UNDP Jobs - 13552- Consultant: Poverty & MDG Statistics

Consultant: Poverty & MDG Statistics

Location :

Pyongyang, KOREA (DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

30-Nov-09 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

1.5 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP programme in DPRK was suspended in March 2007 and subject to various reviews. Following an audit by the UN Board of Auditors and investigations by the United States Government, and the Nemeth Panel, the UNDP Executive Board in January 2009 authorized UNDP to re-establish its presence in the DPRK. The Executive Board approved a package of proposals that outlined specific programme interventions by UNDP and established operational modalities in the areas of programme implementation, human resources and finance.

The purpose of these terms of reference is to provide the basis for fielding consultancies that will help UNDP in re-starting the projects based on the operational mandate set by the Executive Board, and to provide guidance in the realignment process of the projects to meet new conditions for project implementation.

The Consultant will be contracted by UNDP directly or by the designated UN Implementing Agency. For those directly contracted by UNDP, the Consultants will be under the overall responsibility of the UNDP Resident Representative, and directly supervised by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative with the support of the respective UNDP Programme Unit Head. For Consultants recruited under an agency implementation arrangement, the UN Implementing Agency will have responsibility of the deliverable; in consultation with the UNDP Resident Representative or his/her designated representative.

The consultancy will take place in two stages with the duration being not more than 1.5 work-months. The initial work should run for no more than 20 work days. The next stage is the formulation of the final project document upon receiving inputs from the project appraisal process, requiring the usual pre-project stage management in terms of work planning, resource allocations, preparation of programme management structure; TORs etc. Another 15 work days are allocated to include a period of negotiation with the Government counterparts

Duties and Responsibilities

This consultancy will cover the following cluster:

Poverty and MDG Statistics

Statistics for the Millennium Development Goals/quality of life report for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea

The scope and objectives of the consultancy are enumerated below:

Review the status of the existing projects at the point of suspension and any relevant activities undertaken by stakeholders that might have complemented the project directly or indirectly during the suspension period
Scan the horizon for and catalogue changes in the overall policy environment and strategic opportunities that might affect or influence the original project objectives
Recommend and formulate project realignment strategies in the existing implementation arrangements to conform with the new operational mandate, which limits execution through either DEX (Direct Execution by UNDP) or Agency execution (management of project inputs by a designated UN agency.
Recommend and specify programme monitoring and evaluation arrangements that conforms to UNDP's project management model and Internal Control Framework
Develop budget and resource allocation options based on remaining and unutilized project resources
Review and prepare a project procurement plan that ensures compliance with UNDP procurement policies and procedures and according to the terms expressed in the Executive Board decision.
Identify and determine new partnership relationships and resource mobilization potential
Determine relevance and opportunities for the continuation of programme interventions into the new UN Strategic Framework (2011-2015).

The key deliverables are:

Internal project brief for management on the project status
Draft project document revision (Project Initiation Document), including results - resource framework
Conceptual brief on the programme interventions in the UN Strategic Framework (2011-2015)

Deliverables will be subject to technical review and formal clearance and approval by UNDP and the DPRK Government. Where a UN Implementing Agency is engaged the deliverable will be subject to a Tripartite Review process to be held at the conclusion of consultancy’s field mission. UNDP will provide local support to each consultant through the provision of appropriate office space, supplies, equipment, and materials.

Competencies

An ability to work with a variety of people including government officials, international and national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local stakeholders, experts and consultants.
Strong leadership, managerial and team-building and motivation skills, committed to knowledge sharing and teamwork.
Demonstrated experience in working with government, donors and the United Nations system
Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation and facilitation skills.
Proven experience in facilitating and chairing meetings, workshops and professional exchange activities.
A proven ability in budget management.
A proven ability in developing and consolidating financial and technical progress reports in accordance with reporting guidelines.
Good organizational and planning skills and a proven ability to adhere to guidelines

Required Skills and Experience

Master’s Degree or equivalent in macroeconomics, social development, trade and development or related development or related field.
Additional educational certificates related to project management, water management, ecosystem management will be an advantage
Twelve years of relevant experience in national poverty alleviation strategies and pro-poor development at the national or international level, in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
Background in environmental assessment and planning; have at least twelve years of experience in environmental impact assessment theories and practices and strategic environmental assessment (SEA at the national or international level).
Experience in energy and power development planning and related experience in the North East Asia region is preferable.
Proven experience in providing management advisory services, hands-on experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of development projects and establishing inter-relationships among international organization and national governments.
Documented experience in project development and management in energy, environmental and natural resource management context for at least 12 years.
A thorough understanding of the socio-economic context in DPRK.