IC – National Consultant – Governance Advisor

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN’s global development network, advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life, as envisaged by 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We are on the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, working with governments and people on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and our wide range of partners that can bring about results.[1]

The primary role of UNDP is to support country-led efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The work of UNDP around the world is anchored in diverse and effective partnerships, which are vital to our two critical roles at country level: (a) as an integrator across policy, programmatic and organizational silos; and (b) as an operational backbone for the United Nations and other partners.

UNDP Saudi Arabia works on Sustainable Economic and Social Development through diversifying economic sources, developing human capabilities, creating job opportunities and promoting private sector involvement in the Sustainable Development Goals achievement. This focus area is addressing SDG 1, 8, 9, 11 and 16.[2]

The partnership between UNDP and Saudi Arabia dates back to UNDP’s launch in 1965.  Since then, UNDP has been providing technical cooperation for various national development goals and facilitating assistance from Saudi Arabia to least developed countries. In the early 1970s, UNDP initiated operations in Riyadh through a sub-regional office to serve the Gulf. Gradually the office was transformed from a sub-regional office into a Country Office fully dedicated to technical cooperation with Saudi Arabia. From that time, the Kingdom has been a strong supporter of UNDP cooperation in the Kingdom, with UNDP premises and project financing in the Kingdom fully supported through the contributions of the Kingdom. Indeed, Saudi Arabia’s status as a Net Contributing Country (NCC) to UNDP makes it a unique context with strong levels of ownership and programmes uniquely tailored to the local needs.[3]

Cooperation with UNDP in Saudi Arabia has matched the evolution of development needs and priorities in Saudi Arabia responding to specific needs of the Government over the past 40 years. Partnerships between national institutions and UNDP enjoy a unique bond of common responsibilities towards the national interest. This has included a working relationship over the past decades built on open dialogue and common interests for national development. The joint programmes between UNDP and the Government have covered a variety of development priorities and sectors, with key results over the years in strategy and policy development, and capacity development of Saudi people and institutions.[4]

Examples of UNDP Support to the development process in the Kingdom is exemplified through a number of successful projects. UNDP supported the formulation and to some extent the implementation of national strategies and policies in the energy, water, youth, urban, tourism, and food and drug sectors. UNDP technical expertise assisted in formulating strategies and action plans, as well as economic modelling, to assist the Ministry of Economy and Planning, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. UNDP provided support for the development of national capacities and institutions such as the General Authorities of Statistics. UNDP provided long- and short-term advisory services to partners on policy development and strategic direction-setting for many entities including G20 Saudi Secretariat. Moreover, the new commitments of the kingdom to advance the gender balance has created a new project with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development to increase the percentage of women’s participation and representation at all levels of employment and in all job categories including women’s leadership positions.[5]

[1] UNDP Saudi Arabia

[2] Ibid

[3] UNDP and Saudi Arabia: A Partnership for Sustainable Development, 2010 

[4] UNDP and Saudi Arabia: A Partnership for Sustainable Development, 2010 

[5] CPD_SA 2017-2021

The objectives of the assignment

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Programme Analyst:

1. Act as a Liaison Officer between UNDP and MoFA with regard to the implementation of activities under the joint UNDP-MOFA Umbrella Programme 
2. Provide substantive support to multiple projects within UNDP CO assigned portfolio 

1. The scope of work, which contains a detailed description of deliverables and activities

MoFA-UNDP Umbrella Programme:

• Represent UNDP at MoFA; this entails conveyance of UNDP’s values, its types of support; its approach in providing such support, areas of its focus, and its comparative advantages among other topics
• Meet with MOFA team regularly to ensure that implementation is on track
• Participate in all internal meetings with UNDP international experts
• Participate in all working meetings between UNDP international experts and MoFA team
• Review products of UNDP international experts and provide substantive inputs as needed
• Share the work of UNDP international experts with MoFA Team; discuss the findings and make necessary amendments and/or convey clearly MoFA’s remarks/concerns to UNDP international experts to revise their deliverables accordingly
• Compile information received from different sources (UN, Government, and others) and represent the final product in a coherent manner
•  Draft progress report of each initiative and share it regularly with MoFA team; progress report is to attempt to make practical recommendations on next steps where relevant   
• Undertake thorough research of topics of relevance to the project implementation such as UNDP approach in public administration reform, measurement of the performance of public entities, capacity development among other topics; and ensure that UNDP international experts conceptualize their work around UNDP frameworks of relevance
• Work closely with UNDP Chief Technical Advisor (CTA)[1] to ensure better coherence
• Identify synergies across MoFA various initiatives and attempt, in consultation with relevant teams, to recommend alternative implementation approaches which build on identified synergies 
• Any other task that may be required in the context of UNDP-MOFA Umbrella Programme implementation

Support multiple projects within UNDP CO assigned portfolio:

• Provide substantive support to the UNDP CO assigned portfolio in terms of conceptualizing, coordinating, negotiating and implementing proposals for capacity development and human development, within projects or outside them (such as seminars, launching UNDP flagship reports).
• Provide advisory assistance to programme/project development, including targeting niches, preparing concept notes, formulating project documents (in bilingual format).
• Facilitate knowledge building and knowledge sharing within CO and with development partners
• Undertake research of various UN technical assistance and substantiate the deliverables of UNDP international experts with UN examples and best practices to show UN added value with focus on UNDP where relevant
• Assist in drafting annual workplans, ToRs[2], identifying the necessary human assets to each project then handling the process which include scanning CVS of consultants, approaching consultants, conducting interviews until recruitment.
• Identify national priorities derived from various G20 consultations and processes;  and accordingly advise the CO to forge strategic partnerships of relevance  (This could entail topics such as financing for the Sustainable Development, Employment, Women’s empowerment to name but a few)
•  Any other task that may be required in the context of project implementation within UNDP CO assigned portfolio 

[1] Once recruited

[2] Terms of Reference

Corporate:
• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards. 
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN/UNDP. 
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. 

Functional:
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in Arabic and English
• Excellent communication skills, and ability to analyze diverse information rapidly from varied sources
• Acts as a team player, with strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work under pressure

Project and Resource Management:
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs in a timely manner while understanding and anticipating the evolving client needs. 
• Strong organizational skills. 
• Ability to work independently, produce high-quality outputs. 

Leadership and Self-Management:
• Focuses on result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexity;
• Responds positively to critical feedback and differing points of view.

Qualifications: 

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, political science, economics, sustainable development, public policy, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related area.

b. Experience: 

• A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience in multilateral setting or project/programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required.

• Experience in the United Nations system is advantage 

• Experience in development planning and policy formulation in a development cooperation context is desirable.

• Experience with inter-agency or interorganizational collaboration in the development sector is desirable.

• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and experience in handling of web-based management systems 

Language:  

Language proficiency in both written and oral English and Arabic.

The duration of the assignment 

12 months with possibility of extension 

The duty station and expected places of travel, if any 

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Reporting requirements, frequency, format and deadlines 

The consultant will report to UNDP Programme Analyst.

The approval process required to certify outputs prior to authorizing payment, and payment milestones if applicable: 

The consultant will be shared a certificate of payment where he/she needs to indicate achieved outputs. Then the certificate of payment must be verified by the Supervisor and certified by UNDP top management. Supporting documents including time sheet indicative of days worked and tasks performed should be attached to the certificate of payment. 

A clear and precise description of the selection criteria, including the required degree of expertise and qualifications such as specialized knowledge, language needs and experience 

If applicable, a detailed list of all inputs and services provided by UNDP or any implementing partners in order to perform the contract 

The consultant will be shared relevant workplans and briefs of above-mentioned projects and initiatives 

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments: 

This proposal is expressed the Lump Sum Amount. Any duty travels will be fully covered by UNDP at the UN’s Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rates prevailing at the time of sourcing, for the duty station and all other cities indicated in the TOR as part of duty travel destinations.

Recommended Presentation of Offer: 

The Offer to be submitted shall consist of a duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation. The following documents may be requested:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating past experience and at least three (3) professional references.

1. Documents to be included when submitting the Proposal:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

• Signed Template Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal –Annex 1 attached.
• A letter explaining why he/she considers him/herself the most suitable candidate for the work.
• Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.
• A language assessment will be conducted [if needed] for verifying influence in English;

Financial proposal:

The financial proposal will specify the daily fee, travel expenses and per diems quoted in separate line items, and payments are made to the Individual Consultant based on the number of days worked. Annex 1 attached

Important note: the consultant is required to specify the daily fee in his proposal.

PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS (Standard text – do not change)

The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below:

Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of his professional fee, local communication cost and insurance (inclusive of medical health insurance and evacuation). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract is 40 working days.

The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables

Selection Criteria:

The award of contract will be made to one individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as being:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Achieving the highest combined score (financial and technical).

The Offer will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points will be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Evaluation, selection criteria and process

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Step I: Screening:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Applications will be first screened and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

The received applications shall be screened against the following criteria:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in international relations, political science, economics, sustainable development, public policy, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related area.
• Submission of filled in and signed application Form.
• Submission of filled in CV/P11 Form
• Fluency in English and Arabic.

Only applicants passing the screening stage shall be considered for further evaluation.

Step Two: Evaluation

The evaluation of each application will be based on a set of selection criteria as listed in the below table and on the basis of the information submitted by each candidate. Only candidates fulfilling the minimum expertise, experience and qualifications required will be considered. For each of the categories applied for.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will invite the top three to five shortlisted candidates for interview. 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.

UNDP may conduct an interview round with applicants for purpose of determining fulfilment of language and competencies related requirements.

A review of the daily fees proposed by technically qualified experts will follow, to determine adherence to maximum allowed UNDP daily fees for consultant. In cases where daily fees submitted by the consultant exceed maximum allowed UNDP daily fees for each band, the consultant will be invited to review his/her quoted daily fee downwards accordingly.

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

IC GTandC

https://www.dropbox.com/s/qqt2iv7ob7x5e1p/IC%20GT%20and%20C.pdf?dl=0

IC Offerors Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/l7u6ias27yb809g00gcs3/IC-Offerors-Letter-to-UNDP-Confirming-Interest-and-Availability.docx?dl=0&rlkey=332zsrdw4qt1938oktt2hq91r

P11 Form

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jznnhzho8pgu1ou/P11%20Personal%20History%20Form.doc?dl=0