UNDP Jobs - 71270- Consultancy Services for the Production of Electro

Consultancy Services for the Production of Electronic Publication on South-South Cooperation Trends and Examples of Home-grown Innovative Solutions in Managing Farmer-based Organizations from Across the Arab States, Europe and the CIS

Location :

Home-based, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

26-Apr-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated April – November 2017

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 20 working days

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

South-South cooperation is a broad framework for collaboration among countries of the Global South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains. It is the vehicle to accelerate development as it fosters partnerships among the developing countries, with the view of increasing volume and rate of South-South exchanges in development, peace and security, trade, finance, and technology transfer. In light of the rapid growth in diversity of development actors, particularly from the South, as well as modalities and areas of collaboration, the international development cooperation architecture is changing considerably. The actual and potential contribution of South-South and Triangular Cooperation to the achievement of 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda globally, as well as regionally in the Arab States and the Europe/CIS is thus catching more and more attention.

In implementing this assignment it is crucial to have a deep understanding of what is South-South Cooperation and what is Triangular Cooperation and what makes South-South and Triangular Cooperation relevant and important at the moment.

According to the definition provided in the Framework of operational guidelines on United Nations support to South-South and triangular cooperation, South-South Cooperation is a process whereby two or more developing countries pursue their individual and/or shared development objectives through exchanges of knowledge, skills, resources and technical know-how and through collective actions including partnerships involving governments, civil society, academia and the private sector for their individual and/or mutual benefit. The prerequisites for South-South Cooperation are numerous. For example, Northern (developed) and Southern (developing) countries face different geographical, demographical, environmental and political problems. Solutions that have succeeded in countries with similar demographics and similar development context are most likely to be successful in comparable contexts. Knowledge, expertise, knowhow, and solutions unique to the South are usually found within the Global South. All countries, however poor they may be, have effective solutions to offer.

South-South Cooperation clearly constitutes a shift from a mono-vector (recipient of knowledge, expertise, other resources) to a multi-vector (both provider and recipient) type of relationship between countries and is based on solidarity, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. Experience shows that countries with the existing policy, coordination mechanism, and resources (including packaged knowledge and expertise, clearly identified needs, and some funding to support exchange in those with other countries) have proven more successful in South-South Cooperation than the countries that revert to South-South Cooperation on an ad hoc basis.

Triangular Cooperation involves partnerships between (a) a developed country/countries or a multilateral organization(s) and (b) a Southern partner(s) in development cooperation that work together to implement development cooperation programmes and projects in (c) another Southern partner country/countries. Evidence shows that in many instances, Southern providers of development cooperation require the financial and/or technical support of multilateral and/or developed-country partners in the course of assisting other developing countries. Northern partners also benefit by being able to take advantage of increased institutional capacity in the South and to increase the impact of their aid disbursements by leveraging the resources of multiple Southern partners.

A partnership initiative on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Agricultural Development and Enhanced Food Security (SSTC-ADFS) is jointly supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), and the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC).

The main focus of the initiative is on further advancing the South-South Cooperation among the participating countries as well as other countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia and beyond through identification, pilot-testing, and documentation of successful models and approaches ready for replication.

In doing so, the initiative aims to support the participating countries in achieving their national priorities in agricultural development and enhanced food security. The initiative is implemented in a broader context of poverty alleviation among rural youth and women and improved self-reliance of rural communities in the participating countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Sudan, and Tunisia in the Arab States region, and Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey and Uzbekistan in the Europe/CIS. Kazakhstan may join the SSTC-ADFS partnership initiative subject to the decision of the national government counterparts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the Chief, Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, the incumbent is responsible for production of publication on South-South Cooperation experiences and examples of home-grown innovative solutions in managing farmer-based organizations from across the Arab States, Europe and the CIS.

More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following activities:

Study, analyze, and identify existing sustainable policies and practices in managing farmer-based organizations which currently contribute or could potentially contribute to the enhanced resilience of small-holders farmer communities in the countries participating in the SSTC-ADFS partnership initiative.
Where realistic given the availability of relevant data, provide quantitative and qualitative data disaggregated by geographical destination, priority sub-sectors, value for money, speed of delivery, concessionality, predictability to be used to support policy arguments and to measure and monitor the impact of the solutions and relevant policies.
Based on the minimum required structure below produce the draft final structure of the publication with suggested tentative number of text-only pages per chapter, with the total size of text-only pages to be around 45 pages.
Once the structure is approved, and based on the desk study on each country involved in the SSTC-ADFS partnership initiative, as well as other countries in the Global South, produce the draft publication that will be around 45 pages of uniquely written/edited text, using the Arial, 10pt. Spaces between lines should be simple for the text body and space between paragraphs should be 10pt after each paragraph.
Source at least 25 unique and relevant photographs and develop at least 5 unique coloured, informative infographics to be included in the publication. Images must have a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch) for the size at which they'll appear in the publication. For example, if an image needs to be at least five inches wide and three inches high on the printed page, the image will be at least 1500 pixels wide and 900 pixels high.
Write three suggested versions of forewords to highlight the key findings and recommendations of the publication; respective drafts are to be reviewed and edited by the participating stakeholder institutions, and submitted to the publication with their final edits on their behalf.
Write the bibliography in the alphabetic order according to the author’s name and following the MLA format (http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_mla_format_examples.shtml)
Ensure at least two rounds of review/consultations with stakeholders as per the guidance provided by the UNOSSC.
Finalize the text of the electronic publication by following up on the comments/questions provided in the process of review/consultations with stakehoders; provide follow up adjustment logs on each comment/question (indicating where exactly in the text the adjustment is made in response to each stakeholder’s comment/question).
Ensure stylistic editing of the entire text to clarify meaning, ensure coherence and flow, and refine the language of the publication in the language in which the original publication will be produced (English, Arabic, or Russian, in agreement with the UNOSSC).
Work with the layout designer that will be provided by the UNOSSC to ensure the best final look of the publication.

Minimum required structure for the publication:

Table of Contents (1 page);
Forewords (1 page);
Executive summary (1 page);
Introductory part including methodology, background on the role of the sector and South-South cooperation in poverty alleviation, agricultural development and food security (2 pages);
Part 1: Big picture overview and analysis of existing sustainable policies and practices in managing farmer-based organizations which currently contribute or could potentially contribute to the enhanced food security in the countries participating in the SSTC-ADFS partnership initiative, as well as in a proader context of the Global South, including: a) Overview of the sector in the countries of SSTC-ADFS, including the main actors (public, private, centers of excellence, communities) (5 pages); b) Overview of IFAD-supported initiatives in the sector and solutions used (5 pages); c) Overview of IsDB-supported initiatives in the sector and solutions used (5 pages); d) Overview of other relevant initiatives in the sector and solutions used (5 pages);
Part 2: Overview of key centers of excellence that provide innovative solutions in the sector (5 pages);
Part 3: Structured, unified, concise and ready-to-use description of top five best cost-efficient (preferably low-cost – to be adopted by small-holder farmers), easy to adopt and replicate, and high-impact home-grown solutions in managing farmer-based organizations with proven effect on the local and national community, including the impact on youth and women (2 pages per solution, 10 pages); Unified structure of the solutions should be developed following the logics of profiles placed at the southsouthworld.org mapping portal and agreed with the Superisor and the stakeholders;
Summary of conclusions and policy recommendations (3 pages);
Bibliography (2 pages).

List for Deliverables:

Payment 1

Draft final structure of the publication with suggested tentative number of text-only pages per chapter, total size of text-only pages to be around 45 pages (submission deadline: end of the 1st week of the contract; indicative proportion of the work input: 5%);
Draft publication that will be around 45 pages of uniquely written/edited text (Arial, 10pt; Text body spaces – simple; Space between paragraphs - 10pt) (submission deadline: end of the 3rd week; indicative proportion of the work input: 20%);
At least 25 unique and relevant photographs and at least 5 unique coloured, informative infographics for the publication (300 dpi for the actual size) (submission deadline: end of the 5th week; indicative proportion of the work input: 5%);
Three suggested versions of forewords to highlight the key findings and recommendations of the publication (submission deadline: end of the 5th week; indicative proportion of the work input: 5%);
Bibliography (submission deadline: end of the 5th week; indicative proportion of the work input: 5%);
Adjustments log following up on at least two rounds of review/consultations with stakeholders (submission deadline: end of the 9th week; indicative proportion of the work input: 15%);
Final text with stylistic editing of the entire text to clarify meaning, ensure coherence and flow, and refine the language of the publication in the language in which the original publication will be produced (submission deadline: end of the 12th week; indicative proportion of the work input: a) 25% - final text; b) 15% - stylistic editing)

Payment 2

Advisory contribution made to the final design/layout of the publication (submission deadline: end of the 14th week indicative proportion of the work input: 5%);

Monitoring/ Reporting requirements:

Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with Consultant on regular basis. All activities of Consultant shall be discussed and agreed upon with the supervisor and the stakeholders. UNOSSC will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work.

Methodology:

Desk review of relevant materials available online, incuding publications and materials by relevant international stakeholders, national partners participating in the SSTC-ADFS initiative, and leading national and international centers of excellence;
Where relevant and realistic, surveys and interviews with relevant actors;
Comments from stakeholders.

Competencies

Corporate competences:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Core competencies:

Professionalism – Shows pride in work and achievements; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
Teamwork – Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender balance;
Communication - Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and respond appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience, demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
Client orientation – considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from the clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identified clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks during the implementation of an assignment;
Technological awareness – keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the implementation of an assignment; activity seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology;
Demonstrated ability to analyze, plan, coordinate and monitor related activities.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University degree (bachelor or above) in development, international relations, economics, environment, agriculture, farmer-based organizations, corporate management, community organization or another relevant field is essential.

Experience:

Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in the field of managing farmer-based organizations including project planning and management.
Proven experience (based on the best example provided) in producing deliverables similar to the one in this announcement.
Knowledge and experience in the use of standard office software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets).

Language skills:

Fluency in spoken and written English is required;
Working knowledge of Arabic or Russian is required.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual contract applicants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

Criteria A - University degree (bachelor or above) in relevant field as indicated in the Qualifications section - max. 5 points;
Criteria B – Number of years of working experience in relevant field as indicated in the Qualifications section- max. 20 points;
Criteria C - Proven experience (based on the best example provided) in producing deliverables similar to the one in this announcement – max 15 points;
Criteria D – Assessment of quality of candidate’s proposal consisting of two page description of candidate’s vision on the process of achievement and structure of final deliverable - max. 30 points;

The award of the contract will be made to the applicant whose offer will have 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 the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

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. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
Filled P11 form or your most recent Resume including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ).
Technical proposal on performing the offered assignment, consisting of two page description of your vision on the process of implementation and structure of final deliverable.
Extract from the best similar product produced by the incumbent (up to three pages of extract from the previsously produced report). The extract should be uploaded together with the P11 form.
Financial Proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount in the US Dollar equivalent. Payment is based upon output, i.e. upon satisfactory delivery of the services in line with the List of Deliverables (specified above under the “Description of Responsibilities” section) confirmed in writing by the supervisor.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.

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.

Individual Contract holders 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; no mission travel is anticipated in this assignment.

General Terms and Conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.