UNDP Jobs - 83525- Partnerships Consultant

Partnerships Consultant

Location :

Istanbul, TURKEY

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

24-Feb-19 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

estimated 1 March 2019 – 1 August 2019

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

approximately 90 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

In alignment with the UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 and the 2018-2021 Regional Program for Europe and CIS, partnerships building continues to be a critical priority for the countries in the ECIS region, a geographical area dominated my middle income countries, with a transitioning development funding landscape that requires more sophisticated partnerships and resource mobilization models.

To support the UNDP Country Offices and regional projects with partnership building and resource mobilization, the IRH Partnerships team is seeking to hire a partnerships consultant to perform RM intelligence and partnership development activities, as described below, especially supporting the development of the IFI engagement pipeline and designing funding solutions for selected regional initiatives.

A: Supporting the development of the RBEC IFI partnerships pipeline

As part of UNDP’s global International Financial Institutions (IFIs) Partnerships strategy, UNDP seeks to catalyze action that will help governments take advantage of multilateral funding for development and lead to new and innovative partnerships with IFIs in Europe and the CIS.

Following several years of intense engagement with various IFIs active in the Europe and CIS region, the current assignment will contribute to the consolidation of UNDP’s’ partnerships with IFIs such as the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) and the KfW Bank, and to translate the mutual interest to cooperate into tangible joint projects. The consultant is expected to advance the partnership with the above-mentioned IFIs, both at the corporate level (on alignment of rules and procedure, legal matters, joint corporate events, joint research and awareness raising) and at the country level (joint project design, loan implementation agreements, technical assistance agreements, etc.).

B: Designing funding solutions to support the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans

The South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SEESAC) is a joint initiative of the UNDP and the Regional Cooperation Council that aims to support countries in South East and Eastern Europe to control and reduce the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. SEESAC also has a distinguished record working closely with national Ministries to mainstream gender equality and this aspect will remain central to the programme.

The overall objective of the project is to contribute to international peace and security by combatting the threat posed by the widespread accumulation and illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons and their ammunition in and from SEE. At the same time, it enhances regional stability by working within the framework of the Regional Cooperation Council and in partnership with other relevant initiatives.

Under the auspices of a joint initiative by Germany and France, SEESAC assisted the authorities in the region to develop the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024 which was adopted at the London Western Balkans Summit in July 2018. The Roadmap is providing a comprehensive approach to small arms and light weapons control, recognizing that the proliferation and illicit trafficking of firearms and their ammunition is a persistent threat for European security. The EU Council adopted the EU Council Decision 2018/1788 in support of the implementation of the Regional Roadmap on combating illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans. The project, implemented by SEESAC, provides support for coordination of the implementation of the Roadmap; harmonization of the Western Balkans authorities' arms control legislation with the EU regulatory framework and other related international obligations; as well as capacity assessments and technical assistance for countering illicit arms trafficking in the Western Balkans, the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine and Belarus. In this context, UNDP was mandated, among other tasks, to set up a multi-partner trust fund that will encompass contributions from contributors and will support the implementation of the Roadmap. To support the setting up the multi-partner trust fund, the SEESAC team is seeking to hire a partnership consultant to advise on the possible funding mechanisms and to liaise with relevant partners and outreach.

Overall objective of the assignment

The Partnerships Consultant, based in Istanbul, will report to the Team Leader, New Partnerships and Emerging Donors, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (for deliverables A) and the Project Manager of the SEESAC team (for deliverables B). In order to effectively deliver the expected outputs of the consultancy, the Consultant will need to coordinate (with the support of the Partnerships and SEESAC teams, which will jointly manage this consultancy) on a day-to-day basis with the Brussels-based Partnership Advisor, and will maintain regular communication with the Financial Institutions Team in the Bureau for External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), UNDP HQ, as well as the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTFO) and the Bureau of Management Services (MBS), as needed.

The current assignment has 2 overall objectives:

A. Building upon the existing progress on IFIs partnerships in Europe and CIS, and in support of the implementation of the broader UNDP IFI strategy, to contribute to the implementation of the corporate engagement plans for the partnerships with EIB, EBRD, CEB and other IFIs as relevant, with a particular focus on activities that are relevant for RBEC (as described below), and to assist RBEC UNDP Country Offices develop a pipeline of joint initiatives with these IFIs.

B. To design and operationalize the funding mechanism that will support the roll-out of the Roadmap for a sustainable solution to the illegal possession, misuse and trafficking of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their ammunition in the Western Balkans by 2024.

Duties and Responsibilities

In relation to deliverables A of the current contract, the consultant will:

Identify key bottlenecks, processes, and opportunities for advancing partnerships with the above-mentioned IFIs;
Support the management of the relationship with the above-mentioned IFIs by liaising with their headquarters and regional and country offices;
Liaise with the UNDP Brussels office, BERA-HQ and relevant Regional Bureaus to ensure the necessary linkages within UNDP and with the above mentioned banks.
Assist Country Offices in developing proposals for UNDP in the Europe and CIS region and, based on demand, from another region where UNDP operates to be implemented in collaboration with the IFIs.

In relation to deliverables B of the current contract, the consultant will:

Provide technical advice in relation to the funding mechanisms for the implementation of the Roadmap;
Draft working documents for the operationalization of the Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Trust Fund and in support of the various meetings and consultation processes required to set it up.
Liaise with relevant partners and outreach.

Deliverables:

The following deliverables are expected from the consultancy:

Deliverables A (as detailed in the timetable below):

Analytical reports (5 reports, 1 every month, as per the deliverables timeline below) - performing comprehensive research and analysis on a broad set of IFI partnership engagement topics, including concept notes for joint portfolio discussions, partnership review meetings, joint visibility events, regular updates of work plans, as agreed with the respective banks and others as needed;
Partnership support for UNDP Country Offices, Regional Bureaus and UNDP HQ through partnerships intelligence, data collection, briefs, analysis and specific recommendations (approximately 1 substantive contribution per month in the form of written input or substantive consultations, as per the deliverables timeline below);

Deliverables B (as detailed in the timetable below):

Working documents, guidelines and other similar documentation for the operationalization of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap trust funds;
Donor outreach strategy and implementation plan drafted;
Call(s) for Project Proposals drafted, and corresponding project appraisal processes organized.

Timeframe: Approximately 90 working days over an estimated period of five months from the start of the assignment (as per the timetable below).

Payments for deliverables will be made in 5 equal installments once a month, upon submission progress reports against deliverables and their acceptance by the Supervisor/Certifying Officer(s) as per the payment schedule below. All deliverables should be submitted to UNDP by the Consultant in English.

List of Deliverables:

By 1 April 2019; app. 18 working days:

First analytical report on IFI partnerships: 2019 Action Plan with the European Investment Bank drafted.
Report on Country Office support deliverables on IFI partnerships engagement (expected deliverable: CO briefing and collection of input from relevant COs for the EIB 2019 Action Plan)
Documentation for the first meeting of the Steering Committee of the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Multi Partner Trust Fund (MPTF) prepared (documentation to include: background documents, meeting agenda)

By 1 May 2019; app. 18 working days:

Second analytical report on IFI partnerships: 2019 Europe and CIS Action Plan with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development delivered.
Report on Country Office support deliverables on IFI partnerships engagement (expected deliverable: briefing session and collection of input from relevant COs for the EBRD 2019 Action Plan)
Donor outreach strategy and implementation plan for the Western Balkans SALW Control Roadmap Multi Partner Trust Fund drafted.

By 1 June 2019; app. 18 working days:

Third analytical report on IFI partnerships: Concept note for EIB East Conference 2019 drafted.
Report on Country Office support deliverables on IFI partnerships engagement (expected deliverable: Concept note for a Blended Finance workshop addressed to RBEC COs developed).
First MPTF Call for Project Proposals drafted.

By 1 July 2019; app. 18 working days:

Fourth analytical report on IFI partnerships: EIB Partnership Profile, including the brief description and lessons learned of the most recent corporate and filed engagements with the Bank, updated.
Report on Country Office support deliverables on IFI partnerships engagement (expected deliverable: revise and update the existing online data base capturing partnerships with IFIs in RBEC).
Report on CO outreach and engagement to support the timely submission of funding proposals for the MPTF

By 1 August 2019; app. 18 working days:

Fifth analytical report on IFI partnerships: concept note for the organization of a joint side event with MDBs on the margins of HLPF/UNGA 2019 drafted.
Report on Country Office support deliverables on IFI partnerships engagement (expected deliverable: IFI consultations organized in the context of UNDP Sub-regional cluster meetings).
MPTF project appraisal process prepared, and project appraisal report drafted.

Travel costs related to possible missions to Europe and CIS region (and other regions as per needed), will be paid separately to the Consultant following UNDP’s rules and regulations. The contract can include 3 anticipated missions (two to three working days per mission to Luxembourg, Brussels, London or RBEC country offices, to be determined during the contract period together, with the supervising officer).

Any unpredictable changes to the deliverables mentioned above, caused by objective factors that do not relate to the performance of the consultant, will be agreed in advance with the consultant and supervising officers.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

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;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional competencies:

Strong analytical, research, reporting and writing abilities;
Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
Strong organizational and process management competencies;
Team working competencies and ability to effectively work in teams;
Ability to assess complex situations in order to screen succinctly and clearly critical issues and draw forward-looking conclusions.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

Master’s degree in Finance, Economic, Business Administration, International Relations, Political science, European Union studies, international Development, Economic development or related topics;

Experience

At least 6 years of working experience in programming, project management, technical assistance, or policy advice in international development;
Working experience with multilateral organizations, especially on issues related to development cooperation funding/financing;
Experience with UNDP or other UN agencies on multilateral funding and resource mobilization is a plus;
Proven relevant experience in developing partnerships in Europe and the CIS countries is an asset;

Language

Excellent written and spoken English.

Evaluation of Applicants

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (P11 desk reviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates who will get at least 70% of points in desk review will be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation – max. 35 points:

Criteria A (Education) – max points: 4;
Criteria B (Experience in programming, project management, technical assistance, or policy advice in international development) – max points: 8;
Criteria C (Working experience with multilateral organizations, especially on issues related to development cooperation funding/financing) – max points: 6;
Criteria D (Experience with UNDP or other UN agencies on multilateral funding and resource mobilization) – max. points: 6;
Criteria E (Proven relevant experience in developing partnerships in Europe and the CIS countries) – max points: 6;
Criteria F (Evaluation of the methodology) – max points: 5

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation – max. 15 points.

Application procedures
The application submission is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications.

Step 1: Interested candidates must include the following documents when submitting the applications (Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document):

Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application
Brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work (maximum 2 pages document including the draft workplan and maximum 300 words summarizing your view UNDP opportunity to work with abovementioned IFIs)
CV or Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
(blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc);

Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and requested to provide a financial offer.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
Payments will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Individual 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 are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.