Background
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The UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre (UNDP BRC) for Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) is looking for an experienced international consultant to conduct training on strategic programming for development cooperation providers in Europe and CIS. The training will be dedicated mostly for the staff of Ministries of Foreign Affairs and development agencies from Europe and CIS, while limited participation is expected from NGOs/private sector.
Several counties have recently joined the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC), namelyCzech Republic, Slovakia and Poland), other countries are interested in meeting the high international standards of official development assistance (ODA) delivery set by the DAC. In order to achieve this, they need the support from the international community to strengthen their capacities. During the technical workshop jointly organized by the World Bank Institute, UNDP and the European Commission in partnership with the Corvinus University of Budapest (June 13-14, 2012, Budapest), a thorough assessment of existing capacity building practices and needs of European emerging donors was carried out. A strong demand was expressed by development aid providers from the region to further support building of their capacities by conducting practically oriented trainings on selected topics. See more in Annex I Concept Note.
Project countries
In 2014, UNDP Regional Centre for Europe and CIS is planning to design and conduct 5 on-demand capacity building activities for emerging development cooperation providers in Europe and CIS. The participants will primarily include staff of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, line ministries, and development cooperation agencies. The need for such activities has been expressed by two development cooperation providers from among the EU Member States (Czech Republic and Romania), but the activities will be open to representatives from other countries, including but not limited to Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Russia, Slovak Republic, Turkey, Hungary, Poland, Croatia, and representatives of more advanced donors.
General training description
The envisaged capacity building activities will comprise 5 thematic modules identified and specified in consultation with participating institutions and based on a review of needs and existing practices in management and programming of official development assistance in the participating countries as well as from first training feedback. Each activity will consist of a technical training conducted by the international consultant and possibly another external resource person, and a knowledge exchange/peer-learning component with development agencies, ministries and non-state entities as observers, particularly from among the more experienced development cooperation providers. Each activity should be intensive and practical in nature and be carried out in approximately 2 days with approx. 30 participants.
The list of thematic modules to be addressed by the set of capacity building activities in 2014 is as follows:
- Introduction to Project Cycle Management, Prague, January 2014 (See Annex II – Mini-Summary report on feedback on Training 1 – Project Cycle Management);
- Strategic Programming for ODA, Bratislava, April 2014;
- Identification of Projects, Monitoring and Evaluation, venue TBC, June 2014;
- Communicating Development Results, venue TBC, October 2014;
- Knowledge Management / Mechanisms for Knowledge Sharing, Prague, December 2014.
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Duties and Responsibilities
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The consultant will need to be available from approx. mid-March to mid-April 2014 to undertake the following tasks:
- Develop detailed training programme for the 2nd module: Strategic Programming for ODA, based on a review of existing country strategy papers/ODA strategies (see part II Project Countries). This will include the structure of the technical training (see Annex III Template Agenda – to be updated by the consultant), suggested content of knowledge exchange/peer-learning component, facilitation method, suggested training materials (please note that printed handouts are required). The activity will be conducted at the premises of UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre. Logistical and organizational arrangements will be provided by the UNDP BRC team;
- Conduct the capacity building activity no. 2 Strategic Programming for ODA as a trainer, utilizing latest teaching methodologies to ensure achievement of expected outcomes and outputs;
- Gather participant feedback and produce a mini-summary report on activity no.2 in order to ensure training effectiveness (including recommendations for following activities/modules).
Outputs:
- Review of existing Country Strategy Papers (CSP)/ODA Strategies in project countries (up to 5 pages);
- Training agenda for the 2nd module on Strategic Programming in ODA;
- Mini-summary report on capacity building activity no. 2 (up to 3 pages), incl. attached evaluation forms filled by participants (evaluation forms should be ideally created online by the consultant, to be filled-in by participants after the training) and Contractor´s recommendations;
- Handouts (to be printed by the UNDP BRC team before the event) and list of suggested additional readings for participants.
Deliverables:
- Review of existing CSP/ODA strategies, Training agenda and handouts, to be delivered by March 20, 2014 (1st installment presenting 50% of the lump sum, upon delivery of satisfactory services confirmed by UNDP);
- Mini-summary report, to be delivered by April 15, 2014 (2nd installment presenting 50% of the lump sum, upon delivery of satisfactory services confirmed by UNDP).
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Competencies
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- Excellent communication, facilitation and presentation and training skills in English;
- Strong organizational awareness;
- Client orientation and government advisory skills;
- Strong drafting and reporting skills in English (familiarity with MS Office is required);
- Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.
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Required Skills and Experience
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Education:
- Advanced (MA) university degree (or equivalent) in the area of social sciences, public administration, international relations, international development, education, or relevant field.
Experience:
- Direct experience in the design, leading and facilitation of trainings, workshops and capacity building activities in the field of international development, related to strategic planning and programming (Proven track record of at least 3 similar assignments related to strategic planning and programming);
- At least 5 years of advisory support/training to wide range of beneficiaries (governments/NGOs/donors/agencies) in preferably in Europe and CIS (ECIS) countries in the area of development cooperation/implementation and official development assistance, or similar consultancy assignments;
- Previous experience in working with international organizations/working with UN agencies will be an asset.
Languages:
- Proficiency (verbal and written) in English;
- Other ECIS languages will be an asset.
Evaluation of Applicants:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal (desk review).
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Responsive; and
- Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Technical Criteria: 70% of total evaluation – max. 50 points:
- Education (or equivalent) in the area of social sciences, public administration, international relations, international development, or relevant field - max. 12 points;
- Direct experience in the design, leading and facilitation of trainings, workshops or capacity building activities in the field of international development, related strategic planning and programming - max. 12 points;
- Experience in advisory and training support to wide range of beneficiaries (governments/NGOs/ agencies/ private sector) preferably in ECIS countries in the area of development cooperation/implementation and official development assistance, or similar consultancy assignment; experience in working with international organizations is an advantage - max. 12 points;
- Training, facilitation and presentation skills - max. 10 points;
- Language skills - max. 4 points.
Financial Criteria: 30% of total evaluation – max. 21.4 points.
Application procedures:
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:
- Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position;
- Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
- Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount in USD for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (fee and number of anticipated working days, international travel, per diems, translation costs if any, and any other possible costs);
- Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
*Please note that the financial proposal is lump-sum shall be submitted in USD and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (fee and number of anticipated working days, international travel, per diems, translation costs if any, and any other possible costs)..
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://europeandcis.undp.org/jobs/.
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.
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.
Annexes:
Template Agenda: http://dl.undp.sk/Annex_I Training Programme: http://dl.undp.sk/Annex_II Concept Note: http://dl.undp.sk/Annex_III.
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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.
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