:
- Chief Technical Advisor\International Project Manager will be primarily responsible for monitoring consultant’s progress on a regular basis as he/she will work under the direct supervision of the International Project Manager;
- Payments will be made to the consultant only after receiving a report towards the end of the individual contract period;
- Overall performance of the consultant will be evaluated towards the end of the contract, following UNDP’s standard evaluation form: “UNDP PERFORMACE EVALUATION FORM FOR INDIVIDUALS HIRED UNDER IC.’
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly and equally.
Functional Competencies:
- Strong knowledge in communication strategy development and implementation;
- Seasoned ability to develop communication products for both local communities and global audiences;
- Demonstrated ability to translate policy and programmatic issues into local contexts;
- Strong research and analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from a variety of sources;
- Ability to build productive partnerships with various stakeholders;
- Excellent writing and oral skills in English;
- Ability to write quickly, clearly and concisely;
- Ability in production, sub-editing, and editing of various communication documents, including website;
- Ability in transmitting knowledge and building capacities;
- Ability to act as a team player and leader, with strong interpersonal and communication skills;
- Ability to work in a pressured environment with strict deadlines.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master degree preferably in the field of Management, Political Science, International Relations, Electoral Policy, Law or other related fields.
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years of experience in training and capacity building, and well experienced in electoral training, needs assessment, planning and evaluation of training;
- BRIDGE experience desirable.
Language Requirements:
- Must be fluent in English with strong communication skills
Document to be included when submitting the proposal:
Application and required documents:
a. Proposal:
To be included as part of the proposal:
- Mandatory (max. 300 words): A cover letter with a brief presentation of your consultancy explaining your suitability for the work
- Mandatory (max. 1000 words): A brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
b. Financial Proposal:
Financial proposal indicating a daily fee (UN DSA and most economic and direct Air Ticket cost will be reimbursed as per actual)
c. UNDP Personal History form: downloadable from: http://www.undp.org.np/vacancy including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
Note:
- Applicants of 62 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy
- The candidate has to be an independent consultant (If the candidate is engaged with any organization, the organization employing the candidate will be issued with a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA) to release the employee for the consultancy with UNDP).
- Due to sheer number of applicants, the procurement unit will contact only competitively selected consultant.
Evaluation:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:
Cumulative analysis
When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
* Technical Criteria weight; 70%
* Financial Criteria weight; 30%
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Criteria Weight Technical:
- Criterion A: At least 7 years of experience in training and capacity building, and well experienced in electoral training, needs assessment, planning and evaluation of training (20%)
- Criterion B: Supported in developing a comprehensive capacity building strategy, ensuring the support provided through the different activities are in line with the strategy and recommend and identify specific measures to retain staff and institutional memory (20%)
- Criterion C: Previous experience in conducting capacity building training/workshops to the concerned division/department of election management bodies (20%)
- Criterion D: Knowledge/Experience in consultancy work (10)%
Financial: Lowest financial proposal: 30%
Contract will be awarded to the technically qualified consultant who obtains the highest combined score (financial and technical). The points for the Financial Proposal will be allocated as per the following formula:
((Lowest Bid Offered:)/(Bid of the Consultant)) x 30
*"Lowest Bid Offered" refers to the lowest price offered by offerors scoring at least 70% points in technical evaluatino.