UN WOMEN Jobs - 75967- International consultant

International consultant – Grant Policy and Agreements

Advertised on behalf of

UN WOMEN

Location :

Home based, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

11-Dec-2017

Application Deadline :

30-Nov-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

3 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

3 months

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

The Grant policy outlines UN-Women’s use of grants defined as a fund arrangement within a project directly implemented by UN-Women to support innovative and strategic initiatives by Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and CSOs within the context of a larger project and contributing to the overall goal and outcome of the project, based on the criteria set out in the Programme Formulation Chapter. The annex I of the policy document provides for the Grant Agreements templates that must be completed and signed by UN-Women and the grantee prior to the disbursement of funds, and then signed by the Head of Office of the Business Unit for UN-Women and a duly authorized official for the grantee.

While we have the Call For Proposal (CfP) for selecting IPs/RPs there is a need to have a Policy for interventions where support is needed for certain activities from various organizations.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of work and expected outputs:

Under the supervision of the Chiefs of Programme Support Unit (PMSU) and Programme and Policy Guidance Unit (PPGU), the expert’s work will have the following scope:

to craft a UN Women Grants Policy
and a Grant agreement with RPs and IPs that reflects UN Women’s operations and mandate synergizes with the Partner Agreement

Objective: To create an updated, modern and user-friendly policy and accompany agreement template for engaging RPs and IPs, which aligns with the revised POM, and new UN Women Partner Agreement, meets operational requirements and addresses concerns of oversight bodies and other stakeholders.

Implementation:

This consultancy will be implemented in following phases:

Phase 1: Consult with PMSU, PPGU and other stakeholders, including Legal, Finance and Audit, and review background information [UN Women Programme and Operations Manual (POM)- Programme and Project Part-section II and respective Annexes, and OAI recommendation on Corporate issues], the current situation, and best practices in the UN system.

Phase II: Based on the above, draft a policy that will allow UN Women to provide grants to UN Women partners in support of their deliverables to a maximum of $50,000

Phase III: Socialize draft policy with relevant stakeholders in UN WOMEN HQ units and the Regional / Country Office and receive feedback

Phase IV: Finalization of new policy based on feedback

Phase V: Based on new policy, draft a UN Women Grant Agreement.

Phase VI: Socialize draft agreement with relevant stakeholders in UN Women HQ units and the Regional / Country Offices and receive feedback

Phase IV: Finalization of new agreement.

Deliverables:

Phase 1: A draft concept note presenting options for decision by UN Women management for revision of the current RP and IP agreements, based on a review of relevant documentation, the current situation, best practices and discussions with stakeholders. The draft concept note shall include information on:

Results of the needs review outlining the challenges and considerations to be addressed
Why/how the new policy will significantly benefit UN Women
Recommendations for implementation and next steps

Phase II: first draft of policy

Phase III: effective consultation with all identified stakeholders

Phase IV: final policy that takes account of all feedback

Phase V: first draft of UN Women Grant Agreement, based on the new policy

Phase VI: effective consultation with all identified stakeholders

Phase VII: final agreement that takes account of all feedback

Timeline: 3 months.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Ethics and Values:

Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

Work in teams:

Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.

Continuous Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

Encourage learning and sharing of knowledge.

Functional Competencies:

In-depth knowledge of development issues;
Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
Ability in strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates strong written and oral communication skills;
Ability to establish priorities for self and others, and to work independently;
Remains calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure;
Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility, and ability to manage complexities
Strong IT skills

Duration and duty station for the assignment

The duration of the assignment will be three months. The position is home-based with a mission to New York. UN Women will provide all necessary data and contacts. UN Women will not provide a laptop to the expert.

Fees and Schedule of Payments

The position will be remunerated based on an “all inclusive lump-sum (trip to New York, per diem, terminal and visa expenses included). The successful candidate will receive his/her payment, based on the following tentative payment schedule:

20% of the contract amount upon approval of the work plan;

40% of the contract amount upon submission and approval of the draft Grant policy and agreement;

40% of the contract amount upon submission and approval of the final Grant Policy and Agreement.

The Director of the Programme Division will certify the deliverables.

Evaluation of the candidates:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis: The candidates will be evaluated through Cumulative Analysis method. The award of the contract will 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.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points out of 70 in the technical evaluation would be considered for Financial Evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks):

Previous experience of undertaking value for money studies with international organizations, development agencies and governmental organizations (40 marks);
Previous experience of delivering value for money trainings (30 marks);

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks)

The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal.

Financial Proposal:

Total lump sum:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. The financial proposal will include a breakdown of the lump sum amount (including travel, living allowances, and number of anticipated working days).

Travel:

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. In general, UN Women does not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the expert 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 UN Women and the expert, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Required Skills and Experience

NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criteria detailed below with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

Education:

Master degree In Law or related field.

Experience:

Over 7 years of legal experience, preferably in the international context
Extended hands-on experience in developing contacts and agreements
Excellent communication and Interpersonal relation skills
Excellent diplomatic skills
Is able to convene message to different audiences
Client-oriented
Working knowledge of mission-driven organizations and the UN system

Language:

Excellent speaking and written English.

Application Procedures:

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following or the application will not be considered:

UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment;
Proposed lump sum.

The selected applicant will be requested to provide a Certificate of Good Health from a recognized physician prior to commencement to work also certifying the he/she is fit to travel.