Antecedentes

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP supports over 132 countries around the globe in the areas of Poverty Reduction, Democratic Governance, Environment and Energy, Capacity Development, Gender, HIV/AIDS and Crisis Prevention and Recovery. The Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is UNDP’s policy bureau. BDP plays a key role in helping country offices accelerate human development through UNDP’s programmes and initiatives.
 
The Democratic Governance Practice (DGP) is the largest practice area in UNDP/BDP. It works on building effective and capable states that are accountable and transparent. The principal areas of work are organized around 3 clusters: Inclusive Participation, Responsive Governing Institutions, and International Norms and Principles.
The Inclusive Participation cluster supports efforts for expanding opportunities for civic engagement – particularly of the poor, women, youth, indigenous people, and other marginalized groups – in the channels of interaction with the state, at national, regional and local levels.
 
The Responsive Institutions cluster promotes the development of institutional capacity, and accountability, in the area of access to justice, rule of law and security, public administration and local governance at the national, regional and local level to ensure these institutions reflect and serve the needs, priorities, and interests of all people. Programme priority is given to strengthening the mechanisms of responsiveness and public accountability to the concerns and interests of poor people, women, and other vulnerable or excluded groups.
 
The International Norms and Principles cluster promotes integration of UN principles, policies, practices, and strategies (on human rights, anti-corruption and gender) within and outside the UN family.
 
UNDP’s work in Public Administration is guided by the principle that an efficient, responsive, transparent and accountable public administration not only plays a vital role in economic development, but it is also a key instrument for shaping effective governance, building legitimate state–society relationships and implementing government strategies to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. UNDP’s approach focuses on building the capacity of the public administration at all levels, guided by respect for human rights, information sharing, gender equality, rule of law, integrity and transparency. It addresses obstacles to equitable service delivery and encourages increased attention to public administration and civil service management as an essential component of state building in post-conflict societies. UNDP currently supports PAR projects in over 120 countries in all the five geographical regions through advisory support, knowledge exchange and assistance in programme and project formulation and implementation.
 
UNDP is inviting applications from highly qualified individual consultants with public administration expertise and proven experience in at least one of the following sub-areas:
  • Policy making, strategic planning and coordination of PAR strategies, both at sectoral level and for the whole of government.
  • Analysis of institutional and contextual factors and social impact assessments of public administration reform plans and programmes.
  • Support to centre of Government institutions and functions including policies and strategies for improved government communication.
  • Public financial management, including budget preparation and execution, revenue management, aid management and coordination, internal control and audit, external audit, and public procurement.
  • Public sector organization and staffing focusing on structures and functions of public institutions, civil service systems, human resource management and development with a particular focus on gender equality in the civil service.
  • Integrity frameworks for accountable and transparent public service.
  • Public service delivery including administrative decision making, administrative simplifications, performance management, e-government, decentralization and public-private partnerships.
  • Public administration information systems and access to information policies and strategies.
  • Public administration capacity assessments, diagnostics and development including support to the development of public administration training institutions.
 

Deberes y responsabilidades

The range of tasks that would typically be expected from a consultant in this area is to assist country offices, regional centres, headquarter units and/or government counterparts in:

  • Providing strategic and operational advice to governments and non-state actors on the formulation and execution of public administration policies, strategies and interventions.
  • Designing, implementing and/or evaluating projects and programmes (applying a human rights based approach and taking into account the impact on the environment, communities, women, poor and vulnerable people);
  • Knowledge sharing through comparative analysis
  • Development of performance management systems and related indicators 
  • Developing capacities through high-quality training or coaching;
  • Liaising with other development partners (e.g., other UN agencies, EC, USAID, OSI, IFIs, but also NGOs), assisting in donor coordination and preparations for donor meetings.
  • Contributing to partnership building and resource mobilization efforts for global, regional and/or country level initiatives.
  • Drafting well-written, concise reports according to the stipulated requirements.
 

Competencias

  • Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities;
  • Strong reporting and writing abilities;
  • Ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations with government counterparts, donors, NGOs and other development partners;
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills, and the ability to cope with potential conflict situations;
  • Integrity, modeled on the UN's values and ethical standards;
  • Sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age;
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Ability to manage heavy workloads and solve complex problems with minimum supervision.
 

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:
  • Advanced university degree (Master, PhD) in social sciences, international affairs, international law, public administration, business administration, political science, development studies, economics or other related areas.

Experience:

  • Depending on the complexity of the assignment, consultants will need to have between 5 years (minimum requirement) and 20 years of proven work experience in public administration.

Language:

  • Proficiency in one of the three UNDP working languages (English, French, and Spanish) is a must; proficiency in a second UN language (Russian, Chinese, Arabic) would be an advantage.
  • Proven relevant working experience in a region (Africa, Arab States, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & the Commonwealth of Independent States and/or Latin America & the Caribbean) will be considered an asset.

Computer Skills:

  • IT literacy and ability to operate with on-line web-based applications and tools.
Evaluation of Applicants
In accordance with the procedures set out in UNDP’s Procurement Guidelines and Financial Rules and Regulations, a technical evaluation of all applications will be conducted, based on a balanced assessment of candidates:
  • Knowledge and analysis of the subject matter
  • Relevance of previous experience and technical expertise
  • Education background
  • Language skills.
In addition:
  • Short-listed candidates may be requested to participate in a brief interview.
  • Candidates’ references –including past employers- will be verified and confirmed
  • Selected candidates will be invited to create a profile in the roster; where they can be considered for consultancy opportunities as needs arise.
Contractual Arrangements
Successful candidates will be included in UNDP’s Democratic Governance Vetted Experts Roster for a period of 2 years. Inclusion in the expert roster does not guarantee a contract with UNDP.
 
When a request for services arises, the hiring unit/office shall:
  • Contact the roster manager or search the roster to select at least three qualified experts.
  • Send the procurement notice and ToRs for the assignment to the selected experts with a request to confirm      availability and submit a financial proposal for the assignment within 3-5 business days.
  • Review the submissions and financial proposals.
  • Select an expert for the assignment based on the ‘Best value for money’ approach.
  • Issue an Individual Contract to the expert
  • Notify the roster manager of the decision and of the duration of the contract issued to the expert.
  • Submit an evaluation of the expert to the roster manager once the assignment is completed; and before the final payment is issued.

The contracting unit/office will provide a specific Term of Reference (ToR) outlining the outputs for each assignment and issue an Individual Contract (IC) to the consultant, detailing the time frame, and frequency/modality of payments. Conditions of a particular assignment may be negotiable.  

Payment
Payment/s shall be made following certification by UNDP that the services related to each deliverable, as specified in the contract, have been satisfactorily performed and the deliverables have been achieved by or before the due dates specified, if any.
Please note that an evaluation of the expert must be submitted by the hiring unit before issuance of the last payment on the assignment.
 
Application Procedure
Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via the UNDP website. This call for applications is specifically directed at Public Administration Experts. Interested candidates are advised to carefully review this ToR and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described above.
 
Experts can apply to more than one expert roster. Candidates interested in being considered for other thematic rosters should submit a separate application, in response to the specific vacancy announcement for that thematic area.
All Democratic Governance Vetted Experts Roster announcements are accessible below.
Experts must submit all materials requested for each thematic area of interest.  Applications (for each roster) should contain:
  • A brief cover letter, clearly identifying the sub-area(s) of interest and expertise for which the applicant wishes to be considered. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • A current completed and signed P11 form/ UN Personal History Form in English (blank form can be downloaded from www.sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
  • Contact details for 3 references. Please note that your previous employers could also be contacted.
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you provide all requested materials
  • The deadline for submission of applications is 14 October 2011.
Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are only able to inform the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.