UNDP Jobs - 79850- International Consultant

International Consultant – Programme Support Expert

Location :

Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Sep-2018

Application Deadline :

21-Jul-18 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

240 working days over a period of 12 months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

240 working days over a period of 12 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

The United Nations Development Program Bangladesh’s (UNDP) upcoming “Partnerships for a Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh” (PTIB) project will promote diverse and constructive narratives already present in the country in support of tolerance. UNDP will support a better understanding of the challenges peaceful narratives face, and help Bangladeshis develop platforms and media for disseminating their ideas. UNDP partners with youth groups, interfaith activists, the private sector, multinational companies (including Google, Facebook, and Twitter), government agencies and international donors to maximize the capacity and appeal of local organizations supportive of peaceful development. UNDP has responded thus far by conducting a series of pilot projects that are being upscaled into a full project in 2018. Proposed activities will have a diverse and highly sensitive range of operational needs, requiring solid organizational and process management skills. The Programme Support Officer will work under the supervision of the Project Manager. The selected candidate will provide flexible programmatic and operational support to the Partnerships for a Tolerant and Inclusive Bangladesh Project.

Scope of Work

During the assigned timeframe the consultant will work on following areas:

Provide Quality Administrative, Technical and Programmatic Support to Project Management
Provide Support in Monitoring Project Objectives; Support Research, Learning and Knowledge Management within the Project;
Support for Capacity Development for Stakeholders and Partners;
Provide Support for developing Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Resource Mobilization;

1. Provide Quality Administrative and Technical Support to Project Management

Provide necessary technical support to the PTIB team in developing all technical documents and implementing project activities in accordance with key deadlines;
Contribute effective analytical support to the team to help identify key opportunities and knowledge gaps;
Support UNDP project manager and team members on strategies for successful project implementation and possible expansion, as required;
Ensure effective communication and coordination between team members, stakeholders, government agencies and UN counterparts from other agencies;
Ensure quality control mechanisms are sufficient to ensure superior quality of activities, outputs, research products, publications, as subject to the review and approval of the UNDP Country Office;
Support the project team and assist the effective implementation of complex and challenging procurement, financial, HR and operations tasks;
Provide support on effective results-based project management, monitoring (quarterly reports) and evaluation;
Help to ensure effective management of the project’s resources according to the annual work plan, budget and strategic plan, to achieve quality and timely results;

2. Provide Expert Technical Advice on Prevention of Violent Extremism Activities:

Provide expertise and advice on project activities, implementation, and achievement of project outcomes, including: producing relevant research products and databases, engaging key social demographics including women, youth, religious leaders and migrant workers, and identifying entry points for interventions to produce tangible PVE results in both the short- and medium-term;
Support the development and implementation of PVE activities, including training and research partnerships with government and CSO partners, production of monthly and quarterly progress reports, and the implementation of innovative engagement activities;
Contribute knowledge and experience of relevant PVE best practices from other countries and contexts, and propose means of integrating these and ensuring complementarity with the unique Bangladeshi context;
Support UNDP in furthering resource mobilization, and engagement with stakeholders to facilitate the mainstreaming of PVE concepts and approaches;
Ensure top quality analysis and substantive inputs to project documents, reports, concept notes and other strategic documents, considering national and global trends on policies and development issues related to PVE as well as international best practices in peacebuilding and the promotion of tolerance;

3. Provide Support in Monitoring Project Objectives; Support Research, Learning and Knowledge Management within the Project:

Help capture best practices from the field and document the lessons learned from implementation;
Provide expert input on proposed UNDP studies and research methods aimed at strengthening the PVE evidence base in Bangladesh;
Help coordinate internal and external research networks involving prominent experts in government, non-government, think tanks, private companies, international development organizations and the UN system;
Facilitate knowledge creation, dissemination, documentation of lessons learned, etc.
Assist in identifying areas where technical assistance will be required, prepare TORs for short-term consultancies, and provide technical support to the advisors.

4. Support for Capacity Development for Stakeholders and Partners:

Promote the integration of best practices into project activities, including active participation and communication with UNDP’s global and regional network;
Work collaboratively with government counterparts towards a gradual integration of PVE practices into existing project and management approaches;
Assist the team in implementing a PVE capacity-development strategy that responds to the Bangladeshi cultural and institutional context;
Share and troubleshoot any issues or challenges in implementing agreed activities and ensure proper mitigation strategies;

Strategic Partnerships, Communications, and Resource Mobilization:

Mobilize and communicate with possible co-funders, prepare substantive funding applications and think creatively regarding possible areas of collaboration and cost sharing;
Be prepared to actively engage development partners in the field and provide guidance on PVE issues, if required;
Coordinate responses to donors and stakeholders to mitigate any challenges during project implementation;

Duties and Responsibilities

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The expected deliverables of the International consultant include;

During the extended period the consultant will produce the following deliverables:

Deliverables	Days required
Provide Quality Administrative, Technical and Programmatic Support to Project Management	40 days
Provide Expert Technical Advice on Prevention of Violent Extremism Activities in the Bangladeshi and Global Context;	40 days
Provide Support in Monitoring Project Objectives; Support Research, Learning and Knowledge Management within the Project;	40 days
Support for Capacity Development for Stakeholders and Partners;	40 days
Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Resource Mobilization;	40 days
Any other functions or responsibilities which may be assigned by UNDP CO management.	40 days
	240 working days

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

Knowledge Management and Learning

Shares knowledge and experience
Actively works towards continuing personal learning, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills
Excellent communication skills (written and oral):
Sensitivity to and responsiveness to all partners,
Respectful and helpful relations with all partners and colleagues

Development and Operational Effectiveness

Confidentiality
Ability to effective coordination with partners in and outside the UN organizations.
Knowledge of UNDP Rules and Regulations is an advantage

Leadership and Self-Management

Focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Remains calm, in control, and good humored under pressure
Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills
Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The expected deliverables of the International consultant include;

During the extended period the consultant will produce the following deliverables:

Deliverables	Days required
Provide Quality Administrative, Technical and Programmatic Support to Project Management	40 days
Provide Expert Technical Advice on Prevention of Violent Extremism Activities in the Bangladeshi and Global Context;	40 days
Provide Support in Monitoring Project Objectives; Support Research, Learning and Knowledge Management within the Project;	40 days
Support for Capacity Development for Stakeholders and Partners;	40 days
Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Resource Mobilization;	40 days
Any other functions or responsibilities which may be assigned by UNDP CO management.	40 days
	240 working days

Institutional Arrangement

The assignment is Dhaka based, Bangladesh. She/he will complete the respective duties at the UNDP Country Office with visits to partners and government institutions for necessary collaboration. Certain activities might be pursued remotely.

Duration of the Work

During the extended period the consultant will work for 1 year (240 working days = 20 days per month)
The contract will expire on 31st August 2019.
The consultant will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the PTIB National Project Manager.

Duty Station

Duty Station is Dhaka, Bangladesh
Be present at the office to perform activities, though certain activities may be conducted remotely.

Inputs:

From UNDP:UNDP will provide office space. Any travel related to field works will be arranged by PTIB project to the approval of the respective National Project Manager. UNDP will provide additional laptop and support if required, upon review of UNDP Senior Management.

Required Skills and Experience

Educational Qualifications:

Masters degree or equivalent in international relations or related discipline.

Experience

Minimum 2 years of professional experience in research and analysis related to governance and social cohesion;
Working experience in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific, is required; experience in Bangladesh an asset;
Experience drafting and editing reports and research papers, project documents, budgets, and results frameworks required; knowledge of UNDP practices and procedures is an asset;
Experience with social cohesion activities required; experience implementing programming under the United Nations Prevention of Violent Extremism agenda is an asset.

Language requirements

Fluency in English is required;

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Lump sum contracts:

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. 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 travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days).

Travel: All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. 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. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Tentative Payment Schedule:

Deliverables	% of Payment	Payment Schedule
Provide Quality Administrative, Technical and Programmatic Support to Project Management	15%	October 2018
Provide Expert Technical Advice on Prevention of Violent Extremism Activities in the Bangladeshi and Global Context;	15%	December 2018
Provide Support in Monitoring Project Objectives; Support Research, Learning and Knowledge Management within the Project;	15%	February 2019
Support for Capacity Development for Stakeholders and Partners;	15%	April 2019
Strategic Partnerships, Communications and Resource Mobilization;	15%	June 2019
Any other functions or responsibilities which may be assigned by UNDP CO management.	25%	August 2019

In general, UNDP shall 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

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as a) responsive/compliant/acceptable; and b) having received the highest score out of set of weighted technical criteria (70%). and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points

Cumulative analysis

Criteria	Weight	Max. Points
Technical	70	70
Master’s Degree, with a minimum 2 years of professional experience in research and analysis related to governance and social cohesion;		5
Working experience in developing countries in Asia and the Pacific, is required; experience in Bangladesh an asset;		20
Experience drafting and editing reports and research papers, project documents, budgets, and results frameworks required; knowledge of UNDP practices and procedures is an asset;		25
Experience with social cohesion activities required; experience implementing programming under the United Nations Prevention of Violent Extremism agenda is an asset.		20
Financial	30
Total	100

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks)

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 45 based on the formula provided above. The maximum points (45) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

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

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Interested individuals must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references. P11 can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/bangladesh/en/home/operations/jobs/
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment and a methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an 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 Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the offeror must indicate this? at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP. Template can be downloaded from the link below: http://www.bd.undp.org/content/dam/bangladesh/docs/Jobs/Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal-Template%20for%20Confirmation.docx

IMPORTANT:

Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Incomplete proposals will not be considered for evaluation.