UNDP Jobs - 44875- Consultant

Consultant - Report Writing

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

14-Apr-2014

Application Deadline :

21-Mar-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

5 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

5 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

In the years up to 2015, the world needs to remain focused on securing as much progress as possible on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). At the same time, discussions have already begun on the goals and targets that could build on and succeed the MDGs.

Discussions on any post-2015 development framework should start with an analysis of the present MDG agenda and its underlying approach, as well as assessment of what has worked and not worked. Any development framework for post-2015 must also take into account how the context for development has changed since the MDGs were agreed. It will need to consider climate change and environmental vulnerability, recent crises and volatility arising from economic globalisation, the changing nature of global governance, patterns of inequalities between and within countries, as well as trends relating to technology, demography, urbanisation, and migration, among others.

In the outcome document of the 2010 MDG Summit, Member States requested the UN Secretary-General to initiate annual reporting on the activities, consultations and analytical work that needs to take place to inform the inter-governmental debate on the post-2015 UN development agenda. In turn, the Secretary-General requested UNDP and DESA to lead system-wide preparations for the post-2015 UN development agenda, with support from all UN agencies and in consultation with relevant stakeholders. Therefore, UNDP and DESA are co-leading the Post2015 UN Task Team (UNTT) which includes representatives from all UN agencies and bodies.

It will be critically important that the vision for “the world we want to live in” – and any ensuing goals and targets – be informed by the perspectives of people from all parts of the world, including poor people. In setting out his vision for developing a post-2015 agenda, the Secretary General (SG) announced that the United Nations will seek to be an advocate for and facilitator of a bottom-up and inclusive approach defined by national and local priorities. As Chair of the UNDG, UN Development Programme (UNDP) is currently mobilising support around an initiative that aims to make sure that any successor framework to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is informed by the perspectives of stakeholders from all over the world, including those that are poor and excluded.

The evidence and perspectives generated through these activities listed above will be an important input into intergovernmental discussions on options for a post-2015 development framework.

To support UNDP in fulfilling its role within the UN system and vis-à-vis member states, the post-2015 team is looking for a short term junior to support the Head of Team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultant, who will report directly to the Post2015 Team Leader, will be expected to contribute to the following aspects of UNDP´s work on post-2015:

Supporting the Head of Team with meeting and event scheduling, notetaking, communications;
Drafting correspondence, notes-to-file and contribution to the preparations of speeches, reports, presentations, etc;
Organizing a key event, including agenda, logistics and content management;
Conducting research, review and analysis of key documentation as requested;
Supporting the engagement with partners on post-2015 issues and prepare reports to donors that have financially contributed to the work on the post-2015 agenda;
Supporting the evaluation of the activities UNDP and UNDG have carried out regarding the post-2015 agenda.

Expected deliverables:

5 donors reports prepared;
An evaluation report of the UNDP/UNDG activities on post-2015;
10 presentations and speeches prepared;
5 document reviews;
Events organized in September 2014, details to be confirmed.

Competencies

Corporate competencies - the successful applicant will:

Demonstrate integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promote the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treat all people fairly without favouritism; and
Fulfil all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies - the successful applicant will:

Strong organizational skills;
Have strong interpersonal, communications, and diplomatic skills;
Be able to work in a team;
Be able to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Have strong analytical, reporting, and writing abilities; and
Have excellent presentation skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree (MA) in a development-related discipline.

Experience:

One year of practical experience in a development organization;
Knowledge of UNDG´s role in the post-2015 discussions.

Language:

Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.