Job: INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT (CO-ORDINATION)

Location :

New Delhi, INDIA

Application Deadline :

09-Oct-13

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Post Level :

National Consultant

Languages Required :

English  

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

15-Nov-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three working days per week.

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Six Months.

Background

The UN Country Team in India supported a broad-based national consultation process from October 2012 to April 2013, led by eight national conveners to make recommendations on the priorities for the global development goals in the post 2015 development framework. An estimated 75 community, state, regional and national meetings were organized, with more than 15,000 people participating directly. 

This rich and dynamic consultative process resulted in reports from each convening constituency that were shared at a National Validation Workshop of all conveners, along with the UN agencies that facilitated the process. The Report summarized the key findings and recommendations of the Validation Workshop, outlining priorities and challenges. The India National Consultation Report on the post 2015 Development Framework, along with the Reports of each of the Conveners was submitted to the Office of the Secretary General and the UNHQ. 

Following the India National Consultation; informed by an intensive global outreach process, several key reports were issued by UN Headquarters, including: 

• The Report of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons, “New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies Through Sustainable Development:” issued on 30 May 2013;
• Progress Report of the General Assembly’s Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals, issued on 23 July 2013;
• Report of the Secretary General to the General Assembly on 26 July 2013 entitled “A life of dignity for all: accelerating progress towards MDGs and advancing the UN development agenda beyond 2015”. The Reports of the Secretary General (SG) and the OWG will be discussed by the General Assembly in its session in the fall of 2013.

The Way Forward

The OWG will continue to host important thematic discussions at UN HQ from November 2013 through February 2014. It is scheduled to submit a report to the General Assembly in September 2014 with its recommendations. It will be important for the India perspective and recommendations from the national consultations, to be reflected in the OWG consultative process. 

In addition, the SG, in his report to the General Assembly, has called for all member states to “take every step possible to achieve the MDGs”. 

In India, the UN Country Team, led by UNESCAP is producing a Report on the progress on the achievement on the MDGs. This is proposed to be followed by a UNCT action plan identifying key steps that will be crucial to accelerate MDG implementation in the remaining two years. 

It is envisioned that the next steps will include initiatives to further the national discourse on the achievement of the MDGs and on the post 2015 development agenda.

Duties and Responsibilities

Tasks Required of Consultant: 

Under the overall supervision of the UN Resident Coordinator (UNRC), the Consultant will support the RC Office in the implementation of the work plan for the acceleration of the MDGs and the post 2015 development agenda, including:

Support to the MDG Acceleration:

• coordinate with and support UN agencies in developing an action plan for MDG acceleration, as called for by the UN SG, and determined by the India UNCT;
• prepare reports for UNRCO on acceleration initiatives, communication material for UNCT website, and other fora as required;
• identify, with UN agencies and their partners, possible themes for meetings and events, and support the implementation of the work plan at the national and state level to promote public discourse on post 2015 development goals.

Support to UN agencies and Indian Organizations to participate in the OWG Thematic Discussions:

• Liaise with UN agencies to determine priority thematic sessions consistent with the National Consultation Report and national conveners priorities;
• Liaise with UN HQ to facilitate participation from India and other countries;
• Prepare and provide background information and documentation to the UNRCO, UN agencies, and conveners on the thematic discussions of the OWG, the Office of the SG, or other inter-government and national fora;
• Draft materials for the UNCT website on the OWG and other HQ processes relating to the acceleration of the MDGs and the post 2015 development agenda.

Support the UNRCO for events, meetings, public discourses and thematic events:

• Liaise with UN agencies and partners for the organization of the meetings and events;
• Prepare needed documentation, logistic support and public information for the events;
• Prepare Reports and presentations for and following the events.

Support the RC/ RCO for any other activities as defined by the UN Resident Coordinator or the Head of the RCO Office. 

Competencies

 Functional Competency

• Analytical skills;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Ability to meet deadlines.

Corporate Competency

• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification

•  Master’s degree in relevant field.  

Experience Required:

• At least 7 years of experience in UN inter-agency coordination at Country and/or HQ level.

Language Requirement:

• Excellent command over English language is required.

Submission of Proposal 

Financial Proposal:

• Consultant should specify his/her daily consultancy fee, outstation travel expenses if any would be handled separately by UNDP as per rules. 
  

CV:

• Consultant should submit his/her updated CV with three references.

Notes:

• Miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges, local travel etc. would not be reimbursed separately;
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual;
• Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered;
•  CV and Financial proposal can be clubbed in one file for uploading.

Evaluation Method and Criteria: 

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: 

• Responsive;
• 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.

Criteria for Technical Evaluation would be as under: 
Qualification - 20%; 
Relevant Work Experience-50% .

For any clarification please write to sandeep.sharma@undp.org.

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.

More Info and Application