Background

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NB: Please note that online/application system does not recognise Russian/Ukrainian language, information you provide in on-line application questionnaire must be presented in English. All requested documents should be combined/merged (compressed if necessary) and uploaded into the application system by 1 document/attachment only.

I. Background Information on the Project:

The current armed conflict in eastern Ukraine has had a direct and extremely negative impact on social cohesion, community security and the rule of law.

Before the conflict over the last decade, UNDP had been actively represented in eastern Ukraine, with a focus on community development, civil society development and environmental protection. The work to address the specific development challenges occurring from the conflict and the above-mentioned is based on previous work and established partnership relations. It was initiated in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme, which is a multilateral donor framework program jointly implemented by four UN partner agencies in cooperation with the Government of Ukraine.

As a territorial programme designed specifically for conflict-affected areas in eastern Ukraine, the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme is focused on the main priority needs for stabilisation, peace development, economy and governance in eastern Ukraine after the outbreak of the conflict. It takes into account the opportunities provided by the Minsk Protocol dated September 2014 and revival of its cease-fire provisions and is fully adapted to create a link between humanitarian and developmental needs.

The Programme activities are grouped according to the following key components of the Programme, which reflect the priority needs of the region:

Component I: Economic Recovery and Restoration of Critical Infrastructure;

Component II: Local Governance and Decentralisation Reform;

Component III: Community Security and Social Cohesion.

UN RPP supports activities aimed at promoting non-conflict dialogue practices and conflict resolution practices on the community level. In particular, conflict resolution efforts are coordinated through the Geoinformation system for conflict monitoring, analysis and resolution and carried out by the group of trained conflict analysts and mediators. In order to promote the efforts in this domain, promote the principles of dialogue and conflict resolution methods, UN RPP seeks to create an interactive educational game which would demonstrate the fundamentals of a conflict, provide guidance on various techniques for mitigating the conflict and lets participants play out the roles of different sides to a conflict. In order to achieve this goal, the Programme is seeking a qualified Individual Consultant with relevant experience.

II. Main objectives of the assignment 

The overall objectives of this assignment are:

1) Developing and designing the educational game as a tool for promoting the principles of dialogue and conflict resolution, as well as promoting UN RPP approach to conflict resolution in the east of Ukraine;

2) Piloting the game, evaluating the results to make respective changes and creating a final prototype of the game ready for printing, based on the pilot results.

Duties and Responsibilities

III. Description of Responsibilities/Scope of work

Under the direct supervision of the Social Cohesion Specialist, the Consultant will be responsible for the following key tasks: 

1. Development, design and testing the game

1a. Develop the concept, a brief document containing a short overview and basic representation of the game’s goals and principles (at least 2 pages, 12 pt., Ukrainian language, Word format). The game should be based on the real conflict cases in which the mediators of the Geoinformation system for conflict monitoring, analysis and resolution took steps to resolve the issues (the list of cases with descriptions will be provided). The game should explain the essence of the conflict based on the examples, principles of dialogue in conflict resolution, motivation of the parties, basics of different conflict resolution techniques. The game should be aimed at the audience 15+ years old and accommodate 4-8 players who can play at least 5 roles. The overall game length should not exceed 2 hours;

1b. Create a game design document, which is descriptive and detailed (at least 5 pages, 12 pt., Ukrainian language, Word format). The document should describe game mechanics and contain detailed description of the roles and their functions;

1c. Develop basic design and create a game prototype (cards, instructions for players, playing field, etc.);

1d. Test the prototype board game through engaging at least 3 groups offline (up to 10 persons each) in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts which will include different age, social and professional groups. The list of participants will be suggested by UN RPP but can be extended by the Individual Consultant. Game testing sessions should be organized by the Individual Consultant and all the logistical expenses should be included in the financial proposal.

2. Game piloting and evaluation

2a. Incorporate the feedback received during the test phase into an updated version of the game and test the updated version with at least 3 groups offline (up to 10 persons each, majority of the participants should selected among the participants of the previous testing round) in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts which will include different age and professional groups;

2b. Prepare report on the results of the pilot and incorporate the changes to the game. Conduct third reiteration of the game, if necessary;

2c. Prepare final set of the game according to the conducted pilots (with technical specifications of all the details in the set) and submit the materials to the Supervisor;

2d. Prepare a final report on the activities listing strengths and weaknesses of the game, analysis of the conducted games, recommendations and methodology for the facilitators on how to fully engage the audience with the game.

Please pay attention: the cost of proofreading materials, final design, printing the game set and holding game sessions will be covered by UN RPP. These costs should NOT be included in the financial proposal.

The Consultant will ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality considerations in all aspects of the assignment, promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour, respect differences and accord equal spaces and dignity regardless of personnel’s sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender identity, (dis)ability or other markers of identity, and use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards.

IV. Deliverables

The timeframe is spanning about 5 months, from August 2021 to December 2021. The requested services will be provided according to the agreed work plan and paid in lump sums according to the following schedule.

V. Proposed payment schedule

Payments will be made in three tranches as per delivery of the outputs:

25% - upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 1

55% - upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverables 2, 3 and 4

20% - upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 5

The payments will be paid out upon the full completion and acceptance of deliverables in accordance with certificate of payments provided by the Social Cohesion Specialist.

VI. Administrative Arrangements

Financial proposals submitted by the candidates for this position should include cost for all logistical, secretarial, personal, travel, communication and other expenses. All expenses related to organization of the events and trainings should be agreed with the Supervisor and will be covered by UN RPP.

VII. Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Consultant will work under supervision and directly report to the Social Cohesion Specialist on a monthly basis through meetings\calls\mails. The Consultant should clearly and concisely identify the work that has been carried out during this period, list major accomplishments, and difficulties/problems encountered during the process.

All reports and materials shall be prepared and transmitted electronically (Formats of: * .docx, * .xlsx, * .pptx, * .pdf, etc.) to the electronic device or in the form of electronic communication with the final product. The materials/reports should be prepared in Ukrainian. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to a third part without approval of the UN RPP.

Competencies

VIII. Required Skills and Experience

1. Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Journalism, Economics, Sciences, Social Science or other related fields;
2. At least 3 years of experience in developing innovative education tools, including educational games;
3. Proved knowledge in conflict resolution mechanisms, participation in at least 3 conflict resolution cases;
4. At least 2 years of civic activism and community development experience proved by active membership in NGOs, civil society networks and associations;
5. Previous experience with UN or other international organizations will considered as a strong asset;
6. Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian.

Competencies

• Excellent communication and organization skills;
• Excellent computer skills (including, MS Word);
• Ability to set priorities and meet specific objectives;
• Excellent team and networking skills;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• 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.

IX. Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

X. Financial Proposal

 Lump sum contract.

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, according to the abovementioned schedule. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including the number of anticipated working hours, logistical expenses, etc).  

The IC will be responsible for all administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationery, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment. 

Required Skills and Experience

Evaluation criteria

1.Master’s degree or equivalent in Public Administration, Journalism, Economics, Sciences, Social Science or other related fields – 10 points max;

{8 pts. – Master’s degree or equivalent; 10 pts. – PhD or equivalent}

2. At least 3 years of experience in developing innovative education tools, including educational games – 20 points max;

{18 pts. – 3 years of relevant experience; 20 pts. – more than 4 years of relevant experience}

3. Proved knowledge in conflict resolution mechanisms, participation in at least 3 conflict resolution cases – 15 points max;

{11 pts. – participation in 3 conflict resolution cases; 13 – pts. - participation in 4-6 conflict resolution cases; 15 pts. – participation in more than 6 conflict resolution cases}

4. At least 2 years of civic activism and community development experience proved by active membership in NGOs, civil society networks and associations – 10 points max;

{7 pts. – 2 years of relevant experience; 10 pts. – more than 2 years of relevant experience}

5. Previous experience with UN or other international organizations will considered as a strong asset – 5 points max;

{5 pts. – available experience with UN or other international organizations}

6. Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian – 5 points max

{5 pts. – professional fluence in Ukrainian and Russian, both written and oral}.

XII. Evaluation method

 Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight: 70%

* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.