Historique

Poverty reduction is at the core of the mission and mandate of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). From 2011 to 2012, an evaluation was conducted to assess the role and contribution made by UNDP to poverty reduction, as well as draw lessons from experience that can guide and improve UNDP’s performance in poverty reduction in the future. One key recommendation emerging from this evaluation was the need for UNDP to design programmes and projects “with explicit pro-poor bias, always trying to add specific elements which would enhance the likelihood that the poor will benefit more than they otherwise would through general development interventions.” UNDP is therefore further strengthening its actions to integrate a broad-based poverty focus across all programmes and thematic areas of UNDP’s work, as well as develop country-level staff capacity to ensure such integration.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Objective:

The primary objective of the project is to support UNDP’s work in developing diagnostic assessment tools, methodologies and frameworks, guidance notes, practical tool kits, and dissemination of lessons learned from real programmes to help conceptualize and design appropriate programmes for poverty-focused initiatives in different focus areas. To this end, the consultant will:
  • Develop a set of guidelines and practical tool kit (with specific project examples) on designing pro-poor programmes in the areas of democratic governance, energy and environment, HIV and AIDS, and crisis prevention and recovery; and
  • Design a methodology for capacity building and training of staff to design, monitor, implement and evaluate programmes with an explicit pro-poor bias.
Specific Activities:

The consultant will conduct an extensive and comprehensive review, using a wide and diverse range of sources, of UNDP programmes that cross-cut multiple practice areas and contribute to poverty reduction to tease out the successful factors and lessons learned. Through this review, the consultant will identify examples of projects that are not necessarily directly related to poverty reduction, but are still designed and implemented with a specific pro-poor bias. The consultant will analyse programmes that cross-cut multiple practice areas and contribute to poverty reduction, such as MDG Acceleration Framework (MAF) programmes, to tease out the successful factors and lessons learned that would inform the future design and implementation of pro-poor approaches in country- and local-level programming. In so doing, the consultant will also interview, wherever possible, relevant experts, personnel and stakeholders involved in the various processes of success at any and all levels in order to gain “insider” knowledge and understanding. (S)he will also initiate online consultations and focus group discussions as needed in order to collect and analyse information.

Drawing on this study, the consultant will also develop a set of guidelines and practical tool kit with specific project examples of how to design pro-poor programmes in the areas of democratic governance, energy and environment, HIV and AIDS, and crisis prevention and recovery. These guidelines and tool kit will help conceptualize and design appropriate programmes for poverty-focused initiatives in different focus areas, as well inform the development of required implementation plans and rolling out of necessary monitoring and evaluation exercises. They will be developed in close consultation with relevant UNDP bureaus, units and country offices, in order to ensure that they are highly relevant, demand-driven and user-friendly. Extensive consultations with relevant bureaus, units, country offices and staff will therefore be necessary.

Finally, the consultant will design a model for capacity building and training of designated focal points and staff to design, monitor, implement and evaluate programmes with an explicit pro-poor bias. This model will include a clear methodology for capacity building, as well as a package of learning resources including relevant documents, an online course and other resources.

Specific Deliverables:

The consultant will produce the following deliverables:
  • An extensive review/study on programmes that crosscut multiple practice areas and contribute to poverty reduction to tease out the successful factors and lessons learned (by end of June 2013);
  • A set of guidelines and practical tool kit with specific project examples of how to design pro-poor programmes in the areas of democratic governance, energy and environment, HIV and AIDS, and crisis prevention and recovery (first draft by end of July 2013 and final draft, which fully incorporates all comments and feedback, by end of August 2013);
  • A methodology for capacity building and training of designated focal points and staff to design, monitor, implement and evaluate programmes with an explicit pro-poor bias (by end of September 2013); and
  • A package of learning resources for capacity building and training of designated focal points and staff, including an online course and other guidance materials (by end of October 2013).
The above set of deliverables and deadlines are subject to revision based on changing priorities and needs.

Timeframe:

The project will be conducted over a period of 5 months (June to October 2013).

Payment:

The payment will be made in an all-inclusive lump sum, broken down into five installments contingent on successful completion and approval of the deliverables by their respective deadlines. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the various components.

Reporting:

The consultant shall report to the Practice Manager of the Poverty Group in the Bureau for Development Policy and liaise with the Policy Analyst for any queries and assistance on a day-to-day basis.

Compétences

Functional Competencies:
  • Strong and proven research, policy analytical and writing skills, with strong track record in producing similar studies, guidelines and other material in English;
  • Demonstrated strong technical and practical knowledge in poverty reduction, particularly as it relates to all areas of sustainable human development;
  • Strong familiarity with international development processes, programming and operations;
  • High level of communication, interpersonal and presentational skills, with an extensive network of possible interviewees;
  • Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities; and
  • Respect for diversity and ability to work in a multicultural team.

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 without favoritism;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:
  • Advanced degree and research in social sciences, development, economics, governance or other related field (previous research and/or publication record in the subject is an asset).
Experience:
  • A minimum of 8 years of professional experience with proven competence in any of the areas detailed in the scope of work;
  • Proven track record in developing guidelines, tool kits and/or educational resources on pro-poor programming at the international development level, with UN experience a plus.
Language Requirements:
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, with competency in other UN language(s) an asset.

FC: 25630