Background

UNDP’s Strategic Policy Unit (SPU) within Bureau for Policy and Programme Support is seeking a consultant to conduct analysis, write synthesis/narrative reports, and provide writing and editorial services to support SPU’s work related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a universal and transformative action plan for people, planet and prosperity; within which the global community commits to achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced and integrated manner. The 2030 Agenda also calls for leaving no one behind and for ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals and targets are “met for all nations and peoples and for all segments of society”. 

UNDP supports UN Member States and other stakeholders in the implementation of these commitments. This support is framed by the United Nations Development Group (UNDG) common approach to supporting SDG implementation, MAPS, comprising: Mainstreaming of the 2030 Agenda, Acceleration towards the SDGs, and Policy Support drawing on the expertise and programmatic experience of different parts of the UN.

MAPS Missions

Responding to the demands of an integrated and indivisible agenda, UNDP has been providing targeted support to several priority countries in various contexts, based on country demand and prioritization in consultation with UNDP Regional Bureaus.

Integrated missions are deployed to each of the selected countries, drawing on high-level managers and identifying relevant technical expertise for each country context. Preparatory analysis is conducted by a support team from UNDP HQ and Regional hubs to assess the state of play as regards SDG implementation and the potential entry points for UN support to move the 2030 Agenda forward, drawing on technical resources and tools from across the organization, and from other agencies or partners as appropriate.

The missions during 2016 focused primarily on “Mainstreaming,” i.e., actions needed to be taken at the outset to land the 2030 Agenda at the country level In 2017, the focus has turned to “Acceleration”, to help identify synergies and trade-offs across Goals, finding the root bottlenecks, which if unlocked could accelerate progress across several SDGs at the same time. The focus in this regard will need to be on supporting: integration (i.e., multi-sectoral solutions); last-mile analysis (to help ‘leave no one behind’); and, risk management (given that shocks, whether economic, linked to natural hazards, to epidemics, or to conflict and violence, often derail development).

Missions have been completed in around 15 countries as of the second quarter of the year, and there is expected to be further15-20 missions this year.

Against the above backdrop, the Strategic Policy Unit aims to produce a report on the MAPS missions conducted in 2016/2017, analyzing the mission outcome documents and lessons learned from each mission and proposing ways of improving the MAPS missions. The Unit is engaged in compiling outcomes, lessons learned and reflections from missions. The Consultant will undertake substantive compiling, narrative development, analysis of missions, and editing of the Report.  It is expected that the Consultant will work closely with the 2030 Agenda team, review the draft chapters and other materials including technical background papers, with special attention to weaving the chapters along a coherent set of messages.

Modelling Tools

In 2016, SPU initiated a collaboration with UNDESA, through UNDP country offices and UNCTs, to make modelling tools for sustainable development accessible to policymakers in support of SDG implementation. The joint objective of UNDP and UNDESA is to build capacities of governments to use quantitative methodologies to make more informed decisions on national objectives and the 2030 Agenda. Jointly the agencies provided long-term support to a number of countries and extended national, regional and global training workshops to build the skills of government officials in the application of the modelling tools.

To take stock of the support extended to countries on modelling tools, UNDP and UNDESA will jointly put together (i) a narrative report; and (ii) an improved website. (i) The narrative report will present the country-level capacity building work on modelling tools and to what extent that has guided national policies on sustainable development. The report will serve as a knowledge product for governments and technical experts to understand how modelling tools are being applied to priorities accelerators and inform policies. (ii) A website hosting the suite of modeling tools is being augmented and improved. This will present interesting case studies and examples on the application of modelling tools to countries and how they influenced policies. The website will also host the outreach training material which will need to be edited and finalized.

Duties and Responsibilities

A.  MAPS Mission Analysis Report

Under the supervision of Lead Advisor on the 2030 Agenda, the consultant will provide writing and editorial services to review, synthesize and compile a coherent narrative of the MAPS missions Report. S/he will work closely with the 2030 Agenda Teamand Sustainable Development Cluster in the process of substantive editing and bringing forward the evidence and messages of the Report. In addition to the final synthesizing analytical report on MAPS missions, the consultant will also be asked to support in the production of related and preliminary report materials required for regional/global MAPS missions workshops planned in 2018 which the consultant will also attend. Meetings and interviews conducted by the consultant at these workshops will also form sources for the final Report.

  • Produce the 20-30 page report that synthesizes and analyzes the MAPS missions conducted to the date of the end of consultancy by conducting interviews with mission members and desk reviews on the mission outcome documents;
  • Attend global/regional workshops (exact time/location to be determined at a later stage), providing summary reports ahead of workshops and conducting research and interviews during meetings to contribute materials for full report;
  • Undertake substantive writing and drafting of key contents ensuring articulation, flow of narrative, and coherence of main messages;
  • Undertake and oversee technical editing and copy-editing of the Report for readability, consistency and standardization in line with the UNDP corporate editorial guidelines;
  • Review drafts based on comments and feedback from the team and peer-reviewers.

B.  Narrative Report on Modelling Tools

Under the Guidance of the Strategic Specialist in UNDP and the Advisor in UNDESA, the editor will take lead in the preparation of the narrative report on the partnership between UNDP-UNDESA on modelling tools. In doing so, the consultant will support the following activities.

  • Develop a structure for the writing of the 20-25 page report on consultation with the UNDP-UNDESA team;
  • Compile a list of country case-studies, regional workshops, and other events to be featured in the report;
  • Undertake substantive writing and drafting of key contents ensuring articulation, flow of narrative, and coherence of main messages;
  • Ensure the write-up reflects well how capacity development on modelling tools in influencing policy and decision-making at the national levels;
  • Prepare preface with close guidance from the UNDP/UNDESA team;
  • Review drafts based on comments and feedback from the team and peer-reviewers;
  • Compile photos, box messages, interesting titles to keep the narrative an interesting read;
  • Work together with the designer for the design and layout;
  • Undertake final copy-editing and checking for language, grammar and other elements for finalization.

C.  Improved website on Modelling Tools

The consultant will prepare content for featuring in the joint UNDP-UNDESA website on modelling tools, and edit the training material that will be featured. The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

  • Work with the web-developer to improve content and navigation of the UNDP-UNDESA website on modelling tools;
  • Work with the team to restructure website, gather content and feature key information for a wider audience;
  • Support communication and outreach of capacity building in modelling tools through featuring best practices and success stories;
  • Develop short write-ups and content for various pages, such as About, Country Projects, etc;
  • Edit modeling training materials including all modules, presentations, exercises and learning guidelines;
  • Provide structure to the flow of content ensuring ease of learning and navigation;
  • Work collaboratively with instructors to further develop and improve content of training material where needed;
  • Work as part of the team to deliver an enhanced website.

Deliverables and Approximate due dates:

  • MAPS missions synthesis report; Due 15 December 2017
  • Other inputs related to MAPS missions analysis, including preparatory material for the regional/global workshops; - Ongoing
  • Narrative Report on UNDP-UNDESA Partnership; - Due 15 November 2017
  • Training material for the website; short-write-ups and inputs for the website. - Due 1 November 2017

Competencies

Technical:

  • Prior experience in working with UNDP and other UN agencies for writing and editing reports;
  • Strong record in research and advising international institutions, including UN agencies, on poverty reduction and broader sustainable development issues;
  • Excellent knowledge of current trends and debates regarding sustainable development issues;
  • Sound understanding of the UN system and the strategic priorities of UNDP particularly with regard to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
  • Excellent writing and editorial skills;
  • Good team player and ability to work within tight deadlines and under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

  • Bachelor of Arts in writing, literature, or related field.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of experience in writing and editing;
  • Experience in working with UN agencies;
  • Strong publications and writing record on sustainable development issues.

Language:

  • Fluent in English

Application Procedure:

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

  • Online application with brief description of why the Offeror considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
  • 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;
  • Provide access or reference to the publications and writing records related to social policy, gender equality and sustainable development issues; and
  • Indicate available start date.

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 must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; 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):

  • Criteria 1. Professional experience in writing and editing.  Weight = 25%; Maximum Points: 250;
  • Criteria 2. Knowledge of current trends and debates regarding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  Weight = 25%; Maximum Points: 250;
  • Criteria 3. Strong publications and writing records, particularly with UN agencies. Weight = 20%; Maximum Points: 200.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

The assessment will be made based on desk review of the candidates' application.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
  • y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
  • µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
  • z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional arrangement

  • The consultant will report directly to, and will seek approval of outputs from the Lead Advisor on the 2030 Agenda, BPPS, UNDP; Strategic Specialist, SPU, BPPS; and will work closely with other members of the Strategic Policy Unit.
  • The consultant will be given access to relevant information and data necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
  • Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and approval and confirmation by the Lead Advisor on the 2030 Agenda. The work on and acceptance of deliverables will be preceded by agreement with the Lead Advisor on the 2030 Agenda on the outline of each deliverable, methodology, and the sources of information.
  • The Consultant will be expected to have her/his own laptop and software, and have access to communication facilities (emails, telephone, access to internet, etc.).

Payment modality

  • 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.

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