Antecedentes

In the Europe and Central Asia region, young people constitute a tremendous and essential asset worth investing in to achieve progress towards political stability, consolidation of democracy, rule of law, and improvement of human rights records. Young women and men today want the sustainable, peaceful world envisioned in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Connected to each other like never before, young people are already contributing to the resilience of their communities, proposing innovative solutions, driving social progress and inspiring political change, in urban as well as rural contexts. At the same time, young people in the region are facing considerable challenges, disproportionately  affecting  girls and young women. These challenges relate to inclusion in public discussions and decision-making, access to services such as quality education and opportunities for decent work. Young people also face challenges related to situations of violence, conflict, climate change,  discrimination, gendered-based violence and access to technology for better opportunities. In many parts, trust in governance institutions is low, democracy remains fragile, restrictions on political and civil rights continue to hamper progress, and sub-regional cooperation is only slowly improving.

Youth development and youth engagement are cross-cutting issues in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well as other internationally agreed frameworks such as the Security Council Resolutions 2250 (2015) and 2419 (2018) on Youth, Peace and Security. These all acknowledge that young people play an important and positive role in the realisation of sustainable development, in the prevention of crises and in the advancement of peace. The Youth2030: The United Nations Strategy on Youth envisions a world in which the human rights of every young person are realised; that ensures every young person is empowered to achieve their full potential; and that recognises young people’s agency, resilience and their positive contributions as agents of change.

UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is UNDP’s main knowledge and advisory hub for the countries serviced by UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS (RBEC).  Through  its regional programme, the IRH provides policy and programme advisory support and knowledge management services to UNDP Country Offices in the  ECIS region. The Hub also connects the region to a global network of development experts, to build knowledge and capacity, and to forge partnerships to meet the development challenges of a large and diverse region.

UNDP IRH Governance and Peacebuilding Team  works with national and international partners to strengthen the social contract between the state and society in a manner that protects human rights, promotes equality, and enhances social cohesion. The Sustainable Development Goal 16 frames the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provision of access to justice for all, and the building of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels as a priority for the 2030 development agenda. UNDP’s new Strategic Plan (2022-2025) places a strong emphasis on the importance of youth empowerment and development, youth movements, youth economic empowerment, youth political participation, and innovation, among others.

Presently, UNDP’s youth engagements focus on the amplification of youth voices for the promotion of a peaceful, just and sustainable world, including through enhanced youth civic engagement and participation in decision-making and political processes and institutions; strengthened youth engagement in resilience building; and increased economic empowerment of youth. The guiding principles of our work are human rights, gender equality, sustainability, national ownership and leadership, participation, innovation, south-south cooperation, volunteerism, inter-generational knowledge-sharing and working by, with and for young people.

Youth movements have played an increasingly prominent role in calling for action to address conflict prevention, climate change and sustaining peace. In global policymaking fora, however, youth remain side-lined. To support and promote youth engagement on peaceful, resilient, just and equal societies in crisis context, the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub aims to conduct a Regional Analysis to inform policy programming focusing on the changing role of youth in crisis prevention and peacebuilding, promoting just transition, and digitalization.

The framework will be guided by Youth2030: The United Nations Strategy on Youth and will directly support SDGs targeting and acceleration. For the purpose of this regional analysis , countries and territories are geographically clustered into three sub-regions which have very distinct characteristics, contexts, and challenges: Central Asia, South Caucasus, and the Western Balkans and Turkey. The areas of focus of the analysis are discussed and validated through consultations with various teams at the Istanbul Regional Hub, colleagues from UNDP Country Offices across the region and BPPS Global Youth Team.

The Regional Analysis will look into youth empowerment and development, particularly in the areas of:  

• The role of youth in crisis prevention and peacebuilding, just transition[1] and digital transformation  looking at existing networks, tools, platforms, knowledge products and advocacy products and country & regional level intiatives. 

To complete the task, we are looking for an International Consultant to develop the Regional Analysis to inform policy and programming.

[1] The Paris Agreement acknowledges “the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities

Deberes y responsabilidades

This Consultancy is aimed at developing policy and programmatic recommendations towards targeted and scaled-up youth empowerment and engagement in the ECIS region, focusing on crisis prevention and peacebuilding, just transition and digital transformation. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Youth, Digital Inclusion, and Communication Analyst in coordination with the Team Leader, Governance and Peacebuilding Team at the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) and in close collaboration with the BPPS Global Youth Team and relevant IRH teams.

To develop a coherent Regional Analysis in ECIS, the consultant  will take on the following deliverables: 

• Conduct preliminary desk research on issues, needs and trends concerning young women and men in the ECIS region related to crisis prevention and peacebuilding, just transition and digital transformation;
• Conduct a mapping of initiatives implemented by UNDP and other UN agencies related to empowerment and development of young men and women across the ECIS region and identify entry points and opportunities for policy and programme support (focusing specifically on crisis prevention and peacebuilding, just transition and digitalization); Additionally, map out   youth networks including country-based networks, multi-country and regional networks, conduct targeted youth consultations, and identify gaps and opportunities for partnership and collaboration;
• Organize and facilitate targeted consultations with youth networks, youuth-led CSOs, movements and young digital civic actors, UNDP Country Offices, RBEC/IRH teams, BPPS Global Youth Team, as well as other UN agencies (e.g., through the Issue-based Coalition on Adolescent and Youth[1]) to identify challenges, opportunities, gaps, and new entry points for engagement and partnerships in the region;
• Conduct an analysis of best practices and lessons learned from youth initiatives implemented in the region by UNDP, UN and other international development organizations, using specific case studies and examples;
• Formulate strategic policy and programmatic options and recommendations for expanding UNDP's engagement and partnerships on youth empowerment and development on crisis prevention and peacebuilding, just transition and digitalization in the ECIS region and specifically in the three sub-regions.

The total number of days of work is estimated approximately 30 working days over a two-month period. The breakdown corresponds to the expected outputs and schedule of payments as follows:

Payments     will be made only upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

The lump-sum price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

• First Tranche – 10% upon submission and approval of Deliverable 1
• Second Tranche –20 % upon submission and approval of Deliverable 2
• Third Tranche – 20 % upon submission and approval of Deliverable 3 & 4
• Fourth Tranche –30 % upon submission and approval of Deliverable 4
• Fifth Tranche – 20% upon submission and approval of Deliverable 5

[1] The Issue-based Coalition on Adolescent and Youth seeks to deliver on specific adolescent and youth policy results in collaboration with civil society, including youth-led and youth-serving organizations, governments and other key actors by fostering synergies and pool resources across UN agencies.  

The coalition is chaired by: UNFPA and UNICEF. Members: ILO, ITU, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNV, UN Women.

[2] The Issue-based Coalition on Adolescent and Youth seeks to deliver on specific adolescent and youth policy results in collaboration with civil society, including youth-led and youth-serving organizations, governments and other key actors by fostering synergies and pool resources across UN agencies.  

The coalition is chaired by: UNFPA and UNICEF. Members: ILO, ITU, UNAIDS, UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNV, UN Women.

Competencias

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

Functional competencies:

• Ability to analyze policy documents and make constructive policy suggestions;
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
• Capacity building skills and flexibility depending on the public;
• Demonstration of commitment to the Project’s mission, vision and values;
• Good writing and reporting skills;
• Good presentation skills;
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations, and to meet tight deadlines.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

• Master’s Degree in International Relations, International Development, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Public Policy, or another relevant field. Field experience may substitute for an advanced degree.

Experience:

• At least five years of experience in youth policy development and youth governance, just transition with implications  to crisis preventions and peacebuilding,
• Proven policy and advisory experience and track record of research and/or project management concerning youth engagement and empowerment.
• Previous experience in the youth and governance/peacebuilding sector in the Europe and CIS region.
• Proven experience in innovation and agile approach to research and consultations, conducting online mapping exercises, surveys, interviews, focus group discussions or consultations with governments and civil society actors.
• Experience working with international organizations, particularly UN/UNDP, is an advantage.

Language:

• Excellent writing and oral communication skills in English. Russian is an advantage.  

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 interviews) and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

 Only highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the P11 desk review will be invited for an interview.\

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

• Criteria 1: Education – max points: 10
• Criteria 2: Working Experience – max points: 20
• Criteria 3: Analytics, research and writing abilities – max points: 20
• Criteria 4: Interviews – max points: 10
• Criteria 5: Excellent command of English – max points: 10

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

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points for technical criteria (approx. 70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

For those passing technical evaluation above, offers will be evaluated per the Combined Scoring method:

a) Technical evaluation (70%)

b) Financial evaluation (30%)

The application receiving the Highest Combined Score will be awarded the contract. 

Application procedures

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

• 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 (if applicable). Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees
  (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
• Financial Proposal* - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. The financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, travel, per diems and any other possible costs).
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials

*Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. 

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.