Antecedentes

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization with 17,000 staff working in approximately 170 offices globally. The 2030 Agenda requires to shift from funding individual projects to helping countries mobilise financing for transformative sustainable development. UNDP will work with both governments and businesses to strengthen the environment and business practices for greater alignment with all dimensions of the 2030 Agenda.

UNDP's policy work carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office levels, forms a contiguous spectrum of deep local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. In this context, UNDP invests in the Global Policy Network (GPN), a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan. Within the GPN, the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) has the responsibility for developing all relevant policy and guidance to support the results of UNDP's Strategic Plan.

Within the context of SDG Financing, UNDP has launched a Finance Sector Hub (FSH) which is conceptualized as a finance and innovation platform that draws on a critical mass of UNDP expertise, initiatives, and partnerships to support the mobilization and leveraging of resources for the SDGs and lead the implementation of the new UNDP private sector strategy and other initiatives which fully supports the implementation of the Strategic Plan and supports governments to align private sector activities and financial investments with the 2030 Agenda. The Hub is an integral part of both the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations and Advocacy (BERA), as part of the GPN. 

The Knowledge Management and Communications Consultant will work in close collaboration with the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and the Bureau of External Relations (BERA) and will report directly to the FSH Director.

Deberes y responsabilidades

Communication:

• Draft and prepare briefs, speeches, presentations in coordination with other teams throughout BPPS and BERA;
• Provide clear and timely guidance to facilitate preparation of briefs and speeches for UNDP staff;
• Review speeches, briefs, background papers, etc for substantive accuracy, completeness, strategic messaging, in liaison with the Briefing and Communications Team as well as other units throughout BPPS and BERA as needed;
• Develop advocacy materials relating to UNDP’s priority policy/programming in the area of SDG Finance such as media releases, brochures, opinions, articles and other internal written communications as monthly reports;
• Support the development and design of internal and external strategies for communications, outreach and advocacy for UNDP FSH.

Event planning and staffing for high-level events like HLPF and UNGA:

• Manage the planning and preparation for major events as panels during HLPF (High Level Political Forum )and UNGA (UN General Assembly);
• Coordinate and manage forward planning of the quarterly and long-term calendar of the FSH Director, ensuring strategic prioritization of engagements;
• Facilitate implementation of the requests, directives and commitments of the Director, in coordination with relevant managers and teams;
• Staff the Director, FSH for high level meetings upon request;
• Support the rapporteur function through note-taking and drafting of relevant meeting reports.

Knowledge Management:

• Work closely with the FSH programmes and projects in the development and delivery of knowledge strategies and products, teamwork contents, and other products;
• Participate in a global practice and knowledge network on coordination, sharing and learning best practices, keeping abreast of current debates and thinking; exchange experience; seek and provide support on various coordination issues;
• Review, analyze and provide and quality assurance of documents for the FSH Director;
• Review and analyze relevant FSH documents and submissions for the approval or clearance of the Director to ensure alignment with corporate guidance and standards as well as to ensure quality and comprehensiveness of input;
• Perform research on topics as assigned, analyze information and synthesize into a clear summary to facilitate decision-making by the FSH Director;
• Support the management and maintenance of the UNDP FSH virtual workspace and website;
• Manage presence of FSH SharePoint, web pages and social media with a focus on internal and external knowledge sharing, partnerships;
• Facilitate e-discussions and on/offline events; supporting development of queries and discussion topics for members on FSH working areas within the Community of Practice;
• Support the development and implementation of relevant webinars and in person events.

Coordination:

• Support the coordination of UNDP FSH network (programmes and projects) and communication with UNDP Regional Bureau’s, COs, UN Agencies and UN country teams;
• Maintain regular contact with the Office of the Administrator, the Directorates of other Bureaux, and external stakeholders such as Missions to the UN, UN System partners, IGOs, NGOs, donors, and other multilateral agencies to keep the Director abreast of key developments within the organization;
• Coordinate substantive preparations, including agenda, accompaniment, and supporting materials for all engagements of the FSH Director, as well as management of the FSH Director’s calendar;
• Facilitate and track follow-up actions with relevant focal points within BPPS and BERA, in line with commitments made by the FSH Director;
• Support the preparation and implementation of the FSH work plan and annual report.

Expected Outputs/Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to deliver, amongst others:

• Briefs, speeches and presentations;
• Advocacy materials relating to UNDP’s priority policy/programming in the area of SDG Finance such as media releases, brochures, opinions, articles:
• Internal written communications, as monthly reports
• Notes and drafts from relevant meetings;
• Knowledge Management products;
• Calendar, agenda, accompaniment, and related supporting materials for all engagements of the FSH Director;
• Any other deliverable related to the duties and responsibilities above mentioned.

Competencias

Corporate:

• Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organizational Awareness:

• Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Demonstrates corporate knowledge and sound judgment understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;
• Excellent knowledge of development issues on financing the 2030 Agenda and internationally-agreed development goals.

Teamwork:

• Acts as a team player facilitating team work;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals;
• Able to work at ease in a multicultural setting.

Communication:

• Facilitates and encourages open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner;
• Strong communication skills and ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

• Creates synergies through self-control, tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively;
• Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards.

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

• Able to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Academic qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in international development, social sciences, or related area, required.

Experience:

• A minimum of 2 years of professional working experience in research, knowledge management and/or communications in a development agency in the private sector or private sector engagement/development with an emphasis on public or private sector finance is required;
• Previous experience working with UNDP is a significant asset;
• Proven track record of knowledge management on private sector in development is required (minimum 2 years);
• Proven experience organizing and managing high level events is required;
• Experience in writing briefing notes and speeches for senior management is required;
• Research and report writing skills highly desired;
• Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point) is required.
• Proven experience in the development infographics, online surveys, presentations, organization of webinars would be an asset.
• Proven work experience and knowledge of relevant social media-based platforms/tools (e.g. Yammer, Teams,  or other) is required.
• Proven experience in managing Microsoft SharePoint web-based platforms is an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset.

Application Procedure:

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

• A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer 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;

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.

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7 hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).
• 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; (excluding mission travel); 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.
• 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 submitted through the UNDP eTendering Portal as per the instructions in the separete email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.  Only shortlisted candidates will be granted access to the eTendering event during this phase.

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%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

• Criteria 1: Working experience in research, knowledge management and communications in a development agency in the private sector or private sector engagement/development with an emphasis on public or private sector finance (minimum 2 years; 2-3 years: 5 points; 4-5 years: 10 points; more than 5 years: 15 points) – Max. 15 points;
• Criteria 2: Previous experience working with UNDP is a significant asset (up to 1 year experience: 3 points; more than one year experience: 5 points) – Max 5 points
• Criteria 3: Proven track record of knowledge management on private sector in development (minimum 2 years; 2-3 years: 6 points; 4 years: 8 points; 5 years or more: 10 points) – Max 10 points.

• Criteria 4: Practical experience in writing briefing notes and speeches for senior management (up to 1 year: 3 points; 2 years: 4 points; 3 years or more: 5 points) – Max 5 points.
• Criteria 5: Proven experience organizing and managing high level events (up to 1 year: 3 points; 2 years: 4 points; 3 years or more: 5 points) – Max 5 points.
• Criteria 6: Research and report writing skills highly desired (up to 1 year: 3 points; 2 years: 4 points; 3 years or more: 5 points) – Max 5 points.
• Criteria 7: Proven experience in the development infographics, online surveys, presentations, organization of webinars would be an asset (up to 1 year: 3 points; 2 years: 4 points; 3 years or more: 5 points) – Max 5 points.
• Criteria 8: Proven experience in managing Microsoft SharePoint web-based platforms is an asset  (up to 1 year: 3 points; 2 years: 4 points; 3 years or more: 5 points) – Max 5 points;
• Criteria 9: Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset (one additional UN language: 3 points; 2 additional UN languages: 5 points) – Max. 5 points.
• Criteria 10: Interview – Max. 10 points.

Only those candidates that meet the minimum level of education, language and relevant years of experience requirements will be considered for the technical evaluation. The technical evaluation will include a desk review to select the shortlisted candidates.

Only the top three candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (42 points, criteria 1-9) of the maximum obtainable points for education, experience and language (60 points) shall be considered for the interview.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points, criteria 1-10) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 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 score 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 Arrangements:

• The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the FSH Director and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above;
• The consultant will engage with other relevant UNDP staff as needed. Detailed work plans, including timeline, external organizations and individuals to engage and consult with will be developed at the beginning of the assignment;
• The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop;
• 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;
• The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7 hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

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

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

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.