Background

United Nations Capital Development Fund’s (UNCDF) mandate from the UN General Assembly (1966) is to “assist developing countries in the development of their economies by supplementing existing sources of capital assistance by means of grants and loans”. The mandate was modified in 1974 to focus on “first and foremost the least developed among the developing countries”. This original mandate -- to promote economic development in the least developed countries – remains highly relevant today.? Within its economic development mandate UNCDF focuses on public and private financing mechanisms. Effective and efficient finance – in both the public and private sectors - can spur economic growth and make it more sustainable and inclusive. UNCDF’s focus on financing mechanisms has special relevance for least developed countries, where public financial management is often weak and private financial systems often underdeveloped and inaccessible to the poor.

UNCDF’s support is ultimately designed to promote sustainable and inclusive growth that empowers people and countries to unleash their potential. The UNCDF approach to local development finance in least developed countries recognizes the need to unlock existing sources of capital for local development and attract new investment capital to the local level. To this end UNCDF applies its seed capital and technical assistance to develop innovative solutions that leverage or mobilize, allocate, and invest resource flows to the local level for local development, thus meeting the capital funding gap. This means that the key factors are the demonstration effect of the innovation and the additional fund flows unleashed for local development. This requires strengthening the capacity of existing public and private institutions and the procedures they use as well as providing the seed capital itself.

Duties and Responsibilities

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of Local Development Finance Practice senior management in HQ, the Consultant will assist the practice in various tasks related to communications, and results-based management, including support for knowledge management, policy advocacy and outreach, drafting of proposals and reports, organization of events as well as general support to the programmes as needed.

Key colleagues to work with include Regional Technical Advisors, Global and Regional Programme Managers, and the LDFP HQ team. The Consultant will also liaise with and contribute perspectives from LD as needed within UNCDF Corporate Communications discussions.

Key Functions:

Communications (55%):

  • Support overall communications for the Local Development Finance Practice (LDF P) including drafting of policy, advocacy, and resources mobilization reports, communications and outreach materials;
  • Contribute to reaching the LDFP target audiences and key partners and constituencies, working closely with colleagues at global, regional and country level;
  • Assist the LDF Practice in dissemination of knowledge, advocacy and communications products, and ensuring that the practice has sufficient publications in stock for all its products and advocacy materials;
  • Undertake content development, redesign and presentation of the web pages related to the global programmes, and guide and facilitate social media content and manage accounts for the LD Practice;
  • Support in dissemination of research findings, event organization, as well as production of relevant team-wide templates.
  • Keep ahead of communications opportunities by monitoring the news and other key sources and helping manage the LDFP Communications Calendar;
  • Assist in organization of events, ensuring outreach and visibility, and produce targeted communications and reports as needed;
  • Help enhance capacity and provide support to LDFP staff on communications.

Results Based Management (45%):

  • Assist the LD Practice in quality control of the annual data reporting exercise, data analysis and results presentation and support the RBM Unit in the preparation of the UNCDF Annual Report 2019
  • Assist the LD Practice and support LD programmes in Results reporting, providing quality assurance and guidance to improve reporting and ensuring accuracy
  • Support the Director and Deputy Director in the formulation of the LD portfolio document as the “Centre of Excellence for Local Government Finance” in coordination with LD staff.
  • Support in design of new LD programmes and assist in development of results frameworks ensuring relevance to UNCDF IRRM and the LDFP Theory of Change.
  • Support the LDFP Global Thematic Initiatives (GTIs) at the country level with monitoring and results reporting with particular emphasis on Municipal Investment Finance (MIF), Inclusive and Equitable Local Development (IELD) and Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) and Local Finance Initiative (LFI).
  • Support LD Practice in ensuring timely and quality donor reporting, presentation of results and financial statements.
  • Support the LD practice in knowledge management and learning from results, organizing exchange webinars as needed.

Key Deliverables:

Communications:

  • Local Development Finance Practice content on UNCDF corporate website and LDFP global programme websites is kept regularly updated (on a monthly basis);
  • Results and knowledge generated by LDFP communicated through case studies, articles and presentations. LDFP global communications materials are regularly drafted, updated, and published (on a monthly basis);
  • LDFP Social media accounts are regularly maintained and quality assurance is provided to project staff on effective social media engagement.
  • Targeted reports, advocacy materials related to specific programmes, events and key partner initiatives are produced as needed (on a monthly basis).
  • Support is provided for organizing and ensuring effective communications for key LD events in future.
  • Capacity development and training on communications are provided periodically as needed to LDFP staff (to be done on an ongoing basis).

Results Based Management:

  • Quality checked and accurate LD data, and LD narratives on results provided for UNCDF Annual Report 2019.
  • Support provided to elaboration of LD Portfolio document especially on RRF, Social and Environmental assessment and Risk sections
  • Support for LD programme formulations and development of RRFs and M&E frameworks
  • Facilitate timely and quality results reporting across LD practice, liaising and coordinating with relevant colleagues and keeping LD senior management informed
  • Support training and knowledge management for LD staff, ensuring exchange of good practices and knowledge transfer.
  • Any other tasks related to results reporting, analysis and communications.

Competencies

General Competencies

  • Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills
  • Knowledge of and experience in communications, programme management, financial reporting and results reporting
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop herself or himself professionally
  • Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments;
  • Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments
  • Promotes a knowledge sharing and learning culture in the office

Technical/Functional Competencies

  • Knowledge of international development, and local development finance
  • Experience in communications, results reporting, and knowledge management
  • Excellent writing and speaking skills. This includes ability to translate complex policy ideas and technical concepts into simple and user-friendly language.
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and positive, constructive attitude, striving for excellence and focusing on results.
  • Ability to work collaboratively and effectively as part of a team as well as individually.This includes strong inter-personal skills and a demonstrated capacity to forge effective relations with colleagues and counterparts from different backgrounds, across government, companies and international organizations.
  • Excellent project management skills, with proven ability to manage multiple priorities within specific timeframes. This includes excellent attention to detail, a high level of thoroughness in a complex multitasking environment and a strict adherence to deadlines, including managing approval processes effectively.
  • Computer literacy, including software included in the next section.

Core competencies:

  • Client Service: Focuses on results for the clients and responds positively to feedback;
  • Time Management: Demonstrates excellent organizational and time management skills with strong interpersonal skills, ability to work under pressure in a well-organized, flexible and calm manner in fast-paced environment;
  • Knowledge Management: Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge;
  • Development and Operational Effectiveness:
  • Ability to perform a broad range of specialized activities aimed at effective and efficient functioning of unit;
  • Demonstrates a high degree of initiative and independence in delivering required outputs within tight timeframes, exercising problem solving and negotiation skills while at the same time demonstrating flexibility and ability to get the job done effectively;
  • Ability to finalize key products in the absence of supervisors.

Required Skills and Experience

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in Communications, International Development, Journalism, Public Administration or International Relations. (Or an undergraduate degree plus an additional two years of demonstrated professional experience in the field of external communications).

Experience

  • A minimum of two years of successful experience working on external communications, knowledge management and/or results-based management at international level.
  • Effective project management experience with communications tools, including coordination with external vendors, such as designers and translators.
  • Experience in supporting the organization of high-level events, workshops and webinars, with senior government and private sector representatives, is required.
  • Demonstrated experience in writing, editing and proofreading compelling communications products, including crafting visual assets.
  • Familiarity with current best practices in digital communications, including engagement strategies and content creation.
  • Experience with the communications software, contact databases and familiarity with graphic design and video editing programmes is desirable.
  • Experience working in a multi-cultural environment, and in developing and emerging countries is highly desirable
  • Ability to work in team, coordinate with colleagues and analyse and present information and results effectively in written and verbal form.

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English, both written and oral is required
  • Working Knowledge of French strongly preferred.

Travel

Travel is not foreseen for this assignment.? However, if travel is necessary UNCDF will arrange and cover expenses as per UNCDF travel policies relevant to consultants.

 

Application Procedure

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

  • A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offeror considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
  • Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts and affiliation of at least three (3) professional references. Link to P11 http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc
  • Filled in and duly signed Letter of Intent including a financial proposal which can be downloaded from:?https://popp.undp.org/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/UNDP_POPP_DOCUMENT_LIBRARY/Public/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx&action=default
  • The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee in USD
  • The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; (excluding mission travel); living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
  • In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNCDF, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNCDF and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNCDF should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
  • If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNCDF under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNCDF.

 

Evaluation Process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria/interview outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Being 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 where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.
  • Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points on shortlisting and interview will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Step 1: Screening (Longlisting) - Applications will be screened and only applications meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

  • Master’s degree in Public Administration, International Development, Political Science, Economics; Communications or related Development field
  • Relevant working experience in development, communications, advocacy and support or related field.
  • Experience working with in communications, partnerships development, policy or advocacy
  • Experience in reporting on results.

Step 2: Shortlisting / Technical evaluation (60 points maximum):

  • At least 2 years of relevant working experience in development, communications, advocacy and support or related field. (10 points)
  • Proven experience working within communications, partnerships development, policy or advocacy support. Previous experience working with UN agencies as a consultant, volunteer, or intern is highly desirable. (20 points)
  • Proven experience in drafting proposals, reports, and organizing public events/meetings; (15 points)
  • Proven experience in coordinating and analyzing data and preparing reports for senior management (10 points)
  • Working Knowledge of French (5 points)

Step 3: Interview (40 points maximum)

A competency-based interview shall be conducted with the top 3 candidates who score the highest in Step 2.  Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% on the total of Step 2 and Step 3 will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

Step 4: Financial evaluation (30 points maximum):

following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated

 

Payment Modality

Contract will be based on a daily rate basis in US dollar. Payments are made to the Individual Consultant based on receipt of the Certificate for Payment (CoP) and acceptance of the work by UNCDF Responsible Staff that will be attached to the agreed deliverables.

For 2020, the major outputs per quarter are are summarized below. Number of working days per quarter are approximate/indicative. 

Q1 2020 (25%) – 60 Days

  • Local Development Finance Practice content on UNCDF corporate website and LDFP global programme websites is kept regularly updated (on a monthly basis);
  • Results and knowledge generated by LDFP communicated through case studies, articles and presentations. LDFP global communications materials are regularly drafted, updated, and published (on a monthly basis);
  • Support is provided for organizing and ensuring effective communications for key LD events.
  • Quality checked and accurate LD data, and LD narratives on results provided for UNCDF Annual Report 2019

Q2 2020 (25%) – 60 Days

  • At least one capacity development and training on communications are provided periodically as needed to LDFP staff
  • Local Development Finance Practice content on UNCDF corporate website and LDFP global programme websites is kept regularly updated (on a monthly basis);
  • Results and knowledge generated by LDFP communicated through case studies, articles and presentations. LDFP global communications materials are regularly drafted, updated, and published (on a monthly basis);
  • Support is provided for organizing and ensuring effective communications for key LD events
  • Support provided to elaboration of LD Portfolio document especially on RRF, Social and Environmental assessment and Risk sections (on monthly basis)

Q3 2020 (25%) – 60 Days

  • LDFP Social media accounts are maintained and quality assurance is provided to project staff on effective social media engagement.
  • Support for LD programme formulations and development of RRFs and M&E frameworks
  • Local Development Finance Practice content on UNCDF corporate website and LDFP global programme websites is kept regularly updated (on a monthly basis);
  • Results and knowledge generated by LDFP communicated through case studies, articles and presentations. LDFP global communications materials are regularly drafted, updated, and published (on a monthly basis);
  • Support provided to elaboration of LD Portfolio document especially on RRF, Social and Environmental assessment and Risk sections (on monthly basis)

Q4 2020 (25%) – 60 Days

  • Local Development Finance Practice content on UNCDF corporate website and LDFP global programme websites is kept regularly updated (on a monthly basis);
  • Results and knowledge generated by LDFP communicated through case studies, articles and presentations. LDFP global communications materials are regularly drafted, updated, and published (on a monthly basis);
  • LDFP Social media accounts are regularly maintained and quality assurance is provided to project staff on effective social media engagement.
  • At least one capacity development and training on communications are provided periodically as needed to LDFP staff .
  • Quality checked and accurate LD data, and LD narratives on results provided for UNCDF Annual Report 2020.
  • Support provided to elaboration of LD Portfolio document especially on RRF, Social and Environmental assessment and Risk sections (on monthly basis)