Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

UNDP’s governing body is the Executive Board of UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS. The Executive Board is responsible for providing inter-governmental support to and supervision of the activities of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS in accordance with the overall policy guidance of the General Assembly and Economic and Social Council, and the responsibilities set out in the United Nations Charter. It must also be responsive to the needs of programme countries. The Board is under the authority of the Economic and Social Council.

The Executive Board secretariat, located in the Executive Office of UNDP, facilitates the work of the Board by reviewing and editing all documentation for submission to the Board. It makes logistical arrangements for the three Board sessions each year and provides information and other support services to Board members. The Executive Board of UNDP and UNFPA was created by General Assembly resolution 48/162 of 20 December 1993 and superseded the Governing Council on 1 January 1994. In the case of UNDP, the overall responsibility of the Executive Board also applies to the associated funds and programmes of UNDP, namely, UNCDF and UNV. On 31 January 2011, the Executive Board, recalling General Assembly resolution 65/176 of 20 December 2010, decided that the name of the Executive Board of UNDP and UNFPA be changed to the Executive Board of UNDP, UNFPA and UNOPS.

 

To assist in meeting the reporting, editorial and production standards, the Executive Board secretariat is setting up a roster of writers/editors with experience in writing and editing of official United Nations reports. The secretariat will establish a non-exclusive long-term agreement (LTA) with the selected Consultant(s), to be contracted on a need be basis. The contract will specify the assignment, tasks,  deliverables and time frame for delivery of the services.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant shall report to the Secretary of the Executive Board. The scope of work includes but not limited to the following:

Edit policy documents pertaining to UNDP and its associated Funds and Programmes (UNCDF, UNV) and UNOPS,

Edit the UNDP draft regional and country programme documents for the three yearly sessions of the Executive Board.

 

  • To edit policy documents within stipulated deadlines, to United Nations editorial standards, for submission to the Executive Board on behalf of UNDP, UNCDF, UNV and UNOPS, working with author departments to ensure that policies and messages are conveyed accurately.
  • To edit UNDP draft regional and country programme documents within stipulated deadlines, to United Nations editorial standards, working with authors in the Regional Bureaux to ensure that the information they contain is conveyed accurately.
  • To work closely with the Documents Coordinator who facilitates communication between the consultant and author department.
  • To deliver two copies of the document (one with tracked changes and a clean copy) to the author departments and to the Documents Coordinator.

 

Edit the decisions considered by the Board during its three yearly sessions taking place at the United Nations HQ in New York City (this task requires physical presence in NY for the duration of the Board sessions).

 

  • To support Member States in decision-making by editing decisions being considered by the Executive Board (requires physical presence).

 

Serve as rapporteur of the session of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board, keeping record of the plenary meeting discussions on UNDP and UNOPS agendas, as well as side events held on the sidelines of the Board session (requires physical presence at the United Nations HQ in New York), and produce the full report of the session, within stipulated deadlines and in consultation with the relevant UNDP units.

 

  • To serve as rapporteur of the two regular and the annual sessions of the Executive Board (requires physical presence).
  • To write conference room papers or any other documents pertaining to the work of the Executive Board, as required.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly without favouritism

 

Functional Competencies:

  • Highly developed research skills;
  • Strong analytical skills and ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources;
  • Computer literacy, must be able to use the Internet and other research tools;
  • Ability to prioritize activities and assignments;
  • Teamwork - excellent interpersonal, organizational and management skills and ability to work within multi disciplinary teams.

 

Development and Operational Effectiveness:

  • Manages complex problems proactively and effectively;
  • Operates effectively in a changing and complex multicultural environment and produces results under stress;
  • Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
  • Has proven organizational and communication skills;
  • Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities

 

 

 

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications (required skills and experience

 

Education:
 

  • Masters degree in English, linguistics, literature, journalism or relevant field;

 

Experience:
 

  • 8 years of professional experience in writing, editing, proofreading texts/reports;
  • Experience serving as a rapporteur;
  • Experience in writing official reports for the United Nations organizations is desirable;
  • Experience in working with governance bodies of the United Nations Funds and Programmes and/or other international organizations is desirable;
  • Broad knowledge of global development issues is an asset

 

Language:
 

  • Fluency and excellent command of English (oral and written);

 

 

Evaluation Criteria

 

Consultants will be evaluated on the cumulative scoring method, being the combined weighted technical and financial score, to obtain the total weighted score. The assigned weights for the technical and financial criteria are 70% and 30% respectively.

 

Step 1: Technical evaluation

The technical evaluation criteria is detailed below. The supporting documents/information must be provided for assessment of the consultant’s suitability and responsiveness to the terms of reference. The maximum technical score is 100 points and the minimum score required to pass the technical assessment is 70% (70 points)

 

Criteria

Maximum Points

Supporting document (to be provided by the consultant)

Masters degree

10

CV

Minimum 8 years of professional experience

10; plus 2 points for each additional year up to a maximum of 10 points. Total 20.

CV

Professional experience in

  • Editorial
  • Reporting
  • Rapporteur

10 pts each. Total 30

CV

Language proficiency

10

CV and samples

Minimum 2 sample works for each of the services performed within the last 3 years, in

  • Editorial
  • Reporting
  • Rapporteur

10 pts each. Total 30

2 samples of editorial and reporting, respectively.

 

Details of rapporteur services, indicating the client’s name and contact details, description of services, location, and duration.

Total Points (maximum)

100 pts

 

 

Step 2: Financial evaluation

The financial proposals of all the consultants who pass the technical evaluation will be scored. The maximum financial score is 30 points and is assigned to the lowest financial offer. All other offers shall be scored in inverse proportion to the lowest offer, i.e.,

 

                                                      Points for other offer =  x 30

 

Step 3: Total Combined Score

The total cumulative score is the combined weighted technical and financial score. All offers will be ranked in descending order (from highest combined score) and will be recommended for the LTA roster.

 

 

 

 

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Note on the Selection Process:

The agreement does not carry any expectation of any future engagement in UNDP.

   

 

 

 

 

 

Other information

 

  • Some assignments may require physical presence at the United Nations HQ in New York. Consultants shall include any travel related costs,  as a separate component, in the financial offer
  • All interested applicants should submit the following requirements. The following five documents should be merged in a standalone file, since the online application submission does only permit to upload one file per application. Incomplete submissions can be a ground for disqualification:
    • Brief expression of interest (maximum one page);
    • A current and complete C.V. in English
    •  3 references with the contact details (e-mail address and phone number);
    • Previous work samples;
    • Duly completed UNDP Personal History Form (P11) that can be downloaded from  sas.undp.org P11
    • Financial proposal: daily rate and travel costs (if applicable) as per template provided.

 

  • The contract does not carry any expectation of future engagement with UNDP.

Incomplete applications or applications received after the closing date will not be given consideration. Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

UNDP will cross -check previous work experience and expertise.

Other: