Antecedentes

The Global Programme for Electoral Cycle Support (GPECS), UNDP’s most important vehicle contributing to the formulation and implementation of electoral policy, consists of country, regional, global and gender components that sustainably support policy development, knowledge management and programme support and that use a process-driven approach rather than an event-driven one. GPECS has also innovated in new areas of demand, including on developing electoral indicators, media and elections, and youth participation. The overall goal to which GPECS contributes is towards deepening democracy and accelerating human development. In contributing to this larger and longer-term goal, GPECS focuses on the intermediate UNDP Strategic Plan outcome of electoral laws, processes and institutions strengthen inclusive participation and professional electoral administration.

In the Arab region, GPECS provides global and regional technical assistance to work closely with electoral authorities, civil society organizations, media groups, regional institutions, and international organizations supporting democracy initiatives. This support enhances regional cooperation on broader issues of electoral democracy, increase regional knowledge and know-how on electoral issues, enhance capacities of regional stakeholders around issues of civic engagement and political participation, and promote policies and strategies for a greater and more effective role by women and youth in the transformational process.

The GPECS Arab regional component, supported through a US$7 million contribution agreement with SIDA, works towards building coherence in electoral support in the region through dialogue, partnership and initiatives that reinforce the participation of youth and women in political and civic life and national efforts to enhance capacity of electoral authorities to play their role in the professional, transparent, and credible administration of elections. For the effective implementation of its activities, the Arab regional programme is seeking a senior elections advisor to provide technical assistance to the regional team in taking forward a number of key initiatives designed to strengthen regional capacity and cooperation on elections, particularly advisory services towards the a) establishment of a regional Organization of EMBs for the Arab States, b) second phase of an Arabic Lexicon of electoral terminology, c) creation of a research cell under the Regional Project, and d) south-south cooperation.

Deberes y responsabilidades

The Senior Elections Advisor will work under the overall guidance of the Regional Electoral Advisor and in close coordination with the Regional Electoral Policy Specialist

Objective:

The overall objective of this assignment is to provide advisory services to the UNDP regional electoral programme in the areas of regional and south-south cooperation and enhancing regional knowledge and capacity on elections.

Scope of work:

The selected Expert, contracted under this IC Contract, will work to achieve the following as when needed:

• Lead UNDP assistance in the establishment of a regional organization of Arab EMBs;
• Support the project’s initiative to create a community of electoral experts for the region;
• Serve as lead content advisor to the development of Phase II of the Arabic Lexicon of electoral terminology;
• Facilitate the establishment of a research unit within the Regional Project and facilitate the identification and development of knowledge products including the development of a regional best practice on electoral assistance in the Arab States;
• Facilitate south-south cooperation through the implementation of the project’s two year agreement with the National Electoral Institute of Mexico;
• Engage with relevant stakeholders in carrying out the above including other consultants engaged with Regional Project;
• Develop, facilitate and provide guidance in the implementation of workshops, meetings and trainings related to the above activities.

Deliverables:

Lead UNDP assistance in the establishment of a regional organization of Arab EMBs:

• Provide advisory services to the Preparatory Committee on the Formation of a Regional Organization of Arab EMBs including maintaining liaison with committee members, facilitating meetings and ensuring the initiative remains on track;
• Facilitate the launching ceremony of the Organization and the preparation and conduct of the first General Assembly;
• Support the drafting of bylaws for the functioning of the Organization including the structure and functions of the Secretariat
• Provide advice and implementation guidance to the new Secretariat as the managing body of the Organization;
• Facilitate the exchange of experiences between the Organization of Arab EMBs and similar organizations in other regions.

Support the initiative to create a community of electoral experts for the region:

• Develop a capacity building program designed to enhance regional electoral knowledge in specific thematic areas;
• Provide advice and guidance in the development of an action plan to build capacity of a community of electoral experts from the Arab States;
• Provide advice and guidance to relevant country offices in the identification of experts;
• Design, develop and facilitate workshops and trainings on specific thematic areas.

Serve as the lead content advisor to the development of Phase II of the Arabic Lexicon of electoral terminology:

• Support the finalization of the concept note and implementation strategy for Phase II of the Arabic Lexicon of Electoral Terminology;
• Provide advice and guidance during the implementation including in defining electoral terminology;
• Support in the design, development and facilitation of workshops at the regional, and country level.

Facilitate the establishment of a research cell within the Regional Project and facilitate the identification and development of knowledge products including the development of a regional best practice on electoral assistance in the Arab States:

• Define the profile and action plan for a research cell under the Regional Project;
• Serve as the focal person for the research cell;
• Identify institutions and individuals to cooperate with the research cell;
• Lead the identification of research projects and facilitate their publication (i.e. regional electoral atlas, compendium of legislation from the region, electoral encyclopedia of the Arab World).

Facilitate south-south cooperation through the implementation of the project’s two-year agreement with the National Electoral Institute of Mexico:

• Provide advice and guidance in the implementation of the recently signed memorandum of understanding between INE and the Regional Project;
• Prepare concept notes and agendas for 3 activities to be conducted under the umbrella of the two year memorandum of understanding;
• Facilitate meetings, workshops and trainings in Mexico and in the region, as defined in the action plans;
• Concept note and implementation strategy for one regional workshop on electoral security and the role of EMBs.

Expected outputs:

• Facilitation of three encounters among the EMBs of the region;
• Preparation of 4 documents related to the creation of the regional EMB association;
• Progress reports of activities and their updates;
• Facilitation of 3 meetings for the promotion of south-south cooperation;
• Participation in 3 working meetings for the Lexicon;
• Preparation of report for publication on electoral good practices in the region;
• Concept note and action plan on the creation of a community of electoral experts in the region;
• Preparation of 2 research publications through the research cell.

Competencias

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.

Functional Competencies:

• Expert knowledge and expertise in electoral assistance and democratization;
• Strong knowledge and expertise in establishing regional cooperation among electoral stakeholders;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, ability to foster networks and partnerships;
• Good working knowledge of information and computer technology;
• Strong analytical, writing and communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Doctorate Degree/P.H.D in Law or Political Science or related field.

Experience:

• Minimum 20 years’ experience in the area of international electoral assistance;
• Prior experience working in the Arab region with such work in electoral assistance provided to at least 5 countries;
• Prior experience in guiding the establishment of regional cooperation on elections including similar experience in the Arab region;
• Demonstrated research experience including numerous published works relevant to elections and electoral administration –directly applicable to the implementation of this contract;
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and managing research units;
• Prior experience working with UNDP in the area of electoral assistance/governance.

Language:

• Fluency in English and French (written and oral), Arabic is an asset.

Application Submission Process:

The application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications:

Step 1:

• Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file);
• Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references (the template can be downloaded from this link: http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc);
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Step 2:

Submission of Financial Proposal

Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to asan.amza@undp.org, using the Offeror’s letter template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=20828. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “Senior Elections Advisor Arab States - Amman, Jordan" by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal.

Application Evaluation Process

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: [70%]

Financial Criteria weight:  [30%]

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 points:

• Minimum 20 years’ experience in the area of international electoral assistance 20;
• Prior experience working in the Arab region with such work in electoral assistance provided to at least 5 countries - 15;
• Prior experience in guiding the establishment of regional cooperation on elections, including similar experience in the Arab region – 20;
• Demonstrated research experience including numerous published works relevant to elections and electoral administration –directly applicable to the implementation of this contract – 15;
• Demonstrated experience in establishing and managing research units – 15;
• Prior experience working with UNDP in the area of electoral assistance and capacity building– 15.

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Missions (Duty Travels):

The cost of the official missions should not be factored in the financial proposals of the applicants. As such the consultant will be expected to undertake approximately 10 travels within the Arab Region countries and two (2) trips to Mexico. The countries will be identified during the implementation phases based on political situation and security conditions. The Regional Electoral Project would cover all costs related to official travel including tickets, lodging, accommodation and terminal expenses. The airfare will always be “most direct, most economical” and any difference in price with the preferred route will be paid for by the Consultant. The estimated travel budget will not exceed US$25,000.

UNDP will provide office space, laptop and access to internet and a printer during the assignment (the cost of this facilities should not be included in the financial proposals).

UNDP is applying fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores.

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

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.