UNDP Jobs - 94030- Consultant to draft a user guide of the SDG versio

Consultant to draft a user guide of the SDG version of free software - CONSUL

Location :

home based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

12-Oct-2020

Application Deadline :

28-Sep-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Two and a half months (20 working days)

Languages Required :

English Spanish

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Two and a half months (20 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

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. In line with the UN Secretary General's reform agenda and the guidance of Member States, the UNDP's new Strategic Plan (2018-2021) sets out new ways of working to deliver on UNDP's vision by helping countries to eradicate extreme poverty, supporting them to quickly modernize key sectors to work better for sustainable development, and enabling them to prevent crisis and recover faster.

The UNDP ART Initiative is a UNDP’s global project geared at harnessing the potential of territorial partnerships through a variety of modalities, such as Decentralized Cooperation, South-South and triangular cooperation. ART is therefore an entry point for international cooperation actors interested in harmonizing their respective actions in support of national and sub-national policies for sustainable and local human development. ART aims at strengthening and expanding the existing alliance between UNDP and Decentralized Cooperation partners in support of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at local level. ART also seeks to strengthen the potential and role of Local and Regional Governments (LRGs) as development partners and to promote the principles of development cooperation effectiveness and in support of the localization of the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs.

Since the adoption of the 2030 agenda, UNDP has been actively supporting its implementation, in coordination with the UN system. To this end, a series of actions aimed at assisting governments in designing their efforts to achieve the SDGs have been carried out, such as MAPS missions, advocacy and capacity building actions, the strengthening of national statistical systems and the development of quality tools for integrated policy analysis. Furthermore, UNDP, through ART, has been promoting and supporting the localization of the SDGs, ensuring that the richness of partnerships and experiences effectively contributes to UNDP’s overall corporate commitment on supporting the implementation of the SDGs. For this purpose, UNDP ART has been partnering with diverse actors, including LRGs and their associations and other UN agencies to support their efforts in achieving sustainable local governance and local development

As confirmed by the UNDP, effective local governance refers to “subnational institutions, systems, and processes that provide services to citizens and through which citizens articulate their interests and needs, mediate their differences, and exercise their rights and obligations.” It is key in reducing inequalities, in enhancing relations between people and institutions, and in promoting peace in rural and urban settings. Exchanges in our societies and interaction with people, groups, companies, ideas and values are often occurring at the local level based on territorial needs and samples of how to address development challenges. In this context, local authorities have a growing framework for action that may help prevent and transform conflicts and, at the same time, enhance citizen participation.

The current COVID-19 crisis has brought us significant lessons as to the potential of digital tools to ensure business continuity, deliver services to populations, engaging with individuals and organisations and ensuring that the debates and solutions to the current challenges can be discussed and implemented effectively. COVID-19 has also raised the importance of the implementation of the Agenda 2030 from a multiparty and disciplinary approach based on local needs and civic engagement to build back better and recover.

In light of the above, UNDP ART initiative has recently hired the services of a company to expand the free software known as CONSUL (https://github.com/consul/consul) (hereinafter referred to as ‘SDG version’) with the aim of supporting digital civic engagement for regions and cities around the 2030 Agenda and the localization of the SDGs. CONSUL is one of the most complete citizen participation tools for an open, transparent and democratic government which can be used by any person or entity. It is an open software platform released in 2014 by Madrid city council and applied later by several institutions in different countries. Cities such as Quito, Lima, New York, Praia and Paris have used the software to promote civic consultations and engagement around key issues in their urban areas. UNDP ART initiative supported its replication in Praia, Montevideo and Sucre. The software has also been recognized in 2017 with the United Nations Public Service Award (https://publicadministration.un.org/unpsa/database/Home/Winners/2018-winners/Citizen-participation-project). The SDG version of the software serves to align digital participatory processes that can be promoted by the users (LRGs and/or individuals/organisations) to the Agenda 2030 as well as to launch or continue (as relevant) the process of localizing the SDGs in a given territory by ensuring social innovation and stakeholder and multilevel articulation.

Considering the above elements, UNDP is launching a call to select an individual consultant with the aim of supporting the application of the SDG version of the free software CONSUL by developing a user guide.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives:

Draft a user guide of the SDG version of CONSUL regarding its functionalities in digital participation and SDGs modules in order to orient LRGs to:

Execute any participatory module/functionality available in the new version of CONSUL at any moment of the processes and/or initiatives;
Apply the SDGs functionalities available in the new version of CONSUL to gather and show information about the SDGs, both in general terms and the specific goals for each objective;
Execute the path or the process per phases of the localization of the SDGs that can be personalized or adapted to each case of use;
Use and optimize all the functionalities related to the multi-stakeholder co-creation of solutions and social innovation of the new version of CONSUL that would reinforce the consecution of the Agenda 2030 in territories;
Promote effective citizen engagement and collaboration focused on the issues and challenges that regional and/or local governments face in fostering online and offline citizen engagement;
Address possible challenges during implementation and point towards solutions for regional and local governments.

The selected consultant will work under the overall supervision of UNDP ART Initiative. A focus person will be appointed who will ensure the linkage with the overall team of UNDP ART. Frequent online meetings and updates will be organized to facilitate the coordination.

Expected products:

The selected consultant will be assigned to deliver on the following main product:

A user guide for the SDG version of the free software CONSUL is drafted and delivered to orient/support LRGs in applying its functionalities and integrating the software package smoothly within their business processes. It shall address inter alia:
Advantages, potentials and challenges for increased virtual citizen participation in cities and regions;
Relevant policy and political implications through increased citizen’s participation;
The functionality of each module and how they could be integrated in existing development processes;
Different possible pathways and options to implement the modules;
Basic requirements and conditions for launching its implementation;
Communication measures to foster usage of the modules by the population.

Deliverables:

An inception report will be shared with the ART team for validation at the start of the consultancy (7 working days upon contract signature) outlining the approach, timeline and methodology proposed in all steps of the process as well as the sections/chapters considered relevant for the user guide (indicative 15 pages).
A draft document of the user guide will be shared and discussed with UNDP/ART Team (indicative 30 working days after the start).
A final document of the user guide (indicative 50 pages) will be drafted/delivered taking in consideration the observations of UNDP/ART team to the abovementioned draft document.

Competencies

Corporate competences:

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;

Functional competences:

Knowledge of and experience on sustainable development, local development and local governance and related concepts;
Solid knowledge of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and SDGs implementation frameworks at different levels with emphasis on the localization of the SDGs;
Solid knowledge and experience of civic participatory processes and/or cases;
In depth knowledge and experience with Collective Intelligence tools including online communication, networking and collaboration tools;
Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills;
Ability to produce high quality outputs and in a timely manner;
Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage priorities;
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure and in a team;
Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advance degree in relevant fields, such as Political Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, Business administration, Corporate Communication or other related areas.

Language:

Fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of French or Portuguese is an asset.

Experience:

Solid experience in supporting LRGs in their strive for sustainable development;
At least 7 years of relevant work experience in the field of development;
Proven experience in the drafting of guides within the framework of sustainable development and/or the localization of the Agenda 2030 and/or of digital participatory tools;
Knowledge and experience in gender-based approach in development policies and practices;
Experience in the use of computers and office software packages such as MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and web-based management systems;
Work experience with UN/UNDP is an asset;
Experience with the implementation of CONSUL is an asset;

Application Submission Process:

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Applications may be submitted in English. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows you to upload one document:

CV and a Personal History Form; http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc);
Letter of interest outlining why you would be the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
A brief methodology (minimum: 2 pages; maximum: 5 pages) on how you will approach the assignment and the areas to be covered;
An example of relevant work (materials, publications, related links).

Financial Proposal:

Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price in Euro or Us Dollars. The proposal shall be provided as per the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780 and needs to be sent to: procurement.be@undp.org by 28th September 2020. The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: Research individual consultant to draft a user guide of the SDG version of the free software CONSUL.

Proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive’ implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal. In case there will be in country travel required, UNDP will reimburse the costs additionally (travel shall not be part of the financial proposal).

Criteria for Evaluation of Proposal:

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated. Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the educational background, experience on similar assignments, technical proposal will be weighted at 70% and the price proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring. The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score that has also accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract. Only Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 points:

Criteria A – Demonstrated experience through CV and P11 analysis– max points: 20;
Criteria B – Technical proposal – max points: 25;
Criteria C –Relevant publications and research in the field of international development cooperation and local development and/or local governance – max points: 10;
Criteria D - Portfolio and samples works delivered for similar products – max points: 25;
Criteria E – In depth knowledge of the Agenda 2030 and the SDG localization process – max 20 points;

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

The 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;
< > = price of the lowest priced proposal;
z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

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 will inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.