Background

Under the direct supervision of the GSSCPD and the UNDP, the Lead Author provides guidance and technical services ensuring high quality, accuracy and consistency of work ensuring the reliability of the National Human Development Report (NHDR). The NHDR Lead Author will work in close collaboration with UNDP Focal point and The Project Coordinator.

 

Background:

“Human development is about people, about expanding their choices to live full, creative lives with freedom and dignity. Economic growth, increased trade and investment, technological advance – all are very important, but they are means, not ends. Fundamental to expanding human choices is building human capabilities: the range of things that people can be. The most basic capabilities for human development are living a long and healthy life, being educated, having a decent standard of living and enjoying political and civil freedoms to participate in the life of one’s community.”

 

For more than a decade, national and regional Human Development Report (HDR) teams have been helping to advance the human development conceptual framework and apply it to the most pressing development challenges of the day. Now published in over 135 countries, these reports, grounded in thorough analytic research, have become dynamic advocacy tools. They are helping to generate lively debates around the policies and actions needed to accelerate human development and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

With the support of the UNDP, Two National Human Development Reports for Kuwait have been prepared. The first report was published in 1997 and it was a general report on human development and the second, published in 1999, focused on human development within the Economic Reform Plan of the Government.

 

With the recent fluctuations in oil prices leading to the decrease in the Kuwait’s national income, an emphasis on improving on improving the standards of living will need to be addressed. The 2016 Kuwait Human Development Report will be a stepping ground for policy makers to address certain aspects that will lead to development within the country.  

 

With education being one of the main pillars of human development, the 2016 report theme will be on education with a focus on private education. This theme will give policy makers an insight on the private education in contrast to public education.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:

The Lead Author will be responsible for the preparation of the Kuwait National Human Development report while working closely and providing guidance to a core team of authors. He/she will be supported by other short term advisory inputs and will be responsible for the overall and timely coordination of all inputs.

 

The objectives of the NHDR Lead Author are as follows:

  1. Manage and Coordinate the process of preparing the Kuwait NHDR 2016
  2. Contribute substantively to the preparation of the report.
  3. Promote a participatory approach to the preparation of the report, and participate in its promotion and dissemination.
  1.  Manage and Coordinate the NHDR team:
  • Identify the expertise required to address all subjects relevant to the theme of the NHDR and draft their Terms of Reference (TOR), including a Statistician and Gender Expert, in coordination with the UNDP and GSSCPD. Then select the core authors for the report.
  • Discuss with core authors the division of work among them and establish their respective substantive responsibilities; including a timeline for the report preparation.
  • Establish a smooth communication among all team members takes place in all phases of the process.
  • An efficient and effective division of labor is allowing all team members to focus on their discipline, and the specific approach required by the various sectors, while facilitating cross fertilization through brainstorming, joint reviews and collaboration
  • Supervise the writing process by ensuring that all team members respect standards and procedures as codified by the NHDR Concept Note and the NHDR Toolkit[1]
  • Prepare periodic progress reports, briefings and deliver presentation on status of the report in workshops with members of AB and involved agencies.
  • Cooperate with the editor and graphic designer for the review of the edited version of the report.
  • Coordinate with UNDP in all stages leading to the final publication of the Report including in proofreading and preparing a final text and executive summary for printing and proofreading the translation.

 

  1. Substantively Contribute to the preparation of the report:
  • Develop a conceptual framework and outline of the report addressing the historical, cultural, social, economic and political dimensions of the selected theme; prepare a timeline for the drafting of the complete text; and present this initial work to the Advisory Board for comments.
  • Identify the scope, content, structure and objectives of background papers including needed information, data and statistics. Based on the finalized research outline and in close coordination the Project Board, subtopics will be formulated to produce all relevant background documents.
  • Lead on consolidation of the methodology proposed for the report ensuring its alignment with NHDR corporate policies and guidelines and NHDR toolkit.
  • Based on his/ her area of expertise, Prepare the relevant substantive write-up in the report including consolidation of all inputs, introductory chapter and the final chapter, conclusions and recommendations
  • Provide on-going guidance, advice and substantive comments to the contributions at defined stages in the process, and ensures adequate reviews and consultations, particularly on sensitive topics and materials, consolidate the various draft of the NHDR to ensure consistency throughout the report and to include comments and suggestions received during the consultation process to the possible extent.
  • Identify further substantive areas that need to be covered, and topics of background papers required;
  • At all stages of review, record feedback from the Advisory Board and Readers Group on drafts of the Report and ensure that comments are reflected in the revised draft;
  • Coordinate with UNDP in all stages leading to the final publication of the Report including in proofreading and preparing a final text and executive summary for printing.
  • Submit the NHDR Final Report

 

  1. Ensure a participatory approach and the promotion of the report:
  • Ensure that all members of the NHDR team consult relevant stakeholders during the preparation of their contributions
  • Actively participate in the consultation process organized throughout the preparation of the report.
  • Participate in all advisory board meetings, provide updates on the progress of the report development, present the report and solicit feedback.
  • In close collaboration with the UNDP office, the Project Coordinator, and the NHDR team brief counterparts on process and findings as they emerge.
  • Participating at the launch of the NHDR and other follow up events.

[1] The NHDR Toolkit is available on-line at http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/publications/title,1281,en.html, NHDR Toolkit

 

The Lead Author will be responsible for the following deliverables:

  1. Deliverable 1: Develop the conceptual framework and outline of the report and prepare the timeline for the drafting of the complete text and select core team (Chapter Authors) and Facilitate orientation for NHDR team training - Payment schedule in percentage 20% - Target Due Dates 2 month after the start of the contract.
  2. Deliverable 2 Submit first draft of the NHDR - Payment schedule in percentage  30% -Target Due Dates After 5 Months
  3. Deliverable 3: Prepare and present revised draft NHDR –Payment schedule in percentage 30% - Target Due Dates After 8 months
  4. Deliverable 4: Final report disseminated and launched – Payment schedule in percentage20% - Target Due Dates After 9 months

All deliverables (review and approvals) are required by Project management

 

Institutional Arrangement

The consultant will work under the supervision of  the GSSCPD and the UNDP

 

Duration of the Work:

140 Days over a period of 9 months or until the project is complete

 

Duty Station:

  Kuwait

Competencies

Core Competencies

  • Demonstrates leadership, team building and coordinating skills
  • Demonstrates commitment to human development principles and values.
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Shares knowledge and experience;
  • Provides helpful feedback and advice;
  • Strong analytical skills;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Generates innovative, practical solutions to challenging situations;
  • Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;
  • Demonstrates substantive and technical knowledge to meet responsibilities and post requirements with excellence;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
  • Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

 

Functional Competencies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise:

  • Proven analytical and writing skills, including in the area of gender and programming.
  • Understands more advanced aspects of social development as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines
  • Ability to prepare succinct analytical publications and reports.  ?
  • Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for social planning.
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of public policy development and international organisations and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.

 

Results-Based Programme Development and Management:

  • Assesses project performance to identify success factors and incorporates best practices into project work
  • Researches linkages across programme activities to identify critical points of integration
  • Monitors specific stages of projects/programme implementation
  • Excellent written communication and analytical skills.

 

Client Orientation:

  • Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking members of national and local institutions, government and non-government.
  • Researches potential solutions to internal and external client needs and reports back in a timely, succinct and appropriate fashion
  • Organizes and prioritizes work schedule to meet client needs and deadlines.
  • Anticipates client needs and addresses them promptly.

 

Required Skills and Experience

I. Academic Qualifications:

  • PHD in education, sociology, social sciences or other related fields

II. Years of experience:

  • 10-15 years of relevant experience in Academia or research institutions, with a focus on socio-economic analysis, experience with gendered analysis and the development of composite indices, and social impact assessment.
  • Experience in Development Education, and Human Development.
  • Possess acumen of related publications.
  • Experience with international organizations is an asset.
  • Experience working in Kuwaiti Academic Institutions.

III. Language Requirements:

  • Excellent command of English and Arabic languages (writing and speaking )

 

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Lump Sum Amount

  1. Lump sum amount must be “all-inclusive;
  2. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;

 

Evaluation Criteria. Lowest price and technically compliant offer

Technical 70%

  • Criteria A: 10- 15 years of relevant experience in Academia or research institutions, with a focus on socio-economic analysis, experience with gendered analysis and the development of composite indices, and social impact assessment, points 15%;
  • Criteria B: Experience in Development Education, and Human Development, points15%;
  • Criteria C: Publications and Relevance, points15%;
  • Criteria D: Extensive Knowledge of Kuwait Development Context, points10%;
  • Criteria E: Interview  (Methodology or seek further clarification), points 15%;

Financial; 30%

 

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

  1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
  2. 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;
  3. Publications: Previous publications of relevant to Human development issues
  4. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. A methodology is recommended for intellectual services, but may be omitted for support services [Note: this is optional for support services]; 
  5. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an 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 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. 

Links for the documents to be submitted: