UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We support countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. The ‘Wider Europe: Aid for Trade in Central Asia’ is a regional project that supports countries in the region to harvest the benefits of trade for human development.

The project focuses on productive capacities mostly in rural areas, with a strong focus on employment generation and export capacities. The project requires support in ensuring a strong outreach to target partners, as well as good communication practices in terms of results and impact before the closing of the project.

Under guidance and technical supervision of Aid for Tarde project manager, Sustainable Development Team, Istanbul Regional Hub, the consultant will perform following tasks:
The consultant will support the Aid for Trade project in ensuring a strong outreach, as well as impact of activities conducted under phase III of the Aid for trade project. The activities will focus around

• Better outreach and engagement of Finnish partners, as well as sister agencies working on trade-related issues;
• Better visibility and analysis of impact and change as a result of implementation of the Aid for Trade project. Assessment will focus both on economic and social change caused. Increased donor visibility and related products;
• Forward looking recommendations for the implementation of the AfT phase IV both in terms of impact and change, as well as outreach and engagement.

Outcomes and timeline:

Deliverables

Deliverable 1 (week 4)

• Provide overview of existing reporting and project material and develop plan for assessment, communications and liaison;
• Develop liaison plan for partners in Finland, as well as partners within sister agencies based in Geneva both for phase III and the future phase of the project. Identify at least three partners in Finland, with special emphasis to the University sector;

Deliverable 2: (week 8)

• Manage liaison with Finnish partners with at least one agreement reached;
• Develop at least 2 results stories;
• Identify weaknesses in the monitoring framework of the AfT project

Deliverable 3: (week 12)

• Develop new monitoring framework for the AfT IV project: including setting up one online system with all indicators;
• Monitor implementation of the collaboration with Finnish partners;
• Support the development of a photobook on the impact of the AfT project, with at least 15 stories covered

Deliverable 4 (week 16)

• Prepare economic and social impact assessment of the AfT project interventions in three countries, in close collaboration with the AfT teams;
• Prepare engagement plan for phase IV of the AfT project in terms of engaging at least 3 international stakeholders

Deliverable 5 (week 20)

• Support the preparation of the final impact report to the board on the basis of the report done under deliverable 3. The work should include at least three infographics and assess scale of the implementation 
• Start out-reach to international stakeholders as per deliverable 4

Payment schedule: 

• Payment 1: 20% upon confirmation by the Certifying Officer of satisfactory delivery of Deliverable 1, date: 4 weeks after the star of the contract
• Payment 2: 20% upon confirmation by the Certifying of satisfactory delivery of Deliverable 2, date: 8 weeks after the start of the contract
• Payment 3: 20% upon confirmation by the Certifying of satisfactory delivery of Deliverable 3, date: 12 weeks after the start of the contract
• Payment 4: 20% upon confirmation by the Certifying of satisfactory delivery of Deliverable 4, date: 16 weeks after the start of the contact 
• Payment 5: 20% upon confirmation by the Certifying of satisfactory delivery of Deliverable 5, date: 20 weeks after the start of the contract

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment

Functional competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Education: 

• BA Degree in social sciences or communications is required, 
• MA Degree in social science is preferred

Experience: 

• At least three years at the international level working on sustainable development issues, including donor coordination and outreach activities. Preferably with the United Nations system. 
• Experience in international research and gender would be an asset

Language skills: 

• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English.

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 and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. 

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation 
Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation 

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

• Criteria A (Education) – max points: 5
• Criteria B (Experience with United Nations system) - max points: 8
• Criteria C (Experience with donor coordination and outreach) – max points: 10
• Criteria D (Experience on gender and international research) – max points: 2
• Criteria E (Language skills) - max points: 10

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

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. 

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* in USD – specifying total lump sum amount for tasks specified in this announcement.
• 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 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.