Background

The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) provision of business services is central to supporting its core mission of helping achieve the eradication of poverty worldwide. UNDP’s 17,000 personnel are present in over 170 countries and territories. These personnel help countries achieve sustainable development by eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimension. UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan sets out an ambitious vision for UNDP’s evolution over the next four years, responding to a changing development landscape and the evolving needs of its partners. Operationally, UNDP’s country offices, regional offices, Bureau of Management Services (BMS) and other central units are collectively responsible for providing business services internally within UNDP as well as to over 20 UN entities.  

In July 2018, a review of UNDP’s management services was completed; the recommendations emanating from the process aim to make UNDP ‘future ready’ to support the Secretary Generals’ UN Development System reform efforts, and the achievement of the Strategic Plan. A ‘cross-cutting’ area of focus in the review and its recommendations concerns UNDP’s need to digitally transform how it provides its operational services. The review noted that UNDP’s path forward on digital should not be focused on which new technologies can or should be implemented, but by putting in place the proper enablers to allow digitization and innovation to flourish. Two of the most critical ‘enablers’ are UNDP’s Digital Transformation Strategy, and UNDP’s digital governance arrangements (in terms of how decisions are made over digital investments).  Work is underway in both areas, and as part of these efforts UNDP is keen to continue seeking external advice, experience, and comparative experience so as to better inform its work.  The overall purpose of the assignment is thus to provide inputs and advice to UNDP in terms of its Digital Transformation Strategy, and UNDP’s digital governance arrangements, and more broadly the cultural change dimensions underpinning public sector digital transformation efforts.

The Digital Transformation Advisor will report to the Senior Advisor, Business Model and Process in the UNDP Executive Office. During their work, the Advisor will interact with the staff of the Assistant Secretary General of the Bureau of Management Services, the Acting Chief Information Officer and staff of the Office of Information Management and Technology,, Senior Advisors within the Executive Office, Bureau Directors and their Deputies, Country Office staff, and other staff members engaged in work related to the digital transformation of the organization.  Over the duration of the contract, logistical support, scheduling, and advance preparation in terms of data, reports, or briefing notes will be provided by the Business Model Surge Team.

The duration of the assignment is 50 working days over the period of 1 October 2018 to 15 January 2019 (not including dates for travel).  This time frame is set against UNDP’s broader efforts to digitally transform the organization.

The assignment is home-based with three missions to UNDP headquarters in New York. Country level travel is not foreseen.

Duties and Responsibilities

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

•  Knowledge of digital transformation and current approaches within the industry;
•  Demonstrated knowledge of information and communication technologies and their impact in private or public sector institutions
•  Objectivity and ability to analyze complex situations in regards to organizations digitally transforming their work and provide concrete recommendations for action;
•  Demonstrated ability to integrate diverse contributions from multiple actors into a coherent service or product within the scope of an organization’s digital transformation;

Corporate Competencies:

•  Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
•  Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, and partner organizations;
•  Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
•  Excellent understanding of international development issues and knowledge of the UN system

Required Skills and Experience

1. Minimum Masters Degree in Business Administration, International Relations, or related field (or bachelors degree plus 10 years relevant work experience);
2. At least 15 years of experience in management consulting, business, finance, or governmental affairs;
3. Demonstrated experience in supporting the digital transformation of public or private sector entities.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Remuneration for this contract will be via a lump sum amount, delivered in a payment schedule matched against deliverables received, as per the table noted above in Section D.  The lump sum amount will be all inclusive of travel costs, daily subsistence allowances at the prevailing UN rates for the missions, and the daily rate of the consultant. The contract price will be fixed at the lump sum amount regardless of any changes within the underlying cost components.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

Candidates are expected to provide the following documents in the presentation of their offer:

1. Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
2. 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;
3. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, if applicable, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
4. Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Selection of the best offer will follow the combined scoring method, whereby the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a maximum of 70%, and combined with the price offer which will be weighted a max of 30%. Candidates will be evaluated based on the criteria noted below. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 700 points (70%) at the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.