Antecedentes

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that contributes to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide. Volunteerism is a powerful means of engaging people in tackling development challenges, and it can transform the pace and nature of development. Volunteerism benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer by strengthening trust, solidarity and reciprocity among citizens, and by purposefully creating opportunities for participation. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for recognition of volunteers, working with partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing an increasing number and diversity of volunteers, including experienced UN Volunteers, throughout the world. UNV embraces volunteerism as universal and inclusive, and recognizes volunteerism in its diversity, as well as the values that sustain it: free will, commitment, engagement and solidarity.

UNV is headquartered in Bonn, Germany and has approximately 150 staff positions – with the majority in Bonn and some positions with different UN peacekeeping and political missions, and in other Headquarters locations (e.g. New York and Tokyo).

The Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation Section (VKIS) enhances UNV’s proactive capacity to mainstream volunteerism into peace and development initiatives. VKIS leads the development of the State of the World’s Volunteerism Reports (SWVR). The first SWVR was published in 2011, marking the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers.  UNV will take the lead in continuing to produce the SWVR.  The SWVR plays a key role in providing a platform to expand and increase awareness of the empirical evidence of volunteerism’s critical role in peace and development; and to increase recognition of UNV’s leadership role in the United Nations System on volunteerism. The next SWVR will be published in December 2014 and address the theme of volunteerism and governance, especially in the context of discussions on the MDGs and post-2015 sustainable development framework.

For more information on UNV, please visit the website at  www.unv.org 

Deberes y responsabilidades

As part of the SWVR 2014 research, UNV is commissioning literature reviews/analytical papers on a range of topics related to volunteerism and (participatory) governance, with a regional focus. The regions to be covered include Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, Europe/CIS, and Arab States.

Supervised by the SWVR Project Manager, and in close collaboration with the SWVR Senior Writer, each Research Consultant will be responsible for producing comprehensive literature reviews including analysis on up to 8 topics related to volunteerism and (participatory) governance that will be used to inform and strengthen the SWVR.

UNDP defines governance as the exercise of political, economic and administrative authority in the management of a country’s affairs at all levels. Governance is a neutral concept comprising the complex mechanisms, processes, relationships and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their rights and obligations and mediate their differences. (//mirror.undp.org/magnet/policy/glossary.htm). In these papers, governance would be explored in a variety of areas, such as collaborative governance, human rights, youth, gender, accountability, anti-corruption, access to information, conflict prevention and peace building, rule of law, social capital, poverty reduction,economic governance, local governance, and multi-track diplomacy.

The papers will have a regional focus and include a comprehensive review of empirical research from academic research, project/programme reviews and evaluations, documented case studies, etc. on the interrelationship between volunteerism/voluntary action/people’s participation and specified governance topics. The analysis should include a conceptual or theoretical framework based on literature to connect the concepts, include practice examples, as well as an analysis of results and impact. Full listing of references complying with UNV provided reference guidelines is required.  Detailed instructions on the deliverables will be provided.

Scope of work and deliverables:  The work is home based.  It will include researching academic/scientific sources, identifying relevant project and programme publications, and contacting informants within the region.  The time frame for this consultancy is 9 weeks, with the expectation to produce up to 8 papers on different topics.
The Consultants will receive an initial briefing by UNV at the start of the contract period.

• Deliverable 1 (26 March): Submit first completed literature review for review and feedback;
• Deliverable 2 (19 May): Up to 8 literature reviews including analysis on specified topics related to volunteerism and governance, in compliance with detailed instructions.

While 19 May is the deadline for submitting all final papers to UNV, the time frame for submitting each of the up to 8 papers will be discussed during the initial briefing.

Competencias

• Demonstrates analytical rigor, intellectual creativity and contributes original research ideas about volunteerism, governance, poverty and development;
• Possesses familiarity with substantive and policy issues related to governance, civil society,participation and volunteerism;
• Demonstrates strong writing skills in English. In particular, has the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments and make messages accessible to a broad audience;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality, and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Demonstrates drive to achieve results in timely manner and to seek and find solutions to any problems encountered; makes efficient use of available resources; demonstrates ability to multitask; remains composed under stress.
• Has ability to communicate clearly and persuasively; demonstrates ability to build consensus and expresses own ideas openly and frankly without jeopardizing rapport with colleagues.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:  

• Post-graduate course work or Post-graduate degree beyond University degree in political science, international development, journalism, or related topic.

Experience:  

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional work experience in development, volunteerism, research, or communications;
• Experience and demonstrated understanding of participatory governance in a development context;
• Skills and ability to access research journal publications and references;
• Experience in writing/editing/formulating evidence-based regional or global knowledge products or research, preferably with UN, Government, international NGO, or academia;
• In-depth, relevant research or practice knowledge and contacts in one of the following 5 regions: Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, Europe/CIS, Arab States.

Language requirement:  

• English and working knowledge of language of region:  French (Africa), Spanish (Latin America/Caribbean), Russian (Europe/CIS), and Arabic (Arab States)

Qualified applicants may be placed on a roster for future consideration in similar consultancies.

Applicants have to indicate the region for which they are applying: Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, Europe/CIS or Arab States.
Applicants have to provide a technical and financial proposal.  

The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach how to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components of its implementation.  It should be justified by referencing previous experiences.  Include a proposed focus/range of volunteerism and governance areas to be considered.  
The financial proposal shall consist of an all-inclusive lump sum for the whole duration of the contract period. The financial proposal shall contain a breakdown of these costs, and indicate the number of off-days the consultant wants to take during the contract period (if any).
The lump sum/contract price is fixed regardless of subsequent changes in the cost components.

Criteria for Selection of the Best offer:

The initial long-list of candidates will be based on the technical proposal and an evaluation of competencies and skills as reflected in the TOR. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited for a technical interview.

The selection of the best offer will be based on the combined scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted – 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted 30%.

Key selection criteria are:

Technical (70%)

• Demonstrated skills in carrying out academic research including critical analysis and recommendations, 20 points;
  
• Relevant substantive experience with participatory governance, volunteerism, and development, 20 points;
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of the region (Africa, Asia/Pacific, Latin America/Caribbean, Europe/CIS or Arab States), 30 points.
  

Financial (30%)

Qualified candidates are requested to apply via UNDP's Job Site http://jobs.undp.org/ clearly marking the job title and region of interest in the subject line.  Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this ToR and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above. Applications should contain: A brief cover letter, a short summary of relevant qualifications and a technical proposal. A current completed and signed P11 form/ UN Personal History Form in English. Blank form can be downloaded from
 www.sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc

Please also include your CV. Contact details for 3 references. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you provide all requested materials. All documents should be scanned and attached in one pdf format document.

Financial proposal should be sent in a separate e-mail and addressed to: procurement@unv.org clearly marking the job title in the subject line.

Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.