Historique

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, and governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; presidential, parliamentary and provincial council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.

ELECT II which commenced January 2012 was conceived as a targeted and focused project providing a support and advisory role, with a particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity development during the inter-election period. In line with the process of transition or Afghanistan, as articulated in the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the number of international staff was significantly reduced from previous years.

As the result of a project Mid-term Review and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, the ELECT II project has been extended beyond its original end date of December 2013 until December 2015, and the project objectives have been revised to now include direct electoral assistance for the conduct of the 2014 presidential and provincial council elections and the 2015 parliamentary elections.

The overall objective of ELECT II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible elections, most immediately the 2014 presidential and provincial council elections and the 2015 parliamentary elections, and to better ensure the integrity of the process. Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2096 (2013). This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).

This is being accomplished through seven focused outputs:

  • Output 1: Sustainability of the Independent Election Commission (IEC) is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development.
  • Output 2: A sustainable, long-term approach to voter registration in Afghanistan, which also promotes maximum participation of eligible citizens in the 2014 and 2015 elections, is developed and implemented;
  • Output 3: The IEC’s engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced;
  • Output 4: The IEC’s operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened;
  • Output 5: The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved;
  • Output 6: The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced;
  • Output 7: The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.

The IEC of Afghanistan recently conducted the 2014 presidential and provincial council elections with technical assistance by the UNDP ELECT II Project. Various documents were produced for the 2014 elections from the planning stage to the implementation stage. Yet there has been no systematic way of compiling them for ease of reference in the future. The election documents for the 2014 elections are currently scattered across the IEC departments and UNDP ELECT II departments/advisors and there is a need to maintain an institutional memory for conduct of the future elections.

In this context, the ELECT II project plans to support the IEC in publishing a series of booklets under the title of ‘2014 Elections’. Each booklet will cover different thematic areas and it intends to serve as a reference guide for the election officials in future election planning. The booklets will also include assessments of each department’s activities such as achievements, challenges and lessons learnt including best practices and malpractices. The booklets will be published in English, Dari and Pashto.

In addition, electronic copies of these election documents in English, Dari and Pashto need to be compiled into one CD/DVD as an archiving record.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Scope of Work

Under the overall supervision of the Senior Technical Adviser for Pillar II and in close collaboration with ELECT II advisors and IEC officials in respective areas, the Consultant will produce two products at the end of the assignment:

  • A series of booklets (estimated to be 21 in total but to be confirmed) on the 2014 elections in Afghanistan; and
  • An electronic archiving record, i.e. CD or DVD with relevant documents for each booklet and/or different thematic areas.

Summary of key tasks:

  • The Consultant will be a lead author for publication of a series of booklets on the ‘2014 Elections’ in Afghanistan. The booklets will cover different thematic areas pertaining to the 2014 elections such as final report on 2014 elections; finance; legal and regulatory framework; operations; field operations; polling center/stations; voter registration; candidate nomination; election materials; logistics; procedures and training; tally and election results; public outreach; gender; external relations; Media Commission; audit; cooperation with the Independent Electoral Complaints Commission (IECC); construction; security; lessons learnt from the 2014 elections, inter alia. This is not an exhaustive list of the booklets and the thematic areas may be regrouped or adjusted based on the structure of the booklets proposed by the Consultant and/or as per request by the supervisor. Prior to the arrival of the Consultant, the preparatory work for all the booklets are expected to be done by respective ELECT II and/or IEC advisors with inputs for the booklets and relevant documents for compilation. The inputs for the booklets, however, may need to be significantly edited, revised or redrafted as necessary. The Consultant will therefore;
  • Collect and compile all relevant documents, materials, products, photos, charts, graphs, screen captures, inter alia, in English, Dari and Pashto and inputs from respective ELECT II and/or IEC advisors for the publication of the booklets; identify gaps in inputs and/or relevant documentation and follow up with respective ELECT II and/or IEC advisors for additional inputs or documentation; and ensure all documents are translated by ELECT II and/or IEC Translation Unit in English, Dari and Pashto for each booklet;
  • Review all relevant documents produced by the IEC and ELECT II which may not necessarily be part of the booklets such as ELECT II quarterly and annual reports (but not limited to) for additional source of information;
  • Submit the proposed structure (order and grouping of the thematic areas) of the booklets and the table of content of each booklet in consultation with respective ELECT II and IEC advisors for approval by the ELECT II Senior Technical Adviser for Pillar II; 
  • Submit the layout and design of the booklets in consultation with respective IEC and ELECT II advisors for approval by the ELECT II Senior Technical Adviser for Pillar II; 
  • Draft and/or edit the booklets under the different thematic areas; and produce the first draft booklets for peer review by ELECT II and IEC officials;
  • Produce the final versions of all booklets on the 2014 elections, incorporating the feedback on the first draft booklets from ELECT II and/or IEC officials;
  • Compile electronic copies (both original format and PDF) in English, Dari and Pashto according to the thematic areas in a CD/DVD; and ensure filing names are standardized and grouped according to the thematic areas for easy reference. 

Expected Outputs/Deliverables and payment schedule:

  • Deliverable 1: Submit the proposed structure (order and grouping of the thematic areas), tables of contents,  layout and design of all booklets;
  • Estimated duration to complete: One week;
  • Target due date: One week after commencement of assignment in country;
  • Review and approvals required: Review by respective ELECT II and IEC advisors and approval by ELECT II Senior Technical Advisor for Pillar II.
  • Deliverable 2: Submit the first drafts of the booklets on ‘2014 Elections’ under different thematic areas; and submit for peer review by ELECT II and IEC officials;
  • Estimated duration to complete: Eight weeks;
  • Target due date: Nine weeks after commencement of assignment in country;
  • Review and approvals required: Review by respective ELECT II and IEC advisors and approval by ELECT II Senior Technical Advisor for Pillar II.

Note:

Deliverable 2 can be broken down to two deliverables, i.e. i) first drafts of a set of the booklets (estimated to be around 10 booklets) and; ii) the first drafts of another set of the remaining booklets (estimated to be around 11 booklets) in the financial proposal if the Consultant wishes to receive payment earlier.

  • Deliverable 3: Submit the final versions of all booklets on ‘2014 Elections’, incorporating feedback from the IEC and ELECT II officials; and approval by the ELECT II Senior Technical Adviser for Pillar II;
  • Estimated duration to complete: Two weeks;
  • Target due date: 11 weeks after commencement of assignment in country;
  • Review and approvals required: Review by respective ELECT II and IEC advisors and approval by ELECT II Senior Technical Advisor for Pillar II;
  • Deliverable 4: Compile electronic copies (both original format and PDF) of the documents, materials, products, photos, charts, graphs, screen captures, inter alia, in English, Dari and Pashto according to the thematic areas in a CD/DVD; and ensure filing names are standardized and grouped according to the thematic areas for easy reference;
  • Estimated duration to complete: One week;
  • Target due date: 12 weeks after commencement of assignment in country;
  • Review and approvals required: Review by respective ELECT II and IEC advisors and approval by ELECT II Senior Technical Advisor for Pillar II;

Working Arrangements:

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the ELECT II Senior Technical Advisor for Pillar II and in close collaboration with ELECT II and IEC officials in respective areas for publication of the booklets; and archiving electronic copies of the relevant materials in English, Dari and Pashto according to the thematic areas.

Duration of the Work

The contract is expected to commence in mid-October 2014 for a period of 12 weeks with a possibility of extension subject to performance of the Consultant and funding availability. The Consultant is expected to work five days a week during the contract period.

Duty Station

The Consultant will be based at ELECT II Office, UNOCA compound in Kabul, Afghanistan and visit the IEC headquarters as needed.

UNDP ELECT project will provide office space within the ELECT Project Office;

The consultant will be provided with I.C.T. equipment (laptop, mobile phone, mobile radio) and security devices (personal body armour and helmet) and will be fully included in the UNDP Security regime;

UNDP ELECT will provide transport from the accommodation to the office and return.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Having received the highest combined score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation:

Technical Criteria Weight – 70%

Note: Applicants must submit a short technical proposal describing his or her approach, methodology and timeline to achieve the deliverables.

Financial Criteria Weight – 30%

The offer will be evaluated by using the Best Value for money approach (combined scoring method – using the 70% - 30% distribution for technical and financial proposals respectively).

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 40 technical points out of the 70 obtainable points would be considered for the financial evaluation.

Criteria & Maximum Marks

Technical : 70 marks

  • Relevance of Education (Advanced Degree in relevant field), 10 marks;
  • Experience related to writing/editing/publication, 10 marks;
  • Experience related to elections, 10 marks;
  • Technical proposal describing approach/methodology to assignment, 20 marks;
  • Sample writing/editing/publication, 20 marks.

Financial: 30 marks

The assignment is based on a lump sum contract amount and payment is based only upon certification and acceptance of the deliverables and/or monthly reports received as indicated above. In the event of non-performance and pre-termination where payments cannot be made in full or may have to suspended, the final payment will be pro-rated against received and accepted deliverables.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information:

  • Personal CV and P11, including at least three professional references; (Annex)
  • Technical proposal describing his or her approach, methodology and timeline to achieve the deliverables (to be included in the online submission).
  • Financial proposal that indicates the fixed total contact price for a three-month assignment, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the template provided. (Annex)

Sample writing/editing/publication.

Price Proposal:

Lump Sum Amount:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the terms of reference (TOR).  In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, insurance, living allowance, and number of anticipated working days).

Notes:

The term “All inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, insurance, living allowance, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the contractor are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the proposal.

Living Allowance – The contractor shall propose a living allowance at the Kabul applicable rate of USD 181 per day for his/her stay at the duty station. The contractor is NOT allowed to stay in a place of his/her choice other than the UNDSS approved places. UNDP will provide MORSS compliant accommodation in Green Village (GV) to the contractor. The cost of GV accommodation shall be directly paid by the contractor.

Rest & Recuperation (R&R) – The contractor shall be entitled for one paid (USD 2,606) R&R (7 calendar days) during the course of the assignment after 42 days of continuous stay in the duty station. During these 7 R&R days when the contractor is away from Kabul, the contractor shall be paid the DSA at half rate (USD 90.5 per day) should the contractor retain his/her room in GV for these 7 days.

The total contract price, inclusive of the above elements, shall be converted into a lump sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the above mentioned schedule of payment.

Note:

Only one document can be uploaded and hence it is suggested that the CV, P-11, financial proposal and sample writing/editing/publication are uploaded as one document.

ANNEX (to be downloaded from UNDP Afghanistan Website, procurement notices section: http://www.af.undp.org/content/afghanistan/en/home/operations/procurement.html.

Compétences

  • Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Strong team player with belief in UNDP’s mission and mandate;
  • Excellent coordination and organizational skills;
  • Ability to multi-task to meet simultaneous deadlines, and be able to deliver high-quality products while able to work independently with medium to minimal supervision from supervisors;
  • Ability to work under pressure;
  • Creative and confident pitching communication ideas and strategies;
  • Excellent attention to detail;
  • Excellent communicator, writer and editor;
  • Excellent fact-checking skills;

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

  • Advanced university degree or equivalent qualification in communications, journalism, international relations, social sciences, or related fields;
  • A first university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

Experience:

  • Minimum of 5 years relevant working experience;
  • Experience in writing and editing for publication;
  • Experience in research for publication;
  • Previous electoral work experience, preferably in Afghanistan, is a strong asset;
  • Design, layout and photo editing skills, and a working knowledge of design programmes such as Photoshop and Adobe InDesign will be considered an asset.

Language:

  • Fluency in English is required;
  • Working knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto is a strong asset.