The UNDP Sri Lanka Country Office (CO) is seeking to hire an International Consultant to strengthen the CO’s policy and advisory support role and increase its internal capacity to provide high quality proposals on SDG integrated development solutions.

Given the evolving development trajectory in the country; owing to COVID19, there is an acute need to develop strong technical proposals and concept notes that will take forward the UNDP 2.0 agenda and the policy and program priorities determined for 2021. The flagship governance portfolio of the CO: the SDG16 portfolio will need to be leveraged more strategically to anchor and scale up the work undertaken on the Parliament and oversight institutions, access to justice and strengthening of local governance.

Scope and Objectives

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative of the Sri Lanka Country Office (CO), the Consultant will provide substantive policy and program advisory services, related to the CO’s program portfolio, working closely with the program teams. S/he is responsible for performing and contributing primarily to the following objectives:

• To develop concept notes and full proposals to acquire new funding and partnerships for the CO;
• To provide technical advice and support to develop and strengthen the CO pipeline for resource mobilization in line with the UNDP 2.0 offer and UN Advisory Paper on Socio Economic Recovery;
• To support Policy Development;
• To technically edit and proof-read policy briefs and technical discussion papers;
• To support the CO with other research activities that will help build a strong knowledge and evidence base for ongoing and future programs;

Expected Deliverables & Timelines

Deliverable / No. of days (Total 100 days)

1. Support to finalize the proposal for the Biennial Update Report to be submitted to the UNFCCC – 10 days
2. Finalize the funding proposal on Chemical Waste Management for GEF – 10 days
3. Finalize the Chapter 01, 05 and 06 and overall editing of the Third National Communication, on par with international standards – 14 days
4. Support to finalize the CO’s paper on Green Economy – 06 days
5. Support to finalize the concept note for GCF on Air Pollution (stoves)  - 05 days
6. Revision of the SDG16 Portfolio Document to make it current, nimble, innovative and relevant based on the findings from the SDG16 Evaluation & Strategic Direction Setting Exercise (focusing both on the substantive elements and governance/management arrangements of the portfolio) – 10 days
7. Paper on UNDP’s offer on Social Cohesion- Concept Note (knowledge/think piece) to be annexed to the broader analysis to be shared with Development Partners – 04 days
8. Anti- Corruption Support- Concept Document on strategic support on anti-corruption building on the ‘creative’ entry points that penetrate beyond the traditional modes of support) to be incorporated within the Portfolio – 04 days
9. Finalize synthesis presentation and four provincial presentations of the baseline studies, and provide technical support to CDLG – 15 days
10. Support the CO with other research activities that will help build a strong knowledge and evidence base for ongoing and future programs, provide technical advice and support to develop and strengthen the CO pipeline for resource mobilization and developing, drafting and editing policy briefs and technical discussion papers as necessitated – 22 days

Timeframe

The duration of this IC will be for 100 days within the period of January-December 2021.

Corporate competencies:

• Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work.
• Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow.
• People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction.
• Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform.
• Delivery:  Ability to get things done.

Technical/Functional

Primary:

Local and Urban Governance:

• Knowledge of local and urban governance issues in the Asia-Pacific region, and of strengthening systems and institutions to deliver better services
• Knowledge of SDG localization in the region, and familiarity with the tools and approaches of UNDP

Design Thinking and Social Innovation:

• Knowledge and use of design thinking and social innovation approaches
• Ability and experience in supporting local governments to collaboratively develop services with local stakeholders

Project and Programme Management:

• Ability to plan, organize, and control resources, procedures and protocols to achieve specific goals.
• Partnerships:
• Ability to engage with other agencies, donors, and other development stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.
• Knowledge Management:
• Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Secondary:

  Coordination:

• Ability to manage complex relationships through pathways of knowledge exchange, capacity development, funding relationships and strategic engagement.
• Trends and emerging areas analytics:
• Ability to scan the horizon and identify approaches and initiatives to bring into policy and programme design.

Education:

• Master’s degree or equivalent in one of the following fields: political science, public administration, development studies, international relations, law, social sciences.

Experience:

• 7 years of relevant experience, preferably in international organizations, experience in the Asia-Pacific Region is an advantage.
• Experience in the area of institutional capacity development for anti-corruption and public administration reform.
• Experience in project management.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, experience of ATLAS system an asset.

Language Requirements:

•  Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of other UN languages is an asset.

HOW TO APPLY

• To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org.

The application should be uploaded as One PDF file including the followings;

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position and a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
• Financial Proposal (Format can be accessed via link Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability )
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.

Please make sure you have provided all requested materials mentioned above. Not submitting of all the above required documents together with the CV, will be treated as a disqualification.

Financial Proposal

All Inclusive Daily Fee: USD (_____________________________________)

Amount in words: (USD______________________________________________________________)

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Daily Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided.  Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

Payment for Services

Payments will be based on the submission of written reports specifying the tasks accomplished and corresponding number of workdays put in towards achieving the deliverables outlined above.