Background

UNDP’s democratic governance practice focuses on fostering inclusive participation, strengthening responsive governing institutions, and promoting democratic principles.
 
In the area of electoral assistance, one of UNDP’s key democratic governance pillars, UNDP has established a partnership with the European Commission, which has mobilized more than 650 million EURO (since 2004) for financial and technical support to transitional democracies and post conflict countries, via UNDP, in order to promote and contribute to the organization of genuine and sustainable electoral processes. For this an EC-UNDP Joint Task Force (JTF) on Electoral Assistance was established to further strengthen and facilitate the already existing EC-UNDP partnership in the field of electoral assistance, and improve the overall efficiency and adherence of the projects to the common EC-UNDP strategic approach.
 
Against this background, the EC-UNDP Joint Task Force was requested to submit a concept paper for a potential project under the 10th EDF in the field of electoral assistance and in the broader area of democratic governance for the PALOP/TL – African Countries of Portuguese Official Language (Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea Bissau, Mozambique) and Timor Leste. This proposal was accepted by the PALOP and Timor Leste and EC services during the 6th Meeting between the National Authorizing Officers (NAOs) of the PALOP and Timor Leste and the EC services of 6 May 2008 in Luanda and decision was made to finance the project throughout the “Governance Initiative” to be financed by the National Indicative Programme of PALOP/TL within the 10th EDF. The EC-UNDP Joint Task Force carried out the necessary identification and formulation activities leading to the signature of a Contribution Agreement between the EU Delegation and UNDP Country Office in Bissau on 30 March, 2010.
 
Funded solely by the EU to the tune of 6.1 million Euros, the Project in Support of the 2010-2012 Electoral Cycles in the PALOP and Timor Leste is implemented by UNDP in Guinea Bissau, the PALOP (Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, São Tomé e Principe) and Timor Leste through the direct execution modality (DEX). UNDP Country Office in Guinea Bissau is the unit responsible for the overall reporting of the project to its stakeholders, particularly to the senior supplier and the senior beneficiary representatives. For this reason, UNDP CO in Guinea Bissau is considered the project leading country. UNDP Country Offices in these countries support Electoral Management Bodies, Parliaments and other relevant project stakeholders to implement Annual Work Plans throughout 2011-2013 electoral cycles.
 
The project targets the promotion of deeper consolidation of the democratic culture and institutions by providing electoral assistance as an ongoing and cyclical activity rather than being event driven at designated points in time. The activities focus on:
  • Support in the development of strategic and operational plans of the national electoral management bodies Support for the national EMBs in developing accurate budgets;
  • Support in examining synergies between the civil and voter registries in the partner countries;
  • Support for the national EMBs in developing accurate procurement plans;
  • Support in the provision of civic and voter education;
  • Support for the improvement of transmission and verification of election results;
  • Support for electoral dispute resolution mechanisms;
  • Provision of specific training courses, including relevant BRIDGE modules, following the conduct of a thorough BRIDGE needs assessment;
  • Support in the development of strategic, operational plans and activities for CSO aiming to enhance political participation;
  • Support in the development of strategic and operational plans of Parliamentarians, particularly Women, aiming to promote gender balance in political participation;
  • Promote synergies between media, EMBs, Parliamentarians/Parliaments and CSO with regards to their participation and different roles in the electoral processes.
The project’s outputs and outcomes should be pursuit through a coordinated and coherent approach, putting in place activities that will respond as much as possible to shared needs and shortcomings but, simultaneously, resulting from the six beneficiary countries’ specificities regarding legal context and institutional framework, human and technical resources. The overall objective of the assignment is to support to “Direcção Geral de Apoio ao Processo Eleitoral” – DGAPE - in Cape Verde to develop a Strategic Plan targeting institutional strengthening, capacity building and electoral civic education.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective:

The Pro PALOP-TL has been referred as a milestone and a good practice when referring to innovative and efficient approaches and strategies to develop capacities in electoral administration and political participation.
 
The international consultant will work closely with the DGAPE in Praia, Cape Verde. The consultant will work for 30 working days under the direct supervision of the Pro PALOP-TL Project Manager and in coordination with the head of Democratic Governance Unit in UNDP Cape Verde. The key outputs of the assignment are:
  • To provide a methodology and work plan to carry out the assignment;
  • Produce a strategic plan to the DGAPE covering the period 2013-2016. The plan aims to enhance DGAPE’s performance and credibility as EMB.
  • Produce, within the strategic planning exercise, an Electoral Code of Conduct to guide DGAPE actions and activities during and related to electoral processes.
  • Produce, within the strategic planning exercise, Implementation Action Plans and their Financial Plans, for year 1, 2 and 3. 
  • Establish a monitoring progress and measuring performance systems, that ensure results and accountability. 
  • Design a training Programme to DGAPE personnel and their financial plan aiming essentially to capacitate DGAPE’s employees on the issues and matters structuring the electoral management, preferably using BRIDGE methodology. 
  • Design a Long Term Electoral Civic Education & Training Programme and its financial plan. 
  • Design and facilitate up to 2 socialization workshops. 
  • Produce a final report capturing all deliverables and achievements of the assignment and highlighting the recommendations. 
Overall objectives of the assignment are:
  • Provide a clear framework for DGAPE institutional strengthening and capacity development;
  • Enhance political participation, particularly from Women and young voters;
  • Enhance democratic political culture, through civic education.
SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSABILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK
One consultant, international electoral expert to be hired, is expected to:
  • Become familiar with relevant documentation; 
  • Develop the appropriate methodology meeting the requirements of the ToR; 
  • Engage, analyze of and synthesize the views of DGAPE, as well as other important beneficiaries of electoral administration, frameworks and processes;
  • Evaluate existing legislation and documentation;
  • Deliver all outputs referred above. 
Methodology
The Consultants will determine the most appropriate methodology. The Consultant will work within the platform and, additionally have access to office space, internet access and phone provided by UNDP Country Office in Cape Verde.  
Activities will include, but not limited to:
  • To review all relevant and existing national legislation and other documents – past, ongoing and foreseen projects.
  • Meetings and interviews with key stakeholders including, but not limited to, EMBs (NEC and Registration Commissions), Parliament and political parties, Justice Institutions, CSO, NOSi, Media. Meetings with other relevant actors outside São Tiago Island will be conducted via teleconference as seemed appropriate.
  • Design and facilitate 2 socialization workshops.
  • Provide one final report. 
Report Requirements
A preliminary version of the final report will be shared with UNDP Cape Verde within 15 working days after completion of field activities. UNDP Cape Verde will share the report with DGAPE immediately after acceptance of the report.
The Report will be delivered in word format, and will have all outputs/deliverables in annex (also in word format).

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:
  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
  • Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional Competencies:
  • Technical experience with provision of electoral assistance by UN/UNDP and/or the EU/EC  needed; 
  • Extensive experience in electoral administration, institutional strengthening, capacity building and civic education. 
  • Fluent oral and written communication skills in Portuguese required.

Analytical skills, communications abilities, teamwork:
  • Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in Portuguese; and
  • Ability to meet deadlines and prioritize multiple tasks.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:
  • University degree in political science/international relations or public administration & organizational development or related social science field.
Experience:
  • Minimum 10 years professional experience in democratic governance
  • Minimum 5 years of experience in advising/implementing/ developing strategic and operational plans in the field of electoral assistance for EMB, in particular in the domain of institutional strengthening, capacity building and civic education
  • Experience in the PALOP and Timor Leste contexts is required.

Language:

  • English, Portuguese
Application Procedure:

Proposal should be submitted to the email address: procurement.cv@cv.jo.un.org on or before May 16 2013 at 18:00Hrs Cape Verde time, and should include the following:
  • Proposal: (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work, (ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work 
  • Financial proposal 
  • Personal CV/P11 including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references 
  • Template for Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal

Please write “Application for Consultancy: Strategic Planning Expert ” in the subject line of the email.

Proposals must include all four set of requested documents above. Proposals not meeting this requirement will not be considered.
N.B. Applications through UNDP jobs will not be accepted, only to the procurement.cv@cv.jo.un.org email address.

FC: 30079