International Individual Consultant to assess capacities and analyze training needs of CSOs in Azerbaijan to engage in policy formulation around development issues

The Consultant is expected to conduct an assessment of the baseline capacities of the CSOs sector in Azerbaijan and analyse training needs of the CSOs in the area of evidence-based policy making.  The assessment should establish the current capacities of the local CSOs and provide a guide for the effective delivery of future capacity development initiatives.

Specific areas for assessment should include but not limited to the following capacities:

• Policy research
• Participation in policy debate and advocacy for policy change
• Networking and other means for policy influence
• Policy monitoring and evaluation

It is expected that the assessment should cover around 40-50 CSOs.

Duties and responsibilities

The consultant is expected to perform the following tasks:

• Prepare detailed methodology for the capacity assessment and training needs analysis (to be agreed with UNDP)
• Carry out capacity assessment process following approved methodology
• Analyse findings and produce draft capacity assessment report (existing capacities, capacity gaps and training needs);
• Validate the draft report with key stakeholders (CSOs, UNDP);
• Provide inputs into the Terms of Reference for the consultants to be engaged in the future capacity building initiatives in evidence-based policy-making;
• Finalize and submit the report to UNDP.

The consultant is also expected to be available for follow-up questions during the preparation of the capacity building programme.

KEY DELIVERABLES

1. An inception report including a work plan, detailed methodology, report format and timeline, to be submitted within 7 days from the commencement of the assignment.
2. Draft report with preliminary findings, to be submitted within 30 days after approval of the methodology
3. A consolidated report which includes findings of the capacity needs assessment and analysis of training needs to be submitted within 3 days after the completion of the validation process.

Payment will be done in three installments upon completion of deliverables:

1st installment – 20% will be paid upon certification of the satisfactory completion of the tasks resulting in deliverable 1 and acceptance of the Deliverable 1 by authorised UNDP personnel

2nd installment – 40% will be paid upon certification of the satisfactory completion of the tasks resulting in deliverable 2 and acceptance of the Deliverable 2 by authorised UNDP personnel

3rd installment – 40% will be paid upon completion of the entire assignment and acceptance of the Deliverable 3 by authorised UNDP personnel

1.           APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Step 1:

• Click on the “Apply now” button

• Input your information in the appropriate Sections: personal information, language proficiency, education, resume and motivation; You can type in, or paste your short Resume into the last box;

• Upon completion of the first page, please hit “submit application” tab at the end of the page. On the next page, you will be asked to upload other required documents listed in the step 2;

Step 2: 

The system will allow only one attachment. Therefore, please upload all documents listed below as one file.

•CV of the Consultant or United Nations Personnel History form (P-11) evidencing the experience

• Brief methodology on how the assignment will be carried out including detailed timetable of the proposed activities

• Offeror’s Letter to UNDP confirming Interest and Availability For The Individual Contractor (Ic)

Offeror’s Letter to UNDP confirming Interest And Availability For The Individual Contractor (Ic) Assignment can be downloaded here (please follow link below and scroll down to Hiring Consultants / Individual contract application forms section): https://www.az.undp.org/content/azerbaijan/en/home/procurement.html

Failing to submit any of the above listed documents will result in disqualifying the application.

Financial proposal:

Financial offer “all inclusive” – specifying a total lump sum in USD for the deliverables specified in the TOR. The financial offer shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days, professional fee, other expenses related to the assignment).

Note: Estimated number of working days is 25-30 (home based) within a span of 2 months. The candidates are free to propose the time input they consider feasible for implementation of the assignment; however, they should note that the total price is one of the factors of evaluation.

Travel:

The assignment is home-based, the Consultant is expected to work remotely.

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Combined Scoring Method

Combined Scoring Method principle considers a combination of the applicants’ qualification and financial proposal (70% technical and 30% financial offer). When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the 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.

Out of the maximum score of 100 points, the score for technical criteria equals 70% – maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30% – maximum 30 points.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical evaluation:

I. Academic Qualifications:

– Advanced degrees in development studies, social sciences, economics or related discipline; Maximum 10 points

II. Years of Experience:

A minimum of ten (10) years’ international experience in projects and programmes engaging civil society organizations, with at least 3 (three) completed organizational capacity needs assessments for CSOs within last 7 years; Maximum 30 points

– Proven experience in the policy formulation process including familiarity with policy formulation process in Azerbaijan or CIS countries; Maximum 20 points

– At least 5 years of experience working in organizational development and capacity building for the civil society organizations; Maximum 10 points

III. Language requirements

– Excellent writing and communication skills in English; Maximum 8 points

IV. Methodology, approach to work and work plan

• Adequacy of approach/methodology and work plan to the assignment; Maximum 22 points

Only those who obtains at least 70 points at the technical stage will be allowed to financial evaluation stage.

Financial Criteria – (30% of total evaluation – maximum 30 points):

The offer with the lowest price will receive the maximum of 30 points.

Other offers with higher prices will receive their respective scores according the following formula:

                Lowest Bid

               ——————- x 100 x 30%

                Proposed Bid

The contract will be awarded to the candidate that will obtain the highest aggregate score based on the technical and financial evaluation.

Individual Consultants are required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

Note: Maximum possible score is 100 points. To be eligible, the candidate has to score at least 70 points (70% of maximum possible score)