Antecedentes

The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) was launched in 2003. It seeks to deepen democratic practices, by strengthening achievements, disseminating best practices and rectifying underlying deficiencies in governance and socio-economic development processes of member states. The aim of the APRM is to encourage and build transformative leadership and constructive national dialogue, through an inclusive and participatory self-assessment process, and foster policies and practices that would lead to the attainment of political stability, high economic growth, sustainable development and accelerated sub-regional and continental economic integration. Increasing public awareness would enhance effective participation of the member states of the AU.

As at 29 January 2015, 35 countries had acceded to the APRM. 17 of the acceded 35 member states have undertaken the review, developed National Plans of Action and are now at various levels of implementing the Plans. The APRM is an Africa leaders’ initiative which measures the status of the country under review in terms of Democracy and Political governance, Economic governance and Management, Corporate governance, and Socio-Economic Development. The initiative has been under-publicized thus undermining its achievements in its 12 years of existence. This also means that its reformative results in the 17 countries reviewed have equally been under reported, less known and appreciated, less acknowledged and, indeed, less able to attract new members as well as supporters (including development partners for increased funding of its activities). The pertinence of communicating successes achieved and documenting knowledge gained from implementing the APRM in the past 12 years cannot be underestimated. 

Clear communication of achieved results and documentation of knowledge gained increases stakeholder buy-in and mobilization; it increases clarity on expectations, roles and responsibilities, as well as information on progress and performance.  By communicating its key results and documenting knowledge gained consistently and effectively, APRM is able to:

• Demonstrate value addition to governance transformation and service delivery;
• Foster the participation of various stakeholders within the participating countries and attract more countries to accede as well as support from outside Africa.
• Boost relationships with a number of key internal and external stakeholders and thereby strengthening partnerships.

Similarly, knowledge management provides the history which cannot be told by any staff due to the fluidity of today’s working environment. It generally involves three processes namely knowledge creation, knowledge retention, and knowledge transfer. In order to build high performing teams and maintain a high performing organization, it is important people have access to the existing knowledge about organizational processes. APRM has over the years created a gargantuan knowledge through its review process but has not been able to maintain knowledge retention and transfer that is systematic. How the massive information generated from 17 reviews so far and many more to be generated in the coming years will be managed effectively to create awareness, build partnerships and raise resources is of interest for the development of a communication and knowledge management strategy. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

An inception report detailing the approach, activities and timelines of the assignment.

Interim draft strategy - the Consultant will be required to make a presentation of an interim draft strategy that will be subject to review by APRM management

• A final strategy and report, subject to approval of management as per dates approved in the inception report , setting out:
• detailed communication and knowledge dissemination strategy,
• proposals, in outline, of the types of informational materials suggested for use as part of the communications and knowledge dissemination strategy;
• an implementation plan, including a detailed resource list and estimated budget, and roles and responsibilities
• a draft evaluation instrument for measuring the effectiveness of the strategy;

The KM dissemination strategy should incorporate the following:

• Creating communities of practice and knowledge networks that share knowledge on substantive governance issues. The KM system should allow APRM to identify, collaborate with, and track sources of expertise within African member states, with policy-makers from the public and private sectors, experts, researchers, academia, civil society, as well as other Pan-African institutions.
• The Knowledge management system should also allow for building a common framework to store, locate and share the knowledge produced at different levels of the APRM system – national KM networks; continental level institutions including the APR Panel, Committee of Focal Points and the continental Secretariat.

Competencias

Compliance of the UN Core Values:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling 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 favouritism;
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Substantive knowledge and understanding of local economic development, local governance, decentralization, local government finance, inclusive service delivery, local economic recovery and capacity building in the public sector;
• Extensive knowledge of the local governments in Africa and elsewhere;
• Substantive experience of comparative research methodology;
• Effective presentation and report-writing skills, strong analytical and strategic skills as well as good written and oral communication skills;
• Ability to carry out research, to contribute to the formulation of policies, processes and guidelines for local governance and participatory accountable systems.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• A minimum of a Masters Degree in a related field.

Experience and Skills:   

She/he must have ten (10) years of relevant work experience in conducting communications needs analysis and developing strategic plans for similar organizations.

•  Professional communication and media related Qualifications
•  Experience in handling scientific publications;
•  Professional communication and media related qualifications;
•  Experience in handling scientific publications;
•  He/She must have at least 5 years experiences in communication and dissemination related to governance and peacebuilding in Africa. Possession of such experiences at international level will be an added advantage.

Language Requirement:

•  Fluency in English. Working knowledge of French is added advantage.

Application instructions:

• Download both TOR and Procurement Notice from: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=22272;
• Strictly follow the instructions indicated in the Procurement Notice uploaded hereto.

Documents required:

The following proposals must be prepared as per the prescribed standard format accompanied in the Procurement Notice shall be submitted before application deadline June 3, 2015 via UNDP Ethiopia Secured mail address: procurement.et@undp.org

• Technical Proposal in pdf;
• Financial Proposal in pdf.

Please note that these proposals shall be submitted to the designated secured email into two files but in one email.

Important note:

• A candidate applying only by uploading CV to this job site will not be considered. Instead, both Technical and Financial Proposals shall be submitted to the designated UNDP Secured email before submission deadline;
• Failing to submit any one of the documents stated above will automatically disqualify the candidate from further technical evaluation;
• Those prospect consultants who fail to submit both Technical and Financial proposals as per the STANDARD FORMAT and to the designated secured email will not be further considered for evaluation;
• While submitting your proposals to procurement.et@undp.org be sure your email subject line is RSC/IC/2015/013.