Background

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) is the focal point for promoting and facilitating South-South and triangular cooperation for development on a global and United Nations system-wide basis. It fosters a coordinated and coherent United Nations system support to South-South and triangular cooperation. UNOSSC is hosted by UNDP and receives policy directives and guidance from the General Assembly and through its subsidiary body, the High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation. The UNOSSC Strategic Framework is presented every four years to the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS.

The First regular session 2022 of the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS took note of the UNOSSC Strategic Framework 2022-2025. The overarching goal of the strategic framework is to enhance South-South and triangular cooperation as means to accelerate the speed and scale of action towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. To contribute to this goal, the UNOSSC will play a catalytic role, fostering South-South and triangular cooperation intergovernmental support, knowledge exchange and capacity development. The strategic framework also prioritizes to working with partners to support developing countries to integrate South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives into voluntary national reviews (VNRs) on sustainable development.

The VNRs are part of the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The VNRs are intended to track progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda, including the SDGs and targets, in all countries, in a manner that respects their universal and integrated nature and all dimensions of sustainable development[1]. Two hundred and five VNRs have been conducted (22 in 2016, 43 in 2017, 46 in 2018, 47 in 2019, 47 in 2020 and 42 in 2021) until 2021. A total of 176 countries have presented VNRs with 59 countries have conducted more than one VNR. 46 countries are going to present their VNRs in 2022.

In the BAPA+40 outcome document, Member States recognize that South-South and triangular cooperation contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to achieving the overarching goal of eradication of poverty in all its forms and dimensions, as it shares the comprehensive vision of development contained in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The integration of South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives in VNRs can help to track progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda, including the SDGs and targets more comprehensively and inclusively, and generate evidence of South-South and triangular cooperation’s contributions to achieving SDGs. The process of preparation of VNRs could also allow for identification of priority sectors and themes where Member States could seek UNDS support through South-South and triangular cooperation.  The consultations with the Member States and other stakeholders reveal that more UN System support to the Member States could be useful to advance the integration of South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives in VNRs. UNOSSC has planned to develop a practical handbook that could be useful to support the Member States to advance integration of South-South and triangular cooperation in VNRs. The proposed handbook will be developed and implemented in a coordinated manner closely working with the Co-chairs - Group of Friends of VNRs, the Member States, DESA, UN Interagency Mechanism for South-South and triangular cooperation, and relevant stakeholders. The proposed handbook will serve as a companion to the existing tools that are already in practice to guide VNR process.

The implementation of the proposed handbook will contribute to achieving the following results (not limited to) in advancing the integration of South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives in VNRs:

• More Members States receive capacity development and technical advisory support from UN System to integrate South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives in VNRs.
• More VNRs presented to the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on SDGs will integrate the South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives.
• Tracking progress in implementing the 2030 Agenda including the SDGs and targets becomes more comprehensive and inclusive and generates evidence of South-South and triangular cooperation’s contributions to achieving SDGs.

The UN System-Wide Strategy on South-South and triangular cooperation for Sustainable Development (2020-2024) and its Action Plan, endorsed by the UNSG’s Executive Committee, aims to ensure more coordinated and coherent support to the Member States in driving forward the 2030 Agenda and the Decade of Action to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals. To support the implementation of the strategy, UNOSSC is closely working with United Nations Development Coordination Office, Regional Commissions and UN Interagency Mechanism for South-South and triangular cooperation members to develop practical guidelines and resources to support mainstreaming of South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives at regional UNDS entities and UN Country Teams’ programming and reporting.  These guidelines will also incorporate elements on how UN System can support the Member States in integrating South-South and triangular cooperation in VNRs.

In this view, UNOSSC is looking for an experienced consultant to develop a handbook to support Member States to integrate South-South and triangular cooperation perspectives in VNRs.

Under the overall guidance of Deputy Director, UNOSSC, the consultant will directly report to Result management Specialist, UNOSSC. The consultant will work in close collaboration with UNOSSC Functional Teams, co-chairs of Group of Friends of VNRs, UN DESA, UN Interagency Mechanism for South-South and triangular cooperation and other relevant stakeholders.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of Deputy Director, UNOSSC and directly reporting to Result Management Specialist, UNOSSC, the consultant will perform the following duties, but not limited to:

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  Review/analyze completed VNR reports to draw good practices and lessons and establish baselines for UNOSSC Strategic framework indicator related VNR.

• Review/analyze relevant literature including UN resolutions, VNR related resources, documents related HLPF, and relevant documents/independent reports; and

• Conduct surveys, E-discussions and meetings with the Member States, Group of Friends of VNRs, UN System Agencies/entities, think-tanks, and other stakeholders including the private sector, foundations, and civil society organizations. 

• Prepare an assessment report emphasizing on good practices and lessons from completed VNR reports/processes, and baseline data for

• Prepare an outline of handbook for consultation.

• Prepare a draft handbook for wider consultation with stakeholders.

• Present the handbook for endorsement.

• Work with graphic designer to present the handbook in visual and user-friendly layout.

• Provide inputs as requested by the supervisor directly related to this assignment

EXPECTED KEY DELIVERABLES:

This consultancy will be performed in 60 working days over the period of June to December 2022. A detailed timeline with the deliverables will be included in the inception report, which will be agreed with UNOSSC. The below table outlines the deliverables and expected working days.

Note: it is also expected that the handbook will be converted into training modules in short and long versions.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.

Functional and technical competencies:

• Strong analytical skills and ability to present complex information in a clear succinct manner.

• Familiarity with the various development contexts, SDGs, and a solid institutional and political understanding of at global, regional, and country levels, and VNR process.

• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate.

• Ability to work from remote, with personal IT resources such as laptop and internet connection.

• Ability to work independently and has a track record of delivering quality work on time.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Masters’ Degree in international relation, international development, public policy, economics or related fields or its equivalent.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the international development field including policy development, programme management, analysis, research, reporting, etc.

• Very good knowledge and understanding of VNR process at national and/or HLPF process. (Required)

• Proven ability to write clear and effective guidelines/handbook. (Required)

• Demonstrated experience/knowledge of development cooperation, especially . (Required)

• Experience working with one of the United Nations entities or another international organization, national governments, or other relevant stakeholders (added advantage).

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; and

• Writing sample of previous guidelines or handbook relevant to the proposed assignment. Required

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 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%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (70 points):

• Criteria 1. Demonstrated experience/knowledge of development cooperation, especially in South-South and triangular cooperation; Maximum Points: 20;

• Criteria 2. Quality and relevance of sample work/s submitted for review; Maximum Points: 10;
• Criteria 3. Proven track-record expertise in developing guidelines/handbook to support implementation of policies and programmes in international development; Maximum Points: 20; and
• Criteria 4. Proven track record of working with Member States in national/global context, including with VNR and HLPF contexts; Maximum Points: 20.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) 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 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 work under the guidance and direct supervision of Deputy Director, UNOSSC, the consultant will directly report to Result management Specialist, UNOSSC. The consultant will work in close collaboration with UNOSSC Functional Teams, co-chairs of Group of Friends of VNRs, UN DESA, UN Interagency Mechanism for South-South and triangular cooperation and other relevant stakeholders and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

The UNOSSC will ensure that the consultant has access to the relevant information and contacts and will ensure appropriate feedback from partners on the draft handbook. The supervisor is also responsible for performance management, including recording non-performance.

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.