Background

The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.
 
UNV engaged 7,545 UNV volunteers in 2009, on a total of 7,716 assignments. With an average age of 37 years and the requisite professional skills and qualifications of some 5 to 10 years relevant experience, UNV volunteers served in 128 countries in 2009 and came themselves from 158. The majority – 80 per cent – come from developing countries. One third of UNV volunteers served in their own countries, with the others carrying out international assignments. The financial equivalent of program activities exceeds US$200 million annually. In addition, as the focal point in the United Nations for the International Year of the Volunteers (IYV2001), UNV is active in the follow-up to the Year, for which the key objectives are the recognition, facilitation, networking and promotion of volunteerism.
 
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation is an international organisation, based in South Africa, with members and partners in over 100 countries worldwide. Established in 1993, CIVICUS nurtures the foundation, growth and protection of citizen action throughout the world, especially in areas where participatory democracy and citizens’ freedom of association are threatened. CIVICUS’ vision is of a worldwide community of informed, inspired and committed citizens engaged in confronting the challenges facing humanity. In all its activities, CIVICUS works in partnership with, and builds the capacity of key partners, members and other intermediary organisations. CIVICUS’ members and partners constitute an influential network of organisations at the local, national, regional and international levels that span the spectrum of civil society, including civil society networks and organisations, trade unions, and faith-based networks. CIVICUS enjoys consultative status with a range of global bodies, including the United Nations, the World Bank and the Council of Europe.

Duties and Responsibilities

The following terms of reference are with regards to the collaboration between CIVICUS and UNV on a publication on volunteerism, new forms of civil society and citizen participation in governance as described in the Volunteerism Publication concept note dated 18 April 2011. In particular, a consultant is sought to assist in the development of the publication based on the following information.
 
The contract will be managed by the Volunteerism Policy Advisor of UNV in Bonn, Germany. The day to day management of the consultancy will be by the CIVICUS CSI staff based in Johannesburg. 
 
Rationale:
 
The 2008-2011 phase of the CIVICUS Civil Society Index (CSI) project has generated fresh information from 35 countries on the state of volunteering, both formal volunteering in CSO structures, and a range of forms of informal volunteering and civic activism that are often less easy to define and capture. At the same time, CIVICUS has seen new trends in civil society, such as online activism, the emergence of social media as a new civil society space, and forms of mass protest, such as those seen in the Middle East and North Africa, that bypass more established, organized forms of civil society and challenge established notions of what civil society is and how it works.
 
The UNV Program Strategy priorities strengthening local governance and inclusive participation of citizens, as well as the cross-cutting social inclusion pillars of youth, gender and marginalized persons.
 
IYV+10 offers an opportunity to analyse these trends, present key findings in an accessible way and use the analysis to influence future policy on volunteering, civic activism and support for civil society, so as to contribute not only to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, but also long term transformational change and sustainable peace and development. 
 
Objective:
 
Develop a joint CIVICUS-UNV publication that further explores and defines how informal voluntary action can lead to citizen participation in governance and connects to other new forms of civil society and civic activism, and provides a resource to CSOs to explore this potential engagement opportunity. UNV will provide the contract management. CIVICUS will provided the more day-to-day task management for the consultancy. 
 
Key tasks and estimated time:
  • Interaction with CIVICUS research team and understanding of the research materials and initial CIVICUS analysis: 5 Days
  • Interaction with key stakeholders: 3 Days
  • Drafting of text: 9 Days
  • Review of text and recommendations with CIVICUS and UNV: 3 Days
  • World Assembly preparation and discussion: 5 Days
  • Finalisation of text and recommendations: 3 Days
  • Launch of publication: 2 Days TOTAL 30 DAYS
 
Duration:
 
Fulfillment of this contract is based on the defined task deliverables and time allocation is an estimate of 30 days to be spread between start of partnership and December 2011. The CIVICUS World Assembly, September 2011, will be a key milestone for the presentation and discussion of a draft discussion paper, which will then be finalised following the World Assembly.
 
Location:
 
Home based. The consultant will go to Johannesburg at the beginning of the consultancy for a 5 day briefing by the CIVICUS research team. The consultant will also attend the CIVICUS World Assembly in Montreal. These costs should be included in the financial proposal.
 

Competencies

  • Grounding in current debates in volunteering, including formal and non-formal volunteering and its connection to civic activism.
  • Ability to draft a convincing, compelling and influential narrative on volunteering, its role in civic activism, and its connection to the emerging debate on new forms of civil society.
  • Ability to consult and engage key international actors in volunteering. Competencies:
  • Good understanding of contemporary issues, trends and policy positions in volunteering, including formal and non-formal volunteering and its connection to civic activism and the emerging debate on new forms of civil society.
  • Strong writing and analysis skills.
  • Knowledge of key international actors in supporting volunteering and volunteering policy
  • Strong inter-personal and teamwork skills; and
  • Ability to work under pressure with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree in social sciences, international development, law or related topic.

Experience:

  • Documented experience in authoring high quality publications, research, discussion papers, etc. 
  • At least 5 years relevant work experience of which at least two in a developing country in the field of volunteerism, civic activism or development, preferably with an international organization, such as UNDP/UNV.

Language Requirements:

  • Excellent written and spoken English is essential.
  • Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish an additional asset.
Evaluation criteria for Award of Contract:
 
The technical proposal is evaluated on the basis of its responsiveness to the Terms of Reference (TOR).
The contract shall be awarded to the consultant who is the most technically qualified and provides value for money. Interviews may be used to determine the technical competencies of the candidates. Excellent language and report writing skills are prerequisites for even being considered for the further selection process. Only consultants/companies with relevant experience in supplying similar services will be considered qualified.
 
Technical evaluation criteria:
  • Knowledge on volunteering and civic activis
  • Knowledge of key international stakeholders 
  • Experience in analysis and drafting 
  • Writing Skills
  • Planning and Organising
  • Facilitation and Team Work
  • Motivation
Additional information required:
 
  • Mandatory:   three references from previous clients that we can contact to seek   references, name, address, e-mail, telephone
  • A brief presentation of the consultancy
  • Proof of any previous relevant work carried out
  • Detailed list of services and specific areas of expertise that you/your company may provide.
Application Procedure:
 
Applications should be submitted on line and include an up to date CV.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
If you submit an application, UNV expects that you have read and agree with the TOR and the UNV Terms and Conditions, available online: http://unv.org/fileadmin/docdb/pdf/2008/SSATerms2007.pdf
Kindly submit your lump sum quotation separately to the following email address UNV.procurement@unvolunteers.org  mentioning “Consultant for CIVICUS-UNV Publication” Att. Gereon Hendricks in the subject line no later than 21 July 2011. 

Financial Proposal:
 
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount (including fees, cost for travel, per diems, and miscellaneous costs) according to the number of anticipated working days (maximum 30 days).  The consultancy is home based whereas the missions to Johannesburg and Montreal are to be foreseen.