Background

The African Union (AU) is mandated to provide leadership for accelerated integration and sustainable development in Africa through the promotion of unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation amongst Member States. In pursuant of this mandate the AU has established a number of bilateral and multilateral partnerships, as well as partnerships with regional groupings and organizations. Effective and efficient management and coordination of these partnerships are imperative for Africa to maximize the benefits and added-value towards the continent’s industrial, technological and human capital development. To this end the AU requested the assistance of UNDP, as a trusted and key partner for many years, to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

The institutionalization and operationalization of the PMCD have however remained a challenge for a number of reasons. The new leadership of the Commission has been concerned about this challenge and is taking steps to address the challenge. The UNDP is supporting the process, and as part of its assistance, is supporting the AUC to evaluate Africa’s strategic partnerships in response to an AU Executive Council Decision. Among emerging findings, the Evaluation underscores the need for the AU to have a framework to guide the establishment and management of Strategic Partnerships. The AUC requires the services of a consultant to assist in responding to the findings of the Evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objectives of the consultancy are to provide technical support for the following:

  • Finalization of the Evaluation of AU’s Strategic Partnerships for submission to the AU Summit;
  • Formulation of appropriate management responses to various issues emerging from the Evaluation; 
  • Operationalization of the coordination functions of the PMCD.
 Specifically the Partnerships Coordination consultant will undertake the following specific tasks:
  • Review the report on the Evaluation of Africa’s Strategic Partnerships for the purpose of quality assurance;
  • Review the draft AU Partnership Strategy Framework (prepared in 2012), taking into consideration the deliberations, suggestions and recommendations of the Technical Review Meeting on the Draft Report on the Evaluation of Africa’s Strategic Partnerships (held 26-30 May 2014 at Debre Zeyit, Ethiopia);
  • Review and update the draft Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for Africa’s Strategic Partnerships;
  • Facilitate operationalization of the coordination functions and activities of the PMCD;
  • Provide technical and advisory support for the training of relevant AUC personnel in partnership management and coordination, with particular reference to the AU Framework for Strategic Partnerships and in relation to the Partnership Management Information System (PMIS);
  • Oversee the capturing of data on partnerships and updating of the PMIS database.

Competencies

Functional Competencies:
  • Knowledge of, and work experience with the African Union processes and the work of the AUC;
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skill and experience in setting up a partnership management and coordination mechanism in an African regional or sub-regional organization;
  • Demonstrated experience in engaging with multiple high-level (ministerial) stakeholders;
  • Knowledge and familiarity with the UNDP Rules and Regulations is an added advantage;
  • Ability to work independently and creatively.
Core Competencies:
  • 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 favoritism;
  • Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:
  • Post-graduate degree or equivalent in international relations, political science, development studies, or related  field.
Experience:
  • At least 10 years work experience with an African regional institution, including high-level intergovernmental liaison at ministerial and/or presidential level;
  • Management of bi- and/or multi-lateral cooperation at senior level;
  • Demonstrated experience with AU lexicon and document drafting processes.
Language and other skills:          
  • Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory;
  • Knowledge of French language is an advantage;
  • Excellent in report writing and presentation skills.
 Application Instruction:
  • Follow the following link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=16977
  • Download both TOR and Procurement Notice from the above link;
  • Submit your application according to instruction given on the TOR and Procurement Notice.

Documents Required:

  • Financial Proposals in pdf;
  • Technical Proposals in pdf;
  • CV and full address of at least three references.

Those applicants who have submitted their CV, without submitting technical and financial proposals will be automatically disqualified from further considerations.