UNDP Jobs - 40146- International Consultant: UNDP Kuwait Country Prog

International Consultant: UNDP Kuwait Country Programme Document Writer

Location :

Kuwait, KUWAIT

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

25-Sep-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Arabic English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

13 weeks

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The UNDP Kuwait Country Office has begun planning for the next four-year programme cycle, 2015 - 2018. The Country Programme Document (CPD) is the basic agreement between UNDP and the Government of the State of Kuwait. It establishes the proposed areas of work for the next programme cycle and flags expected potential outcomes that will be subsequently elaborated in the Country Programme Action Plan. The CPD will be prepared according to three fundamental principles: national ownership, inclusive development and sustainability based on equality and participation.

In order to elicit the views of national stakeholders on the content of this critical development framework, in October 2013 UNDP Kuwait will conduct a series of national consultations, bringing together stakeholders for a strategic discussion on the future programming priorities, guided broadly by the post-2015 sustainable development agenda themes. The national consultations will be conducted in accordance with UNDP's core principles of inclusiveness, equality and respect for diversity and sustainability. The consultation process will emphasise national ownership and participation.

The CPD, to be prepared in the global approved format, will provide a brief situational analysis, an overview of past cooperation and lessons learned, the proposed programme, the monitoring and evaluation modalities and the results and resources framework. The exact format required by UNDP may be amended in 2013/14. The consultant will draft the consultancy products in accordance with UNDP standards and procedures. The CPD will highlight a cross-sectoral approach and the effective mainstreaming of gender, human rights and environmental sustainability.

In drafting the CPD, the consultant will be guided by a range of global and national strategic documents, including but not limited to:

United Nations ECOSOC 2012 Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review;
UNDP Strategic Plan 2014 - 2017;
Rio+20 outcome document;
The July 2013 report of the UN Secretary-General on accelerating progress towards achieving the MDGs;
Reports etc. of the September 2013 event on the post-2015 agenda, to be held by the President of the General Assembly;
Recommendations on the post-2015 development agenda of the relevant thematic groups;
Evaluation of the Role of UNDP in Net Contributor Countries;
Next Mid-Range National Development Plan of the State of Kuwait (if yet published);
Evaluation report of the 2008 - 2012 (extended to 2014) UNDP Kuwait country programme; and
Summary records of the UNDP Kuwait national consultation process and position papers finalised in accordance with those consultations (October - November 2013).

The consultant will also specifically consider the scope and content of the current Mid-Range National Development Plan of the State of Kuwait, the current UNDP Kuwait CPD and CPAP, as well as other relevant national documents. The consultant should further consider the State of Kuwait's relevant commitments under international law.

The submission of the consultancy products in accordance with the stipulated timeframe, including the submission of the final version of the draft CPD will signify satisfactory completion of the consultancy.

Applicants are asked to submit their financial proposal within their CV (as a single document).

Objectives:

To support the elaboration of a comprehensive and logical CPD, which will support achievement of national development goals as articulated during the inclusive national consultative process and in harmony with UNDP's global strategic priorities and fundamental principles of inclusiveness, sustainability and national ownership.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consultancy will take place over 13 weeks, starting 27 October, in accordance with the below activities and timeframes:

27 October: Consultancy start date; desk review (including of finalized position papers based on the national consultation process) to begin from this date;
10 November: Briefing with UNDP and SCPD; the consultant will conduct bilateral meetings with UNDP and with key national stakeholders from this date eg. General Secretariat of the Supreme Council for Planning and Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, representatives of civil society, youth, women, disadvantaged groups and the private sector. Some site visits to current projects or to locations of potential engagement may also be required;
20 November: Draft consolidated national consultation report, based on the finalized position papers and bilateral meetings and outlining potential areas for inclusion in the future CPD to be submitted to UNDP Kuwait. The report will be reviewed by UNDP and returned to the consultant for amendment, as necessary, within two working days.
26 November: Consolidated national consultation report to be submitted to UNDP for translation and sharing with national stakeholders;
10 December: National consultation day on the final consultation report, to identify the priorities for the CPD 2015 - 2018. The consultant will attend, present the key components of the summary report and elicit inputs for the draft CPD;
12 December: First draft of the CPD (in the final format) to be submitted to UNDP Kuwait for review, translation and sharing with national stakeholders;
2 January: Second draft of the CPD, incorporating the comments from review by UNDP and national stakeholders, to be submitted to UNDP Kuwait to seek endorsement by the Government of the State of Kuwait;
20 January: Government's endorsement to be confirmed by this date;
23 January: Final CPD to be submitted by UNDP Kuwait to UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States.

The consultant will conduct a desk review of all relevant documents, including those listed above. The consultant will also conduct bilateral meetings with key stakeholders and implementing partners. The consultant may be required to attend some site visits.

The consultant will submit a combined comprehensive summary report of the national consultation process, based on the finalized position paper pertaining to each consultation event conducted by UNDP Kuwait and informed by the consultant's desk review of relevant materials and interviews with key stakeholders. This report will highlight potential areas for inclusion in the next CPD.

The consultant will support UNDP Kuwait and the State Minister for Planning and Development to present this comprehensive summary report at a one day national consultation on the scope of the next CPD.

The consultant will draft the UNDP Kuwait CPD 2014 - 2018 on the basis of the response to the summary report and the recommendations made by national stakeholders during the one day national consultation event.
The consultant will share the first version of the CPD with UNDP Kuwait (for further submission to national partners) for review and input and will update the document accordingly. A second version will also be shared and reviewed for further updates.

The consultant will submit the final version of the draft CPD, for onward submission by UNDP Kuwait to UNDP Regional Bureau for Arab States and thence to the UNDP Executive Board.

Expected Output:

A report of the consultation outcomes, based on the finalized position papers, desk review and bilateral meetings, outlining potential areas for inclusion in the CPD; and
The draft UNDP Kuwait Country Programme Document for the period 2015-2018, ready for submission to UNDP RBAS and thence to the UNDP Executive Board.

Competencies

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Ability to undertake complex tasks under deadlines;
Ability to provide information and analysis in an organized manner;
Interpersonal skills to elicit relevant information and honest views from various types of stakeholders;
Strong verbal and written communication skills;
Ability to use common office programmes such as Word or Excel.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Advanced university degree in the field of governance and rule of law, economics, social sciences, political science and/or participatory planning for sustainable development.

Experience

At least 10 years of experience developing social programmes or projects;
Experience in programme planning and design, monitoring and evaluation;
Substantive experience working with Government and UN partners on the elaboration of complex and socially sensitive programmes;
Knowledge of UNDP global programme policies and procedures;
Experience working in GCC countries is favorable.

Language Requirements

Must be fluent in English and Arabic (written and spoken).

Duration:

Thirteen weeks.