Background

UNDP Philippines started implementing its new Country Programme Document (CPD) 2019-2023. UNDP Philippines’ work will be structured around three outcome areas that are aligned with and contribute to the achievement of the Philippine Development Plan 2017-2022, the UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021, and the United Nations – Philippines Partnership Framework for Sustainable Development 2019-2023. The three integrated programme work areas are the following:

1. strengthening capacity to plan, manage and deliver quality social and economic services for the most marginalized and at-risk people;
2. supporting the effective transition towards low carbon and climate resilient development; and
3. support towards addressing the key drivers of conflict and risks to stability.

While building on the gaps from the Country Office’s wealth of experience in the above-mentined programme areas, it would need to revolutionize the way it works and break from the past. It has become clear that transformational changes are necessary for the Philippines to tackle critical challenges and ultimately realize its national development goals and achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to support the Philippines in this transformation, the Country Office has identified five inter-related, cross-cutting approaches to underpin its work. These are: focusing on financing and not funding to deliver results, applying innovations to provide new solutions to old development problems, deepening partnerships to ensure no one is left behind, re-conceptualizing the human rights-based approach and providing platforms for SDGs integration and acceleration. 

In order to implement the portfolio of programs and achieve the above objectives, UNDP Philippines requires the services of a Programme Support Consultant to support the oversight and programme finance function of the UNDP Results and Quality Team. The consultant will assist in the quality assurance of plans and documents throughout the project life cycle (from design to closure), in ensuring the timely implementation of financial management strategies through compliance with UNDP policies and procedures, and in the conduct of capacity building activities to strengthen the capacity of UNDP Staff and partners on the implementation of assurance activities.

Governance and Accountability

The consultant shall work closely with the UNDP Philippines Results and Quality Team, Programme Teams, Impact Advisory Team, and Operations Team of the CO, and will be under the direct supervisions of the RBM Analyst.

Expected duration of the contract/assignment

The services of the consultant are required for 24 working days spread over two (2) months. The schedule of deliverables and duration of work may be revised based on a mutually agreed timetable through an exchange of letters.  

Duty Station

Home-based with the possibility of few meetings in the UNDP office with the UNDP Senior Management and Results and Quality Team.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The contract price shall be an all-inclusive lump-sum amount regardless of the extension of the herein specified duration. Payments shall be made upon submission and acceptance of outputs as specified in Part E.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of the Results-Based Management (RBM) Analyst, the consultant will support the following areas:

1) Support to programme resource planning, analysis, and quality assurance:

• Facilitate the effective planning and preparation of 2021 Project Annual Work Plans through quality assurance of physical and financial targets and operational risks;
• Prepare a calendar of reporting requirements with corresponding deadline (e.g. donor reporting, NEX Advance certification, Grants certification) and develop a tracker system to effectively monitor them;
• Consolidates common findings and recommendations of IPs micro-assessment reports as well as spot check reports and convert them into FAQs for future reference. Establish clear linkage to risk identified as a result of these exercises;
• Support the Results and Quality Team, including the Risk Management Advisor, in implementing the recommendations from the CO internal control review.

2) Support the timely administration of project design and closure activities:

• Support the Programme Finance Associate in ensuring full compliance to project closure policies of development and management projects, including conduct of compensatory procedures as applicable to complex and isolated cases;
• Support in the review of new project concepts, initiation plans, and agreements, ensuring that cost recovery strategies are properly accounted for;

 3) Facilitate knowledge sharing activities and provide guidance to stakeholders on programme finance matters

• Consolidate common Atlas-related issues and solutions, such as on budget revisions, budget exceptions, etc.) and produce and support the Programme Finance Associate in developing FAQs for guidance of stakeholders;
• Assist in synthesizing lessons learned and best practices in programme and project finance management;
• Conduct knowledge sharing sessions as required;

Deliverables and Schedules/Expected Outputs

Listed below are the specific duties and responsibilities with target due dates.

Competencies

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.

Functional and technical competencies

• Ability to work in a diverse and multi-cultural environment;
• Self-motivated and ability to work under pressure and to meet strict and competing deadlines;
• Displays analytical judgment and demonstrated ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;

Required Skills and Experience

Candidates will be evaluated based on the Combined Rating methodology:

• Qualifications from the CV = 70%
• Financial Proposal =    30%

Only those who will obtain 70 out of 100 obtainable points will be considered qualified and shortlisted for the post. Please make sure your CV indicates compliance with EACH of the following minimum criteria.

Applicants who will only receive 70 points from the assessment of the CV will be qualified for the assessment of the Financial Proposal. 

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document. 

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. Personal CV or P11, 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. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an 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 UNDP under 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 UNDP.

Interested applicants to note that personal Medical/health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

The following templates / Annexes and IC General Terms & Conditions can be downloaded from http://gofile.me/6xdJm/bE9TCw8fU:

• General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contract
• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
• P-11 form

In view of the volume of applications, UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.