Background

UNDP supports stabilization, state building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens.

Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and sub national levels.

UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Years of conflict have damaged Afghanistan’s economic, political, physical, social and institutional structures. Reconstruction demands a secure environment in which there is credible leadership and enforced rule of law. Strong, legitimate and effective public administration structures, responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens - including the poor – are a precursor to any sustainable development. To this end, UNDP supports Afghan electoral institutions so that they can become more effective vehicles for development.

The UNDP Enhancing Legal and Electoral Capacity for Tomorrow (ELECT) project- phase I (2006 – 2011) provided technical and operational assistance to Afghan electoral bodies throughout the 2009 Presidential and provincial council elections and 2010 parliamentary elections.

ELECT II, which commenced January 2012, was conceived as a targeted and focused project providing a support and advisory role, with a particular focus on institutional strengthening and capacity development during the inter-election period. In line with the process of transition or Afghanisation, as articulated in the Kabul Conference in July 2010, the number of international staff was significantly reduced from previous years.

As the result of a project Mid-term Review and a UN Needs Assessment Mission, the ELECT II project has been extended beyond its original end date of December 2013 until December 2015, and the project objectives have been revised to now include direct electoral assistance for the conduct of the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council Elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections.

The overall objective of ELECT II is to support the national electoral institutions to plan and conduct credible elections, most immediately the 2014 Presidential and Provincial Council elections and the 2015 Parliamentary elections, and to better ensure the integrity of the process. Continuing long-term assistance through support to capacity building of national electoral authorities beyond 2010 is in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2096 (2013).This assistance is closely coordinated with UNAMA, UN Department for Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and UN Electoral Assistance Division (EAD).This is being accomplished through seven focused outputs:

• Output 1: Sustainability of the IEC is enhanced via both its institutional and staff capacity development;
• Output 2: A sustainable, long-term approach to voter registration in Afghanistan, which also promotes maximum participation of eligible citizens in the 2014 and 2015 elections, is developed and implemented;
• Output 3: The IEC’s engagement and informational outreach with key stakeholders, including the electorate, is enhanced;
• Output 4: The IEC’s operational management functions, and the project support services, are strengthened;
• Optput 5: The conduct of key electoral operations for the 2014 and 2015 elections by the IEC is improved;
• Output 6: The electoral dispute resolution mechanism is enhanced;
• Output 7: The media regulatory mechanism for the electoral process is enhanced.

In order to equip the IEC with adequate infrastructure UNDP / ELECT II in 2012 commenced the implementation of a comprehensive construction program to provide the IEC with office buildings in up to 20 provinces. As a second phase of this construction program ELECT II has been asked by the IEC to enhance the physical structure of the IEC HQ by constructing a new Data Center, a commissioners and secretariats building, upgrading the existing training center, a children’s day care center, a Kabul provincial office, bunkers and car parking structure with a helicopter landing site. This work will be implemented in two phases:

• Phase and Year I- Master Plan Development, designs for Data Center, Commission and Secretariat Headquarters Building, Upgrades and Addition to the Training Center, a Child Day Care Center, Training Sessions for IEC Engineers, Kabul Provincial Office;
• Phase and Year II – Miscellaneous Office Renovations, Upgrades to the Media Center, Car parking Structure with Helipad, Café and Hardscape and Landscape Design Guide.
  

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of WORK, Expected Outputs And Deliverables:

The Senior Architect will be responsible for the architectural design of an array of buildings for the Headquarters Compound of the IEC in Kabul (see deliverables). Furthermore, s/he shall provide advice and guidance to the ELECT construction unit consisting of ten national engineers as well as the IEC engineering unit.

Design opportunities will include development and refinement of a Campus Master Plan, and may include the general improvements of the grounds, the design of ancillary structures as well as renovations of existing structures.

It is expected that the Senior Architect:

• Will use the effort to create his/her deliverables to mentor the national engineers employed by the IEC;
• Will work with the UNDP ELECT II construction office, and the IEC engineering unit to complete the planning and design work for the IEC HQ Compound- Phase I work;
• Provide the architectural program and design for an array of buildings to the level of schematic design, and/or design development and /or tender documents depending on IEC and UNDP ELECT II requirements;
• Provide advice during the process of procurement of construction services;
• Prepare tender documents include architectural specifications, BoQs and cost estimate;
• Will work with the head of the ELECT construction unit to monitor the status and progress of the work on the provincial elections sites being developed by the ELECT II Construction Unit and provide guidance and advice;
• Will provide planning guidance incorporated into a Master Site Plan for the IEC Headquarters Compound.
  

Expected Deliverables for phase / year one:

The sequence of the provision of deliverables may vary as conditions vary. Establishment and adjustment of sequence to be done in agreement with IEC senior management and UNDP ELECT II supervisor.

Provide guidance and advice to UNDP ELECT II construction unit and the IEC engineering unit in their efforts to design and construct offices, warehouses, infrastructure and security upgrades for IEC regional operations and the IEC Headquarters Compound.

Deliverables

Monthly report commenting on progress, projections and needs of the projects and the design team in conjunction with the coordinator of the UNDP ELECT II construction unit. Provision of deliverables (hand-over of design work) will be supervised by Head of Pillar one.

• Work with the UNDP ELECT II construction unit to create design documents for the planned construction activiites;
• Provide Architectural Planning, Programming and Design expertise in support of the IEC Headquarters compound in Kabul;
• Provide Architectural Programming and schematic design documents, design development documents up to and including provision of advice on tender documents (incl. drawings, specification and BoQs and Cost Estimates and specifications) for each of the following (the sequence of Implementation will be agreed between the consultant, the IEC and ELECT;
• Work on the different deliverables can be done in parallel according to needs defined by the project).
  

Design Project 1 - Master Plan – Verify/Confirm IEC HQ Site Master Plan (generated as necessary, in consultation with key User/Stakeholders). Provide update(s) of Master Site Plan as each building is developed (1 month). Deliverable – An Updated HQ Compound Master Site Plan;

Design Project 2 - Data Center – Architectural design for new construction of a data entry and tallying center - area between 1200 and 1600 sq. meters (3 months). Deliverables – Verified/Updated Architectural Space Program and Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents, Tender Documents (includes Drawings, BoQ, Cost Estimate and Specifications);

Design Project 3 - Office Building for Elections Commission/Secretariat – Architectural design for new construction - area between 1600 and 2400 sq. meters (3 months). Deliverables – Architectural Space Program, Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents, Tender Documents (includes Drawings, BoQ, Cost Estimate and Specifications);

Design Project 4 – Training Center – Architectural design for renovation and addition - area between 1000 and 1600 sq. meters (1 month). Deliverables – Architectural Space Program, Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents, Tender Documents (includes Drawings, BoQ, Cost Estimate and Specifications);

Design Project 5 – Day Care Center – Architectural design for new Construction - area between approx. 125 and 160 sq. meters (1 month). Deliverables – Architectural Space Program, Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents, Tender Documents (includes Drawings, BoQ, Cost Estimate and Specifications);

Design Project 6 – Kabul Provincial Office - Architectural design for new Construction - area between approx. 600 sq. meters (3 months). Deliverables – Architectural Space Program, Schematic Design Documents, Design Development Documents, Tender Documents (includes Drawings, BoQ, Cost Estimate and Specifications);

Design Training Sessions with IEC engineers - Training and Review Sessions on Design Considerations with regard to functional program, safety, security and campus planning, preparation of tender documents (8 two-hour sessions). Deliverables – 8 two-hour training sessions; report on sessions and the key concepts and practices presented (Review of Master Site Planning, Design for each building – Key Concepts covered).

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS:

Price proposal and schedule of payments:

Applicants have to provide a technical and a financial proposal.

The technical proposal shall describe the methodology and the approach to fulfill the required deliverables as well as outline the major components (and/or sub-deliverables) in the development of the designs.

Financial proposal – Lump Sum per Deliverable (plus living allowance and transportation).

As an Individual Consultant Contract, this is a deliverables based contract. The Financial Proposal should specify prices per deliverable, which may be subdivided to reflect the percentage of completion of each deliverable (design phase). In addition, the proposal should articulate a living allowance (day/night) to be paid for time spent in Afghanistan.
 

• The consultant will report directly to the Head of Pillar One of ELECT II (unless and until the project until is re-organized);
• The consultant will work closely with UNDP ELECT II Engineering and Architecture Personnel in the ELECET II Construction Unit;
• The consultant will mentor the IEC Engineering Team using the design effort for the IEC Compound as instructional material;
• UNDP ELECT II project will provide office space, A3/A4 color printer and color A0/A1 Plotter within the ELECT II Project Office;
• UNDP ELECT II will provide licensed CADD software compatible with ELECT II Construction Team and IEC Engineering Team;
• The consultant will be provided with I.C.T. equipment (laptop, large screen (desktop) monitor, mobile phone, mobile radio) and security devices (personal body armor and helmet) and will be fully included in the UNDP Security regime;
• UNDP will secure accommodation at one of the following MOSS Compliant locations (costs covered by consultant): UNOCA Compound or the Green Village Compound. The consultant must take accommodation at one of these two locations due to security directives;
• UNDP will provide transport from the accommodation to the office and return.

• The consultant will provide the services for the duration of 12 months with the possibility of further extension of contract based on operational need of UNDP ELECT II.
  

• The Consultant will be based in Kabul, Afghanistan.

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 combined score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
  

Technical Criteria Weight – 70%.

Financial Criteria Weight – 30%.

The offer will be evaluated by using the Best Value for money approach (combined scoring method – using the 70% - 30% distribution for technical and financial proposals, respectively).

Below is the breakdown of technical proposal on 100% which will be brought to 70%.

Technical - 100%:

• Relevance of Education (Advanced Degree in relevant field) - 5%;
• Experience related to the required services - 10%;
• Description of approach/methodology to assignment - 20%;
• Assessment of previous design work - 10%;
• Interview Result - 55%.

Financial - 30%

The assignment is based on a lump sum contract amount and payment is based only upon certification and acceptance of the deliverables and/or monthly reports received as indicated above. In the event of non-performance and pre-termination where payments cannot be made in full or may have to suspended, the final payment will be pro-rated against received and accepted deliverables.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability;
• Duly completed and signed P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and names and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
• Evidence of past work: Soft copy of at least one major design work.

Technical proposal:

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as suitable for the assignment and explaining how s/he would attain the goal/deliverables specified in the TORs;
• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment as per the TORs.

Only 3-5 best candidates would be invited to the interview and be requested to submit financial proposals.

Financial Proposal (only for shortlisted candidates – to be submitted upon request):

• An all in-inclusive monthly fee covering all costs (air fare, living allowance, insurance, communications);
  
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards:
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations;
• Excellent graphic, written and verbal presentation skills;
  
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with sound understanding and capability to empower and develop the capacity of national counterparts.

Management and Leadership

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters of Architecture degree; plus
• License to practice Architecture (internationally recognized).
  

Experience:

• 10+ years of experience in design and construction (vertical structures); 
• Considerable background with Architectural Programming, Schematic Design, Design Development and Tender Documents and Construction Administration;
  
• Experience with Campus Planning;
• Experience with building consensus among stakeholders to advance a program and design;
  
• Experience with leading multi-discipline and multi-cultural design teams;
  
• Experience with teaching, mentoring and presentation in academic and professional settings;
  
• Experience in design and construction in Afghanistan or other conflict countries set to international standards of safety and quality (i.e. International Building Code etc.);
  
• Computer skills and working knowledge of various software including Excel, Power Point, Word and 3-D modeling in Sketch-up or similar software.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English required;
• Fluency of Pashto and/or Dari Languages an asset.