UNDP Jobs - 76235- Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

21-Dec-17 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated 1 January 2018 – 31 December 2018

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

up to 100 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

Within the framework of the Regional Programme 2018-2021, the UNDP RBEC Partnerships Team seeks to hire an international consultant to undertake the responsibilities of a Research Assistant. The consultant will support the team and selected UNDP Country Offices in mapping partnership opportunities (including donor portfolios) and providing on-demand support to information gathering for resource mobilization.

Based on the experience accumulated in the last years, and in line with the guidance articulated by the new UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021, the Partnerships team aims to broaden the scope of its activities, expanding its emerging donors portfolio and further stimulating partnerships with IFIs, the private sector and partner governments for a more efficient and coordinated development financing ecosystem, for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Team Leader, New Partnerships and Emerging Donors, UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS, and in close collaboration with the Partnership Development Analyst working in the same Team, the Research Assistant will conduct high quality desk research, will draft knowledge products, will contribute to donor intelligence, and support resource mobilization and partnership development activities of the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub and selected UNDP Country Offices.

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

Assessment of opportunities for resource mobilization and mapping of current and potential traditional and non-traditional donors;
Monitoring and provision of regular updates on the international development landscape in the RBEC region for UNDP Country Offices and thematic teams at the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub;
Identification of emerging sources of funding and emerging partnership opportunities, including assessment of their potential for the future;
Direct on-demand information gathering support in the area of resource mobilization for several selected Country Offices and/or initiatives.
Other research and information collection tasks related to partnership building and resource mobilization as required by the RBEC Partnerships Team.

Deliverables:

One regional resource Mobilization Mapping covering the RBEC Region, informed by consultations with RBEC COs, national partners, donors and others as needed (by April 2018);
Matrix of donors and their priorities in RBEC regularly updated throughout the contract period (quarterly, so by the end of March 2018, end of July 2018, end of September 2018 and end of December 2018);
Bimonthly regional newsletter with updates on changes in the international development landscape in the RBEC region, including changes in donor policies and priorities (one every 2 months, first edition in February 2018);
On-demand briefs on emerging sources of funding with assessment of their potential (minimum of 2 by 31 December 2018);
A minimum of 2 knowledge products covering new trends in development financing/development partnerships (ideally produced in partnership in external partners by 31 December 2018);
On demand support (resource persons identification and outreach, agenda, participants’ engagement, logistics, etc.) for the organization of 1 regional resource mobilization workshop (by July 2018);
6 donor intelligence reports for selected Country Offices / regional initiatives (one every 2 month, starting with end of February 2018).

Timeframe: Up to 100 working days from the start of the assignment.

Specific timeline for tasks and deliverables will be set in writing at the beginning of each month. Payments will be released on bi-monthly basis upon submission of the progress report against expected tasks and deliverables and approved timesheet providing details of time spent on respective deliverables and its acceptance by the certifying officer.
All deliverables should be submitted by the consultant in English.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

Promotes the mission and values of the UN;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, especially with national counterparts;

Functional competencies:

Strong analytical, research, reporting and writing abilities;
Strong organizational and process management competencies;
Team working competencies and ability to effectively work in teams;
Ability to assess complex situations in order to screen succinctly and clearly critical issues and draw forward-looking conclusions;
Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Criteria A: Master’s degree (or equivalent) in International Development, Political Science, Social Sciences, Journalism, Communications or other relevant fields.

Experience:

Criteria B: At least 2 years of relevant work experience (consulting experience applicable) for an international organization, non-governmental organization or a business, with demonstrated ability to carry out strategic research and prepare reports for different audiences in the field of international development.
Criteria C: Demonstrated understanding of the international development cooperation landscape with specific focus on strategic partnerships and resource mobilization (through relevant previous work experiences/research/other knowledge products produced).
Criteria D: Familiarity with the latest trends on emerging donors is a strong plus.

Language:

Criteria E: Outstanding written skills in English required.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should 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 (P11 and cover letter desk review) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points of the technical criteria (P11 and cover letter desk review) will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Criteria A (Education) – max points: 5
Criteria B (At least 2 years of relevant work experience) – max points: 10
Criteria C (Demonstrated understanding of the international development cooperation landscape) – max points: 10;
Criteria D Familiarity with the latest trends on emerging donors; – max. points: 5
Criteria E Language skills (will be assessed from the P11 and cover letter submitted) – max points: 5

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

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 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); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
Financial Proposal* - specifying a) all-inclusive daily fee and b) travel to join duty station.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*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, personal security needs, travel to join duty station/repatriation travel and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services).

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual Consultants 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
General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

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.