UNCDF Jobs - 59793- Innovation Project Manager, LTA

Innovation Project Manager, LTA

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Home-based with travel

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

19-Oct-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

up to 2 years on intermittent basis

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UNCDF is currently undertaking Making Access Possible supply and demand side diagnostic studies in over 14 countries across the globe. The MAP diagnostic consists of detailed supply and demand side analysis while the detailed supply-side assessment examines the financial market environment in each country, including the policy and regulatory landscape. As such the MAP programme is generating large amounts of new data and insights which will be used to drive the analysis and thinking for UNCDF’s new areas of strategic interest based on the insight generated from households, individuals and key stakeholders at country level.

Against this background, UNCDF requires the assistance of a consultant who is experienced in new innovative research, strategy and complex project management to assist with new phases of MAP-related activities and knowledge-generation. As the learnings from the MAP programme are on-going based on the long-term impact of the project, the services of a long-term consultant is required to work with the Map programme management unit. This consultant will be expected to utilize MAP diagnostic results to identify and develop analytical frameworks for new content areas for exploration derived from the MAP programme, bringing together innovative ideas and managing the process of project and programme development. Currently, the key subject areas of special interest include agriculture, MSMEs, financial product development, big data and gender.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of assignment

The objective of this assignment is to provide ongoing strategic assistance to the MAP Hub in implementing MAP and in developing new areas of analysis, including:

Assisting in new and innovative areas for financial inclusion;
Assist in the ongoing development of the country level roadmaps and M&E frameworks;
Providing overall support and strategic guidance for the development and ongoing monitoring of the MAP M&E at country level;
Oversee the development of the consolidated M&E as part of the MAP programme and make amendments/changes to the overall methodology, where necessary.

Scope of work

The Consultant’s involvement in MAP is to collaborate with the MAP Team in order that they may jointly:

Identify and develop new analytical frameworks for innovative research projects;
Manage the development of new research proposals and programmes derived from MAP;
Create actionable M&E frameworks and timelines for the evaluation of new projects in the areas of focus;
Assist the MAP global HUB in developing new analytical frameworks for the new content areas that are emerging;
Assist the MAP Global programme manager develop new strategic insights for further areas of exploration;
Work with country level and regional teams in utilizing the MAP country level experience to assist in further refining the MAP global programme and integrate into UNCDF strategic interests;
Assist and oversee the development of the MAP roadmaps for new MAP countries (where applicable);
Train MAP PMU staff in the development of the roadmap analytical framework;
Advise country coordinators on MAP implementation strategy;
Provide insight into the UNCDF MAP partnership strategy based on the country level and programme experience;
Support country technical advisors to liaise/coordinate with donors at country level from a content perspective;
Assist in the broader partner identification and management for key strategic initiatives like agriculture and gender;
Participate in key thought-leadership initiatives for new areas of innovation.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modelling UN values and ethical standards;
Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
Shows strong corporate commitment;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNCDF and UNDP

Functional Competencies:

Strong financial analysis and business project management skills
Strong analytical and writing skills and track record producing high-quality M&E frameworks and other written project outputs;
Excellent organizational, inter-personal and communication skills;
Excellent command of the English language, with outstanding written and oral communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced degree, (PhD or Masters preferable) in economics, finance, or engineering, or other related field

Experience:

A minimum of 7 years relevant, practical working experience within the private sector;
Consulting experience with a large consultancy will be an added advantage;
Documented, deep technical knowledge and experience with in strategy – preferably in the private sector;
Experience with similar assignments in LDCs and developing countries in Asia and Africa;
Experience in working with innovation;
Experience with new product development, testing, roll-out;
Experience incorporating lessons learned into projects;
Familiarity with UN/UNCDF rules and procedures is an advantage.

Language:

Fluency in English is required.

Duration:

Up to 2 years on intermittent basis, consultant will be called upon as needed.

Reporting:

The consultant will report to MAP Global Programme Advisor.

Final products expected:

Deliverables will be defined from time to time but can be expected to include:

End to end project management and support to MAP hub processes and projects as agreed from time to time;
M&E frameworks;
Roadmaps;
Consolidated write-ups of the M&E approach and findings.

Evaluation of the Candidates:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:
The candidates will be evaluated through Cumulative Analysis method. When using the weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

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

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

Advanced degree (Masters, PhD) in a related field;
At least 7 years relevant, practical working experience within the private sector. Consulting experience with a large consultancy will be an added advantage;
Documented, deep technical knowledge and experience with in strategy – preferably in the private sector.

Technical Evaluation: desk review (40%) and interview (40%).
Desk review of Candidates: Max 300 points.

At least 7 years relevant, practical working experience within the private sector. Consulting experience with a large consultancy will be an added advantage as is previous consulting work in LDCs: 100 points;
Experience with similar assignments in LDCs and developing countries in Asia and Africa: 100 points;
Experience in working with innovation and new product development, testing, roll-out: 50 points;
Documented, deep technical knowledge and experience with in strategy – preferably in the private sector:50 points.

The top candidates who pass in the desk review, with a minimum score of 210 points and above, will be invited to take part in an interview.
Applicants obtaining 70% of the combined total technical points (education, experience, languages and interview) will be considered for financial evaluation. Financial score (max 100 points) shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal of those technically qualified.

Contract Award:

The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Scores and have accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract.

UNCDF shall enter into a non-exclusive long term agreement (LTA) with the selected consultant and shall provide specific deliverables and time frames for each task, as and when required.

Prospective individuals are requested to take note of the following:

Long Term Agreement is a mutual arrangement between UNCDF and an individual to provide the required services at prescribed prices or provisions over a period of 12-24 months, with potential extension of one year. UNCDF reserves the right to rescind the agreement during that period should performance of the consultant not meet its requirements;
Under a Long Term Agreement, UNCDF does not warrant that any quantity of services shall be purchased during the term of this agreement. Where a request for services arises, UNCDF shall directly contract the consultant based on its need to carry out those activities. A specific Term of Reference (TOR) outlining the outputs for each assignment shall be provided and an Individual Contract (former SSA) would be issued to the consultant, detailing the time frame.

Documentation to be submitted:

Applicants must submit a duly completed and signed UNDP Personal History form (P11) to be downloaded from the below link;
Kindly note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).
UNDP Personal History form (P11) required of all applicants:
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.