Background
The United Nations System in Iraq is in the process of the formulation the new UNDAF 2020-2024 starting with a Common Country Analysis (CCA). The findings of the CCA will help to strategically position the UN system in the country based on robust evidence-based analysis on sustainable development. It provides the basis for future programming and represents a powerful source of information to help the UN system engage with national stakeholders, including to advocate for policy changes.
The CCA will be guided by the promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind, and the three programming principles (human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment; sustainability and resilience; and accountability). Closely linked to the CCA is a UN Vision Note, a UN Comparative Advantage and Capacity Assessment exercise to highlight the areas where the UN is the most efficient and effective partner to take forward Iraq’s development.
The process will require consultation and engagement with the Government of Iraq and other relevant stakeholders, such as the development partners in the country, private sector, civil society and no-government organizations, academia and research institutions.
UNDP Iraq has contracted a company to conduct the CCA. In order to complement the work of the company with CCA process knowledge, the UN System in Iraq seeks to hire a consultant, specialized in CCA/UNDAF process, to support the supervision of the work of the CCA consultancy and to coordinate the process of finalizing the UNDAF Narrative and its annexes.
It is against this background that the UN System in Iraq calls for a proposal from suitable and experienced consultant to undertake a supervisory role of the conduct of the Common Country Analysis and the finalization of the UNDAF narrative.
Duties and Responsibilities
Scope of the work
The role of the CCA/UNDAF project manager will comprise the following key activities:
Assess the quality of the inception report of the CCA consultant and ensure that it covers all the requirements of a CCA process;
Assess and evaluate the quality of the Common Country Analysis produced by the CCA consultants; specifically, verify if it describes correctly the current development status, challenges and opportunities in Iraq (ensuring a robust and holistic CCA).
Assess the quality of the UN Vision 2030 Note (produced by the CCA consultant) which articulate how successive UNDAF results are intended to build on each other to contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in Iraq
Assess the quality of the “UN capacity assessment” undertaken by the CCA consultant.
Assess the quality of the “UN Comparative Advantage assessment” conducted by the CCA consultant;
Facilitate an UNDAF prioritization retreat and definition of UNDAF Outcomes
Draft the UNDAF Narrative and its annexes in collaboration with UNDAF Technical Working Groups.
Deliverables
Assessment report of the quality of the CCA inception report;
Assessment report of the quality of the Common Country Analysis
Assessment report of the quality of UN capacity assessment undertaken by the CCA consultant;
Assessment report of UN Comparative Advantage report produced by the CCA consultant;
Assessment report of the UN Vision 2030 Note produced by the CCA consultant as a: UN Long-Term Vision for its contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.
Co-facilitation of the CCA validation workshop and Strategic Prioritization Retreat for UN and partners and incorporation of comments and feedback from stakeholders.
Definition of UNDAF Outcomes and the UNDAF Narrative Report and its annexes produced.
Competencies
Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with clients and colleagues and maintain strong relationships with them.
Experience of working with senior government officials to provide strategic and technical advice.
Good facilitation and presentation skills including use of technology to communicate ideas and strategies.
Demonstrated ability to programme and coordinate in difficult post-conflict environments;
Ability to establish, develop and maintain relations with and between diverse array of stakeholders.
Ability to produce well written reports demonstrating analytical ability and communication skills.
Facilitation skills and ability to manage diversity of views in a different cultural context.
Ability to work under pressure.
Required Skills and Experience
Below are the minimum qualification requirements for the consultant proposed for this project:
Advanced degree in International Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences, International Relations, Political Sciences, sociology or anthropology, demography or related fields;
Over 10 years’ relevant experience and proven expertise with development strategic frameworks;
Knowledge and Experience in the preparation of the Common Country Analysis and the entire UNDAF processes and/or similar projects;
in-depth quality report writing in the English language.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to empathize with the various organizational mandates and cultures of the UN system.
Language – English. Knowledge of reading in the Arabic language is an advantage
Brief Methodology on work plan approach and implementation
The detailed terms of reference and the Letter of Confirming Interest and Availability is available in the following link :
Please note you can upload only one document in the online application, therefore combine the CV and the Letter of Confirmation and Availability as one pdf before uploading.