Background

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

UNDP Afghanistan Mission Statement:

UNDP supports stabilization, state-building, governance and development priorities in Afghanistan. UNDP support, in partnership with the Government, the United Nations system, the donor community and other development stakeholders, has contributed to institutional development efforts leading to positive impact on the lives of Afghan citizens. Over the years UNDP support has spanned such milestone efforts as the adoption of the Constitution; Presidential, Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections; institutional development through capacity-building to the legislative, the judicial and executive arms of the state, and key ministries, Government agencies and commissions at the national and subnational levels. UNDP has played a key role in the management of the Law and Order Trust Fund, which supports the Government in developing and maintaining the national police force and in efforts to stabilize the internal security environment. Major demobilization, disarmament and rehabilitation and area-based livelihoods and reconstruction programmes have taken place nationwide. UNDP Programmes in Afghanistan have benefited from the very active support of donors. UNDP Afghanistan is committed to the highest standards of transparency and accountability and works in close coordination with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the UN system as a whole to maximize the impact of its development efforts on the ground.

Organizational context:

UNDP is committed to augmenting the capacity of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s (GIROA) to administer rule of law and improve security for all Afghan citizens.  As the lead rule of law institution in the country, improving the ability of the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA) to fulfill its mandate remains critical to the overall stability of Afghanistan and its people.  As the UN’s primary development agency, and a longstanding development partner to GIROA’s rule of law and security sector, UNDP Afghanistan plays a leading role in facilitating reform and development of MOIA. Since 2002, UNDP and the donor community having been working closely with GIROA to strengthen Afghanistan’s ability to maintain law and order. Hence, the international community and UNDP set up the LOTFA to pay salaries for police and prison officers to ensure strengthened rule of law enforcement, safety and security for the Afghan people. Currently, UNDP is in the process of expanding the scope of the projects supported through LOTFA. This includes the opening of a justice and anti-corruption window, and more engagement with civil society organizations and communities. In order to ensure that all project activities match the needs of the Afghan population, several baseline studies are currently being undertaken.

Objective of the Assignment:

Currently, UNDP, GIROA and international donors are in advanced discussions to expand the scope of the LOTFA Terms of Reference beyond only police payroll and MOIA development and reform.  The expanded scope will seek to work through a sector-wide approach, thereby encompassing the rule of law-justice-community security chain.  In order to inform new programming opportunities in these areas, UNDP’s Rule of Law & Human Security (ROLHS) Unit seeks to recruit an international consultant to identify key knowledge/information gaps in the sector, design participatory, qualitative assessment methodologies and tools and implementation mechanisms – with a focus on ways to reach insecure, remote rural areas in Afghanistan.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The specific deliverables of this assignment are as follows:

• Lead consultations with key stakeholders to understand new programming priorities and requirements;

• Conduct a literature review of existing data, reports and analysis pieces and propose additional surveys and baselines that may be required to inform new strategic priorities of the LOTFA trust fund;

• Recommend and design fit-for-purpose research methodologies, tools and strategies;

• Assist in the development of survey instruments, tools and approaches;

• Develop concept notes, TORs, Request for Proposals (RFPs) and other documents to tender medium-to-large scale surveys and assessments/consultations, small grants mechanisms and media/public outreach strategies;

• Develop an implementation strategy for civil society engagement in rule of law and access to justice;

• Develop implementation plans and strategy to ensure the timely completion of key activities and results outlined in the deliverable schedule; and

• Provide recommendations to mainstream community-based approaches to security, justice and anti-corruption within UNDP’s Rule of Law & Human Security portfolio.

Deliverables/output; timeframe and payment percentage:

First Deliverable: 22 days (20%)

• Inception report and presentation to key stakeholders: outline the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, preliminary observations, identify key issues and challenges; risks and assumptions and a detailed work plan for the assignment. This should include an inventory/overview of quantitative and qualitative research on the security and justice sector, key gaps and proposals for new assessments and surveys for improving outcome-level monitoring.  Proposal should clearly articulate the knowledge gap being addressed, research methodology, implementation modality, expected outputs/outcomes, timelines and estimated budget; and

• A presentation of preliminary findings to key stakeholders.

Second deliverable:  22 working days (15%)

• Conduct research and consultations with stakeholders (national and international NGOs, government, UN, donors, others) at national, provincial and district levels on effective community based approaches to assessments, planning, implementation and monitoring;

• Develop tool-kit/handbook on conducting participatory rural appraisal/community consultation methodologies, also involving civil society, in line with effective best practices and lessons learned on Afghanistan – with a particular focus on insecure and remote rural communities;

• Develop methodology for conducting Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and relevant tools with security and justice service providers (women and male national and local government officials, police officers, judges, prison staff, etc.).

Third deliverable: 22 days (15%)

• Conduct rapid research and mapping of civil society/community based organizations at provincial and district levels;

• Design implementation strategy/plan for conducting community based consultations/assessments, as well as public outreach/civic engagement on community security, justice reform and anticorruption at national and subnational levels;

• Through a participative consultation process, develop an implementation strategy for civil society engagement in rule of law and access to justice, that identifies potential civil society networks that can be instrumental in reaching communities in remote and rural areas;

• Draft relevant expression of interest, request for proposal and/or other relevant documentation to identify and establish implementing partnerships with relevant civic organizations.

Fourth deliverable: 22 days (15%)

• Develop a community focused public outreach and awareness raising strategy, including application of best practices and engagement of civic organizations and local media (radio, TV, social media, etc.).

Fifth deliverable: 22 days (15%)

• Draft a Concept Note on a Small Grants Mechanism for Community-based assessments on security and justice, project implementation and monitoring, including management arrangements, timelines and monitoring framework, as well as challenges and risks mitigation strategy;

• Draft relevant expression of interest, request for proposal and/or other relevant documentation on Small Grants Mechanism.

Sixth deliverable: 22 days (20%)

• Develop programmatic framework for integrating community based approaches across UNDP’s Rule of Law portfolio – with a focus on enhancing service delivery and monitoring at the community level.

Payment Modality: 

Payments under the contract shall be delivery based and be made on receipt of the specific milestone reports indicated above, and including a timesheet according to UNDP procurement formats for individual contractors. These shall be as indicated in the table above, and shall be made upon approval by the Chief of the Rule of Law and Human Security (ROLHS) Unit. The draft of the assessment and recommendations will be reviewed by both the MOIA concerned departments and Chief of the Rule of Law and Human Security (ROLHS) Unit. Upon receipt of final comments, the consultant shall finalize the report for formal acceptance by UNDP at which point the final payment shall be released.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning:

• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues;
• Seeks and applies knowledge, information, and best practices from within and outside of UNDP.

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

• Ability to lead strategic planning, change processes, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to lead formulation, oversight of implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Ability to apply development theory to the specific country context to identify creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

Management and Leadership:

• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
• Ability to lead effectively, mentoring as well as conflict resolution skills;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure;
• Proven networking, team-building, organizational and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from a recognized university in any of the following areas or related field (International development, statistics, political science or related social science).

Years of experience:

• At least 7 years of experience in rule of law, community security or justice-related projects;

• At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing/managing and coordinating social science research initiatives;

• Previous work experience in undertaking community/grassroots consultations and working with civil society organizations in post conflict settings in required;

• Previous experience within UNDP is desired.

Language:

• Excellent written and oral English skills

• Competence in Dari and/or Pashtu is an asset.

Working Arrangements

Institutional Arrangements:

• The international consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNDP Afghanistan’s Chief of the Rule of Law and Human Security (ROLHS) Unit and/or his designate(s).The consultant shall work in close collaboration with all project leads under the ROLHS portfolio and will liaise with relevant government authorities and other stakeholders as and when required;

• The ROLHS Unit will provide office space and internet facility, logistical and other support service including transport and security applicable to UNDP international personnel. The consultant however is expected to bring his/her own laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs (UNDP will provide a local pre-paid SIM card). Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs to and DSA during field visits (if any), etc shall be covered by UNDP.

Duration of the Work

• The performance under the contract shall take place over total contract duration of 6 months with maximum 132 working days excluding joining and repatriation travel days. The target date for the start of work will be around Mid-October 2017 depending on the availability of the appropriate consultant.

Duty Station

• The duty station for the contractor is Kabul, Afghanistan for the entire duration of the contract. When in Country, the Contractor will be required to report regularly and be present at UNDP Office in UNOCA during the working hours, security conditions permitting. The contractor will follow the working hours and weekends as applicable to UNDP Country Office. Contractor’s movement for meetings and consultations shall be coordinated by UNDP ROLHS Unit and relevant project focal points. The contractor is at all times required to observe UNDP security rules and regulations.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

• Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee which should be inclusive of his professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical evacuation). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 132 Working days;

• Living Allowance, LA – The contractor shall propose a LA at the Kabul applicable rate of USD 162 per day for his stay at the duty station. The maximum number of days for which the LA shall be payable under the contract is 184 nights. The contractor is NOT allowed to stay in a place of his choice other than the UNDSS approved places. UNDP will provide MORSS compliant accommodation in a UN approval locations;

• Travel & Visa – The contractor shall propose an estimated lumpsum for home-Kabul-home travel and Afghanistan visa expenses;

• R&R - The contractor shall be entitled for R&R - 7 calendar days (USD 2,170) for every six weeks during the course of the assignment. After the last R&R, the contract should mandatorily stay in country for minimum of 30 calendar days. 

The total professional fee, shall be converted into a lumpsum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the abovementioned schedule of payment.

Evaluation Method and Criteria:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

• 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 (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria 70 points

Technical Proposal (40 marks)

• Technical Approach & Methodology (25 marks) – This explain the understanding of the objectives of the assignment, approach to the services, methodology for carrying out the activities and obtaining the expected output, and the degree of detail of such output. The Applicant should also explain the methodologies proposed to adopt and highlight the compatibility of those methodologies with the proposed approach;

• Work Plan (15 marks) – The Applicant should propose the main activities of the assignment, their content and duration, phasing and interrelations, milestones (including interim approvals by the Client), and delivery dates. The proposed work plan should be consistent with the technical approach and methodology, showing understanding of the TOR and ability to translate them into a feasible working plan.

Qualification and Experience (30 marks) [evaluation of CV]

• General Qualification (10 marks);

• Experience relevant to the assignment (15 marks);

• Previous experience with UNDP Projects (5 points).

Documents to be included when submitting proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.

Technical proposal:

• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.