Procurement Notices

General Information                                                                                                                                              

Job Title:

 Partnerships for SDGs Consultant

Brand:

 UNDP Philippines

Application Deadline:

 12 July 2018

Duty Station:

 Manila, Philippines

Type of Contract:

 Individual Contractor

Languages Required:

 English

Starting Date:

 16 July 2018

Duration of Initial Contract:

 Initially at 4 months, with possible extension

Background & Objectives

In 2015, the Philippines, along with 192 countries, adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the United Nations General Assembly. With 17 ambitious and wide-encompassing targets that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all, the SDGs will not only require significant financing but will also entail cooperation and participation of all sectors. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), two indicators state: “Businesses operate according to internationally recognized standards of responsible business conduct” and “Businesses contribute directly to the Goals according to capacity and expertise.” Clearly, with the private sector’s ability to create sustainable, innovative, and scalable market solutions to address the world’s problems, they play a critical role in ensuring the achievement of SDGs by 2030.

While there has been increasing awareness on SDGs among businesses, businesses still require practical guidance and direction that resonate with the business community – highlighting how they can contribute to and benefit from SDGs. G20 Framework succinctly summarizes this idea, it says: “For private capital and innovation to flow towards advancing the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), societies will have to structure incentives that simultaneously advance business and development.” 

The Philippines is on an unparalleled growth trajectory in the region.  Annual GDP growth of over 6 percent per year over the last 5 years, solid economic fundamentals and at least $150 billion in domestic private credit provides fertile ground for private sector driven growth.  There is a risk that this growth will be unsustainable.  This risk however could also be an opportunity with the SDG framework providing an opening for business contributing to a sustainable Philippines: socially, economically and environmentally. Against this backdrop, UNDP in the Philippines aims to broaden and strengthen its engagement with a wide range of development partners to support the Philippines in achieving its SDG commitments, particularly the private sector. In order to crowd-in private sector investment and capabilities and accelerate progress towards the SDGs, UNDP will facilitate the creation of knowledge-sharing and investment platforms, harness private sector data and innovation approaches and provide on-demand advisory services.

In September 2016, UNDP in the Philippines and the Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE) launched the publication, “Transformational Business: Philippine Private Sector Contributions to the SDGs”, which complied companies’ activities aligned to the SDGs. In 2017, “SDGs is Our Biz” was formally launched and building on the publication, developed a guidance document, and an online portal and app where companies can report on company information, sustainability strategies, and business initiatives, aimed at inspiring action among businesses by recognizing Philippine companies’ contribution to the achievement of SDGs.  Continuing work this year will focus on the 2nd publication, the recognition and assurance mechanisms and activating the Business Advisory Council for SDGs to strengthen the platform for evidence-based decision making, sharing of best practices and creating knowledge among private companies, the government, and other stakeholders.

The Business and Sustainable Development Commission (BSDC) was created in 2016 to show why the SDGs offer business a compelling new growth strategy. Its flagship report, ‘Better Business, Better World’, shows that pursuing 60 sustainable and inclusive market “hotspots” in just four key areas could create US$12 trillion in business value by 2030 – equivalent to 10 percent of forecast GDP – and generate up to 380 million jobs, mostly in developing countries, by 2030.  In Asia, the figures are $4.8 trillion and 230 million new jobs.  UNDP Philippines will build on the BSDC work and methodology to produce a Philippine country report identifying investment opportunities and the return on the investment that will contribute to both the bottom line and to the SDGs. 

The Business Call to Action (BCtA) is a global leadership platform that challenges companies to advance core business activities that are inclusive of poor populations and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals. Worldwide, over 200 companies have responded to the BCtA by making commitments to improve the lives and livelihoods of millions through commercially-viable business ventures that engage low-income people as consumers, producers, suppliers, and distributors of goods and services. BCtA provides opportunities to share expertise, knowledge, and best practices for market-based approaches to development; initiative development advice and assistance; and linkages with companies, donors, and other key stakeholders. The report, “New Horizons: How Inclusive Business is Helping Achieve the SDGs in the Philippines” is a product of BCtA ’s collaboration with the UNDP Philippines and the Philippine Business for Social Progress. It outlines the role that private sector can play in meeting these targets and improving the lives of low income Filipinos and examines how businesses can be more ‘inclusive’ by providing employment, goods, services and livelihoods in a commercially viable manner to people living at the base of the economic pyramid (defined as those earning less than USD 8 a day).

UNDP Philippines and BCtA are building on their previous successful collaboration in the Philippines to continue advancing Inclusive Business (IB) and the SDGs agenda in the country, pursue the recommendations from the two publications, support Philippine companies as they move along their IB and SDGs journey with relevant UNDP and BCtA tools and services, and guide the next phase of engagement with the private sector. UNDP Philippines and BCtA will also further increase awareness, understanding and engagement of the private sector and other relevant actors in IB and the broader SDGs agenda; drive new business commitments to the BCtA; and facilitate public-private dialogue between stakeholders on impact measurement, IB and SDGs.

Two consultants for Partnerships for SDGs will be contracted by UNDP Philippines to ensure a strategic and integrated approach to engaging with the private sector.  The Consultants  will also lead the Country Office in the conduct of outreach to companies and business associations and will help establish, with the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, a mechanism for advisory services, road mapping, and impact measurement on the SDGs and IB; facilitate collaboration with other regional and local stakeholders in raising awareness on SDGs and IB; lead knowledge work, learning and partnerships on the SDGs at the country level; and identify business opportunities relating to the SDGs and to where private sector can infuse capital.

Scope of Work and Deliverables

The Consultants will be required to work closely with the UNDP Philippines Country Office Senior Management and Programme Teams.  On a regular basis, they will also coordinate with the Regional Partnerships Specialist and the Chief for Innovation and Private Sector Business Development based in the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, and the Global Programme Advisor- Private Sector, UNDP Bureau of Policy and Programme Support.  The national consultant will also liaise with the BCtA Secretariat based at the UNDP Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development.  

The Consultants  will work with relevant national government agencies and business associations such as, but not limited to the Makati Business Club (MBC); Philippine Business for the Environment (PBE); Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP); the UN Global Compact Network in the Philippines (GCNP); Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI); higher education institutions, development partners, and other regional and local stakeholders.

The Consultants will be responsible for the following:

1. Act as the UNDP Philippines focal point for the conduct of:
   1. The formulation of the “Transformational Business: Philippine Private Sector Contributions to the UN SDGs 2018 edition”, including the enhanced Guidance Document for SDG reporting, assurance and recognition mechanisms for businesses’ alignment and contributions to the SDGs; and
   2. UNDP Philippines’ Business Advisory Council meetings (at least 2) which will be convened to provide guidance to the above-cited publications as well as other related private sector engagement areas.
2. Develop an action plan for UNDP Philippines’ engagement with private sector companies, major foundations, business associations, high-net worth individuals and other key development partners in support of the SDGs
   1. Focusing on the priority private sector engagement areas of the Country Office, and considering potential collaboration areas in ongoing and pipeline projects, initiate contact with a portfolio of business associations, foundations, corporations, financial institutions as well as high-net worth individuals and individual giving and corporate strategies; and
   2. Develop and maintain a strong network of private sector and other development partners that UNDP can engage with over a sustained period in support of the SDGs.
3. Capacity building for Impact Measurement (IM)
   1. In coordination with the BCTA Secretariat, and making use of resources from the BCtA IM Lab and the SDGsis Our Biz Guidance Document for Private Sector Reporting; tailor-fit the online modules and implement general and customized training sessions for companies to better measure, manage and report their impact (Following the BCTA IM four-step process: https://www.businesscalltoaction.org/impact-practices)
   2. Support data analysis and knowledge exchanges to encourage scaling of SDG initiatives, using the information from the BCtA IM Lab and SDGsBizPh;
4. Draft Terms of References for organizing and sustaining an IM Lab in the Philippines
5. As necessary, conduct of risk analysis and due diligence reviews:
   1. Conduct due-diligence reviews of companies identified as high-potential for BCtA membership or UNDP partnerships contributions; and
   2. Coordinate with the UNDP Regional Bureau or HQ for any necessary operational support for contractual, legal, partnerships formalization requirements and information on regional and global foundations/corporations.
6. Communications/outreach to private sector and knowledge activities:
   1. Working with the CO Communications Team, identify possible products and services to increase brand awareness and UNDP’s visibility to the private sector;
   2. Support and implement learning events and convening among key regional and local stakeholders, including advocacy, learning and public-private dialogue;
   3. Support and guide content management and knowledge sharing and creation activities, including studies and/or reports and other relevant knowledge products for, but not limited to, the www.sdgsbiz.ph website; and
   4. Present to the Management Team recommendations for sustaining UNDP Philippines’ engagement with private sector.

Qualifications and Competencies

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in e.g. Economics, Business Management or related field with at least 5 years of relevant, progressive work experience; or Bachelor’s Degree with at least 8 years of relevant, progressive work experience;
• At least five years of professional and relevant work experience development effectiveness and partnerships;
• Possess strong intellectual interest in inclusive development and the role of the private sector in driving poverty reduction;
• Knowledge of international development and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development/the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is preferred; 
• Established local network of Philippine companies and business associations.

Corporate Competences

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN mission, vision, values and ethical standards
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability
• Promotes UNDP’s agenda in meetings

Other Competencies

• Ability to work in close collaboration with a group of national and international experts, to meet strict deadlines and plan the work according to priorities;
• Initiative, good analytical skills, mature judgment and ability to work under tight schedule while respecting deadlines achievement, ethics and honesty;
• Ability to establish effective working relations in a multicultural team environment
• Strong initiative and desire to succeed, accountable and willingness to be pro-active in identifying suitable companies and engaging in appropriate business opportunities
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with internal and external clients
• Demonstrates capacity to plan, organize and execute effectively
• Encourages risk-taking in the pursuit of creativity and innovation
• Demonstrated ability to function in a team environment & to deal with complex multi-stakeholder environment
• Willingness to be pro-active in identifying suitable companies for BCtA membership and engaging in appropriate business opportunities;
• Good ability to use information and communication technologies as tools and resources.
• Excellent written communication and presentation/public speaking skills, focus on results, ability to interact productively in a teamwork environment;
• Proven experience in dialoguing with senior level government and private sector executives

Institutional Arrangements

The Consultant shall report to the Deputy Country Director of UNDP Philippines. Deliverables will be reviewed by the Deputy Country Director, in coordination with the UNDP Philippines Management Team. 

Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Travel

The assignment shall commence on 16 July 2018 and shall be completed on 15 November 2018, unless revised in a mutually agreed upon timetable between the Consultant and the Country Director and subject to availability of funds.

Duty station: UNDP Philippines Country Office, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. The Consultants are not required to report on a daily basis at the duty station, but shall have an agreed reporting schedule with the Country Director.

Travel: As may be deemed relevant to the assignment, the Consultants may be required to travel within the Philippines or the Asia-Pacific region. Travels will be endorsed by the Deputy Country Director for approval by the Country Director. Travel expenses, to be covered by UNDP Philippines, shall be agreed prior to travel and a travel report is to be submitted after trips are completed.

Scope of Plan of Proposal and Schedule of payment

The Consultant must send a financial proposal based on a lump-sum amount for the delivery of the outputs identified below. The total amount quoted shall include all costs components required to deliver the goods and services identified above, including professional fees and any other applicable costs (i.e., such as transportation/travel to and from residence for meetings within Metro Manila, supplies and materials, equipment, reproduction, communications, etc.) to be incurred by the Consultant in completing the assignment.

The contract price will be fixed output-based price. Any deviations from the outputs and timelines, as well will need to be agreed on between the between the Consultant and the Country Director.  Travel, as deemed relevant by UNDP, will be covered and arranged by UNDP, following UNDP Financial Rules and Regulations.

Payments will be done upon satisfactory completion of the deliverables by target due dates. Outputs will be certified by the Deputy Country Director prior to payments.

Criteria for Selection of Best Offer

Applications from qualified candidates will be desk reviewed by the UNDP Philippines’ selection panel.

Application Procedure

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications at procurement.ph@undp.org  including the following:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability
• UNDP Personal History Form (P11) and detailed Curriculum Vitae
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided
• Three references attesting to the above competencies and experience
• Samples publications (or contributions to publications), discussion notes, blogs or articles