UNDP Jobs - 71986- Consultancy Services for Setting up Content for Mo

Consultancy Services for Setting up Content for Mobile Application for Improved Access to Agricultural Value Chain Information for Farmers in Tunisia

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

22-May-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated June – September 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.

Within the framework of the initiative the UNOSSC supports demand-driven sharing of technologies and replicating low-cost successful solutions. More particularly, it is envisaged to capitalize on the countries’ achievements though supporting the adoption and replication in the countries of the initiative of the MEVA mobile application that was developed in collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of Uzbekistan and USAID within the AgLinks Plus (ALP) Project to address the high demand for horticultural value chain information in Uzbekistan. The development of the application is a solution that provides a “gateway to information” for Uzbek farmers, namely to the in-depth information and tools to support optimal species selection, equipment and input purchasing, integrated pest management, orchard and vineyard management, and investment planning. Information is presented through interactive displays that are complete with pictures, customized “calculators” to support decision-making, safety information, and links to additional resources. The solution description is available at http://southsouthworld.org/solution/view?id=1109

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 the country-specific content and testing it appearance in the mobile application (based on the successful model of the MEVA application and adjusted to the national/local context).

More specifically, the incumbent will perform the following Activities:

In consultation with the national partner (the Ministry of Agriculture, Hydraulic Resources and Fisheries - MOA) and the lead center(s) of excellence in the field of agriculture, identify the agricultural production area that might be of relevance/interest for the small-holder farmers in the country and prepare a list of needs/agricultural themes in one of the following agricultural themes: agricultural biotechnology, agro-tourism, aquaculture, horticulture, irrigation and water management, livestock, management of farmer-based organizations, pasture management, product marketing and public-private partnerships, or other areas, for producing country-specific content for the mobile application;
Lean and explore the technical opportunities provided by the application and its replicability in the national context; propose suggestions on adjusting and adopting the mobile application to the national/local needs;
Based on the minimum required structure below produce the draft final structure of the content in English and French or Arabic;
Once the structure is approved by the national partner and UNOSSC, in consultation with the lead center of excellence and farmers identified by the MOA and/or the center(s) of excellence define, search, collect, digitalize and organize the information, while ensuring the environmental compliance of the practical solutions and background knowledge (manuals and publications) proposed to the farmers. The information should be structured in accordance with the hierarchy categories similar to those used in MEVA application to ensure easy use and access, as well as contain visual explanations through images and videos. The information should represent a library of training and informational materials that can be used in the context of the product value chains and should be responsive to the actual needs of the target groups (farmers);
Source and produce unique and relevant photographs, video, illustrations, informative infographics, and notations, if relevant, to be included in the country-specific content of the application for providing proper visualization of the information;
Ensure review/consultations with national partners and other stakeholders as per the guidance provided by the UNOSSC;
Finalize the text of the country-specific content by following up on the comments/questions provided in the process of review/consultations with stakeholders; 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 in which the original country-specific content will be produced with the English version (to be translated in the agreement with the UNOSSC);
Work with the layout designer that will be provided by the UNOSSC to ensure the best final look of the country-specific content in the application;
In collaboration with the application developer (to be suggested by UNOSSC) ensure the links for materials are active in the application and the materials can be downloaded in PDF format;
In consultation with the application developer (to be suggested by UNOSSC) ensure operationalization and functionality of the application populated with the country-specific content;
Provide final deliverable in the form of the structured content placed in the mobile application as a database of the agricultural value chain information and specific tools supporting decision-making by farmers.

Minimum required structure for the publication:

The tentative contect structure:

Tips and Tricks – Core Solutions: Content, similar to what is currently accessible through the rotating disk menu on MEVA application, would represent concrete and concise description of practical solutions to concrete problems faced by small-holder farmers in a given country and in a given agricultural theme chosen, with figures and other data, timing information, schemes, photos (if necessary). Solutions would be sourced locally through a national-level consultancy and based on the list of needs/agricultural themes of interest prepared by the consultant based on their best understanding of local context, including:

Solutions and tips from national centers of excellence, research centers, etc.
Solutions and tips from the field (sourced from the experienced farmers)
Solutions and tips from projects supported by international organizations, including IFAD and IsDB, in the country;
Solutions and tips from other relevant sources.

Manuals and Publications to be sourced - Background Knowledge: Content, similar to what is currently accessible through the bookshelf menu on MEVA application, would represent the following types of knowledge products available as PDF documents:

Several studies (available in English and one or two more languages) covering one (or several) of the nine agricultural themes relevant to the country-specific content, including agricultural biotechnology, agro-tourism aquaculture, horticulture, irrigation and water management, livestock, management of farmer-based organizations, pasture management, product marketing and public-private partnerships.
Other Manuals on one (or several) of the nine agricultural themes and other relevant themes/topics

List for Deliverables:

(Deliverables; Submission deadline; Indicative proportion of the work input)

Thematics and the structure of the country-specific content; End of the 2st week of the contract; 5%;
Draft country-specific content provided for review and consultations with national partner and UNOSSC; End of the 10th week; 50%;
Finalized country-specific content in accordance with received comments and recommendations and enriched with photographs, infographics, video, if relevant); End of the 12th week; 20%;
Edited and refined final content of the English version (if initial content is produced in local language); End of the 14th week; 5%;
Country-specific content is placed in the mobile application and tested in collaboration with the developer; End of the 15th week; 5%;
The best final look of the country-specific content is ensured in collaboration with the layout designer; functionality of the country-specific sections of the application is tested in collaboration with the application developer; End of the 15th week; 10%;
Final deliverable in the form of the structured content placed in the mobile application; End of the 16th week; 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. Payment will be released as a lump sum upon completion of all deliverables.

Methodology:

Desk review of relevant materials, including 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 agriculture development, farmers economy or another relevant field is essential.

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of highly responsible experience in agricultural consulting, extension services or other relevant field;
Prior experience with one of the United Nations institutions or another international organization, is a considerable asset;
Knowledge and experience in the use of ICT for agricultural extension services and of standard office software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets).

Language skills:

Fluency in spoken and written French or Arabic is required;
Working knowledge of English 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 agriculture development, farmers economy or another relevant field - max. 5 points;
Criteria B – Experience in agricultural consulting, extension services or other relevant field - max. 20 points;
Criteria C - Experience with one of the United Nations institutions or another international organization – max. 5 points;
Criteria D - Knowledge and experience in the use of ICT for agricultural extension services and of standard office software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheets) – max 5 points
Criteria E - Proven experience (based on the best example provided) in producing deliverables similar to the one in this announcement – max 15 points;
Criteria F – Assessment of quality of candidate’s proposal consisting of one page description of candidate’s vision on the process of achievement of final deliverable - max. 20 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 one page description of your vision on the process of implementation and structure of final deliverable.
Extract from the best product relevant to the assignment produced by the incumbent (up to three pages of extract from the previsously produced product). The extract should be uploaded together with the P11 form.
Financial Proposal in USD - 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.

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.

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.

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.