UNDP Jobs - 90728- Local Expert on Parliamentary & SDG Partnership

Local Expert on Parliamentary & SDG Partnership

Location :

Prishtina, Kosovo, UNSCR 1244 (1999)

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

06-Apr-2020

Application Deadline :

27-Mar-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

06 April 2020 – 31 December 2020 (195 working days for the duration of the contract)

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

06 April 2020 – 31 December 2020 (195 working days for the duration of the contract)

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

Having initiated the commitment to the SDGs in October 2015, and the voluntary adoption of the SDG Resolution in 2018, Kosovo institutions are now exploring ways to follow up on an ambitious plan for integration and implementation of SDGs in line with the “National Development Strategy (NDS) 2016-2021” and the Stability and Association Agreement (SAA) process. The SDG process is implemented through guidance on the mainstreaming, acceleration and policy support (MAPS) approach which is applicable for Kosovo as well.
UNKT has supported the Kosovo Parliament to move forward with the integration of the SDGs within its policies, commitment with the SDG resolution, and endorsement by the AoK on establishment of the Council for sustainable development.
To further build on the achieved results, UNKT worked with the Speaker’s cabinet, the Committee on Health, Labour and Social Welfare, and Administration to follow up on the commitments to the global goals as they also pursue their strategic alliances with partners on the EU integration. The formalization of the commitment with the planned SDG Resolution will allow the Council for sustainable development and the other MPs to perform their legislative, monitoring and representation role as they tailor their SDG vision for Kosovo’s context.
The MPs and the Speaker’s team, through the SD Council, will design a strategic plan in collaboration with the central level institutions and civil society to ensure that all levels of institutions are brought together to address key development challenges in Kosovo. This will create a better understanding of the SDG related achievements, and challenges, from monitoring to regular progress. The expert will be assigned to the Speaker’s Cabinet, and upon Cabinet’s request will work closely with Parliamentary Committees and individual MPs to further enhance SDG related agenda.
The UNKT has provided expert support since the establishment of the Sustainable Development Council on advancing the SDGs and prioritizing the development agenda. UNKT has committed to continue this support through a specific assignment based on the guidance provided in the Parliament's Role in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals: A Parliamentary Handbook and the Parliaments and the Sustainable Development Goals: A self-assessment toolkit, by the UN SDG.

Objectives of Assignment

Spearhead the efforts of the UNKT in developing a concrete plan for the Council for Sustainable Development and helping the Council in mainstreaming the SDGs into the policy and legislative agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the DCO Head of Office, and UNDP Deputy Programme Coordinator, and in daily cooperation with the Cabinet of the Assembly President, the expert will undertake the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Policy and legislative analysis:

Analysis of key laws, regulations, and decisions, to integrate the recommendations from the SDG Resolution for Kosovo;
Comparative analysis of the relevant SDGs implementation and incorporation in the legislative agenda Develop four SDG policy papers on themes as agreed with the SD Council in relation to Kosovo’s challenges and gaps;
Conduct policy and enabling environment research on the implementation of SDGs to include (but not limited to): the status of SDG integration in laws and policies, issues and challenges of monitoring and implementation, including opportunities.

2. Expert support:

Technical and professional support for the Cabinet of the Speaker of the Assembly;
Technical and professional inputs to the Committee on SD on developing an indicator framework and a list of indicators for the monitoring of the goals and targets as applicable to Kosovo;
Technical and professional inputs to the Committee on SD on monitoring activities related to SDG implementation as per the indicator framework;
Identify, share and encourage good practices on monitoring the SDGs, including in the area of institutional capacity development;
Technical and professional inputs to Parliamentary Committees which have a strong focus on social issues relating to SDGs;
Technical and professional inputs in preparation and development of processes related to SDG integration.

3. Partnership and cooperation:

Serve as a focal point for the UNKT (based on respective agencies’ mandates) in matters related to the Assembly, coordination with the Cabinet of the Assembly President, and the Secretary General’s office;
Coordination and liaison function between UNKT and the AoK on SDG related activities, including the legislative agenda;
Facilitate cooperation between the SD Council and the Strategic Planning Office (OPM) on SDG related matters;
Engage between the AoK, UNKT and other international partners working with the AoK and civil society organizations on collaboration with the SD Council based on the SDG Resolution recommendations;
Technical support for the preparations of stakeholders on the AoK’s role on SDGs monitoring;
Supporting the UNKT Agencies, Funds and programmes in arranging meetings, participation in committee hearings and related activities.

N.B. The expert must always maintain a professional approach towards the assigned work and act without bias. Her/his role is to provide technical expertise on subject matter without expressing her/his personal opinions, other than of professional nature, or preferences. The expert must always be cognizant that she/he does not, and cannot, represent nor speak on behalf of the AoK’s President, her Cabinet, the AoK, and any other parliamentary structures in any meetings, events, media/press gatherings or similar.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

Support the Council for Sustainable Development with policy notes, briefings on the functioning of the council focused on monitoring the implementation of the SDGs and other relevant fields (35 working days)
Draft the Council’s Annual Work Plan for 2020 through series of consultative meetings with the administration, the MPs and other relevant stakeholders on implementation of the SDG priorities in alignment with strategic documents (20 working days)
Draft briefing notes, analysis, reviews (30 working days)
Maintain regular contacts with respective committees, caucus and provide regular monthly reports on activities undertaken with the Assembly (40 working days)
Produce at least four policy papers on SDGs - as agreed with the team (65 working days)
Prepare a final report documenting the support (5 working days)

Remuneration - Lump Sum Amount:
The Contract is based on lump sum remuneration and payments will be done on monthly basis upon satisfactory completion of deliverables/activities set in the deliverables section, duly approved by the UN Coordination Specialist.

Required Presentation of Offer
The following documents are required:

Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
Personal CV and P11 form indicating all past experiences from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Offeror and at least three (3) professional references
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, inclusive and on monthly bases.
Copy of Diplomas

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer:
Offers will be evaluated utilizing a combined Scoring method – where the qualifications (CV/ P11) will be weighted a max. of 70% and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

Plans, prioritizes, and delivers tasks on time
Good knowledge of RBM and participatory planning
Ability to work independently and takes initiative in finding solutions
Supports effective and efficient teamwork
Displays responsive, transparent and constructive attitude
Analytical and strategic thinking / results oriented
Ability to design and manage coordination processes, including with multiple stakeholders
Good knowledge of organizational policies and procedures related to the position and ability to apply them consistently in work tasks
Good interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others

Core 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

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences; Master’s degree desirable

Experience:

At least 7 years of professional experience (5 years for MA) relevant to the role, in a development setting with national or international organizations;
Proven experience on research, policy development, and analysis;
Ability to work in a team, develop synergies, and establish effective work relations;
Ability to priorities and take initiative;
Knowledge of Kosovo’s development context, the UN system and the SDG guidelines;
Knowledge about the 2030 Global Agenda is an asset;
Knowledge of UN system values and functioning is an asset.

Language and Computer Requirements:
Excellent written/spoken English and Albanian, Serbian is desirable
Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc), social media

Application Instructions:

Click on the "Apply now" button
Input your information in the appropriate sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; you can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box
Upon completion of the first page, please hit "submit application" tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload your Resume
System will only allow one attachment. All docs (CV; P11; financial offer; list of similar profiles should be included as one attachment)
Please make sure to submit all the requested documents/information; otherwise, your application will be considered incomplete