LTA for Individual Contractor – Governance Knowledge Exchange Consultant

IMPORTANCE INFORMATION:

To apply for this position, please refer to the information below.

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After login into the system please choose Event ID: BRC10-0000007717 under the name of ” RFP-IC-2020-04 Governance Know Exc Consultant-LTA”:

Event Name: RFP-IC-2020-04 Governance Know Exc Consultant-LTA

RFP Title: RFP-IC-2020-04 Governance Know Exc Consultant-LTA

Event ID: BRC10-0000007717

**Proposal for this Job Ads should be submitted through the online eTendering system. Offers submitted via email, via UNDP JobAds or other methods may not be considered**

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BACKGROUND

The UNDP Seoul Policy Centre (USPC) for Global Knowledge Exchange through Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Partnerships started operating in 2011, a year after UNDP closed its Country Programme in Korea and the UNDP Country Office formally ceased its operations. USPC represents UNDP in the Republic of Korea, works with Korean partners and UNDP’s global network to share Korea’s development experience in support of the global development agenda, and undertakes policy analysis and research on international issues.

It is one of UNDP’s five Global Policy Centres and constitutes an integral part of UNDP’s Global Policy Network (GPN). The Centre’s key functions include:

• Serving as the immediate interface with the Government on all aspects relating to the evolving Republic of Korea-UNDP partnership;
• Serving as a knowledge center for comparative experiences and approaches of new development partners in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable human development;
• Facilitating and promoting learning, networking, policy dialogue and consultation among new development partners and to contribute to capacity development in developing countries.

As a means of supporting partner countries to achieve their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), USPC has been brokering policy innovation through knowledge-sharing between Korea and developing countries since 2015. The Centre’s programmatic channel for knowledge exchanges is called ‘SDG Partnerships’ (formally known as Development Solutions Partnerships). Through ‘SDG Partnerships,’ USPC acts as a facilitator of global knowledge exchange on innovative and tested-and-proven policy solutions in three thematic areas: Governance; Resilience; and Development cooperation.

Noting one-off knowledge exchanges can fail to produce concrete results at the country level, USPC aims to facilitate systematic, cost-effective, and impactful development cooperation for knowledge-sharing and policy innovation.

From 2015 to 2020, the Centre under the SDG Partnerships has implemented 31 collaborative projects as below. The programme supports developing countries (selected on a competitive basis through the Call for Proposals) to benchmark, localize, and institutionalize Korea’s tested-and-proven policy tools in country-specific ways that help the country’s SDG implementation in several areas. USPC’s support facilitate partner countries to catalyse and accelerate their SDGs, such as governance, public infrastructure, gender and gender-based violence, and environment (i.e. SDG 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, and 16).

b) About Governance programme

In the governance portfolio, there are 12 active projects with a prospect of launching additional few more projects in 2021; 6 ongoing projects in the area of sexual and gender-based violence; 6 active projects in the area of transparency & accountability. SDG Partnerships on governance with two topical concentrations (a) transparency & accountability; and b) sexual and gender-based violence) support the UNDP country offices to achieve SDG 16.

Under the thematic area of transparency & accountability, we focus on introducing innovative policy instruments to create institutional & political will for preventing corruption in the public sector. For instance, it facilitates knowledge exchange and country-level implementation of innovative, tested-and-proven solutions on anti-corruption performance evaluation in the public sector, corruption proofing of legislation and public disclosure of infrastructure project information. The core of our programme on sexual & gender-based violence is the development of an integrated support mechanism for sexual & gender-based violence survivors, along with sexual & gender-based violence-related police capacity building through the development of protocols and training programmes. It aims to reduce risks of secondary victimization by service providers, and to build institutional capacities to provide survivor-centred support.

Our strong focus on constructing an enabling environment along with attention to building local ownership and clarity set a foundation for long-lasting impacts. In Viet Nam, for instance, Korea-inspired Anti-Corruption Evaluation tool was pilot tested in all of its 64 provinces. Thailand created its own information disclosure system of public construction projects benchmarking Seoul’s Allimi system with allocation of Thai government budget. Based on USPC’s active role as a knowledge-broker and facilitator, Kosovo has also drafted its corruption proofing of legislation methodology to be finalized shortly.

In the area of governance, USPC team closely works with UNDP country offices and their national partners, providing policy advisory and project implementation support services to partner countries. USPC also supports the Korean experts in documenting, packaging, and disseminating their policy tools and lessons learned. While the office is located in Seoul, the work is truly global. In addition, the governance programme relies on sophisticated partnership work engaging multiple actors, including Ministries, local governments, national think tanks, NGOs, academia, as well as UNDP Headquarters, regional offices and country offices.

USPC’s governance team consists of an international policy specialist (team leader), national policy analyst, as well as consultants and interns.

c) About the consultancy

Under the overall supervision of the Centre’s Director and the Policy Specialist (Governance Team Leader), and in close partnership with other members of the USPC team and the GPN network, the Consultant will support the implementation of SDG partnerships projects in the area of governance, including sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, we are seeking for an experienced professional with creative mind who can help refine or innovate our implementation modality as required by changing context such as COVID-19.

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has created a global challenge that goes far beyond the public health sector. In the area of international development, the pandemic has also created additional complications in terms of how we deliver our support to partners. For instance, USPC’s SDG Partnership projects in the governance portfolio traditionally relied on international and domestic travels in organizing study visits to Korea, national workshops and trainings, and policy consultation meetings. In the era of COVID-19, such travels have become difficult, and this has compelled the Centre to adopt more digital means of knowledge sharing activities such as webinars and creation of pre-recorded training materials. In this context, the consultant will be tasked with innovating new channels of implementation and performing analytical work thereby creating high-quality knowledge sharing materials as an integral part of USPC governance team

SDG 16 promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Scope of Work

The Governance Knowledge Exchange Consultant will support the formulation and implementation of USPC’s programme activities in the governance portfolio, particularly in the area of sexual and gender-based violence. 

Key responsibilities will include the following.

1) Develop high-quality knowledge products and training curriculums in support to SDG Partnerships implementation:

• Translate core knowledge materials from Korean to English; and effectively “package” experiences and lessons learned from Korea for the global audience in English.
• Design, draft and edit various knowledge products based on the compilation of good practices in Korea, including online video materials in English and in local languages of partner countries.
• Develop innovative ways to implement project despite the challenges posed by the current pandemic, and help partners to achieve their project objectives in the changing operation contexts.

2) Provide technical, administrative and logistical support to implement the programme activities and relevant events at the Centre:

• Support maintenance and reinforcement of substantive partnerships with key Korean institutions in the area of governance, including, but not limited to, the Korean National Police University, Sunflower Centres, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Anti-Corruption & Civil Rights Commission, and Seoul Metropolitan Government.
• Help coordinate the organisation of knowledge sharing events (e.g. study visits, missions, policy dialogues, thematic workshops, webinars) and build multi-stakeholder partnerships for our programme and coordinate partnership consultations and meetings among Korean partners, UNDP programmes/project partners, and USPC.
• Draft meeting notes and briefs, press releases, web notes, presentations, as well as progress and outcome reports for implementation of activities.
• Support UNDP Country Offices and their national partners to implement the USPC-funded project activities, and closely coordinate with other UNDP entities such as UNDP Headquarters and Regional Centres.

3) Provide research & analysis and editing support on various governance topics (including sexual and gender-based violence) as well as in emerging areas for Centre’s activities.

Based on support to the above work areas, the consultant will be expected to successfully facilitate the implementation knowledge exchange activities in the Centre’s governance programme.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

1) Project modality innovated and improved through:

• Support the development of paper-based and online video knowledge products (in various languages) for SDG Partnerships in the governance portfolio, particularly in the area of sexual and gender-based violence
• Facilitation of innovative and effective means knowledge exchange implementation in the context of COVID-19 and any other challenges

2) Substantive, administrative and logistical support delivered for successful implementation of programme activities and Centre’s events through:

• Translation and editing of key knowledge products provided for sharing with the global audience
• Partnership consultations and knowledge exchange meetings coordinated
• Preliminary meeting notes, briefs, reports, and presentations drafted
• Support to Korean as well as international partners delivered for dynamic and effective knowledge exchanges

3) Research & analysis support on governance and emerging topics provided for USPC’s work in 2021 and 2022. 

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant will report to the Policy Specialist, while under the overall supervision of the Director of the UNDP Seoul Policy Centre. Payments shall be done on a monthly basis based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period. All payments are subject to the clearance and approval of the direct supervisor.

Duration of the Work

1 December 2020 – 30 November 2023 (Up to 196 working days per year, total up to 588 working days), (initially for 1 years, extendable for maximum up to 3 years.)

Duty Station

Seoul, The Republic of Korea with no travel.

Functional Competencies

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Shares knowledge and experience and contributes to UNDP Practice Areas and actively works towards continuing personal learning and development;
• Ability to provide quality policy advice services;
• In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues.
• Strong analytical skills to process qualitative information

Development and Operational Effectiveness

• Ability to go beyond established procedures and models, propose new approaches which expand the range of programmes;
• Ability to apply theory to specific country contexts, carry out high-quality research.

Management and Leadership

• Focuses on impact and result and responds positively to critical feedback;
• Assesses risk and applies common sense;
• Pursues creativity and innovation;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills;
• Builds strong relationships with peers and external actors;
• Works as part of a team with required flexibility, mutual support and feed-back.

Corporate Competencies: 

• 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;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

• Educational Qualifications
• Master’s Degree in areas relevant to governance and gender (such as international development, international relations, social policy, public policy, public administration, and law) required.

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience required, 2 years of which must be related to international development, preferably as related to SDG 16 such as gender-based violence and anti-corruption.
• Experience in project development & implementation, conference organization and/or partnership development is required.
• Work experience in the Korean and international context is required.
• Demonstrated capacity to write clear and well-constructed reports and knowledge products is required.
• Experience in the usage of computers, office software packages, video conferencing platform (including Zoom), and social media is required.
• Experience with translation and editing in the professional context will be an asset.
• Work experience with multiple partners in the development context will be an asset (such as with government, inter-governmental agencies, UN system and international and regional development partners, academic institutions, and civil society organizations).
• Work experience with UN Agencies and development partners be an advantage.
• Experience in developing e-learning material will be an asset.

Language

• Fluency in both English and Korean languages is required. Excellent writing skills in English is essential.
• Excellent command of other UN languages is an asset.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The contract will be based on Daily

Consultant shall quote an all-inclusive Daily Fee for the contract period. The term “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, communications, consumables, etc.) that could be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment are already factored into the daily fee submitted in the proposal. If applicable, travel or daily allowance cost (if any work is to be done outside the IC’s duty station) should be identified separately. Payments shall be done on a monthly basis based on actual days worked, upon verification of completion of deliverables and approval by the IC’s supervisor of a Time Sheet indicating the days worked in the period.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Travel costs shall be reimbursed at actual but not exceeding the quotation from UNDP approved travel agent.   

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology;

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall 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 set of weighted technical criteria (70%) *and financial criteria (30%). Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced qualified proposal received by UNDP for the assignment.

• Only those applications which are responsive, compliant and accept in general condition will be evaluated;
• The written exam/ presentation and interview will be given a maximum of 40 point. When combined with the technical review of 30 points (70%), only candidates who pass 49 Points (70%) of technical, written/ presentation and interview evaluation will be evaluated further;
• For those passing technical and interview evaluation above, offers will be evaluated per the Combined Scoring method:

a.   Technical, written test and Interview (70%)

b.   Financial Evaluation (30%)

• The financial proposal shall specify a daily fee;

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 70 points)

• Criteria 1: Relevance education background – Max 5 points;
• Criteria 2: Work experience: At least 5 years of professional experience in both international and Korean contexts, 2 years of which must be in the area of governance – Max 20 points;
• Criteria 3: Written exam/ presentation in English – Max 20 points;
• Criteria 4: Interview – Max 20 points;
• Criteria 5: Fluency in written and spoken English and Korean – Max 5 points;

Shortlisted candidates shall be called for a written exam/ presentation and an interview respectively which will be used to confirm and/or adjust the technical scores awarded based on documentation submitted.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of technical evaluation) would be considered for Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

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

• Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided in Annex II.
• Personal CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
• A cover letter indicating brief description of a) why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) how he/she will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal, as per template provided in Annex II. Financial proposal shall be encrypted with a password. For those who qualified on technical will be requested for a financial password from UNDP. Note: National consultant must quote price in U.S. Dollar that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

**While entering the financial proposal in the e-Tendering system, always mention your bid price as 1.  Please do not mention the value of your financial proposal in the e-Tendering system.  It should only be mentioned in the Password-protected forms on Offeror’s letter to UNDP confirming Interest and Availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment form**

**Incomplete proposals may not be considered. The shortlisted candidates may be contacted and the successful candidate will be notified.

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