Adopted at the UN Sustainable Development Summit of September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a commitment to eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development by 2030 world-wide, ensuring that no one is left behind. The 2030 Agenda requires an integrated approach to sustainable development and collective action, at all levels, to address the challenges of our time, with an overarching imperative of ‘leaving no one behind’ and addressing inequalities and discrimination as the central defining feature.

The 2030 Agenda recognizes the pivotal role of regional entities in achieving sustainable development. Increasingly, regional and sub-regional groupings of countries are identifying joint solutions to their common development challenges, and regional institutions are called upon to work collectively with member States to help identify and set priorities, develop regional strategies and approaches, not only on cross-border issues, but also on more traditional issues of economic and social development.

The Regional UN Development Group (R-UNDG) provides strategic guidance and support to Resident Coordinators (RCs) and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) for the achievement of country level results. Chaired by the head of the R-UNDG, the group drives UNDG priorities by supporting UNCTs with strategic priority setting, analysis and advice. In order to provide integrated policy support to member states and UNCTs in the region on the 2030 Agenda, and in line with the Statement of Collaboration between the Regional Commissions and UNDG on “Supporting Member States in Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, a Joint Working Group on the 2030 Agenda (Chaired by ESCWA and R-UNDG) was established in 2017. The working group harnesses the collective strength of the UN system and supports coordination efforts of regional UN actors and the League of Arab States in their efforts to adapt, implement, monitor and report on the 2030 Agenda. Under this Joint Working Group on the 2030 Agenda, a number of Taskforces have been established, including a SDG Country Support Taskforce.

The SDG Country Support Taskforce provides coordinated R-UNDG support to RCs/UNCTs with regard to the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, in line with the agreed UNDG MAPS approach.  The taskforce provides ongoing technical support/guidance to UNCTs in providing support to Governments, including Voluntary National Reviews and review/input to SDG documents/strategies etc. Further, the taskforce provides technical support and input to country specific MAPS missions, as well as follow-up to missions and support to follow up implementation support of recommendations. In collaboration with the regional UNDAF Peer Support Group, the taskforce ensures that UNDAFs are aligned with and integrate the 2030 Agenda and identify relevant expertise to provide support to UNCTs in specific areas.

The objective of the mapping of capacities is to provide a clear outline of the available technical and programmatic skills, capacities and resources at the regional level, including possible capacity gaps, to enable the SDG Country Support Task Force to provide support to UNCTs for the realization of the 2030 Agenda.

A mapping of present skills, capacities and resources of all regional UN entities in Arab States whose work relates to the delivery of activities for development, humanitarian efforts and sustaining peace. The work will be framed by around the UNDAF principles of (a) leaving no one behind; (b) human rights, gender quality and women’s empowerment; (c) sustainability and resilience and (d) accountability.

The work will involve two major activities: (a) developing a harmonized and comparable methodology to map existing capacities to support UNCTs, in consultation with the entities involved and (b) mapping the capacities of entities in accordance with the harmonized methodology. The mapping shall also make recommendation for the better utilisation/deployment of capacities, as well as for addressing capacity gaps. The SDG Country Support Task Force, as a result, would have a better overview of the existing capacities in the region vis-à-vis the 2030 Agenda and how these capacities and resources can be utilised/deployed more effectively to support SDG implementation.   

The mapping would be expected to address the following:

• What are existing capacities and resources of the UN development system at the regional level in support of 2030 Agenda implementation?
• What are those of capacities humanitarian and peacebuilding entities that contribute to the realization of the 2030 Agenda?
• Are there any specific gaps in the coverage of present capacities at the regional level? If such gaps are identified, how can they be most effectively addressed?
• What are the capacities at the regional level that may need to be further strengthened in order to facilitate more effective support to UNCTs for 2030 Agenda implementation?
• What are the areas of overlaps of existing capacities among entities at the regional level in support of 2030 Agenda implementation that would benefit from further consultations and common planning?
• How can regional capacities be more effectively utilised/deployed in support of SDG implementation?

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the United Nations;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; and
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.

Functional Competencies

• In-depth knowledge on development and humanitarian issues;
• Ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Capable of working in a high pressure work environment with frequent urgent deadlines;
• Ability to multi-task;
• Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• High level logical and methodical organisational skills;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting; and
• Ability to lead formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of joint development programmes and projects, mobilise resources.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result for the client;
• Interacts effectively with all levels of the organisation;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
• Demonstrates exceptional ability to remain calm, in control and good humoured even under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Demonstrates openness to change; and
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

Education

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Economics or related field.

Experience

• 10 years of relevant experience in programme management or coordination, at the national or international level.
• Proven experience in and understanding of development programming and sustainable development. Strong understating of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs is essential
• Experience in advising government and/or UN development partners on sustainable development policy
• Extensive knowledge of key facets of strategic planning processes in the UN development system.  
• Previous experience with the UN is an asset. Knowledge of the UN Development Group (UNDG) and Resident Coordinator (RC) system would be a strong advantage.
• Excellent analytical, writing and consultation skills with the ability to gather, analyze and synthesize information, and present it in a clear, concise format.

Language

• Fluency in English is required;
• Proficiency in Arabic is desirable.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT

• The consultant shall perform tasks under the general guidance of the UNDP Regional Hub Director and Co-Chairs of the SDG Country support Taskforce. The supervision will include approvals/acceptance of the outputs as identified in previous sections;
• The consultant is expected to liaise and collaborate in the course of performing the work with other consultants, stakeholders and UN colleagues;
• The consultant is required to maintain close communication with the UNDP-RBAS on regular and needed basis at any period throughout the assignment in order to monitor progress. In the event of any delay, s/he will inform UNDP promptly so that decisions and remedial action may be taken accordingly. Delays that would affect the flow of the collaborative work and the delivery of outputs on schedule will lead to termination of contract; and
• Should UNDP deem it necessary, it reserves the right to commission additional inputs, reviews or revisions, as needed to ensure the quality and relevance of the work.
• UNDP will provide the consultant with office space (with internet access) and an email address.

DURATION OF THE WORK

The duration of this assignment is expected to be 30 working days, over 3 months, starting in August 2018. The consultant(s) are expected to deliver the mapping in the form of a draft system-wide outline of existing capacities of the UN development system not later than 30th November 2018.

DUTY STATION

• The assignment will be home based.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel, approved unforeseen travel template shall be submitted before travel take place. In such cases, UNDP will cover travel costs in accordance with corporate regulations and rules.

SCOPE OF THE PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCEHDULE OF PAYMENTS

The financial proposal will specify the daily fee (all inclusive), and payments are made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked.
Under the daily fee approach, the financial proposal specifies a single daily fee. UNDP makes payments based on the actual number of days worked on monthly basis. Payments must be supported by a duly completed time sheet subject to the submission of Certification of Payment (CoP) duly certified and confirmation of satisfactory performance of achieved work (deliverables/outputs) in the table above.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Candidates that fail to submit the required information will not be considered.

1. Duly accomplished using the template provided by UNDP;
2.  indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
3. Technical Proposal (1-2 pages) outlining the proposed methodology and approach; and
4.  that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the table given in section D. template provided.

All necessary information including: Complete Procurement Notice, The Selection Criteria, and Annexes are found on the following link under Procurement http://procurement-notices.undp.org/

Interested candidate shall apply the CV/P11 to Job advertisement website, hence consultant should submit to e-mail:  proc.contract.rscjo@undp.org not later than 19th July 2018 all required documents as per mentioned above.

EVALUATION

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies: 

STEP I: Screening and disk review: 
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.
Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, Economics or related field.
• 10 years of relevant experience in programme management or coordination, at the national or international level.
• Fluency in English
• Technical proposal submitted

Shortlisted Candidates will be then assessed and scored against the following evaluation criteria.

Technical evaluation Criteria max 100 points (Weighted 70):

• Proven experience in and understanding of development programming and sustainable development. Strong understating of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs is essential (30%)
• Experience in advising government and/or UN development partners on sustainable development policy (20%)
• Extensive knowledge of key facets of strategic planning processes in the UN development system (20%)
• Technical proposal (proposed methodology and approach) (30%)

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation

For those offers considered in the financial evaluation, the lowest price offer will receive 30 points.
The other offers will receive points in relation to the lowest offer, based on the following formula:                
 (PI / Pn)* 30 where Pn is the financial offer being evaluated and Pl is the lowest financial offer received

Step II: Final evaluation
The final evaluation will combine the scores of desk review and financial proposal with the following weights assigned to each:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where 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 technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria weight: [70%]
Financial Criteria weight: [30%]
Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.