Antecedentes

UNDP’s Strategic Policy Unit (SPU) within Bureau for Policy and Programme Support is seeking a consultant to conduct research and support SPU’s work related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a universal and transformative action plan for people, planet and prosperity; within which the global community commits to achieving the three dimensions of sustainable development in a balanced and integrated manner. The 2030 Agenda also calls for leaving no one behind and for ensuring the Sustainable Development Goals and targets are “met for all nations and peoples and for all segments of society”. 

The consultant will work on a research project on challenges for a more inclusive and sustainable globalization. In addition, the consultant will contribute to other research projects of SPU as requested by the Director of the Strategic Policy Unit related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of the Strategic Policy Unit the consultant will:

  • Compile latest data on global trends such as the impact of technological change on the labour markets, trade, finance, migration, urbanization, climate change, environmental degradation, poverty and inequalities.
  • Prepare a background paper for the overall research project on globalization.
  • Based on research findings, provide advice on appropriate policy recommendations.
  • Conduct research, as directed, on issues related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and engage in follow-up activities (including presentations, meetings to disseminate key findings) as requested.

    Deliverables/ Outputs

     

    Estimated Duration to Complete

    Target Due Dates

    Review and Approvals Required

     

    • Conduct preliminary research on global trends indicated in Duties and Responsibilities.
    • Finalize the concept note for the research project.

     

    31 August 2017

    The Director of the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU)

    • Conduct research and compile latest data on global trends.
    • Submit the first draft background paper (around 30 pages) to the supervisor.

     

    29 September 2017

    The Director of the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU)

    • Organize consultations with research partners (within the UN system).
    • Conduct further research and incorporate feedback from research partners.

     

    31October 2017

    The Director of the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU)

    • Prepare the final draft of the paper for peer review.

     

    30 November 2017

    The Director of the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU)

    • Organize follow-up activities related to the preliminary findings of the research project (including presentations, meetings to disseminate key findings) as requested by the supervisor.
    • Incorporate feedback from peer reviewers and finalize the paper.

     

    29 December 2017

    The Director of the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU)

    • Oversee the copy-editing process.
    • Engage in follow-up activities related to the research project (including presentations, meetings to disseminate key findings) as requested by the supervisor.

     

    31 January 2018

    The Director of the Strategic Policy Unit (SPU)

Competencias

Technical:

  • Excellent knowledge of current trends and debates regarding sustainable development issues.
  • Strong record in research and advising international institutions on poverty reduction and broader sustainable development issues;
  • Sound understanding of the UN system and the strategic priorities of UNDP particularly with regard to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
  • Strong publications and writing record;
  • Excellent analytical skills;
  • Excellent writing and presentation skills;
  • Excellent data analysis skills;
  • Good team player and ability to  work within tight deadlines and under pressure.

Corporate:

Strong commitment to UNDP’s values and ethics.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education:

  • Masters in economics, development, or related field is required.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of progressively responsible work experience in a position directly related to research on poverty reduction and broader sustainable development issues is required;
  • Experience in policy research in international organizations is required;
  • Strong publications and writing record on sustainable development issues is required.

Language:

  • Fluent in English
  • Working knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Application Procedure:

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

  • Online application with brief description of why the Offeror considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
  • Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references;
  • Provide access or reference to the publications and writing records related to social policy, gender equality and sustainable development issues; and
  • Indicate available start date.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

Financial Proposal

  • The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager.
  • The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.
  • This consultancy is a home-based assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel.  
  • In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
  • If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below.  Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring.  When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Being responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Only those candidates who meet the minimum level of education and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the technical evaluation. The technical evaluation will include a desk review and may also include interviews with shortlisted candidates.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

  • Criteria 1. Professional experience in policy research in international organizations on sustainable development issues.Weight = 25%; Maximum Points: 250;
  • Criteria 2. Knowledge of current trends and debates regarding the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.Weight = 25%; Maximum Points: 250;
  • Criteria 3. Strong publications and writing records on sustainable development issues.Weight = 20%; Maximum Points: 200.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

  • p = y (µ/z), where
  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
  • y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
  • µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
  • z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional arrangement

  • The consultant will report directly to, and will seek approval of outputs from, the Director of the Strategic Policy Team and will work closely with other members of the Strategic Policy Unit.
  • The consultant will be given access to relevant information and data necessary for execution of the tasks under this assignment;
  • Payments will be made upon submission of a detailed time sheet and certification of payment form, and approval and confirmation by the Director of the Strategic Policy Unit. The work on and acceptance of deliverables will be preceded by agreement with the Director of the SPU on the outline of each deliverable, methodology, and the sources of information.
  • The Consultant will be expected to have her/his own laptop and software, and have access to communication facilities (emails, telephone, access to internet, etc.).

Payment modality

  • Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.