International Consultant for Capacity Development Analysis (Two Positions), New York

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT FOR CAPACITY DEVELOPMENT ANALYSIS (TWO POSITIONS)

Location : New York, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Application Deadline : 23-Oct-12 Additional Category Democratic Governance

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required : English

Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Nov-2012

Duration of Initial Contract : 31 January 2013

Expected Duration of Assignment : approx. 10 weeks

Background

Capacity development is posited as an overarching contribution of UNDP to partner countries. The Knowledge, Innovation and Capacity Group (KICG) in UNDPs Bureau for Development Policy (BDP) is tasked with defining UNDPs capacity development package of support towards emerging development themes viz. capacity development for sustainable development; and capacity development for national and societal resilience.

Work is on-going to define these capacity development packages spanning optimal institutional arrangements in government, leadership development, knowledge and innovation breakthroughs, and mechanisms for interface between governments and citizens/people. This requires, among other things, constant updates on cutting-age policy and case evidence and developing tools and guidelines for UNDPs country offices to deploy readily.

The work involves multiple strands: research, in-house and external knowledge gathering, writing and production of easy-to-use documents and guidelines, convening policy makers and practitioners, and developing publicity and outreach material.

The two consultants for Capacity Development Analysis will support policy advisors in the above activities split by the two themes of sustainable development (1) and resilience (1). Interested candidates should indicate their preference among the two themes in their cover note.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall supervision of KICGs Senior Policy Advisor and Capacity Development Policy Advisors, the consultants will provide support for above activities split by the two themes of sustainable development (1) and resilience (1).

More specifically, the consultants are expected to carry out the following tasks:

• Research support
• Collation and in-house knowledge gathering
• Writing and synthesis, of drafts, briefs, background documents and technical working papers
• Convening and hosting various platforms including online platforms, symposia, in-house consultations
• Preparing publicity and outreach material including brochures, presentations and fact-sheets.

Deliverables and Payment Schedule

Each consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• 2 research reports on issues related to capacity development for sustainable development/resilience;
• List of non-UNDP knowledge providers and products on capacity development for sustainable development/resilience;
• Consolidation product of in-house knowledge, experience and practice on sustainable development/resilience;
• Production of at least 1 draft, 1 brief, 1 background document and 1 technical working paper on capacity development for sustainable development;
• Organising 1 in-house meeting on capacity development for sustainable development/resilience;
• Contribute to cross-sectoral discussions and strategy papers on sustainable development/resilience;
• Host/participate in 1 e-discussion on capacity development for sustainable development/resilience;
• Prepare 1 brochure, 1 presentation and 1 fact sheet on capacity development for sustainable development/resilience.

Competencies

Communication: Communicates effectively with colleagues at all levels of the organization and is comfortable in handling relations at all levels; Demonstrates sensitivity, tact and acumen.

Professionalism: Capable of working in a highly pressured environment with extreme deadlines, managing many tasks simultaneously; Able to handle a large volume of logistical details, accurately and thoroughly, with great attention to detail; Exercises the highest level of responsibility and is able to handle confidential and sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner.

Teamwork: Works well in a team to service all of KICG and BDP as a whole; projects a positive image and is ready to take on a wide range of tasks to create an enabling environment for the supervisors, focuses on results for the client and responds positively to feedback.

Technical Skills: Able to research, analyze and draft well and is able to present convincingly Excellent computer skills.

Knowledge Management and Learning: Willingly shares knowledge and experience and makes contributions to UNDP practice area s (e.g., documented knowledge, community of practice building initiatives); actively develops deep understanding and experience in one or more knowledge areas, including process and/or substantive knowledge.

Evaluation of Applicants:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract will 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 a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation max. 35 points:

• Proven comprehensive understanding of current development challenges and the contribution of capacity development maximum points: 15
• In-depth experience in research, analysis, writing and presentation of information and outreach maximum points: 10
• Proven ability to see through appointed tasks from inception to closure in a self-driven manner - maximum points: 10
• Only candidates who have scored a minimum of 25 points will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Financial Criteria 30% of total evaluation max. 15 points.

Application Procedure:

Qualified candidates will be approached directly to apply. The application should contain:

In English explain why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position, including an indication of preference for working on capacity development for a) sustainable development or b) resilience;

Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc ); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.

Financial proposal - specifying a total lump sum amount for the tasks specified in this announcement. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters degree in Public Administration, International Relations, Economics, and the broad social sciences. Other disciplines are not a bar.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of work experience, with increasing independence, in an organization(s), university, company.
• Substantive exposure to and understanding of inter alia development at large, and the related Millennium Development Goals, Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, governance and public management, management sciences, tec.
• Knowledge of UNDP is an asset.

Language requirements:

• Proficiency in written and spoken English. Good working knowledge of another official UN language is an asset.

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.