Background
India has played an important role in shaping the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the Central Government level, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog has been assigned the role of overseeing the implementation of SDGs, while the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) is responsible for evolving the national SDG indicators. NITI Aayog has carried out a detailed mapping of the 17 Goals and associated targets on Central Ministries, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSSs) and other government initiatives for improving awareness, common understanding and faster implementation of the SDGs and related targets. At the sub-national level, several States/Union Territories have also carried out a similar mapping of the SDGs and SDG targets on their respective Departments and programmes for faster implementation of SDGs. The commitment of the Government of India to achieving the SDGs can be realised only if actions at the national level are complimented by initiatives of the State Governments. It is necessitated by the federal governance structure of the country, where most of the functions that have a bearing on SDGs are in the State or Concurrent List of the VII Schedule of the Constitution. Therefore, the State governments have the prime responsibility in achieving SDGs and are essential stakeholders in implementing the Agenda 2030.The focus of the SDGs on equality, inclusion and justice makes the participation and contribution of States in the pursuit of SDGs very important. The States of India reflect the enormous geographic and demographic diversity as well as socio-economic disparities prevalent in the country. Of late, special efforts have been made to invigorate the federal structure of the country through promotion of cooperative and competitive federalism. State Governments are playing a prominent role in advancing the national development agenda. States and UTs are taking a host of measures to implement the SDGs. Most of them have already aligned their departments as well as schemes/ programmes being implemented with SDGs and associated targets. States have also created implementation structures for coordinating activities on SDGs. The localization processes spearheaded by the States have thrown interesting results and there are several early lessons that need to be captured to further nuance the approach to localization. Services of an experienced report writer are required to prepare such a document in collaboration with NITI Aayog, UN and the State governments. It is envisaged that this document will be ready for launch at the High-Level Political Forum in July 2019.
Duties and Responsibilities
DESCRIPTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT: Prepare a document capturing early lessons on localisaing the SDGs, based on the experiences of the sub-national governments. The main target audiences of the report are policy makers and development practitioners within India and other developing countries, United Nations agencies, and CSOs. For consistency of definitions, concepts and further guidance on SDGs, reference can be made to A/RES/70/1 - Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . In addition, guidance is also available at the NITI Aayog website.
Key responsibilities include:
- Research, write and edit a 50-60 page text – including charts and graphs, as needed – for the early lessons on localizing the SDGs report as per a “working” editorial and production schedule. Please note that despite the schedule, due to delays in obtaining approvals, flexibility is built in to accommodate these lapses. The report has to be ready for the HLPF 2019 which starts on 9 July 2019 in New York.
- The consultant will draft an outline based on research as well as consultations with NITI Aayog and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office
- After the draft text is reviewed by the relevant officials, the consultant will incorporate revisions related to content and/or language and complete the final content of the publication.
- The consultant will work closely with the consultant graphic designer to develop ideas for graphics and charts that creatively convey key messages/data in the report.
- The consultant will also proof read the texts as they are laid out by the designer.
Outputs:
- Final text as a Word document, including table of contents
- Proofreading of design layouts to ensure text and graphics are error free.
Approximate word count:20000-25000 words
Substantive chapters of the report will include:
- Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Foreword(s) -- perspectives on the relevance of the publication by NITI Aayog and the UN
- Executive Summary or Introduction -- synopsis of the publication
- Indian Development Context – importance of India to achieve the SDGs
- Institutional Structure to deliver on the SDGs – NITI, MOSPI, Ministries, States
- National Strategy to achieve the SDGs
- Lessons learned regarding: -
- Communication, Awareness generation and Advocacy
- Following “whole of government” approach and institutionalization of the SDGs in planning, implementation and monitoring
- Localizing in context of a federal set-up: role of states and district administration. Aligning local plans with the SDGs; Fostering competitive and cooperative federalism- the SDG India Index
- Following interconnectedness approach – good examples of inter-sectoral approaches
- Monitoring with focus on statistical systems, use of technology
- Budgeting and Financing
- Capacity development
- Leave no one behind
9. Looking ahead
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;
- Expertise in data collection and analysis;
- Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
- Strong analytical and research and writing skills; and
- Excellent organizational, and communication skills.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Essential – BA / MA in Eng Hons / Degree in Communications, Journalism, Development or a similar field.
- Desirable - Degree/Diploma/in related field.
Experience:
Minimum of five years of work experience at the national and/or international levels in journalism and report writing
- Excellent analytical skills and ability to integrate diverse quantitative and qualitative data as demonstrated by prior involvement in producing well thought-out written publications on business, economic, development, and social issues indicators and measurements
- Works independently and effectively within a team environment
- Manages and delivers quality deliverables on time
- Takes initiatives and works independently to carry out tasks and achieve results
- Familiarity with SDGs within the national development context an asset
Language:
- Excellent writing, editing and oral communication skills in English is required.
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultants whose offer has been evaluated and determined as responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a predetermined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation;
- Technical Criteria weight - 70%;
- Financial Criteria weight – 30 %
Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation)
- Work experience at the national and/or international levels in journalism and report writing – 30%
- Excellent communication, analytical, drafting and reporting skills – 25%
- Engagement with academic/ government institutions – 15%
Financial Criteria:
- (30% of the total evaluation) based on the total all-inclusive lump sum amount for professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement. This include all expenditure including travel and accommodation for delivering the results to UNDP.
Documents to be submitted by Consultants
- Cover letter expressing interest and availability and financial proposal in terms of consolidated charge.
- Updated CV
Notes:
As system allows uploading only one file, please merge above-mentioned documents to be submitted as part of application into one (1)
single PDF document and upload.
Application may not be accepted, if all the above listed documents are not submitted.
The following documents can be accessed, clicking the link:
General Conditions for Individual Contract-
http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india /docs/procurement/UNDP%20General%20Conditions%20for%20Individual%20Contracts.pdf
Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment, including Financial Proposal
template-
http://www.in.undp.org/content/dam/india/docs/careers/PSU_%20Individual%20Contract_Offerors-Letter-UNDP.pdf
For queries, please email to: ic.india@undp.org