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CONSULTANT: CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: REGIONAL EXPERT ROSTER - CONSULTANTS FOR PROGRAMME STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT EXPERT

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been working in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (ECIS) since 1992, and serves over 30 countries and territories in Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build better lives.

The Bratislava Regional Centre provides advisory support and knowledge management services to UNDP Country Offices in the ECIS region in the areas of Poverty Reduction, Governance, Environment and Energy, Capacity Development, Gender, HIV/AIDS and Crisis Prevention and Recovery. In addition, the centre supports the programme development of these offices at the national level. The UN programming instrument for UN cooperation on development issues is the UN Common Country Programming Process (resulting in the key documents of CCA/UNDAF). Based on these UN-level document, UNDP’s programming document (contributing to the UNDAF) is the Country Programme Document and the Country Programme Action Plan. Often-times they are supported by a Country Analysis document. It is essential to ensure that these documents are strategic, measurable, reflect demand and rely on analysis. The Programme Strategy Development Expert is expected to develop all or any of these programming documents in consultation and cooperation with the UNDP country office and partners as appropriate.

UNDP is soliciting the submission of CVs (individuals, not firms) to be considered for registration in the Programme Strategy Development Expert roster of UNDP BRC. The expert roster will consist of highly-qualified and experienced consultants. Only the applicants who pass all screening procedures will be registered for the roster.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Programme Strategy Development Expert’s primary tasks include:

  • Setup and facilitate stakeholder groups within the country that contributes to the country-level programme strategy.
  • Develop and implement the workplan for the programme development process.
  • To coordinate programming strategy (CCA/UNDAF) schedule with the stakeholders and ensure management of overall calendar of CCA/UNDAF process.
  • Collect and analyze relevant documentation such as evaluations, lessons learned, agency specific from previous programme cycles.
  • Work with relevant Government Bodies in support of the national performance assessment framework, to ensure that UN system is aligned with national monitoring and reporting systems;
  • Draft first and subsequent drafts of the programming documents with special attention to the Result and Monitoring and Evaluation sections. (Ensure clear baseline, indicators, targets at outcome and output levels).
  • Provide a final brief report on lessons learned from the programming process

To coordinate the process of submissions, reviews and revisions of programming documents (CCA/UNDAF), including:

  • Making sure that all draft UNDAFs will be submitted to the regional Peer Support Group networks for comments in time (and with enough notice for substantive comments);
  • Encouraging the readers to provide comments to the draft UNDAFs;
  • Stimulating and facilitating discussion among the readers around the content of each individual draft UNDAF;
  • Collecting and reflecting as appropriate all the contributions and comments made by the readers;
  • Acting as a focal point for UNCTs in case they seek clarifications on the content and structure of UNDAFs and answer any other questions they might have re the UNDAF review process;

Competencies

  • Strategic vision, strong technical and analytical capabilities and demonstrated ability to gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour through technical leadership in a broad range of operational areas;
  • Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills, resourcefulness, initiative, maturity of judgment, tact, and negotiating skills, and the ability to cope with situations which may pose conflict;
  • Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN's values and ethical standards
  • Proven ability to work in a team, develop synergies and establish effective working relations within the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, with persons of different UN Agencies, government counterparts, donors and NGOs;
  • Demonstrates openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit and positive working relationships;
  • Strong analytical aptitude and effective interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to solve complex problems with minimal supervision
  • Strong technical skills in leading formulation and evaluation of development programs and projects
  • Ability to work with small multi-disciplinary, multi-national teams to deliver quality products in high stress, short deadline situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree in a field relevant for the specialty for example in development studies or related social science fields with experience in Result Based Management, Monitoring and Evaluation

Experience:

  • At least 7 years of proven work experience in programme development and results based management
  • Experience in the ECIS region
  • Good knowledge of the UN system, procedures and operational activities for development. Previous experience in UNDAF development is considered as a strong asset;
  • Proven interagency facilitation skills considered as a strong asset

Language:

  • Excellent English (and in some countries excellent Russian) writing and communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to assess complex situations in order to screen succinctly and clearly critical issues and draw forward-looking conclusions

Evaluation of Applicants:

Applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies specified above. Those selected for the next stage of the selection process will participate in an assessment.

UNDP applies the ‘Best value for money’ approach - the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

Contracting Arrangements:

The successful candidates will be included in UNDP’s technical expert roster for the period of 3 years. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs.

Where a request for services arises, the UNDP unit/office in need of the service shall directly contract the consultant from the roster without the need for further selection process. A specific Term of Reference (ToR) outlining the outputs for each assignment shall be provided and a Individual Contract (IC) will be issued to the consultant, detailing the time frame directly by the contracting unit/office. Conditions of a particular assignment may be negotiable.

Payments:

Payments will be made as specified in the actual contract upon confirmation of UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.

Application procedures:

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via this website. The application should contain:

  • Cover letter stating your interest in and qualifications for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application.
  • Filled P11 form (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_SC_SSA.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV.
  • Financial Proposal – daily fee in USD
  • Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials


Qualified women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.


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.