Antecedentes

Invitation to Submit an Offer for Youth, Peace, and Security Analyst – Regional Assessment of the Youth, Peace, and Security Agenda in the Arab States 

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is currently implementing a project of Global Youth and Climate Security Project (BPPS) and Strengthening capacities for peaceful, inclusive, and resilience societies in the Arab States Region Project (PIP TRAC 2023) that requires the services of an individual to perform the work described in this document. 

In consideration of your qualifications, we are hereby inviting you to submit an offer for this particular assignment.  To assist you in understanding the requirements of this assignment, we have attached hereto the following : 

• The Terms of Reference for the assignment described above;
• The standard Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability, which you must accomplish and submit to UNDP; and
• The Individual Contract and its General Terms and Conditions, which you would be expected to sign in the event you are the selected Offeror in this procurement process.  

Should you be interested and decide to submit an offer for this assignment, kindly submit directly in the online supplier portal no later than the deadline indicated in the system.

Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link: http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org  using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders.  Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.

If any discrepancy between deadline in the system and in deadline indicated elsewhere, deadline in the system prevails.

We look forward to your favourable response and thank you in advance for your interest in working with UNDP.  

Sincerely,

UNDP procurement Team                                                                                                                             

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ONTEXT/BACKGROUND

The Arab region is home to one of the world’s largest youth groups with more than 60 percent of the population being under the age of 30. This number is expected to grow, especially in the most fragile countries, which poses added challenges to the region that is already facing, among others, high youth employment, multiple protracted conflicts, and increasingly dire effects of climate change. Moreover, the Arab countries differ in their level of stability and development while undergoing different social, political, and economic transformations that present both risks of future conflicts and opportunities to progress human development and peace.[1] Amidst this, the youth in the Arab States persist in their efforts to be champions for change and have a meaningful role in the advancement of peace and sustainable development. While doing so, youth are not only experiencing the adverse effects of conflict and eroding social cohesion but are faced with adversity, marginalized from actively engaging in shaping lasting peace and contributing to justice and reconciliation. The continued dismissal of youth’s agency for peace is directly at odds with the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015) on Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS), recognizing the positive role of young people in conflict prevention, the prevention of violent extremism, and peacebuilding.  

The Resolution defines “youth” as people aged 18-29 years but notes the variations that exist at national and international levels. The Resolution further identifies five pillars for action for YPS, namely Participation, Protection, Prevention, Partnerships, and Disengagement & reintegration. The UN Security Council has also adopted two other resolutions dedicated to YPS, which are Resolution 2419 (2018)—calling for the meaningful inclusion of young people in peace processes, and Resolution 2535 (2020)—laying out concrete steps for the operationalization of the YPS agenda. 

In support of the YPS Agenda in the Arab Region, UNDP has played an active role by, for example, supporting the League of Arab States to develop a regional YPS strategy; collaborating with other UN agencies and partners to organize a Learning Forum on furthering the YPS agenda; and establishing the regional Youth Empowerment, Engagement and Knowledge project (SHABABEEK) and its Youth Development Delegates in the Arab Region initiative. Acknowledging the challenges and the complex operating environment for advancing YPS in the Arab States, UNDP seeks to recruit a consultant to develop a regional assessment of YPS in the Arab States. The regional assessment will provide a comprehensive understanding of UNDP’s work and its strategic added value on YPS and how to better position UNDP to leverage recent developments, such as the League of Arab States’ new regional strategy.  

Deberes y responsabilidades

The overall purpose of this consultancy is to provide a comprehensive assessment of UNDP's work and role in YPS in the Arab Region. The assessment serves to support ongoing and upcoming activities by analyzing challenges and opportunities relating to the operating environment. Furthermore, the assessment will examine trends and entry points on which UNDP can build future programmatic interventions, support the work of UNDP Country Offices and advance the YPS agenda in the region, and support resource mobilization.

Objectives of Consultancy: 

1. Examine the operating environment of YPS to understand the opportunities and challenges in promoting YPS agenda in the region.
2. Conduct a comprehensive desk review of initiatives and projects on the YPS agenda conducted by UNDP, other UN agencies, and partners in the region to prevent the duplication of efforts in the region, which will be categorized under the five pillars of YPS.
3.  Engage in consultations with Youth Engagement & Empowerment Project team at UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States, UNDP Country Offices (COs) in the Arab States—including focal points (e.g., youth and governance, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding), and Youth Development Delegates to ensure that the assessment is firmly rooted in country contexts.  
4. Identify entry points and formulate recommendations for UNDP programmatic interventions to accelerate and sustain the implementation of the YPS agenda, including resource mobilization efforts for YPS programming. 

EXPECTED OUTPUTS AND DELIVERABLES

The International Consultant shall contribute to the production of the following product/s as outlined in the table below: 

Output 1: Examine the operating environment of YPS to understand the opportunities and challenges in promoting YPS agenda in the region. 

This would include: 

• Examine the regional context in which the YPS agenda operates. 

• Identify opportunities and challenges in implementing the YPS agenda in the Arab States. 

Output 2: Conduct a comprehensive desk-review of initiatives and projects on the YPS agenda conducted by UNDP, other UN agencies, and partners in the region to prevent the duplication of efforts, which will be categorized under the five pillars of YPS. 

• Provide an overview of YPS efforts in the Arab States and individual country context by focusing on recent, current, and upcoming work of UNDP, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.  
• Categorize each of the initiatives and projects under the five pillars of YPS according to the UN Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015). 
• Develop four brief case studies highlighting the different contexts and experiences in working on the YPS agenda in the Arab States based on the country typologies of the Conflict Prevention Framework[2]. 

Output 3: Engage in consultations with Youth Engagement & Empowerment Project team at UNDP Regional Hub for the Arab States, UNDP COs in the Arab States—including focal points (e.g., youth and governance, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding), and Youth Development Delegates to ensure that the assessment is firmly rooted in country contexts and conducted with a youth lens. 

• Conduct consultations with Youth Engagement & Empowerment Project team at UNDP Regional Hub, UNDP COs, and Youth Development Delegates on the initial analysis and revise the assessment based on the recommendations and feedback. 

Output 4: Identify entry points and formulate recommendations for UNDP programmatic interventions to accelerate and sustain the implementation of the YPS agenda, including resource mobilization efforts for YPS programming. 

• Identify trends, knowledge, and learning gaps, best practices, and lessons learned based on the desk review of initiatives and projects on YPS. 
• Propose YPS programming entry points in accordance with the five pillars of YPS to strengthen UNDP COs' technical efforts. 

• Formulate clear and practical recommendations to implement the YPS agenda, including resource mobilization efforts for YPS programming.  

Output 5: Compile an assessment based on the consultation, desk review and identified trends etc. to a final assessment report.

• Develop and share a draft assessment with the Governance and Peacebuilding team, Youth Engagement & Empowerment team, UNDP COs and focal points, and other consulted actors for comments and feedback.
• Based on the consultations and feedback develop a structured report on the findings of the assessment including, for example, recommendations for programmatic entry points on supporting the YPS agenda in the Arab States; regional context; challenges, opportunities and trends; and the case studies.
• Ensure that the assessment report incorporates a youth lens and follows respective UNDP guidelines on reporting and writing.
   

Output 6: Present the assessment to the Governance and Peacebuilding team, UNDP COs, and other partners.

• Develop a PowerPoint presentation showcasing, for example, the methodology, trends, challenges, and findings of the assessment.
• Present the assessment to the Governance and Peacebuilding team, followed by a presentation to partners and UNDP COs and focal points during a community of practice session.

Competencias

Corporate

• Demonstrates integrity and fairness, by modeling the UN/UNDP’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.

Functional

• Time management and organizational skills, with the ability to undertake multiple tasks and deliver under pressure;
• Strong analytical and synthesis skills;
• Ability to work independently and achieve high-quality results with limited supervision and within tight schedules;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and analyze the political dynamics in the Arab region;
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills;
• Strong research, analytical and synthesis skills, as well as presentation and drafting skills;
• Excellent drafting and formulation skills and ability to write in clear and concise manner;
• Strong problem solving-skills, and present practical solutions to complex problems;
• Ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner;
• Good teamwork and interpersonal skills;
• Flexibility and ability to handle multiple tasks and work under pressure;
• Excellent computer skills especially Word, Excel and Power Point.

Managing Complexity

• Ability to address global development issues.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need;
• Ability to animate individuals and communities of contributors to participate and share, particularly externally;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information and best practices from within and outside of UNDP;
• Demonstrates a strong capacity for innovation and creativity in providing strategic policy advice and direction.

Judgement/Decision-making

• Mature judgement and initative;

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in social sciences with a focus on peace and conflict studies, international relations, political science, development studies or a related field. 

Professional experience:

• A minimum 05 years of professional experience in the fields of conflict prevention, human rights and peacebuilding or related field or related areas.
• Experience in conducting research and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in leading partner engagement and facilitation of consensus-building or multi-stakeholder dialogue processes. 
• Demonstrated expertise in youth engagement, advancement of YPS agenda, conflict prevention, or peacebuilding. 
• Excellent analytical, research, and drafting skills with the ability to present recommendations supported by analysis is desired.
• Substantive knowledge of and professional experience in the Arab States region is desired.
• Previous working experience with the United Nations (UN) or UNDP.

Language requirements:

• Fluency in the English language is required. Good working knowledge of spoken Arabic would be an advantage.  

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

The individual consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding Programme Advisor, UNDP Regional Hub for the Arab States.

UNDP is responsible for providing the consultant with all necessary information related to the project, in a timely, thorough, and transparent manner.

DURATION OF THE WORK

The duration of the work is expected to be 55 working days over the period of 2 calendar months starting from the date of signature of the contract.

DUTY STATION

The assignment is home-based. 

If any unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s home-based city is requested by UNDP and not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by UNDP in line with applicable rules and regulations and upon prior written agreement.

SCOPE OF FINANCIAL PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS

All proposals must indicate a daily fee for the delivery of requested services. Daily fee must be “all-inclusive”. Please note that the term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amount submitted in the proposal. Also, please note that the contract amount will be based on deliverables/outputs.

The contractor will be paid all-inclusive deliverable/output-based lump sum amounts over the assignment period, subject to the submission of Certifications of Payment (CoP) duly certified and confirmation of satisfactory performance of achieved work (deliverables/outputs). Payments should be done in line with the schedule of payments hereunder, noting that the maximum number of working days for this assignment should not exceed 55 working days.

RECOMMENDED PRESENTATION OF OFFER

Interested individual consultants must submit documents as requested in Quantum system to demonstrate their qualifications. For candidates that fail to submit these documents, the application will not be considered.

1. Personal CV or P11: 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.
2. Brief description of why you consider yourself the most suitable candidate for this assignment.
3. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
4. Financial Proposal requested it should indicate the all-inclusive Deliverables/Outputs based total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the template provided. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amounts 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 a 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.

Interested candidates can find Procurement Notice, Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability, and P11 templates on the following link: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ as well as Quantum.

Interested candidates shall submit all required documents on Quantum utilizing the following link:  http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org  (for candidates already registered in Quantum)  not later than 30 August 2023.

Candidates who have not registered yet on Quantum, Please utilize the following link: Supplier Registration (oraclecloud.com)

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF THE BEST OFFERS

This selection criteria will follow the Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70% and will be combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%, using the following evaluation criteria.

Step I: Screening and desk review.

Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum requirements will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

• Criterion A: Master’s degree in social sciences (focus on Peace and Conflict Studies), International Relations, Political Science, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Criterion B: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the fields of Conflict prevention, Human Rights and Peacebuilding, or related areas.
• Criterion C: Fluency in English language (written and spoken).  

Step 2: Technical review

Shortlisted candidates will undergo a technical evaluation and submission of a proposal to tackle the assignment.

Technical evaluation: max. 100 points – weighted 70% of total evaluation:

Shortlisted candidates will be assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria:

• Criterion A: Master’s degree in social sciences with a focus on peace and conflict studies, international relations, political science, development studies. (20 points)
• Criterion B: A minimum 5 years of professional experience in the fields of conflict prevention, human rights and peacebuilding or related areas. (20 points)

• Criterion C: Demonstrated experience in research and reporting and experience in leading partner engagement and facilitation of consensus-building or multi-stakeholder dialogue processes. (20 points)

• Criterion D: Knowledge in the area of youth engagement, advancement of YPS agenda, conflict prevention or peacebuilding.  (15 points)
• Criterion E: Experience in the Arab States region. (10 points)
• Criterion F: Previous working experience with the United Nations (UN) or UNDP. (5 points)
• Criterion G: Fluency in English language (written and spoken); Arabic is an advantage. (10 points)

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical Evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial evaluation: max. 30 points – weighted 30% of total evaluation:

For those offers considered in the financial evaluation, the lowest price offer will receive 30 points. The other offers will receive points in relation to the lowest offer, based on the following formula: (PI / Pn) * 30 where Pn is the financial offer being evaluated and Pl is the lowest financial offer received.

Step III: Final evaluation

The final evaluation will combine the scores of both the Technical and Financial evaluations, with the following weights assigned to each:

• Technical evaluation weight: 70%
• Financial evaluation weight: 30%

Shortlisted candidates will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.