Background

The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD) is an annual, inclusive intergovernmental forum serving as a regional platform for supporting countries with their capacity for implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Forum provides a regional perspective on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by identifying regional trends, and consolidating and sharing best practices and lessons learned, considering the contributions of other United Nations system bodies at the regional level, other regional and sub regional organizations and relevant stakeholders. The APFSD also supports follow-up and review of progress on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the regional level. 

The 2030 Agenda encourages member States to conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress through Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). To this end, the APFSD provides an opportunity for sharing regional perspectives and support the presentation of VNRs, by: a) sharing completed, ongoing or planned national-level follow-up and review; b) discuss any clarifications that countries may have on the necessary steps to prepare a VNR including sharing understanding on the format and process; c) identify regional commonalities and lessons learned from VNR preparations undertaken so far; d) learn about the data and technical support available required to assess progress of SDG implementation; and e) learn how to undertake meaningful stakeholder engagement in follow-up and review process. 

A consultant is required to support in delivering national and regional trainings and activities related to follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda, including in the preparation of VNR related technical materials, in-person, hybrid and online trainings and documentation and in supporting the organization and servicing the 10th APFSD. The appropriate consultant should have (i) sound knowledge, skills and experiences on issues related to sustainable development, including analysis and use of data and integrated analytical approaches; ii) experience in technical assistance for the preparation of VNRs (iii) knowledge on the SDG interlinkages and public participation; and (vi) research and analysis skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work: 

1. Provide technical and strategic support for 2022 VNR countries preparing for the HLPF and for the 2023 VNR preparations in the Maldives, Timor-Leste, Fiji, Mongolia, Singapore and Brunei, Turkmenistan and other countries as requested by governments.
2. Perform background research and analytical work on Follow-up and Review and second generation Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) in preparation of the 10th APFSD.
3. Manage peer learning on Follow-up & Review, through developing resources, learning products and initiatives to promote exchange of good practice.
4. Provide oversight of the VNR Twinning programme in selected countries, moderate the online space of the current VNR Twinning programme and explore new twinning agreements.
5. Prepare and participate in the APFSD 2023 preparations, leading the VNR session and associated VNR workshops.
6. Support the development of VNR sessions at the ESCAP sub-regional forums.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

1. Participate in the completion of 2022 VNR preparation and presentation at the High-level Political Forum for Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Philippines, and Tuvalu

• Final drafts of VNRs by 31/07/22
• HLPF presentations by 15/06/23

2. Participate in the 2023 VNR preparation for the Maldives, Timor-Leste, Fiji, Mongolia Singapore, Brunei, Turkmenistan, and other countries, as requested by governments

• Outline of the VNR timeline/inception plan by 31/12/22
• First draft of VNR by 01/06/23
• Final drafts of VNRs by 15/06/23

3. Provide oversight of the Twinning Programme, moderate the online space of the current VNR Twinning and explore new Twinning agreements:

• New VNR Twinning agreements initiated by 31/12/22
• Lead Twinning Programme to conclusion of phase by 15/06/23

4. Manage peer learning and preparation of learning products and resources on VNR

• Two new Learning products by 31/12/22

5. Participation and preparation of the APFSD sub-regional VNR sessions

• Report of VNR sessions 1 month after completion of the sub-regional sessions.

6. Carry out background research and analysis on aspects of sustainable development and follow-up and review in preparation of the 10th APFSD

• Support to the SDG Partnership Report to include relevant country examples from VNR experiences,
• Draft of the APFSD background paper on VNRs by 31/01/23

7. Participation the APFSD preparations and associated VNR events

• Session plan and concept note of the VNR session by 28/02/23
• Programme for VNR Preparatory workshop by 28/02/23

Institution Arrangements:

The consultant will report to the Sustainable Development Officer, Section on Countries in Special Situations at ESCAP Asia-Pacific region, in all aspects of the activities.  

She/he will also consult and work with ESCAP and ESCAP sub-regional offices, governments in the Asia-Pacific region, Office of the Resident Coordinator in VNR countries, UN agencies, National Statistic Offices, stakeholders in the VNR process (civil society, private sector, parliament, local government). 

Duration: The duration of this assignment will be from 10 July 2022 –  30 June 2023  ( upto 175 working during 12 months )

Duty station:

Homebased, no mission is required

Working remotely and expected to report during APFSD and any in-person/hybrid VNR workshops COVID-19 regulations allowing.

Expected places of travel: not required.

Competencies

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work
• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow
• People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction
• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform
• Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement
• Entrepreneurial attitude: willing to get stuck in to get things done.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications

Education

• Master in Social Sciences, Humanities, Public Administration, Economics or Political Science or relevant subject;

Experience

• Minimum of ten years of experience working as senior-level staff and/or advisor/programme manager/consultant is required.
• Significant expertise in providing technical and strategic assistance to governments for the preparation of Voluntary National Reviews and participation at the High-Level Political Forum - to at least three countries is required
• Strong knowledge of the UN systems and intergovernmental processes, Sustainable Development Goals and the Follow up and Review process of the 2030 Agenda is required.
• Expertise in designing governmental meetings as well as peer learning and capacity building workshops for government and stakeholders, a minimum of 3 years is required
• Experience producing working papers, e-learning products, and technical resource, a minimum of 3 years is required
• Knowledge of national development planning processes, sustainable development, and political issues in the Asia-Pacific region is desirable.
• Experience working in a variety of country contexts in the Asia-Pacific regio.n is desirable.

Language

• Excellent command of written and spoken English

Skills

• Excellent communication and influencing skills 
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills and the ability to provide tailored strategic and technical advice to governments
• Strong policy analysis, written communication and report writing skills.
• Excellent capacity building skills and the ability the synthesise and communicate learning

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The candidate must submit a financial proposal based on a Daily Rate. The consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. Payments shall be done on a monthly basis based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent. The provided living allowance will not be exceeding UNDP DSA rates. Repatriation travel cost from home to duty station in Bangkok and return shall not be covered by UNDP.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

Individual consultants will be reviewed based on the aforementioned requirements for experience and qualifications, as well as on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and

Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weigh 70% and financial criteria weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation – Total 70% (70 points):

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation. Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced qualified proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Documentation required:

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document:

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability with Financial Proposal (in USD) using the template provided as Annex III 

    Financial proposal: Consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the proposed fee submitted in the proposal. 

    If an Offeror is employed by an organization/ company/ institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

2. P11 / Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references with contact details.

3. A cover letter indicating brief description explaining why they are the most suitable candidate (max 1 page).

**Failure to submit the above-mentioned documents or Incomplete proposals shall result in disqualification

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The short-listed candidates may be contacted, and the successful candidate will be notified.

Contract award: Applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score and has accepted UNDP's General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.  

Annexes:

Annex I - TOR_Senior Voluntary National Review (VNR) advisor
Annex II - General_Terms_and_Conditions_for_Individual_Consultant
Annex III - Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability and financial proposal
Annex IV - P11 Form_for_ICs_optional
Annex V - Procurement Notice

***All documents can be downloaded at:  https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=92731

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to procurement.th@undp.org under Subject: JobAds 107497- International Consultant: Senior Voluntary National Review (VNR) advisor