Antecedentes

Sierra Leone is one of the worst affected West African countries by the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). The disease was detected in Guinea in February 2014 and spread to Sierra Leone in May 2014. Since then, over 7,000 Sierra Leoneans have been infected, and about 50% of the affected people have died of the EVD. While the epidemic has killed many people, mostly women and children, it is especially worrying that a good proportion of doctors, nurses, and other health personnel are among the fatalities. Children have been orphaned by the disease; schools have remained closed; and over two-thirds of those infected are in the economically active age group. Furthermore, the epidemic has crowded out effective response to other diseases in the national healthcare system, and as a result, non-Ebola illnesses have added to the toll of deaths and suffering. Cumulatively, the disease has caused unprecedented social and economic losses, accompanied by severe impact on the human development gains made thus far.

The UN Secretary-General, following his visit to the three highly EVD hit countries, has tasked UNDP with leading the UN System’s initiatives on Ebola-related recovery. In line with the communication from the UN-Secretary-General, a multi-agency (UN-WB-EU-AfDB) Ebola Recovery Assessment mission was conducted in Sierra Leone on 14th & 15th January.

In parallel, the Government of Sierra Leone, under the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), has drafted the first iteration of the Sierra Leone Post-Ebola Recovery Strategy. Acknowledging that various government and non-government agencies are involved in the EVD response and early recovery initiatives, Government and the UNDP have jointly initiated the formation of an Ebola Recovery Working Group (ERWG) to bring together all partners into a single platform for action. The ERWG is Co-Chaired by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (leading the National Ebola Recovery Strategy), UNDP, and the World Bank. The ERWG serves as the technical platform to support Ebola Recovery coordination and provides technical guidance for the preparation of the Sierra Leone Ebola Recovery Strategy.

It is in light of the above context that the MoFED seeks the services of a National Consultant to support MoFED in the coordination of the Ebola Recovery initiatives. 

Deberes y responsabilidades

Scope of work and deliverables

Working in close consultation with the focal person from MoFED (Director, Central Planning Monitoring and Evaluation), the consultant will perform the following tasks:

Coordination Support to MoFED

  • Facilitate the organization of technical working sessions;
  • Facilitate technical preparation for meetings between Government and Development Partners;
  • Facilitate coordination and consultations at sub-national level as necessary;
  • Support the preparation of concept notes/papers relating to the recovery process;
  • Prepare meeting summary reports.

Assist MDAs and MoFED in drafting of the Sierra Leone Ebola Recovery Strategy Support data collection at sector, regional and district level:

  • Support the collation, management and analysis of relevant data;
  • Participate in technical and public discussions on the recovery process;
  • Assist relevant ministries, departments and agencies in the preparation of sector recovery strategies;
  • Assist in the drafting of the comprehensive recovery strategy;
  • Carry out other relevant assignments delegated by the Director of CPM&E in MoFED.

Reporting

  • The National Consultant will report to the Director of CPM&E, keeping the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Financial Secretary and Development Secretary in the loop.
  • The consultant shall provide weekly update on progress of assignments to MoFED and UNDP. 

Performance review

  • The Director of CPM&E and the UNDP Early Recovery Advisor, will hold a joint performance assessment with the National Consultant at the end of the consultancy period. A standard Performance Evaluation Form will be used for this purpose and submitted to UNDP.

Competencias

Professionalism

  • Demonstrated expertise in coordination with Government Agencies, drafting of reports, along with substantive knowledge of economic, social, and intergovernmental processes.

Teamwork

  • Proven record of being an effective part of diverse teams and networks;
  • Ability to identify needs and propose appropriate solutions; as well as
  • To establish and maintain effective relationships.

Communication

  • Ability to explain difficult issues to senior officials;
  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively according;
  • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed as appropriate.

Accountability

  • Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honour commitments;
  • Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time and quality standards;
  • Takes responsibility for his/her own shortcomings.

Technological Awareness

  • Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • A minimum of a Master’s Degree or equivalent in development, business administration, international relations, political science or related field.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of professional experience in the area of development;
  • Substantive experience conducting research and policy analysis on national development issues;
  • In-depth understanding and experience working with Government Ministries Departments and Agencies;
  • Excellent facilitation, presentational and report writing skills.

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English both oral and written, is required.  

Payment Modalities:

Payment to the consultant will be made on monthly basis upon certification of satisfactory completion by the UNDP Early Recovery Advisor.

Evaluation of Criteria and Weighting:

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100% out of a total score for technical criteria equals 70% and 30% for financial criteria.

The technical evaluation will include the following:         

  • Background and minimum educational qualification as defined above-30%;
  • Practical previous experience relevant to the TOR - 50%;
  • English language fluency -20%.

Application procedure:

Qualified and interested candidates are hereby requested to apply.

The application must contain the following:

The application must be addressed to the Deputy Country Director (Operations), UNDP Sierra Leone, 55 Wilkinson Road, Freetown in an envelope clearly marked “National Consultant Support to Ministry of Finance and Economic Development”.

or apply online at http://jobs.undp.org/. (attach one single PDF with the 3 requires components as the system only allows to upload maximum one document).

Deadline for the submission of applications: 11th February 2015.

Please note that applications will only be considered if the proposal includes: (1) a technical Proposal; (2) financial proposal; and (3) P11 form or CV.