Procurement Notices

Terms of Reference

Senior Consultant for the Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA)

Regional partnership strategy

UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (UNDP/RBA) is seeking to hire a Senior Consultant for the Regional Bureau for Africa Regional Partnership Strategy. 

Qualified and interested individuals should submit their brief technical and financial proposal along with CV to our e-mail rba.procurement@undp.org and copy to otis.wilson@undp.org

Deadline for submission of proposal is:  30 May 2019, before 11:00 pm NY time.

Background

Africa is changing: Rapid urbanization, a rising middle-class, technological advancement and a drive towards regional integration are just some of the seismic changes transforming the continent. Africa’s development is of paramount importance to the world. By the end of this century a third of the world’s population will be in Africa in a demographic shift that, according to UNICEF, will transform the world into an increasingly African place, creating huge economic opportunities, as well as new risks for political instability and extreme poverty. "The future of humanity is increasingly African," says the UN children's agency.

It is with these changes in mind that UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa (RBA) is embarking on a project to identify and implement a new way of supporting the continent’s development through recalibrating relationships, harnessing the creative intellectual and entrepreneurial energy of Africa, and building a coalition of African influencers so as to put Africa at the heart of its own development agenda. The perception of Africa as a charity case is a stale fallacy which erodes confidence in the people to believe in themselves. It’s one that ignores the realities of modern Africa. This initiative is aimed at being central in changing that mindset by injecting the work that is happening “by Africans for Africans” into the development dialogue.

This fresh thinking is designed to help craft a new relationship between donor countries, UNDP and African partners - a broader, deeper, and more meaningful relationship where African voices - from the private sector, academia, arts, and entertainment et. al - are the most prominent in the development nexus. It envisions a future where Africa is centrally positioned as the architect of its own development agenda, with the aim of lifting itself out of poverty and towards inclusive prosperity.

Africa’s development depends on Africans owning that agenda and that space. For too long it has been a one-dimensional conversation with Africans positioned as mere recipients of aid and support from western donors. This initiative will actively explore ways to partner with Africa to position the Continent as more of an active participant in its own development.  The project forms part of the RBA Partnership Strategy, a key building block to implement the UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 in Africa, and a tool in support to the achievement of the SDGs and Africa’s Agenda 2063.

To help develop the strategic direction of this new outreach and relationship initiative RBA is employing Senior Consultants who will help frame how it engages in meaningful partnerships with Africa’s key stakeholder groups.

Timelines 

The consultant will work for 25-30 days spread out from 6 June 2019 through 5 August 2019.

Objectives / Outcome

The objective of the assignment is to provide limited, advisory support to RBA in conceptualizing, finalizing and operationalizing specific deliverables. The consultancy support will be targeted and will compliment RBA core objectives and as they relate to partnerships. A more connected and coordinated partnership with influential African individuals and institutions will help UNDP to:

●          Better identify the priorities of a nation and the continent as a whole and how UNDP can support;

●          Develop programme more quickly and on a larger scale;

●          Identify where to invest and where it can have the most impact;

●          Identify how to support the private sector to grow and contribute to development narrative;

●          Take on the role of curator and convener of Africans intellectual energy that will change the perception of the continent

●          Share knowledge and foster skills acquisition

●          Develop the next generation of leaders as proponents of change especially in areas such as digital technology and gender

●          Create space to support and mentor the next generation of African leaders through exchange programme, private sector support, youth entrepreneurship and incubators and the diaspora

●          Better tool up to deliver on cross border and regional responses

●          Domesticate key development messages through new non-state actors

Outputs/Deliverables

The consultancy is expected to deliver the following:

1. Engage relevant UNDP personnel and partners in order to better understand the organization's aims and objectives as well as to explore new partnership ideas and scenarios;
2. Review literature review and consult with RBA to collect initial input for the development of the private sector/academia partnership initiative;
3. Create a comprehensive partnership strategy, model, action plan and roadmap with timings for the RBA;
4. Research and identify potential partners and develop bespoke approaches;
5. Prepare a detailed budget for the proposed action plan along proposed implementation modalities.

Institutional Arrangements

1. The Senior Consultant will report to the Chief of the Strategic and Analysis Team (SAT) in relation to all services and deliverables. The other Units in RBA will be responsible for providing substantive inputs and advice throughout the consultancy, to be coordinated through the SAT Team. 
2. The Senior Consultant shall communicate (via email, Skype and/or phone) on a regular basis with the SAT team or otherwise as necessary in regard to progress against the scope of work.
3. The Senior Consultant is expected to engage with senior management and technical experts in UNDP HQ, regional service Centre and concerned Country Offices through targeted interviews, if necessary. Other stakeholders to be interviewed and consulted by the Consultant upon request by the SAT team.
4. The SAT Team will provide the Senior Consultant with necessary documentation and contacts within UNDP at the start of the consultancy.

Required Skills and Experience:

Education:

• BA in information studies, communications, social sciences, law, human rights and/or international law or other related fields (Minimum qualification requirement – 10 points).

Experience:

• At least 7-year professional experience in communication and/or partnerships;
• At least 5-year experience on Africa;

• Demonstrated experience with the UN - Uunderstanding of the UN and UNDP’s mandates and demonstrated familiarity with its Programme areas of work and the human development approach;

• Experience in consultancy assignments related communication and partnerships in fragile contexts is an asset.

Language and IT Skills:

• Excellent written and oral English communications skills. Fluency in any of other UN Languages would be an added advantage; and 
• Fully literate in terms of software and e-networking.

Financial Proposal - Lump sum contract:

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are made based on delivery. The delivery has to be accepted and approved by the Project team prior to any payment. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount based on deliverables.

Evaluation of Proposals:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative analysis of technical and financial criteria using the following methodology:

* Technical Criteria weight: 70%

* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Criteria for evaluation of Technical proposals:

• Relevant academic background and work experience (30 points)
• Comprehensive partnership strategy, model especially within the UN system (40 points)
• Understanding of the UN and UNDP’s mandate and demonstrated familiarity with its Programme areas of work (30 points).

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points would be considered for Financial Evaluation.

Criteria for evaluation of Financial proposals:

Maximum of 30% will be assigned to the lowest price offer. All other price offers will be scored using the formula (inverse proportion): Financial score X = 30* the lowest price offer/suggested price offer x.

General Terms and Conditions for Individual Contracts

• Please click Here

ANNEXES

ANNEX I – Technical Proposal along with Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability

ANNEX II - Financial Proposal submission templet

General Conditions of Contract: For the Services of Individual Contractors (IC)

Annex I-

 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM

1.1 Letter of Motivation 

• Briefly explain why you are the most suitable for the consultancy service you applied for.

1.2 Proposed Methodology for the Completion of Consultancy Services

The consultant must describe how it will address/deliver:

• A detailed approach and/or methodology you plan to apply or conduct the to meet the demands of the ToR;
• Providing a detailed description of the essential performance characteristics (if any);
• Implementation timeline and/or work plan using the proposed methodology/approach. It shall be supported by Gantt Chart
• Any other information pertinent to it.

1.3 Past experience in similar projects and/or consultancy services

The consultant must describe and indicate:

• Track Record – list of clients for similar consultancy services and/or projects as those required by UNDP, indicating description of contract scope, contract duration, contract value, contact references including email address as indicated in the following template:

Track Record and Experience

* Be sure the correct email address is/are indicated

1.4 Implementation Timelines:

• The Proposer shall submit a Gantt Chart or Project Schedule indicating the detailed sequence of activities that will be undertaken and their corresponding timing.

1.5 List of Personal Referees 

• List of at least three personal referees in terms of their title (position), where they work, email, and telephone address as indicated in the following template:

OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP

CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY

FOR THE INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTOR (IC) ASSIGNMENT

Date                                       

(Name of Resident Representative/Bureau Director)

United Nations Development Programme

(Specify complete office address)

Dear Sir/Madam:

I hereby declare that:

1. I have read, understood and hereby accept the Terms of Reference describing the duties and responsibilities of [indicate title of assignment] under the [state project title];
2. I have also read, understood and hereby accept UNDP’s General Conditions of Contract for the Services of the Individual Contractors;
3. I hereby propose my services and I confirm my interest in performing the assignment through the submission of my CV which I have duly signed and attached hereto as Annex 1;
4. In compliance with the requirements of the Terms of Reference, I hereby confirm that I am available for the entire duration of the assignment, and I shall perform the services in the manner described in my proposed approach/methodology which I have attached hereto as Annex 3 [delete this item if the TOR does not require submission of this document];
5. I hereby propose to complete the services based on the following payment rate: [please check the box corresponding to the preferred option]:
6. An all-inclusive daily fee of [state amount in words and in numbers indicating currency]
7. A total lump sum of [state amount in words and in numbers, indicating exact currency], payable in the manner described in the Terms of Reference.
8. For your evaluation, the breakdown of the abovementioned all-inclusive amount is attached hereto as Annex 2;
9. I recognize that the payment of the abovementioned amounts due to me shall be based on my delivery of outputs within the timeframe specified in the TOR, which shall be subject to UNDP's review, acceptance and payment certification procedures;
10. This offer shall remain valid for a total period of ___________ days [minimum of 90 days] after the submission deadline;
11. I confirm that I have no first degree relative (mother, father, son, daughter, spouse/partner, brother or sister) currently employed with any UN agency or office [disclose the name of the relative, the UN office employing the relative, and the relationship if, any such relationship exists];
12. If I am selected for this assignment, I shall [please check the appropriate box]:
13. Sign an Individual Contract with UNDP;
14. Request my employer [state name of company/organization/institution] to sign with UNDP a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), for and on my behalf.  The contact person and details of my employer for this purpose are as follows:

1. I hereby confirm that [check all that applies]:
2. At the time of this submission, I have no active Individual Contract or any form of engagement with any Business Unit of UNDP;
3. I am currently engaged with UNDP and/or other entities for the following work:

1. I am also anticipating conclusion of the following work from UNDP and/or other entities for which I have submitted a proposal:

1. I fully understand and recognize that UNDP is not bound to accept this proposal, and I also understand and accept that I shall bear all costs associated with its preparation and submission and that UNDP will in no case be responsible or liable for those costs, regardless of the conduct or outcome of the selection process.
2. If you are a former staff member of the United Nations recently separated, please add this section to your letter:   I hereby confirm that I have complied with the minimum break in service required before I can be eligible for an Individual Contract.
3. I also fully understand that, if I am engaged as an Individual Contractor, I have no expectations nor entitlements whatsoever to be re-instated or re-employed as a staff member.
4. Are any of your relatives employed by UNDP, any other UN organization or any other public international organization?  

           YES       NO           If the answer is "yes", give the following information:

1.   Do you have any objections to our making enquiries of your present employer?

            YES        NO

1. Are you now, or have you ever been a permanent civil servant in your government’s employ?
2.                       NO    If answer is "yes", WHEN?
3. REFERENCES: List three persons, not related to you, who are familiar with your character and qualifications.

1. Have you been arrested, indicted, or summoned into court as a defendant in a criminal proceeding, or convicted, fined or imprisoned for the violation of any law (excluding minor traffic violations)?     
2.       NO    If "yes", give full particulars of each case in an attached statement.

I certify that the statements made by me in answer to the foregoing questions are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief. I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission made on a Personal History form or other document requested by the Organization may result in the termination of the service contract or special services agreement without notice.

      DATE:                                                                                              SIGNATURE:                                                             

NB. You will be requested to supply documentary evidence which support the statements you have made above. Do not, however, send any documentary evidence until you have been asked to do so and, in any event, do not submit the original texts of references or testimonials unless they have been obtained for the sole use of UNDP.

Annexes [please check all that applies]:

1. CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience
2. Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template
3. Brief Description of Approach to Work (if required by the TOR)

ANNEX 2

BREAKDOWN OF COSTS[1]

SUPPORTING THE ALL-INCLUSIVE