Empleos en el PNUD - 51574- International Consultant

International Consultant – Advisor on Designing Results Framework for Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Development Cooperation with the Republic of Moldova

Localidad :

Home-based with one mission to Bratislava, Slovakia

Tipo de contrato :

Individual Contract

Fecha de comienzo del contrato :

Fecha límite de postulación :

28-Nov-14 (Medianoche Nueva York, Estados Unidos)

Nivel de puesto :

International Consultant

Duración del contrato inicial :

Estimated December 2014 – February 2015

Idiomas requeridos :

Inglés

Duración esperada del puesto :

Approx. 10 working days

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Antecedentes

Since early 2000s UNDP’s partnership with the Slovak Republic has been the largest initiative with an emerging donor in the region, supporting ODA delivery and capacity building and public finance management reforms in partner countries. In 2014, the parties launched a new project “Slovak Republic – UNDP Partnership for Results in the International Development Cooperation”, which is a continuation of UNDP’s partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic (MFEA SR) and the Ministry of Finance of the Slovak Republic (MF SR) in support of the Slovak ODA priorities, specifically leading to two key outputs a) Effective development cooperation tools and mechanisms enhanced and strengthened; b) National capacities in partner countries enhanced and strengthened through effective provision of the Slovak transition knowledge and experience.

Since 2003, the Slovak Republic has undergone a full transformation to development assistance provider. The key landmarks have included the accession to the EU in 2004, creation of the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation (based on the 2007 Act on Official Development Assistance), and, finally, accession to OECD-DAC in September 2013. In the past decade, development assistance has become an effective tool and an integral part of the Slovak foreign policy. Institutional and legislative framework was built and political and operational mechanisms were set up. The country had also started introducing a more programmatic and systematic approach to aid, including by adoption of three medium-term ODA strategies (2003-2008, 2009-2013,2014-2018) and strategies for development cooperation with the three programme countries – Afghanistan, Kenya and Moldova.

To strengthen the result orientation during implementation of country development cooperation strategies, the Slovak – UNDP Partnership project aims to assist the Slovak counterparts with development of a results and resource framework (RRF) supplementing existing Slovak strategy for development cooperation with Moldova, which could later serve as a model example for other programme countries of the Slovak ODA. At the same time, capacity of Slovak ODA officials and practitioners shall be built by conducting practically oriented workshop and gaining hands-on experience in designing RRFs for country development cooperation strategies.

Location:

Home-based with one mission to Bratislava, Slovakia (up to 2.5 days) to conduct the workshop estimated in December 2014.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The consultant will work in close collaboration with the Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation (SAIDC) and Slovak Development Diplomat in the Republic of Moldova/MFEA SR to propose results framework matrix form, conduct tailor-made workshop on design of results frameworks for country development cooperation strategies and to facilitate preparation of results framework for Slovak development cooperation strategy with Moldova.

Specific tasks under this assignment include:

Propose a standard results and resource framework matrix form for country development cooperation strategies:

structure and content respecting sectors of intervention and including financial resources indication;
based on best practices of experienced development cooperation providers;
coherent with terminology used in Slovak ODA programmatic documents (See Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2014–2018 http://www.mzv.sk/App/wcm/media.nsf/vw_ByID/ID_844BDE60BA6C7E25C1257C86004A2955_EN/$File/Strednodoba%20strategia%20ODA%20SR%202014-2018_UK_11_02_2014.pdf and Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Development Cooperation with the Republic of Moldova for 2014–2018 http://issuu.com/slovakaid/docs/country_strategy_paper_moldova_fina);
reflecting recommendations from the OECD-DAC (See OECD DAC Special Review - http://www.oecd.org/dac/peer-reviews/49512222.pdf).

It is expected in particular that options will be identified by the consultant and discussed with the SAIDC and the Slovak Development Diplomat/MFEA SR. The proposed matrix should allow information to be organised in a structured way, improve understanding of country development cooperation strategy rationale, its intended objectives and means by which objectives will be achieved, to improve the strategy implementation monitoring and strengthen strategy evaluation.

The activity will be home-based. Consultations will be performed via e-mail.
The output of this activity will be an empty table (form)/RRF structure prepared by the consultant which will be later step-by-step completed by the SAIDC and MFEA SR employees. The consultant’s role during following phases of this assignment will be to advice on and facilitate the design of the results framework for Slovak development cooperation strategy with Moldova.

Develop a detailed workshop agenda, based on needs assessment (consultations with SAIDC and Slovak Development Diplomat in Moldova/MFEA SR, conduction of mini-survey for participants to map level of knowledge/specific interests and analysis) and review of best practices and Slovak ODA programmatic documents. This will include structure of the workshop, facilitation method and suggested workshop materials.

The workshop should introduce methodology and identified good practices in preparation of results framework matrixes (ideally including concrete examples of existing RRFs for development cooperation strategies with Moldova) and use preparation of the results framework matrix for the Slovak development cooperation strategy with Moldova as a case study.

Inputs for the case study will be the Strategy of the Slovak Republic for Development Cooperation with the Republic of Moldova for 2014 – 2018, results and resource framework matrix form developed by the consultant and information provided by the Slovak Development Diplomat in the Republic of Moldova.

The case study should serve as a practical exercise how to work with RRFs, what to take into consideration and how to fill them in and the same time as brainstorming for designing the RRF for the Slovak development cooperation strategy with Moldova.

The activity will be home-based. Consultations will be performed and workshop agenda agreed via e-mail. Logistical and organizational arrangements will be provided by UNDP in cooperation with SAIDC.

Conduct 1 day workshop on preparation of results frameworks for country development strategies for SAIDC (project managers/administrators), Slovak Development Diplomat in Moldova and other MFEA SR employees involved in Slovak ODA management in Bratislava preferably in December 2014. Exact date will be agreed among the consultant, SAIDC and Slovak Development Diplomat in Moldova. The workshop will be conducted in SAIDC/MFEA SR premises.

At the end of the workshop, participants should:

have a clear picture on methodology and steps of RRF matrix preparation;
be able to define measurable results and specific objectives (outputs and outcomes), formulate verifiable indicators, define traceable targets and specify means by which objectives will be achieved.

During the workshop, the consultant will advise on design and facilitate development of the results framework for Slovak development cooperation strategy with Moldova. The main output of the workshop should be a zero draft of the RRF (rough proposal) for the Slovak development cooperation strategy with Moldova prepared by the workshop participants.

Gather participants’ feedback and produce mini-summary report, including workshop assessment observations and recommendations for further preparation of results framework supplementing the existing Slovak strategy for development cooperation with Moldova. The activity will be home-based.

Provide consultations to SAIDC and MFEA SR employees during preparation of results framework supplementing the existing Slovak strategy for development cooperation with Moldova.

After the workshop, first comprehensive draft of the results framework will be prepared based on the zero draft and recommendations from the mini-summary report. The first draft will be prepared by the SAIDC and MFEA SR in order to secure Slovak ownership of the document. The consultant will support this effort by providing advisory services. The activity will be home-based. Consultations will be performed via e-mail.

Review and provide comments to first draft of results framework supplementing the existing Slovak strategy for development cooperation with Moldova. It is expected that the consultant will advise on and propose options for its possible improvement. The activity will be home-based.

Deliverables

Results framework matrix form for country development cooperation strategies, to be delivered within 1 week after the contract signature;
Workshop agenda, handouts (to be printed by the UNDP before the event) and list of suggested additional readings for participants, to be delivered no later than 1 week before the agreed workshop date;
Workshop to be conducted preferably in December 2014 (in case of delays no later than January 2015)
Mini-summary report on workshop (up to 2 pages), incl. attached workshop evaluation forms filled by participants (ideally created online by the consultant, to be filled-in by participants at the end/after the workshop) and contractor´s recommendations, to be delivered within 1 week after the workshop realization;
Comments to the first draft of results framework for the Slovak strategy for development cooperation with Moldova to be delivered within 1 week after receiving the draft.

The consultant will be supervised by and report to the project manager of the Slovak-UNDP Partnership project.

Payment Schedule

1st installment presenting 30% of the lump sum after submission of both - result framework matrix form for country development cooperation strategies and complete workshop agenda, upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on these contract obligations in a satisfactory manner;
2nd installment presenting 70% of the lump sum upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on all contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Competencias

Strong client orientation and government advisory skills;
Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation and training skills in English;
Strong organizational awareness;
Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
Strong interpersonal skills;
Strong drafting and reporting skills in English (familiarity with MS Office is required).

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

Advanced (MA) university degree (or equivalent) in the area of social sciences, public administration, international relations, international development, economy or other relevant field;
Additional education/trainings in Results-Based Management, Project Cycle Management, Monitoring & Evaluation and other relevant field will be an asset.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience in development cooperation, project and programme management, M&E, advisory support to governments or donor agencies in the area of development assistance or similar consultancy assignments preferably in ECIS countries;
Previous experience in working with international organizations/working with UN agencies is an asset;
Extensive knowledge on the recent developments of result management and M&E programmes of major development assistance providers and familiarity with the Slovak ODA system is an asset;
Demonstrated experience in designing and reviewing results frameworks for country development cooperation strategies (country strategy papers) or larger development cooperation programmes or strategies (proven track record of at least 3 similar assignments);
Experience in design, leading and facilitation of trainings, workshops or other capacity building activities in the field of international development, related to strategic planning and programming is an asset (track record of at least 3 similar assignments).

Languages:

Proficiency (verbal and written) in English.
Knowledge of Slovak is an asset.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

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.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Technical Criteria: 70% of total evaluation – max 35 points:

Criteria A (Education and language skills as specified in the announcement) – max 5 points;
Criteria B (At least 5 years of experience in development cooperation, project and programme management, M&E, advisory support to governments or donor agencies in the area of development assistance or similar consultancy assignments preferably in ECIS countries + experience in working with international organizations) - max 10 points;
Criteria C (Extensive knowledge on the recent developments of result management and M&E programmes of major development assistance providers and familiarity with the Slovak ODA system) – max 5 points;
Criteria D (Demonstrated experience in designing and reviewing results frameworks for country development cooperation strategies or larger development cooperation programmes or strategies) – max 10 points;
Criteria E (Experience in the design, leading and facilitation of trainings, workshops or other capacity building activities in the field of international development, related to strategic planning and programming) – max 5 points.

Financial Criteria: 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

Application procedure:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application;
Filled and duly signed P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (fee and number of anticipated working days, international travel, per diems, translation costs if any, and any other possible costs);
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive, shall be submitted in USD and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (fee and number of anticipated working days, international travel, per diems, translation costs if any, and any other possible costs).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/home/jobs.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.