UNDP Jobs - 94787- Special Skills Expert (SSE) for the Ministry of Ca

Special Skills Expert (SSE) for the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs (MoCA)

Location :

Juba, SOUTH SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Nov-2020

Application Deadline :

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

Post Level :

National Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

12 Months

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

52 Weeks

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

Successful implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides a better opportunity for the Revitalized Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to carry out reforms skilfully, structurally, systematically, symbiotically and synthetically in financial public institutions. This will necessitate the placement of public servants with the capacity to allow the effective and efficient delivery of peace dividends to positively impact for welfare of over 12.58 million people of South Sudan. Early support and leveraging coordinated partnerships are needed urgently during the transitional period with concentration on delivery capacity of Change Agents (CAs) in the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs (MoCA) mentored by a Special Skills Expert (SSE) on governance and inter-ministerial coordination. This will include assessing, analysing, deciding, planning, organizing, training, staffing, leading, controlling, performing, evaluating and redressing the fundamentals of public administration and management of business of ministerial clusters.

The objective of the Governance and Economic Management Support Project (GEMS) of UNDP is to support the effective implementation of the R-ARCSS and improve economic management by:

Strengthening the capacity of key national institutions for effective and accountable implementation of the R-ARCSS with a focus on Chapter I and IV.
Bolstering key economic governance and accountability functions with attention on Chapter IV of the R-ARCSS.
Establishing a consistent and structured platform for advancing policy dialogue and mutual accountability on implementation of the R-ARCSS, and
Providing a platform for south-south cooperation and for development partners to bring their expertise and experiences to bear on the implementation of the R-ARCSS priorities.

The core objective of assigning SSE for MoCA is to develop and backstop the institutional capacity of the RTGoNU to successfully direct the peace and development process with effective reforms of public sector guided by clear vision, specific mission, ethical values and strategic plans for scoring on the following core objective:

Strengthened functional capacity for governance with trained skills of public servants to practically assist in implementing Chapter I, IV and the related provisions of R-ARCSS, applying Public Institutional Management (PIM) professionalism with coordination and continuous dialogue among top political actors guided by leadership ideals.

This core objective relates to the design of activities that support government institutions to operate cohesively, integrally and technically to promote honest transparency, enforceable accountability, participation and nationalistic inclusivity with diversity of voices. It has to be measured by the quality of provision of services of the government in line with legal principles, regulatory frameworks, operational policies, public service code of ethics and human resource development with checks and balances. The MoCA is a key national institution for coordinating all these with links to the Presidency, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (PMDAs).

Duties and Responsibilities

The SSE shall support the MoCA with detailed technical capacity building and development of the institution to deliver on cabinet reforms in accordance with R-ARCSS and reviewed laws.
The SSE shall train, coach and mentor the staff of the MoCA to support technically the administration and management of government businesses with coordinated facilitation and recommendations so as to:
Harmonize the Strategic Plan (2020 – 2025) of MoCA with R-ARCSS and revisited Vision 2040, emphasizing on reforms within the new trends of e-governance.
Update the organizational structure (organogram) of MoCA with clear line of bureaucratic authority and division of mandated duties/rights.
Aid in reviewing the conduct of business of government in Council of Ministers and the respective governance, economic, services, infrastructure and Gender/youth clusters.
Aid in harmonizing the legislative frameworks and policies of RTGoNU to match with the demands of R-ARCSS implementation.
Assist in organizing quarterly undersecretaries’ forums for the respective ministerial clusters of the RTGoNU chaired by the Secretary-General.
Audit and review the professional competence of all employees of the government to match with the contemporary standards and pyramidal staffing structure in line with nominal rolls.

Adopt affirmative action for less included nationals in the face of public service of South Sudan with gender mainstreaming within the structure of line of authority.
The SSE shall prepare skills training plan of actions, provide policy advice, and help in designing strategic government communication and protocols with informed technical understanding of government’s decision-making based on conferred powers, functions and responsibilities by R-ARCSS and the Law.
The SSE and CAs shall be provided with efficient work facilities (computers, printers, internet service and stationeries) through GEMS Project budget while the Ministry provide offices space with power during workhours.
The SSE shall work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Minister of (MoCA) and the Secretary-General of the RTGoNU in coordination with GEMS Project Manager.

Deliverables:

Inception Report and initial workplan (10 days after contract commencement).
Bi-monthly workplan and report of previous period (2 months after contract commencement and every two months following).
Draft Final Report on the results/finding and recommendations (one month prior to end of contract).
Final Report on the results/finding of the assessment and recommendations for future interventions (Revised draft incorporating the feedback from stakeholders) (one week prior to end of contract). This is to be presented to stakeholders for validation

All reports are subject to review and endorsement by the MoCA and UNDP and the final report to a validation workshop by stakeholders.

Competencies

Innovating and Developing Good Governance Strategies, Plans and Regulations:

Coordinate the harmonization of legislative framework, institutional policies, strategic plans, and work plans with well-studied knowledge sharing flatforms on e-governance.
Adopt new approaches of public administration with broader range of perspectives in developing innovative proposals for meeting the contemporary standards of government management.
Create conducive work environment and team spirit, which fosters innovative collective thinking through the reformed public institution of the executive public sector.

Creating Impact through Sustainable Peace and Holistic Development Dividends:

Develop leadership and administrative skills of developmental analyses of government business with information on potential bilateral and multilateral cooperation with international counterparts to recommend strategic approach for mutual benefits and accountability.
Compile comparative lessons learnt on human capacity development and public administration strategy of managing the public sector in accordance with inculcated fundamentals of government and cabinet clusters.

Promoting Institutional Training, Technical Expertise and Knowledge Sharing:

Prioritize continuous training, coaching and mentoring of senior public servants with efficient use of contemporary computerized tools and standardized mechanisms of e-governance.
Enhance efficient drafting, effective planning, presentation and report-writing skills with strong analytical and strategic resilience in advanced professional specialization in government.
Demonstrate comprehensive skilful knowledge and competence in information technology and strategic communication on governance with efficiency and accountability.?
Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of MoCA.
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; understands the structure and hierarchy of MoCA and process flows throughout the ministry.?
Act as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
Works collaboratively with colleagues inside MoCA as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.?
Facilitate and encourage open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
Deliver verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner.
Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Management & Emotional Intelligence:

Create synergies through self-control, tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

Master’s degree or Advance degree in relevant fields of economics or related fields (political science, public administration, project management, law, communication, information, etc.) is required with over 5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with over 10 years of experience in government institutions.

Experience:

A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in relevant fields related to public administration and management sector is required.
A minimum of 5 years working in public administration and management sector is required.
Proven experience in organizing and managing events and workshops is desirable.
Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards.
Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point) is required. Proven experience in the development infographics, online surveys, presentations, organization of webinars would be an asset.
Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate information collection and monitor own work plan.
Ability to work, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, civil society partners and other UN agencies. Strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination and mastery of economics fundamentals.
Experience in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management.
Knowledge of mandates of key national and international economic institutions at bilateral and multilateral levels of partnerships.
Competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates.
Professional command of written and spoken English with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Timely delivery on the assignment in operational environment of pressure with risks from both expected and unforeseen situations.

Language:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

Application Procedure:

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment.
Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references.
Two pages to describe the methodology to respond to the TOR (understanding of the project requirements).

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7-hours working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).
The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract.
In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. 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.
If the 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 a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.
The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation Process:

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Being 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 where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical Evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

Criteria 1: Professional working experience in relevant fields related to economics or public administration and management, particularly within the MoCA or public sector: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100.
Criteria 2: Proven technical experience working in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management: Weight = 15%; Maximum Points: 150.
Criteria 3: Demonstrated experience working in knowledge management, strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100.
Criteria 4: Proven relevant work experience and knowledge of corporate social networking-based platforms/tools, and Competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates web-based platforms: Weight = 7%; Maximum Points: 70.
Criteria 5: Experience organizing and managing events and workshops: Weight = 7%; Maximum Points: 70; and
Criteria 6: Interview Proven experience to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate information collection and monitor own work plan: Weight = 21%; Maximum Points: 210.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will award the top candidates with highest scores. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

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

Contract Award:

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Undersecretary MoCA; and UNDP GEMS Project Manager and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

Payment Modality:

Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hours working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.