Consultant – SDGs localization and private sector

With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, all UN Member States together with the UN System and development partners at large have embarked on a major process to address the challenge of not only implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national level but also locally. The real challenge indeed lies in transforming the aspirations of the SDGs into a reality for communities and individuals by supporting an inclusive and sustainable development of the territories.

The implementation of the SDGs requires an integrated approach that will allow to coordinate and articulate the action among local, regional, national and global facets and stakeholders. It is only by considering the entirety of the territory and the role and the relationships between multiple public and private actors, who inhabit it, that it will be possible to effectively implement the Agenda and achieve a positive impact. In this context, it will also be crucial to assure policy coherence and coordination between all different levels of governance concerned with the SDGs implementation, monitoring and reporting.

UNDP has been promoting and supporting the localization of the SDGs, through partnerships with LRGs and their associations and other UN agencies, to support their efforts in achieving sustainable local governance and local development.

The application of 2030 Agenda for the achievement of the SDGs has become the overarching global framework for the initiatives and partnerships that UNDP has developed since 2015. With Spain, this commitment is materialized through the signature of the Strategic partnerships framework 2019-2021 that addresses the shared priorities of Spain and the UNDP for the effectiveness and efficiency of all actions undertaken. The localization of the SDGs appears as one of the shared priorities of the framework signed in 2019 in line with the Seville commitment endorsed by national government representatives, local authorities, civil society, academic institutions, local and regional government associations, business development agencies and the United Nations, as attendees of the event organized on 26 and 27 February 2019. The Seville Commitment recognizes the importance of the localization of the SDGs as a fundamental requirement to enable the implementation and achievement of the Agenda 2030 based on local needs and potentialities and acknowledges the key role that LRGs play in leading these efforts.

Moreover, UNDP through its ART initiative has partnered with both the Spanish government and various actors of the Spanish decentralized cooperation, to support local governance and development in several countries where UNDP runs its programs. This partnership has enabled the localization of the SDGs and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda at the subnational and local level in coordination with the national level.  The main strategy of the Spanish Cooperation for Development in the countries where it operates is the multiyear Country Association Frameworks (MAP in its Spanish Acronym) developed under the auspices of the Directorate-General for Development Policy Sustainable Development (DGPOLDES). It is the geographic strategic planning tool that puts into practice the mission of the Spanish Cooperation to favor and stimulate the achievement of the SDGs as well as create partnerships that will generate synergies between all actors.

The 2030 Agenda cannot be fully achieved without the implication and commitment of everyone, and, thus, the private sector stands itself as an important actor when it comes to a broad range of related topics areas, such  as promoting sustainable urban and territorial development, reducing the impact of climate change or contributing to the localization of the SDGs.

UNDP’s has worked with the private sector based on its mission that by 2030 the SDGs will be the main global guidance framework for businesses, investors and governments. UNDP established in 2011 the IICPSD, as one of UNDP’s six Global Policy Centers. IICPSD leads UNDP’s global work on private sector and foundations and supports UNDP’s 170 offices as well as various governments and institutions all over the world. The Center aims at making a significant contribution to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda by mobilizing and supporting potential partners worldwide for implementing the global development agenda.

Further, UNDP- ART initiative, is involved in the organization of the World Forum of Local Economic Development (WFLED). The WFLED promotes the approach of Local Economic Development (LED) as a vehicle to implement the SDGs at the local level, towards more sustainable, inclusive and equal societies. It also offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of the territories in new and emerging challenges that are affecting societies and economies, such as the ones brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the important role of the private sector in localizing the SDGs.

Within the COVID-19 pandemic context, the importance of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda has emerged as the main framework for the recovery, always addressed from the multilevel and multi-actor approaches and based on local needs and civic engagement to rebuild societies in a more sustainable, inclusive, and equal way.  The private sector involvement and the application of the LED to face these challenges will be necessary to stimulate the economic recovery and the resilience for future outbreaks.

For all the above mentioned, UNDP is launching a call to select an international consultant aimed at carrying out a forward-thinking process to i) design the integration of the SDGs localization process in the MAP methodology of the Spanish Cooperation for Development in line with the UNDP-Spain Strategic Partnership Framework 2019-2021 and the Sevilla commitment and ii) strengthen UNDP ART Initiative strategies related to territorial partnerships with the private sector towards the localization of the SDGs.

The international consultant will work under the supervision of the international coordinator of UNDP ART initiative. An inception report will be delivered to UNDP/ART Team for validation at the start of the consultancy (indicative 5 working days following the signature of the contract) outlining the approach, timeline and methodology proposed including possible partners in all steps of the process.

The key tasks for the international consultant in the different assignment streams, will include:

– Contribute to the integration of SDGs localization process to the geographic strategic planning tool of the Spanish Cooperation for Development, the multi-year Country Association Frameworks (MAP), from the assessment to the final evaluation (phases I and II of the methodology to be applied).

Deliverables:

1. Elaborate a concept note about how to integrate the localization of the SDGs into the different milestones of the MAP of the Spanish Cooperation for Development policy (phases I and II), including an assessment about the role of the private sector in the process.
2. Meetings on the concept note to present its main elements and gather feedback and validation from DGPOLDES and other actors involved in the MAP process, as relevant.
3. Draft and delivere a final document that streamline the methodology identified for the localization of the SDGs into the MAP.

– Contribute to the analysis of the private sector involvement to boost LED in territories as a key means for SDGs localization and its potential engagement through appropriate partnership mechanisms with other key actors in the framework of UNDP ART.

Deliverables:

1. Analyze the contribution and potential of the private sector to leverage the LED approach (social & technological innovation, investment opportunities, Social & Solidarity Economy, green and circular economy, etc.) as a key means for SDGs localization;
2. Undertake the mapping of private sector actors eligible to be integrated into the UNDP ART initiative SDGs’ localization strategy, with special emphasis in Europe, Latam and Spain, and a preliminary definition of potential initiatives and synergies to be developed with them.
3. Assess the operationalization of concrete engagement of private sector representatives through appropriate partnership mechanisms in the framework of UNDP ART;
4. Support the engagement of the private sector in the WFLED through i) the definition of a selection of potential private sector representatives/actors subject to be engaged in the process; ii) an analysis on how to strengthen the partnership with the private sector implementing the SDGs at local level in the framework of the process of the forum.

– Support the Spanish government in their commitment to position the SDGs localization process in the global governance environment:

1. Elaborate a report on the Spanish capacities to support the SDGs localization process based in the Seville Commitment.
2. Supporte the Spanish government in their statements to position their commitment towards the localization of the SDGs in the global and multilateral conversations.

Corporate competences:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

Functional competences:

• Knowledge and proven experience on sustainable development, SDGs and related concepts;
• Extensive knowledge of the Spanish cooperation system and understanding on the MAP process of the Spanish Cooperation for Development would be an asset;
• Extensive knowledge of the status and current orientations on the private sector engagement in SDGs and within the International Cooperation for Development;
• Experience with the private sector in the field of the SDGs and/or in the international cooperation for sustainable development;
• Ability to proactively assist on issues related to international cooperation and local governance;
• Knowledge of online communication, networking and collaboration tools;
• Excellent analytical, communication and writing skills;
• Ability to produce high quality outputs and in a timely manner;
• Sound judgment, strategic thinking and the ability to manage priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure and in a team.

Education:

• Advance degree in relevant fields, such as Political Sciences, Development Studies, International Relations, Business administration, Corporate Communication or other related areas.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Spanish. Knowledge of French is an asset.

Experience:

• At least 15 years of relevant work experience in the field of development;
• Proven experience in the design and/or implementation of innovative multi-actor strategies (with private sector involvement) within the framework of sustainable development and/or the localization of the Agenda 2030;
• Knowledge and experience in gender-based approach in development policies and practices;
• Experience in the use of computers and office software packages such as MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and web-based management systems;
• Work experience with UN/UNDP is an asset;
• Work experience in the context of Spanish International Cooperation for Development is an asset.

Application Submission Process:

Interested applicants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Applications may be submitted in English. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows you to upload one document:

• CV and a Personal History Form; http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc;
• Letter of interest outlining why you would be the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
• A brief methodology (minimum: 2 pages; maximum: 6 pages) on how you will approach the assignment and the areas to be covered;
• An example of relevant work (materials, publications, related links).

Financial Proposal:

Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price in US Dollars or EURO. The proposal shall be provided as per the financial proposal template available here: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=45780 and must be sent seperately to: [email protected] by 28th October 2020 with the following subject heading: Consultancy on SDGs localization and private sector.

Proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive’ implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal.  In case there will be in country travel required, UNDP will reimburse the costs additionally (travel shall not be part of the financial proposal).

Criteria for Evaluation of Proposal:

Only those applications which are responsive and compliant will be evaluated.  Offers will be evaluated according to the Combined Scoring method – where the educational background, experience on similar assignments, technical proposal will be weighted at 70% and the price proposal will weigh as 30% of the total scoring.  The applicant receiving the Highest Combined Score that has also accepted UNDP’s General Terms and Conditions will be awarded the contract. Only Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the Technical evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max. 100 points:

• Criteria A – Demonstrate experience and skills through CV and P11 analysis– max points: 15;
• Criteria B – Methodological proposal – max points: 30;
• Criteria C – Candidate has in depth knowledge (relevant publications/research) and/or extensive experience in the design and/or implementation of innovative multi-actor strategies (with private sector involvement) within the framework of sustainable development– max points: 20;
• Criteria D – Candidate has in depth knowledge and/or extensive experience in the SDGs localization process – max points: 20;
• Criteria E – Knowledge of Spanish decentralized cooperation actors and the Spanish International cooperation framework– max 15 points;

Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max. 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;

< > = price of the lowest priced proposal;

z = price of the proposal being evaluated.

Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.

Due to large number of applications we receive, we will inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.