Background

UNDP is the knowledge frontier organization for sustainable development in the UN Development System and serves as the integrator for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 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 Crisis Bureau (CB) guides UNDP’s corporate crisis-related strategies and vision for crisis prevention, response and recovery and lead corporate support in response to crisis. To fulfill its mandate, the CB is committed to investing in developing reliable capacities that can be rapidly deployed to COs.

Within the CB, support to country operations is coordinated by the Country Support Management Team (CSMT), working closely with other teams within the GPN. The overall goal of the CSMT is to ensure strong, coherent and coordinated support to country offices (COs), as it relates to crisis and fragility, within the full spectrum of the GPN’s service offer. The CSMT steers the effective interaction of GPN Teams, Regional Bureau/Regional Hub and CO counterparts for integrated country support. It ensures that UNDP corporate support is provided before, during and after crises. It also supports and coordinates the GPN crisis response capacity and takes the lead in a UNDP-wide approach to strengthen UNDP capacity in preventing, preparing for, responding to and recovering from crisis.

Since 2006, the SURGE mechanism has been the CB’s signature solution to supporting COs through crisis situations, by providing the right expertise at the right time. Throughout the years, SURGE has solidified its brand within the organization, and it has improved and enlarged its service offer through a combination of systems and tools. It is recognized as not only an important resource for COs, but an experiential learning mechanism for crisis personnel in UNDP.

Among these tools, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for immediate crisis response provides a corporate institutional and operational framework so that critical decisions and actions can be taken quickly in response to crisis situations. The SOP outlines the relationships, responsibilities and communication between Country Office, Regional Hub and Headquarters, during the crisis response. The SOP focuses on the relatively brief period between the onset or identification of an imminent crisis and the point when a Country Office has in place the resources to implement recovery and resilience initiatives. The first version of the SOPs was developed in 2018 and its currently going through a process of review.

In the face of new and complex challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and in response to increasing frequency of disaster events and crisis worldwide, the CSMT Rapid Response Team has additionally developed transformational solutions by which countries can harness flexible support solutions and technology to enhance their analytical capacities as well as the impact of programmes in complex context. Encompassed under this programme, the Adaptive Management (AM) initiative aims to enhance the impact of UNDP programme interventions by introducing more flexible programme management practices. This implies among others, regular programmatic and operational adaptations based on analysis and evidence gathered from external and internal learning loops. The initiative builds on strategic and programmatic thinking of the Country Office, as well as to innovation initiatives in UNDP. Based on initial field experiences, the CSMT is piloting this offer in selected COs and will support participating offices with knowledge and technical advise to rollout this approach. 

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

In the context of the next generation of CSMT’s solutions for Rapid Response, under the supervision of the Programme Manager - Rapid Response and Preparedness, and in close collaboration with CSMT technical teams, the expert will provide strategic advice and develop corporate content related to UNDP’s crisis response SOPs, design and implementation of AM practice in complex contexts and develop innovative solutions for crisis response mechanisms at corporate and Country Office level. S/he will also participate in the design of training courses and materials, with a specific focus on the establishment of rapid response teams.  

The Expert will advise CSMT focal points and the Rapid Response Systems and Tools Programme Manager, to integrate flexible programme management frameworks and identification of innovative solutions in direct support of UNDP Country Offices in crisis and fragile settings. Furthermore, the Expert will be part of the Adaptive Management pilot initiative in CSMT. This position requires close collaboration with related technical advisors and coordination of workstreams to achieve integration and alignment of solutions across relevant projects. This might include designing strategies, developing proposals, identifying partnership opportunities and monitoring support to participant UNDP Country Offices.

Key function and deliverables:

The expert will advise the team and perform the following 4 key tasks in support of CSMT and UNDP country offices:

• Redesign the UNDP Crisis Response Standard Operating Procedure, including critical annexes and related reference materials
• Advice and guide the Adaptive Management pilot initiative of the Crisis Bureau, including the development of guidance materials and framework documents as well as the provision of guidance and support country offices participating in the pilot initiative
• Provide support to country offices, both virtually and in situ, in addressing specific programme and operations challenges related to crisis response strategies, systems and capacities
• Develop innovative crisis response solutions and tools in line with the crisis response SOPs for specific issues and problems identified

The assignment might require field missions to assist UNDP country offices and/or counterparts.    

Expected Outputs/Deliverables

The consultancy will be conducted over a period of 100 days over the period of late 1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022. The consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Competencies

Core Competencies:

Ethics & Values:

• Demonstrating / Safeguarding Ethics and Integrity.
• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Functional Competencies:

Organizational Awareness:

• Demonstrate 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.
• Knowledge of development issues and internationally agreed development goals.

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.
• Ability to work at ease in a multicultural setting.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
• Delivers verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner.
• Excellent oral and written skills to develop knowledge products in relevant areas.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

• Creating 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:

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge

Functional competencies:

• Knowledge of crisis response and early recovery policies and inter-agency mechanisms.
• Proven drafting skills and substantive knowledge of development issues in UNDP practice areas.
• Familiarity with UNDP or UN operations in conflict settings will be advantageous.
• Ability to implement methods and tools for crisis situations.

Proven ability to deliver quality output including reports writing and making presentation under tight deadlines; Excellent writing skills in English.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Masters Degree on Development studies, Humanitarian studies, Disaster Management or related disciplines (required)

Experience:

• At least 15 years of professional experience in emergency/crisis preparedness, response and recovery (required)
• Hands on experience with UNDP/UN humanitarian organizations in crisis contexts (required);
• Demonstrated experience in the development and implementation of large-scale programmes in the area of crisis prevention, stabilization and recovery (required);
• Proven high-level experience in the development of corporate strategies, systems and tools in the area of programme and operations management, especially in crisis (required);
• Gradually increasing leadership experience in crisis contexts; (desirable)
• In-depth organisational change management and leadership skills acquired through professional experience or by other means, notably through leadership and/or involvement in the design and implementation of corporate and country level repositioning and change processes (desirable);
• Substantive knowledge and experience in Adaptive Management approaches and UNDP practice areas (desirable);
• Extensive experience in programme and project management, including experience in developing problem analysis and theory of change frameworks (desirable).
• Project management experience for UNDP or other international organizations is an asset;
• Proven experience to lead knowledge management exercises in crisis and post-crisis contexts and development of knowledge tools is desirable.
• Experience with UNDP on such tasks would be an asset.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
• Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset (particularly French)
• Professional Certificates: UN language Certificates (If available) 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 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; (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.
• 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 submitted as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates. Candidates will be requested to submit their financial through eTendering. Instructions will be provided further in the process.

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. Relevance of experience in the field of emergency, crisis preparedness, response and recovery, or fields relevant to this assignment; Maximum Points: 30;
• Criteria 2. Knowledge and experience of adaptive management practices and approaches and experience in UNDP practice areas; Maximum Points: 10.
• Criteria 3. Experience in leading knowledge management exercises in crisis and post-crisis contexts and development of knowledge tools; Maximum Points: 20.
• Criteria 4. Relevance of experience in programme and project management in crisis contexts, including experience in developing problem analysis and theory of change frameworks. Maximum Points: 10

The candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be shortlisted.

UNDP will invite the top three shortlisted candidates for Financial evaluation. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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 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 IC will report to the Programme Coordinator in the Country Support Management Team (CSMT), Crisis Bureau UNDP. The IC will work in close coordination with Programme colleagues in the Rapid Response Team and with CSMT Project Managers.

Payment modality

• Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and 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.