Historique

Office/Unit/Project Description

South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) continue to play an important role in the global development cooperation discourse and architecture for sustainable development. The scale, scope, volume, and number of stakeholders of SSTC continue to record an exponential growth at all levels. The Second UN High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40, 2019) resulted in a very ambitious Outcome Document that aims at further strengthening and revitalizing SSTC, within the framework of a Global Partnership for Sustainable Development.

In addition, the Outcome Document acknowledged the importance of sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices, particularly homegrown development approaches, on SSTC in the attainment of sustainable development and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; reaffirmed the key role of UN system entities in this endeavour, including UN country teams; and called on the UN system entities to continue supporting regional and sub-regional organizations. The 20th session of the UN High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation also provided further impetus to the follow-up to the BAPA+40 outcome document, especially in the context of COVID-19 recovery efforts and the last Decade of Action for SDGs.

In June 2017, the Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation, based in Istanbul, Turkey,  produced the first regional report on South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Towards Sustainable Human Development in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States; the Power of Knowledge Sharing”. The report was done jointly with UNDP to catalyze South-South, East-East and triangular cooperation in the region, the report recommended to strengthen institutional foundations, apply diverse finance modalities and streamline the work of the UN System in the region to support national institutions, advance analytical foundation and build up its own internal capacity. The report was underpinned by the comprehensive mapping of ongoing initiatives at that time, identifying a series of good practices. It also made recommendations on how countries could advance institutionalization of South-South and triangular cooperation offering a checklist for quick assessment. Among other things, the report recommended a series of interventions to build institutional foundations for South-South and triangular cooperation in the region.

Since the publication of the above and other reports, there have been a number of developments ECIS region, including in the areas of South-South, East-East and triangular cooperation. 

Institutional models in various countries and sub-regions evolved to respond to ongoing development challenges and currently the region uses a wide range of institutional practices. Some countries in Europe are members of both European Union and OECD/DAC; at the same time their experience as ODA providers is relatively new and recent developments in their national development cooperation models can be of interest to countries in other parts of the region. Other countries including Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan also established dedicated Government structures, while in other countries dedicated units channel relatively limited share of external development cooperation. The region also started benefiting from the programmes of the Southern financial institutions, such as AIIB. Regional blocks including Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation or Black Sea Economic Cooperation continued being important platforms and facilitators of cooperation between the countries in the region. These and other contextual factors shape development of South-South, East-East and triangular cooperation in the region. UN System in the region continues playing very important role in facilitation, building capacity and accumulating knowledge on SS/EE/TrC.

Thus, the Division for Arabs States, Europe and the CIS of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), in cooperation with UNDP, is commissioning a new regional report aimed at identifying medium- and long-term regional strategies, plans and programmes related to SSTrC in the ECIS region, including through more inter-regional, intra-regional and international cooperation.

Within the UN system, the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is responsible for mainstreaming SSTC across the UN system and assisting developing countries in strengthening their capacities to manage, design and implement SSC policies and initiatives through the identification, sharing, and transfer of successful Southern-generated development knowledge and solutions.

Objectives of the report

The new/updated report will aim to:

1. Take stock of latest trends in SS/EE/TrC and map existing initiatives, outlining the progress and lack thereof, identifying both challenges and opportunities
2. Analyze recent developments in building institutional foundations for SS/EE/TrC
3. Identify possible determinants and ingredients in the establishment, strengthening and consolidation of institutional and partnerships arrangements for SS/EE/TrC
4. Provide policy recommendations on the pathways towards the use of SS/EE/TrC for sustainable recovery and achievement of the SDGs.
5. Provide recommendations on how UN System (as well as other actors) can provide support to institutional frameworks for SS/EE/TrC at country and regional levels.  

Findings of the report will facilitate regional dialogue on the further implementation of BAPA+40, identify priorities by the countries in the region, and will offer practical ideas to the countries of the region with regards to institutional models, good practices, innovative financing mechanisms for taking full advantage of SS/EE/TrC.

The analysis will be based on the mapping of SS/EE/TrC initiatives, projects, as well as policies, and institutional models. It will evaluate main developments and trends in the reporting period (from the last report in 2017 until now).

In line with the priorities expressed by the countries in the region, the analytical part of the report will particularly focus on the following themes:

• Evolution of the institutional models of SS/EE/TrC: in the recent decade several countries of the region established national international cooperation agencies (including KazAID in Kazakhstan, AIDA in Azerbaijan, TIKA in Turkey). Other countries were active in international cooperation, while not establishing dedicated national institutions. The report will take stock of the institutional diversity in the region, draw lessons from recent experience, and will offer recommendations on the knowledge sharing within the region and beyond. This theme will be the focus of the report.

• Triangular Cooperation: According to the OECD, Europe and CIS have the lowest number of triangular cooperation among the five regions. Yet, many countries in the region have significant potential to contribute to triangular cooperation initiatives supported by DAC donors and international organizations. The report will consider existing cases and provide recommendations on how interested countries can better position themselves for participation in triangular cooperation. 

• Beyond knowledge sharing: Most countries in the region participate in SS/EE/TrC through sharing of knowledge and expertise. However, BAPA+40 recognized the diversity of South-South Development Cooperation modalities, including financial cooperation between countries. The report will take stock of the financial cooperation (by BRICS countries, Arab donors, Southern financial institutions such as IsDB, AIIB, and others), analyze relevant policy frameworks, and provide recommendations on how financial cooperation by Southern providers can be scaled up in support the implementation of the national development objectives and the SDGs.

Devoirs et responsabilités

Methodology for Analysis and Scope of Work

Candidates will be expected to provide a brief description of the proposed methodology for the assignment taking into consideration some contextual factors outlined below. A working group comprising representatives of the interested organizations will be put together for the purpose of the production of the report, coordinated by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation. Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Division for Arab States, Europe, and the CIS, and the direct guidance of the Specialist for Europe and the CIS, as well as in regular consultations with other organizations, the incumbent will be responsible for the drafting the report. A working group/task team comprising representatives of UNDP and other interested organizations will be put together for the purpose of overall guidance, coordinated by the Division. 

The report will rely on diverse methodological approaches that, from one side, allow quantitative analysis from available data sources. However, from the other side, given the scarcity and limitations of the quantitative data will focus on qualitative tools. While the focus of the report is South-South, East-East, and Triangular Cooperation, the experience of the DAC members from Eastern and Central Europe, that became members of the EU and the DAC relatively recently, maybe considered, particularly from the perspective of the institutional developments and regional initiatives (e.g. Visegrad Group). The 2017 report focused on knowledge sharing and collected information on relevant initiatives for regional mapping. While acknowledging that knowledge sharing is important for SS/EE/TrC in the region, the report will consider other forms of cooperation, particularly grants and loans.

To produce the final report, the main activities for this consultancy are provisionally expected to include the following:

• Draft the initial outline of the report, surveys, interview templates. Present understanding of the methodology and the scope of work. In coordination with the task team members agree on the list of the interviewees identified through her/his as well as the Division’s and task team’s networks.
• Conduct desk review, dedicated survey, interviews through direct communications, mostly in the virtual format, with governments, non-state actors, development partners, and relevant UN entities at the regional, subregion, and country levels to collect the required information.
• Consolidate and analyze the collected information, and identify missing information that requires further analytical work.
• Conduct follow-ups necessary for collection and analysis of inputs to complement the findings with particular attention to the selected focus areas.
• Draft the report and address the comments from partners and the team.  
• Finalize and ensure the high quality of the report.

Candidates are requested to provide a brief outline of the methodology; the selected consultant will produce a more detailed version of the methodology in the Inception report. Considering limitations caused by COVID-19 pandemic, first-hand data might be collected through on-line surveys, interviews, or focus groups. The secondary data, such as project documents and reports, will be provided by the Division and its partners.  

Expected Deliverables, Timeframe, and Payment Schedule

Institutional Arrangement

The Individual Consultant will:

• Work under the overall and direct guidance of the Regional Chief and the Specialist – Europe and the CIS.
• This report is commissioned by UNOSSC; a task team will be put together by several organizations. UNOSSC will be responsible for initiating, coordinating and managing the entire report production process, and make available key relevant documents and contacts for the purpose of the mapping and analysis.
• Be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e., laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, assignment-specific software, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection.

Copyright, patents, and other proprietary rights

UNDP shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, or documents and other materials which the Consultant has developed as part of his/her functions under this consultancy or related to the Services performed hereunder. The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents, and other materials constitute works made for hire for UNDP.

Compétences

Corporate Competencies: Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity, and teamwork.

Functional Competencies: Strong communication skills both written and verbal; excellent research, analytical and report writing skills; Strong interpersonal skills; and sound judgment with proven ability to work effectively under minimum supervision.

Qualifications et expériences requises

Evaluation of Applications

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a desk review considering the applicants’ qualifications, experience, and proposed methodology.

Application procedure

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. 
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=272680.
• Financial Proposal - The financial proposal shall indicate the lump sum amount in US Dollar payable in instalments
• At least one example of a previous relevant publication / assignment
• Proposed methodology for the assignment and work plan (not more than 1200 words).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

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.

Selection criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria

Technical Criteria weight: [70%]

Financial Criteria weight: [30%]

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the Technical evaluation (49 scores) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Education Experience, and Technical Proposal - max. 70% (70 scores):

1. Minimum academic education (max 10 scores):
2. Master’s degree (or equivalent) in economics, development, law, international relations, environment, or another relevant field is essential (max 10 scores).; Experience relevant to the assignment (max 35 scores):
   • Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and research (max 15 scores);
   • Familiarity with Europe and the CIS region, trends and dynamics, and economic, social, cultural, and political landscape (max 10 scores);
   • Experience working in a developing country context (max 10 scores);
3. Technical Proposal: Brief methodology and work plan on how the consultant will approach and complete the work (max 25 scores):

• Brief methodology for the assignment and work plan (max 15 scores);
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal; excellent research, analytical and report writing skills; Strong interpersonal skills; and sound judgment with proven ability to work effectively under minimum supervision (max 10 scores).

Financial Proposal - 30% (30 scores)

Schedule of payment: The consultant will be paid in installments as per the deliverables above. 

UNDP is applying fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. Please go the following link for the General Conditions of Individual Contracts: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=201288