Jobs - 94528- National Consultant for Sri Lanka Partnership Land

National Consultant for Sri Lanka Partnership Landscape Assessment at UNRCO for Sri Lankans only

Location :

Colombo, SRI LANKA

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

21-Oct-20 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

30 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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 novel corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic poses unprecedented challenges for the global community. The United Nations Sustainable Development Group has launched a coherent framework (1) for UN’s urgent socio-economic support to countries and societies in the face of COVID-19, putting in practice Secretary-General’s report on “Shared responsibility, global solidarity: Responding to the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 (2). Moving beyond the initial response phase, the Secretary-General underlines the need to “recover better”, and that any recovery strategy should ensure that we remain on track towards the longer-term objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The report also underlines the importance of mobilizing partnerships with all stakeholders to accelerate the global response to COVID-19 and recovery from its impact, including with local and regional authorities, researchers, scientists and innovators, civil society and community-based organizations, private sector and philanthropies.

The President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has firmly placed the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Sri Lanka a key priority, as enshrined in the policy document, “Vistas of Prosperity and Splendour” (3) The document, termed as Sri Lanka government’s national development framework, encompasses ideas emerging from a broad national stakeholder engagement process in the country, including with inhabitants from 25,000 villages and the general public.

In 2019, the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), United Nations Office for Partnerships, United Nations Development Coordination Office, Global Compact, and The Partnering Initiative launched the 2030 Agenda Partnership Accelerator (4) - a project aimed at accelerating effective partnerships in support of the SDGs.

(1) https://unsdg.un.org/resources/un-framework-immediate-socio-economic-response-covid-19

(2) https://unsdg.un.org/resources/shared-responsibility-global-solidarity-responding-socio-economic-impacts-covid-19

(3) https://gota.lk/sri-lanka-podujana-peramuna-manifesto-english.pdf

(4) https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/PartnershipAccelerator

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES

The UN in Sri Lanka is working with the Government and partners to help alleviate the health and socio-economic consequences of the pandemic. In support of these efforts, the UN Office of the Resident Coordinator Office in Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the 2030 Agenda Partnership Accelerator, will be engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including the government of Sri Lanka, the United Nations system, academia, private sector, and civil society, to support the implementation of the SDGs and building back better by enhancing cohesion among sectors and stakeholders, and inspire new actions and multi-stakeholder partnerships.

The Sri Lanka Partnership Forum (date and venue tbc) will provide a starting point for ensuring greater coherence across all stakeholders and sectors while building back better from COVID-19, leading to more transformational whole-of-society approach to partnerships for advancing SDGs in Sri Lanka. The three-day Forum will include a high-level partnership dialogue to set the stage and outline the need for driving effective multi-stakeholder partnerships, held in the morning of the first day, followed by a two-and-a-half-day working level multi-stakeholder workshop.

The purpose of the consultancy is to conduct a national partnership landscape assessment of Sri Lanka in order to deliver and maximize impact and value of the Forum.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake a partnership landscape assessment (through interviews, desk research, self-organized meetings) to identify:

Thematic areas and issues where there is strong potential for new partnerships across sectors in Sri Lanka, and with regional and global institutions and donors;
Existing mechanisms for engaging stakeholders and sectors towards the Sustainable Development Goals in Sri Lanka;
Understanding of the level of support from government towards partnership (evidenced by policies, high-level statements etc.);
Overview of the landscape of development actors engaged in partnerships: government ministries, UN entities, business actors, and other stakeholders.
Overview of existing key partnerships and actions that are taking place;

Expected Output/Deliverables

Partnership landscape assessment, including thematic areas and issues where there is strong potential for new partnerships across sectors in Sri Lanka, overview of the key development actors and stakeholders in Sri Lanka; overview of key partnerships and actions in Sri Lanka, including drawing out best practices and learnings, 20-30 pages, English
Executive Summary; 1-2 pages, English
Key initial findings with 5-15 slides (PowerPoint presentation)
Delivery of presentation of findings and assessment at the Sri Lanka Partnership Forum (to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, date tbc);
2-5 short video interview of key stakeholders explaining why partnerships are key to the development of Sri Lanka, or highlighting challenges in fostering partnerships

TIMEFRAME

The duration of the consultancy is for a total of 30 days during the period October 2020 – January 2021.

Competencies

a Technical competencies

Ability to undertake extensive research.
Demonstration of strong analytical oral and written communication skills
Ability to engage effectively with respective UN agencies, development partners, civil society, the private sector, etc.
Good understanding of the governance structure and systems in Sri Lanka, including the current political economy context.

b. Corporate Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards and promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the UN
Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
Cultural sensitivity and valuing diversity: Demonstrate an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrate an international outlook, appreciating difference in values and learning from cultural diversity
Professionalism: Demonstrate professional competence and expert knowledge of the pertinent substantive areas of work

Proven analytical skills: ability to conduct independent research and analysis, identify issues, and recommend appropriate solutions.
Conflict management: Surface conflicts and addresses them proactively acknowledging different feelings and views and directing energy towards a mutually acceptable solution; ability to handle tense situations with diplomacy and tact, and have a consistent behaviour towards others
Development and Innovation: Take charge of self-development and take initiative
Work in teams: Demonstrate ability to work in a multicultural, multi ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds
Facilitate and encourage open communication and strive for effective communication
Ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, finance, natural resources management, engineering, law, social sciences or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination two (2) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience on sustainable development issues, including experience on partnerships, including three years at the national (Sri Lanka), international and regional levels is required. Experience in policy-oriented work in sustainable development issues is required. Experience in preparing written outputs on sustainable development issues is required.

Experience in delivering training programmes is desirable.

Language and other skills:

Fluent in English and one of the national languages of Sri Lanka is a requirement.
Proficiency in both national languages will be an advantage.
The expert should have excellent analytical skills and ability to produce high-quality documentation in English, with outstanding written communication and organizational skills, including the ability to plan and prioritize work duties as well as work competently under pressure and tight deadlines.
He/she should have demonstrated knowledge of the 2030 Agenda and stakeholder engagement.

HOW TO APPLY

The application should contain:

Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 3 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combimation of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR (_______) Or All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR (_________________)

Amount in words: (Rs.___________________)

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel (economy class flights is required to and from the Duty Station) honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored in to the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by, and approved by the Partnerships & Development Finance Specialist of the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator.

The consultant will be paid a lump sum amount upon completion of deliverables listed above.