Background
Capitalizing on the successes and lessons learned from the previous UN Joint Programme on “Sustaining livelihoods affected by the Aral Sea disaster”, four UN Agencies in Uzbekistan (UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA and UNV) have launched a new UN Joint Programme “Building the resilience of communities affected by the Aral Sea disaster through a Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region”. The Joint Programme will be implemented through joint funding from the participating UN agencies and the UN Human Security Trust Fund.
The Programme aims to mitigate inter-connected risks to human security and building the resilience of communities affected by the Aral Sea Disaster through an integrated and multi-level approach as well as facilitating sustainable financial support through the establishment of a multi-partner human security Fund for the Aral Sea. The main objectives of the programme are to i) address the human security needs of the population affected by the Aral Sea disaster at local and national levels and ii) establish a well-coordinated financial mechanism for implementing and sustainable financing of human security initiatives to promote and mainstream the human security approach in the region through the creation of the Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund for the Aral Sea Region. The new Joint Programme further integrates the human security concept that proved to be effective in addressing human security challenges faced by individuals and communities affected by the Aral Sea disaster.
Within the objective on integrating the human security approach into policy making at the national level as well as in programmatic documents of the Fund’s establishment, and that its added value (people centered, inter-sectorial, preventive oriented, empowering-protection framework, etc.) are raised by UN leadership, in line with the approved AWP for 2017 output 1.2 (activity 1.2.2) and output 2 (activities 2.4&2.5&2.6), the project plans to hire an International Consultant, who will conduct training for the specialists of the Government institutions, development partners and UNCT in Uzbekistan on human security concept and provide advisory/technical support in developing Programmatic framework as a Development Strategy for Multi-Partner Human Security Trust Fund in the Aral Region.
More information about the project is available through the following link:
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the overall guidance of the UN Joint Programme Manager, in consultation with the Joint Programme Technical Coordinator, relevant national and development partners, the short term International Consultant on Development Strategy formulation for MPHSTF for the Aral Sea Region will be assigned to fulfil the following duties and responsibilities:
- Prepare a training package/materials on the human security approach based on existing international literature and using case studies from environmental disasters from different countries as well as the concrete examples from the first joint project in Uzbekistan;
- Work out that the training materials, apart from descriptive part, gives analysis and suggestions on application of the human security concept in planning, formulating and analysing the regional and local development plans;
- Work out on the set of recommendations for further enhancing the capacity of gov’t institutions in application of concept in the strategic planning;
- Conduct training for the specialists of the government institutions, development partners and UNCT;
- Review the findings of Aral Sea region survey that is being conducted within the frame of the UN joint programme by the Institute of Social Research under the Cabinet of Ministers of Uzbekistan in the Aral Sea region;
- Provide necessary advisory and technical inputs in analyzing the findings of the survey results to integrate the concept of the human security to the document;
- Provide guidance to the relevant staff in application and operationalization of the human security approach into the study documents;
- Analyse the current situation in the Aral Sea region to achieve a better understanding of the problems, facing the population from the Human Security standpoint, using all available information and documentation, i.e. the data obtained from the Needs Assessment, MPHSTF Concept note, current legal and institutional frameworks etc.);
- Provide strategic guidance and concrete recommendations regarding the overall structure of the MPHSTF’s programmatic framework to be developed;
- Provide guidance to the work of National Consultants to ensure that international best practices in the process of formulation the Programmatic framework as a Development Strategy for MPHSTF in the Aral Region are reflected in the document;
- Provide guidance and support to Project’s team to facilitate open discussions with government agencies and International Finance Institutions and Donors in Uzbekistan to get consensus on goals, key directions, tools/instruments/methodologies/approaches and expected outputs of the MPHSTF, as well as ensure that international best practices in Regional Development Strategy and all stakeholders’ opinions / visions are reflected in the Programmatic framework as a Development Strategy for MPHSTF in the Aral Region.
Duration of the service:
September- December, 2017 (22 working days, including 2 mission visits to Uzbekistan as detailed below):
- 4 w.d. desk work in country of residence (September, 2017),
- 6 w.d. Mission to Uzbekistan (4 w.d. in Tashkent, 2 w.d. in Nukus) (September 25 –30, 2017),
- 4 w.d. desk work in country of residence (from October 30 to November 2, 2017),
- 5 w.d. Mission to Uzbekistan (Tashkent) (November 14-24, 2017),
- 3 w.d. desk work in country of residence (November 27-29, 2017).
Deliverables and deadlines:
The following schedule of deliverables is expected under the current assignment. The UN Joint Programme, UNDP Uzbekistan reserves the right, if necessary, to amend the terms of reference of an expert upon a written agreement. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of the assignment. All deliverables should be submitted to UNDP project in electronic form by the Consultant in English.
Outputs/Deliverables of Stage I (20% installment, due date: September 30, 2017):
- Provide advisory and technical inputs to complete the analysis of the findings of the survey study as part of the needs assessment in the Aral Sea region that should accommodate the human security paradigm; (20%)
Outputs/Deliverables of Stage II (35% installment, due date: October 10, 2017):
- Develop the training materials (training concept; 1-day training plan with presentations/handouts); (5%)
- One 1-day training session conducted for the government officials, development partners and UN Team in Uzbekistan on the application and mainstreaming of the human security approach in policy development, planning and implementation; (15%)
- A Learning hour (1,5 hour) conducted for UNCT on the human security approach, its concept and application to various functional and thematic responsibilities of the UN, and how it can be integrated into various UN projects, strategies, documents etc. (Common Country Assessment, United Nations Development Assistance Framework); (5%)
- Develop a short analytical note with recommendations on the further institutionalization of the human security approach in the Government decision making and planning system in the country, in the context of addressing the negative consequences of the Aral Sea crisis; (10%)
Outputs/Deliverables of Stage III (45% installment, due date: November 30th, 2017):
- Provide advisory and technical inputs in formulation of the methodology (that incorporates the human security paradigm) for the development of the Programmatic Framework as a Development Strategy for MPHSTF for the Aral Sea; (10%)
- Provide advisory and technical inputs in formulation of the Programmatic Framework as a Development Strategy for MPHSTF for the Aral Sea, that should be based on the findings of the needs assessment and the government priorities within human security context; (15%)
- De-briefing / discussion of the draft of the Programmatic Framework as a Development Strategy for MPHSTF for the Aral Sea with the inter-agency working group, experts of line ministries and team of consultants; (5%)
- Final draft of the Programmatic Framework as a Development Strategy for MPHSTF for the Aral Sea with incorporated all recommendations agreed with UN, line ministries, key partners and other project stakeholders and submitted to the Government for approval; (10%)
- Short final report on the assignment (5%)
This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and other related costs, if any, required to produce the above deliverables.
Monitoring and control:
Contract will be completed after the submission of final drafts of deliverables defined by the current TOR in three stages and upon acceptance by Un Joint Programme and the UNDP Sustainable Development Cluster, UNDP Uzbekistan.
Competencies
- Strong analytical and organizational skills, ability to work in a team
- Excellent interpersonal and cross cultural communication skills.
- Ability to use information technologies as a tool and resource.
- Commitment to UN values.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree in one of the following areas: Development science, Public Administration, Political Sciences and/or other related sector. Scientific degree is an asset.
Experience:
- Proven record of solid work experience minimum 5 years with poverty reduction strategy processes in developing country contexts, MDGs related policy matters and aid effectiveness issues;
- And minimum 3 consultancy works similar to the assignment - specifically covering the consultancy in promotion of the human security concept, capacity building and strategy formulation;
- Experience of work and consultancy in Uzbekistan/CA countries is advantage;
- Strong training, research and analytical skills;
- Strong analytical capacity, including the ability to analyze and articulate differences of positions among a large number of stakeholders and develop acceptable solutions;
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills;
- Previous UNDP work experience is desirable. Substantial experience with poverty reduction strategy processes in developing country contexts and awareness of human security, SDGs related policy matters and aid effectiveness issues. Excellent analytical skills as demonstrated, for example, by prior experience in policy-oriented studies;
- Experience and knowledge in designing national planning architectures that are participatory in nature;
- Experience and knowledge in different development sectors at sub-national levels desirable;
- Experience of work with government, international organizations and national teams in the preparation of national development policies and plans.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian and Uzbek is an asset.
How to apply:
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
- P-11 form;
- Offeror’s letter.
Applicants are required to fill and sign a P11 Form and Offeror’s Letter and apply through UNDP job online system. You will be asked to upload your P11 Form and Offeror’s letter on the second page of the online application form. Please note that the system will not accept the uploading of more than one document so please merge or scan all your documents into one prior to uploading.
Only Shortlisted candidates will be requested to provide financial offer.
Financial Proposal:
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payment will be made in lump sum in two installments upon completion of the tasks/works indicated in the present TOR and their acceptance by the Supervisor as well as submission of payment documents (PEF, CFP etc.). In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).
Travel:
All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP does 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.
In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
Evaluation of the offers will be arranged according to Cumulative analysis:
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has 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 candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points would be considered for the Financial Evaluation
Individual Consultant General Terms and Conditions (available at http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf).