Background

UNDP is committed to augmenting the capacity of the GIROA to administer Rule of Law and improve security and justice service-delivery for all Afghan citizens. As the lead Rule of Law institution in the country, improving the ability of the Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA) to fulfill its mandate remains critical to the overall stability of Afghanistan and its people. As the UN’s primary development agency, and a longstanding development partner to GIROA’s Rule of Law and Security sector, UNDP Afghanistan plays a leading role in facilitating institutional reform and development of MOIA.

UNDP has operated the LOTFA since 2002. LOTFA was created to support the establishment, payment, equipment and training of the police force in Afghanistan. The central goal is to support the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIROA) in achieving a paid, professional Afghan National Police (ANP) and staff of the General Directorate for Prison and Detention Centres (GDPDC) that deliver essential services to the Afghan people for improved public trust, safety and security and to support improved rule of law enforcement.

Based on consultations conducted between UNDP, the GIROA and donors during 2017, a growing view emerged that the scope of LOTFA should be expanded to include the entire justice chain (police, courts and prisons) and cover all institutions across the entire Rule of Law sector, with an increased focus on anti-corruption. Simultaneously, the LOTFA structure has been revised to bring it more in line with international standards and best practices on Trust Fund management and administration.

The new Trust Fund Terms of Reference (TOR) and Strategic Framework were approved by the LOTFA Steering Committee in November 2018. The Multi-Partner Trust Fund’s (MPTF) Strategic Framework defines the strategic objectives that are organized according to the four established ‘Thematic Windows’, i.e. 1) Security, 2) Justice, 3) Anti-Corruption and 4) MOIA Payroll. In addition, a new robust M&E system for LOTFA has also been established to measure progress and impact over-time of Trust Fund interventions and inform LOTFA stakeholders based on empirical quantitative and qualitative data on the direction of future Trust Fund planning and programming.

In the new LOTFA M&E approach:

• M&E sits at the heart of an approach to change management that is informed, adaptive and effective.

• LOTFA supports the appropriate use of local demand-pull change in addition to conventional large-scale initiatives.

• Demand-pull change will be based on ‘ground-truth’ collected in near real-time to identify and monitor institutional and public attitudes to key aspects of Law & Order.

• LOTFA will integrate and use cutting-edge / new technologies for data collection and analysis e.g. attitudinal and perceptions from beneficiaries, outcome harvesting, analytical dashboards, task-based management approaches at fund and window level.

• Conventional surveys will be used to collect and enable analysis of numeric data and general sentiment for which modern communications technologies will need to be utilized.

• LOTFA also intends to establish an integrated communication model to support successful project implementation and outcomes, internal and external change management and ultimately, public influence and impact.

In parallel, the UNDP Country Office in Kabul is undergoing a strategic reorientation to better respond to the dynamic situation in the country by using the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to assist GIROA in supporting peace and development across the country.

Concretely, UNDP will:

1. Explore means of supporting the Government to introduce an “integrative” modeling approach which could serve as a foundation for an SDG macroeconomic framework to build a sustainable and inclusive economy across Afghanistan.

2. Create and facilitate discussion forums to increase awareness and capacity building for implementation of the Afghanistan Sustainable Development Goals (A-SDGs) with various stakeholders at the national and local level – including government, civil society, and private sector;

3. Identify data collection needs reflecting the prioritization of the A-SDG targets and design effective M&E systems.

4. Develop innovative financial mechanisms to fund the A-SDGs

Therefore, the need is to learn from the innovative M&E model in LOTFA and to transfer the lessons learnt and experiences to the Country Office level as well as to the Government to build the SDG platform.

Organizational Context of the Position:

Under the overall guidance of Head of Governance for Peace (G4P) unit and Chief of Programme Strategy and Results Unit (PSRU) and with direct supervision of the LOTFA M&E Team Leader, the Individual Consultant will provide technical assistance and support in two broad areas: LOTFA communications and SDG communications.

The International Consultant will work closely with a wide range of actors including the LOTFA project teams, implementing partners and other Afghan institutions, UNDP Country Office and international community in the country and expert networks outside of the country including private sector companies providing short-term services for LOTFA and UNDP. The consultant will report to the LOTFA M&E Team Leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective of the assignment:

As stated above this assignment will have two major objectives:

1. LOTFA communications by promoting behavioural and social changes in LOTFA programme and projects leading to improved development outcomes, promoting public dialogue and commitment to reform as well as supporting the use of new information and communication technologies to strengthen programmatic interventions; and

2. SDG communications by ensuring that UNDP is active in advocacy, outreach and communication, serving as an integrator and connector in support of GIROA in their efforts to realise the 2030 agenda and achieve A-SDGs as well as by easing the participation of a wide range of partners/actors and encouraging engagement and dialogue through strategic communications between government (across different parts and levels), parliament, international development institutions, the private sector, financial institutions, civil society, philanthropies, universities, think tanks and the media, among others to leverage impact and generate more sustainable results.

In order to achieve above objectives following activities will have to be undertaken but not limited under this assignment which may be enriched following initial stages of consultation with the Team.

• Ensure LOTFA’s brand is built through constant communication of its results, breakthroughs and ongoing progress to several of its audiences and using most effective tools depending on the context with the aim to build GIROA and Public ownership of LOTFA projects/ programmes.

• Provide technical support and advice to the Monitoring and Evaluation Team in data management and uptake of results, which may include and not limited to data collection for the surveys, studies, research (using social media, mobile phones, internet and etc.) and supporting information through dashboards for donors, government, citizens and etc.

• Translate data into information by preparing infographics, visuals, graphics and charts which will feed into larger advocacy and results and impact communications.

• Provide guidance and advice on setting up traditional and social media monitoring system for capturing beneficiaries’ satisfaction with LOTFA’s results and understanding of dynamics in the Government and among public with police and justice reform process.

• Through a consultative approach and process and in consultation with PSRU and other stakeholders, design and develop a communication strategy, activity plan, tools and means to position and profile the SDG platform with UNDP, GIROA, and development landscape

• Build a strong narrative for UNDP’s SDG integrator role in Afghanistan and work with GIROA to adopt the right strategies and tools for communicating about and advocating for A-SDGs

• Develop and implement strategic communication activities targeting at improving information and knowledge flows, de-risking the investment environment, bringing new financing and programming instruments into play, promoting non-traditional partnerships and expanding space for and directly contributing to innovation, experimentation, learning and scaling-up.

• Build communication strategies for and support implementation of all UNDP Afghanistan’s new programmatic pillars in line with the broader SDG communication strategy as well as UNDP’s partnership and resource mobilization strategies.

Expected Deliverables:

Payment Modality, Schedule and Percentage:

Payments shall be made on a monthly basis (time-based) according to a monthly timesheet (UNDP procurement timesheet format for individual contractors). The LOTFA M&E Team Leader will review the progress and quality of assignment upon outputs prior to payment issuance.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Institutional Arrangements:

Under the overall guidance of Head of G4P unit and Chief of PSRU and with direct supervision of the LOTFA M&E Team Leader, the International Consultant will work closely with a wide range of actors including the LOTFA project teams, implementing partners and other Afghan institutions, UNDP Country Office and international community in the country and expert networks outside of the country including private sector companies providing short-term services for LOTFA and UNDP. The consultant will report to the LOTFA M&E Team Leader. 

The G4P Unit will provide office space and internet facility, logistical and other support service including transport and security applicable to UNDP local personnel. The consultant however is expected to bring his/her own laptop and mobile phone and meet local communications costs (G4P Unit will provide a local pre-paid SIM card). Costs to arrange meetings, workshops, travel costs to and DSA during field visits (if any), etc. shall be covered by the G4Punit and/or PSRU.

Duration of the Work:

Performance of the works under this contract shall be completed within 6 months (with maximum of 132 working days) after signing the contract, including all preparation works and on-site visits. The target date for the start of the works will be 1 November 2019.

Duty Station

Work will be carried in and out of country.  When in-country, the duty station for the contractor staff is Kabul, Afghanistan although some field visits outside Kabul may be necessary. Before planning field visits, Contractor shall provide CV of visiting representatives for approval. When in Kabul, the contractor will be based at and report regularly to the G4P Unit (UNOCA) during the working hours, security conditions permitting. The contractor will follow the working hours and weekends as applicable to UNDP CO staff. Contractor’s movement for meetings and consultations shall be coordinated by the G4P Unit. The contractor is at all times required to observe UNDP security rules and regulations

Competencies

Core competencies:

• Promotes ethics and integrity and creates organizational precedents;

• Builds support and political acumen;

• Builds staff competence and creates an environment of creativity and innovation;

• Builds and promotes effective teams;

• Creates and promotes environment for open communications;

• Leverages conflict in the interest of UNDP and sets standards;

• Shares knowledge across the organization and builds a culture of knowledge sharing and learning

Required Skills and Experience

Required expertise and experience:    

• At least five (5) years of communication experience with a Master’s degree or seven (7) years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree in development communications, communications for development, journalism, social sciences or related field

• Demonstrable expertise in setting up Communications systems for adaptive planning and management systems.

• Experience in developing communications strategies which are adaptive, transformative and cutting edge

• Deep advocacy and behavioral change communications expertise and experience

• Familiar with applying communication tools and with designing and creating data visualization tools, infographics, presentations and etc.

• Excellent communication skills both written and verbal

• Proven experience developing advocacy campaigns, plans, building effective real-time communications through social media and other means

• Previous experience working with the UN and international donors;

• Experience of working fragile conflict affected states is a strong advantage.

• Extensive managerial experience including experience in leading multi-cultural teams;

  Language:

• Excellent written and oral English.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments:

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

• Daily Fee –. The Consultant shall propose a daily fee which should be inclusive of his/her professional fee, local communication cost, insurance (inclusive of medical health and medical evacuation etc.), equipment, and other costs required for performance of the contract but excluding travel, visa and DSA. The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 132 working days over a contract duration of 6 months.

•  The Consultant shall be separately paid the DSA as per applicable UNDP rate for stay in Kabul and travel to other locations as per actual number of nights spent in Kabul or other locations. Deductions from DSA shall be made as per applicable UNDP policy when accommodation and other facilities are provided by UNDP. An estimated provision in this regard shall be included in the contract. The consultant needs not quote for DSA in Financial Proposal.

  Accommodation in Kabul - The Consultants are NOT allowed to stay in a place of their choice other than the UNDSS approved places in Kabul, Afghanistan. UNDP will provide accommodation to the Consultant for the duration of the stay in duty station (Kabul) in UNDSS approved places. Deductions in this regard shall be made from DSA payment as per applicable UNDP Policy.

• The Consultant shall include lumpsum cost of travel per trip for Home-Kabul-Home (estimated 4 trips) in the Financial Proposal. Any other travel for work, originating from Kabul shall be payable by UNDP separately as per applicable Policy.< > – UNDP shall facilitate visa requirements and reimburse the visa cost, if any.

  Payment schedule - Payments towards fee shall be time-based and shall be made upon submission and acceptance of monthly report and certified timesheet. Payment towards travel shall be made on an instance of actual travel and shall be cost-reimbursable limited to the amount quoted in Financial Proposal. Payments towards DSA, Visa, etc. shall be cost-reimbursable, as specified above.

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:

• 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.

Technical Criteria weight 70%;

Financial Criteria weight 30%.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria 70 points:

Qualification and Experience (25 marks) [evaluation of CV for shortlisting]:

• General Qualification (5 marks);

• Experience relevant to the assignment (10 marks); and

• Experience of working in fragile conflict affected states (10 marks).

Interview (45 marks)

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:

• Duly accomplished confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II);

Updated 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.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

• Annex 1 - IC Contract Template (for information)

• Annex 2 -  Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (to be completed by consultant at application stage)

• Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions (for information)

• Annex 4 – RLA Template (if consultant wishes to be recruited through an employer) - (for information)