UNDP Jobs - 69286- International Consultant (Project Development Expe

International Consultant (Project Development Expert)

Location :

UNDP CO-L&R Unit, Kabul, AFGHANISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

14-Nov-16 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

10 weeks (with maximum 33 working days) with two trips to Afghanistan

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

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP Afghanistan is supporting the Government to find innovative solutions to its development challenges based on the Country Programme Document approved by the Executive Board for the period 2015 – 2019. Key priority areas for UNDP assistance are strengthening accountable governance, justice and rule of law, equitable and inclusive development, and social equity, with special attention to women. UNDP Afghanistan seeks to achieve transformational change in an environment of high complexity and insecurity. Conflict sensitivity is applied throughout the programme, and is mainstreamed in all projects. Political, economic, and conflict analysis of the provinces where UNDP works will be undertaken through UNDP’s regional hubs at the sub-national level. This will have to be accompanied by greater use of national systems, focus on capacity development instead of capacity substitution and helping to phase out parallel structures, and strengthen approaches to regionalization.

Project rationale/background: (i) The project the Livelihood Improvement in Tajik-Afghan Cross-border Areas LITACA 2 is continuation of LITACA [1] funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP Country Offices in Tajikistan and Afghanistan. LITACA 2 will scale up successful practices and interventions of LITACA 1. It will also include UN lessons of experience on introducing gender–responsive measures to local development strategies and promoting economic empowerment of vulnerable women. The objective of the project is to promote sustainable and decent jobs and livelihoods for vulnerable women and young people and to support economic reintegration of returning labor migrants. The project contributes to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 16). It is in line with the Afghan National Peace and Development Strategy and relevant National Priority Programmes.

(ii) Local Economic Development Afghanistan (LEDA) project will stimulate economic development in areas of Afghanistan sharing a common economic geography, in the sense of economic interlinkages and opportunities in an area which extends beyond administrative boundaries. Target areas will comprise economically- and geographically-linked Districts and a proximate Provincial capital.

Context of required services: The UNDP Livelihoods and Resilience Unit supports the government of Afghanistan to create livelihood opportunities and reduce poverty, especially among the most vulnerable groups. It works work with businesses to create jobs and economic growth, and with government to build infrastructure, link rural areas to markets and develop new forms of employment, including in the sustainable mining sector. The Unit has been developing LITACA and LEDA project logical framework, including risks and assumptions, baselines, targets and indicators as well as indicative activities in close partnership with the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and with LITACA 1 project staff, in close collaboration with UNDP CO Tajikistan.

Relevance/purpose of the work required: Assist the Livelihoods and Resilience Unit team to validate the logical framework and business idea of the two projects, finalize the preparation of two project documents (ProDocs), including Results and Resource Framework (RRF) and the required annexes; Social Environmental Assessment, the Project Annual Work Plan and other related project documents and present the final project document to the government counterparts, i.e. the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) and key stakeholders as described below.

Stakeholders: Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Community Development Councils; District Development Assemblies; communities’ representatives and beneficiaries (women and youth) in Takhar and Kunduz districts, UNDP Country Office in Tajikistan (for LITACA).

Peculiarity of the setting of the project or the work required: In Kabul he consultant will interact with the UNDP Livelihoods and Resilience Unit to develop the two project documents, with the UNDP CO Office in Tajikistan by skype and UN Women to collect and review lessons of experience in introducing gender–responsive measures in local development strategies and promoting economic empowerment of vulnerable women in Afghanistan. LITACA 1 project (on going) is located in Takhar and Kunduz provinces both affected by a high level of insecurity. Travel to these two regions will depend on an assessment of the UNDP Field Security Advisor.

Objective of the Assignment:

Develop two fully fledged Projects Documents (ProDocs), one for LITACA and one for LEDA project, for submission to the Local Appraisal Project Committee (LPAC).

[1] LITACA is a three-year initiative, with funding totaling US$ 10.7 million, financed by the Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and implemented by UNDP Tajikistan in cooperation with UNDP Afghanistan, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Tajikistan (MEDT), and the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (MRRD).

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Deliverables:

Review analysis and data as a basis for validating and designing the project document. Provide guidance on the selection of target areas following the analysis;
Ensure that international and national findings and experience are integrated in the design of the project and that actions are financially and economically feasible. As necessary, conduct ex ante financial and economic analysis to ensure feasibility in these respects;
Liaise with, and provide expert inputs to the MRRD and other contributory organisations in the detailed design, implementation planning, and implementation of the project;
Assist the Livelihoods and Resilience Unit team in guiding the implementing partner and contributory organisations in terms of work planning, and also in terms of the design and implementation of the work plan;
Ensure liaison with, and the participation of, stakeholder organisations and beneficiaries to allow incorporation of their views, perspectives and voice in the design and implementation of the project;
Guide the design of actions to ensure synergy with others under the implementation of the Afghan government, other donor organisations and other bodies;
Make proposals for amendments and changes to the design of the project in response to monitoring and evaluation, experience and findings of similar projects to ensure that planned outcomes are achieved;
Design and set up arrangements for the monitoring and impact evaluation of the support arranging, at the outset, to identify control groups and control target areas to provide for impact evaluation based on the counterfactual;
Provide guidance in the design and preparation of baseline analyses, formative evaluations and summative evaluation;
Focus on the lessons learnt from current target areas as a basis for orienting the design of the project. Ensure knowledge management and that lessons are learnt from experience such that the project can be scaled up the second and subsequent phase of the support.

Output; estimated duration; estimated target date and certification

Two UNDP ProDocs including RRF and other required annexes finalized; 23 working days; 19 November 2016; Chief of Livelihoods and Resilience Unit;
UNDP ProDocs presented to government counterparts, stakeholders and partners (including UNDP CO in Tajikistan and UN Women); 5 working days; 24 November 2016; Chief of Livelihoods and Resilience Unit;
Documentation for Pre-Pac and LPAC prepared; 5 working days; 27 November 2016; Chief of Livelihoods and Resilience Unit.

Key Deliverables and Timeframe:

Refine output indicators, baseline and targets; 5 working days;
Plan activities; 5 working days;
Review and refine implementation arrangements with implementing partner; 5 working days;
Review and refine project management arrangements; 5 working days;
Support prepare project budget; 4 working days;
Prepare procurement plan and HR plan; 3 working days;
Create project monitoring schedule plan; 3 working days;
Review and Update risk log; 3 working days.

Key Deliverables; and Payment percentage:

Deliverable 1 [Local Economic Development Project document final draft submitted]: 40% of total professional fee;
Deliverable 2 [Livelihoods initiative in Afghan-Tajik cross border areas Project Document final draft submitted]: 40% of total professional fee;
Deliverable 3 [Presentation of the project document in Local Project Appraisal Committee - LPAC]: 20% of total professional fee.

Competencies

Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to plan, organize, implement and report on work;
Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
Proficiency in the use of office IT applications and internet in conducting research;
Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
Positive, constructive attitude to work;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master degree in relevant disciplines (e.g., economics, development planning, rural economic development).

Experience:

At least 8 years of experience in local development, livelihoods and cross border economic cooperation;
Demonstrated experience in rural development, private sector development, and vocational education and training;
Capability in financial and economic analysis of infrastructure and other development interventions;
Experience in early recovery, post conflict and peacebuilding;
Experience in UN Joint Programme design strongly preferred;
Knowledge of the political, cultural, and economic contexts of Afghanistan. Prior working experience on livelihoods/economic development projects in Afghanistan is preferred;
Good knowledge and awareness of gender issues and how they impact upon men and women’s roles in community development.

Areas of Expertise:

Sectoral analysis of key development sectors;
Rural development and urbanization;
Policy and technical advice on employment-intensive sector growth strategies;
Labour market analysis;
Labour market policies and pro-employment programming.

Languages:

Fluency written and excellent drafting skills in English are a requirement.

Institutional Arrangements:

The Consultant will work under the day-to-day guidance of UNDP Livelihoods and Resilience Programme Manager and will report to the Head of the Livelihoods and Resilience Unit located in UNDP Country Office. In addition to the deliverables, the Consultant will prepare an action plan on the first week of the assignment, and daily progress updates on the given deliverables to the Programme Manager. The consultant will collaborate with the LITACA Project Manager, in MRRD, the Strategy, Planning & Results Unit at UNDP Country Office; interact closely with the relevant MRRD and Livelihoods and Resilience Unit staff as well as with the UNDP Economic Specialist for Asia and the Pacific Bangkok Regional Hub. The consultant will meet with the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development; UN Women relevant staff and if required with the Senior Deputy Country Director. The Chief of Livelihoods and Resilience will review and evaluate the consultant’s performance.

Duration of the Work:

The assignment will be undertaken over a period of 33 working days over a period of maximum 10 weeks. The target date for the completion of the assignment has tentatively been estimated on 27 November depending from the date of contract signing and arrival in Kabul. Provisions have been made to adjust the target date in accordance with the date of contract signing and arrival in Kabul. In any case the assignment must be completed by 30 December.

Duty Station:

The duty station for this assignment is UNDP- Afghanistan Country Office. The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development will be the main government counterpart and will require regular visits. The assignment may include missions to Kunduz and Takhar of Afghanistan if approved by the UNDP Field Security Officer. The UNDP Country Office will provide office space, internet connection, transport, administrative and office support throughout the whole duration of the contract. Costs to arrange local transport, workshop venues will be covered by UNDP. The consultant will report weekly to the Manager and bi-weekly to the Head of the Livelihoods and Resilience Unit.

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee which should be inclusive of his professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical health and medical evacuation). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 33 working days;
Living Allowance (LA) – The contractor shall propose a LA at the Kabul applicable rate of USD 162 per night for his/her stay at the duty station. The number of nights for which the LA shall be payable under the contract is 46 nights. The contractor is NOT allowed to stay in a place of his/her choice other than the UNDSS approved places. UNDP will provide MORSS compliant accommodation in UNOA Compound to the contractor. The payment of accommodation shall be made directly by the contractor;
Travel & Visa – The contractor shall propose an estimated lump sum for home-Kabul-home travel and Afghanistan visa expenses;
In case of official missions within Afghanistan, the consultant will be provided by tickets and DSA, in accordance to UNDP rules and regulations.

The total professional fee, shall be converted into a lump sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the abovementioned schedule of payment.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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.

Technical Criteria weight 70%;

Financial Criteria weight 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria 70 points

Technical Proposal (30 marks)

Technical Approach & Methodology (20 marks) – Explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach;
Work Plan (10 marks) – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the Client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan.

Qualification and Experience (40 marks) [evaluation of CV]:

General Qualification (15 marks);
Experience relevant to the assignment (20 marks);
Experience of working for projects funded by UNDP (5 marks).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.