UNDP Jobs - 70192- GOXI Online Community Development Support and Conf

GOXI Online Community Development Support and Conflict Prevention Consultant

Location :

New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Mar-2017

Application Deadline :

31-Jan-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

250 working days over a period of 12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

250 working days over a period of 12 months

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

GOXI (www.goxi.org) is a standing online forum for innovation and collaboration across stakeholder groups, countries and initiatives that aims to strengthening governance of the extractives sector. GOXI is used by more than 3000 practitioners from 100 countries, ranging from government, the private sector, civil society and think tanks. GOXI is designed to, among other things: enable substantive discussions; share opinions, information, new research and events; connect people working on extractive industry issues and dealing with similar challenges; learn what is happening globally in governance of the sector; find jobs; and announce initiatives and seek collaboration to make them happen.

GOXI was launched by the World Bank (WB) in 2009, and in 2013 the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) joined as a co-convener.

GOXI is among the largest existing networks of practitioners interested in extractive industry governance. It is a trusted source of knowledge, experiences, learning and connections in the sector and a rich platform for dialogue and exchange of practical experiences, policy and lessons learned. GOXI is curating knowledge and helping users access relevant information and best practices, not only through online exchanges, but also through face-to-face learning events. However, GOXI has the potential to do more to support knowledge exchange and learning and to play a connector role. The vision is to become a go-to hub on extractive sector governance.

Conflict prevention – Governance of extractive industry in fragile and conflict-affected areas:

As one of the largest multi-stakeholder networks focused on extractive governance, GOXI is well positioned to contribute to the body of knowledge and discussion around mitigation of extractive industry related conflicts, especially in fragile and conflict-affected resource rich countries. Developing a specific thematic focus on conflict prevention on the GOXI platform will also contribute to increase awareness and knowledge of this particular field.

By enhancing knowledge about governance of extractives in conflict-affected environments and mitigating extractive industry related conflicts, the overall aim is to enhance development outcomes from resource extraction in fragile states and emerging producer countries. Equipping practitioners and organizations active in this area with expertise, tools, knowledge about key approaches and networks will enable them to more quickly and strategically address extractive related conflict risks and improve natural resource governance in conflict affected resource rich countries.

Based on this, UNDP is seeking a consultant who would function as the main GOXI Community Facilitator. The consultant would support daily management and development of content on GOXI, including the facilitation of online discussions, with an emphasis on extractive industry and conflict.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The Consultant will support GOXI’s conveners and work closely with GOXI’s Community Manager in further developing the overall GOXI community of practice. The Consultant will primarily support the community as a facilitator and in the implementation of GOXI activities and tasks related to knowledge management with a particular emphasis on extractive industries and conflict related issues. The consultant will be supervised by the UNDP Advisor on Extractive Industries, based in New York.

The consultant will be expected to develop an in-depth understanding of user needs in order to:

Support the implementation of GOXI Knowledge Management activities:

Identify, gather and curate existing knowledge on governance of extractive industries with a specific focus on conflict;
Capture, organize and share information, innovation, lessons learned and other best practices in the extractives sector;
Organize knowledge in a structure and taxonomy, identifying keywords for tagging;
Analyze and synthesize information and “translate” knowledge content into easily accessible language based on target audiences;
Maintain active working relationship with developer staff to convey relevant user requirements;
Assist content experts and developers with knowledge packaging when necessary;
Coordinate creation and dissemination of high quality knowledge products.

Support knowledge exchange, learning and e-discussions:

Engage experts and practitioners to discuss actively on GOXI. Facilitate separate discussions on extractive industry related issues with an emphasis on conflict and extractive industry;
Moderate dialogues, blogs and overall participation on the platform, including posting regular content on GOXI on a weekly basis and posting information such as events, job opportunities and contribute to the weekly GOXI newsletter;
Create and curate a news-feed with select news articles on extractive industry topics, with regular updates;
Create and publish video-interviews on extractive industry topics, with a focus on conflict;
Create a dedicated discussion group and ‘community of practice’ on extractive industry and conflict.

Support consultations, dissemination and engagement:

Facilitate identification and growth of an active GOXI user base;
Facilitate connections and knowledge related cooperation between UNDP and the World Bank and their respective clients and other relevant partner organizations;
Support broad or targeted consultation process on given issues related to extractives and conflict;
Proactively provide training on how to best use the platform. This could include written user-guidance, face-to-face guidance, email and telephone consultations;
Identify and track key metrics and key performance indicators and regularly monitor and report in order to support further engagement and development of GOXI;

Promote GOXI and knowledge of GOXI, through organizing networking events or participating in events in order to advocate and mobilize participation on Goxi.

Deliverables Output Due date

Deliverable 1 Establish online GOXI Group focused on extractive industries and conflict, including identification and invitation of relevant experts in the field and establishment of initial e-library of relevant resources. June 15, 2017

Deliverable 2 Facilitation of min. three knowledge discussions on topics relevant to prevention of extractive industries related conflict December 15, 2017

Deliverable 3 Ongoing support to relevant consultations, knowledge management and dissemination based on identified demand from GOXI members and partners. February 15, 2018

Competencies

Corporate:

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Technical:

Expertise and knowledge on extractive industries;
Expertise on working with communities of practice and facilitation of online communities, knowledge management, or other related areas.

Communication:

Excellent writing and verbal communication skills;
Communicate effectively in writing to a varied and broad audience in a simple and concise manner.

Professionalism:

Demonstrated ability in analytical thinking;
Strong organizational, reporting and writing abilities;
Capacity to work independently, plan, prioritize and deliver tasks on time.

Teamwork:

Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
Ability to work under pressure;
Ability to work well in teams.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

Master’s degree in development studies, comparative politics, communications, journalism, international relations or other relevant field.

Years of experience:

Minimum 6 years of proven and relevant work experience, including working with communities of practice, facilitation of online communities and knowledge management as well as experience of issues related to extractive industries and relevant sustainable development issues;
Excellent writing and editorial skills. Experience in social media outreach, preparation of newsletter or e-mail digests, editing/blogging/drafting of articles, and website management. Provide 2 writing samples of previous relevant work;
Familiarity with UNDP, the UN system, and/or other international organisations, multi-lateral and other academic and international institutions
Experience of working in a user support function and designing and delivering training;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages and website management.

Language:

Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.
Other languages, particularly French or Spanish is a big plus.

Application Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

Online application with brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment; and
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.
Please attach or provide links to at least 2 samples of previous work/publications in your application preferably related to this assignment showing experience in conducting research in and formulating knowledge products and proven ability to write well and concisely, and to synthesize large amounts of supporting material.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7 hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).
Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Being 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 where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

Number of years (over 6) of proven and relevant work experience, including working with communities of practice, facilitation of online communities and knowledge management as well as experience of issues related to extractive industries and relevant sustainable development issues, ;
Excellent writing and editorial skills. Experience in social media outreach, preparation of newsletter or e-mail digests, editing/blogging/drafting of articles, and website management. Provide 2 writing samples of previous relevant work, ;
Familiarity with UNDP, the UN system, and/or other international organisations, multi-lateral and other academic and international institutions,
Experience of working in a user support function and designing and delivering training ;
Computer proficiency, especially related to professional office software packages and website management.

Institutional Arrangements:

The consultant will have a work-station at UNDP New York;
The Consultant will be given access to relevant information necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
The consultant will liaise and collaborate closely with the WB team working on Goxi as well as with the UNDP Oslo Governance Center as needed.

Payment modality

Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7 hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.