International Consultant for Inclusive Growth

Location : Home-based

Application Deadline : 19-Jul-21 (Midnight New York, USA)

Time left : 7d 19h 53m

Type of Contract : Individual Contract

Post Level : International Consultant

Languages Required :
English

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Sep-2021

Duration of Initial Contract : Estimated 01 September 2021 – 25 December 2021

Expected Duration of Assignment : Approximately 88 working days

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.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

UNDP works in more than 170 countries and territories, helping to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. We support countries to develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities and build resilience in order to sustain development results. We promote integrated approach to achieve sustainable development that tackles the interconnected issues of multidimensional poverty, inequality and sustainability, while enhancing knowledge, skills and technologies to reduce risks and sustain development gains for both people and the planet. We help countries build their capacity to integrate environmental considerations into development, ensuring that natural wealth is used to improve people’s lives; promoting a shared prosperity and universal social protection, thus supporting the achievement of 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development.

Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH) is UNDP’s main knowledge and advisory hub for the Europe and CIS Region (ECIS). It aims to connect the region to a global network of development experts, to build knowledge and capacity, and to forge partnerships to meet the development challenges of a large and diverse region. IRH also aims to capture and spread development successes and best practices in the region and to improve the impact of UNDP’s work through effective communications and advocacy.

In addressing the chronic and fundamental economic, social and labour market challenges in the ECIS region, UNDP advocates for growth, which is broad-based, inclusive and sustainable. In line with the principles underpinning the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development, IRH Sustainable Development Team (SDT) is promoting whole-of-government and transformative approaches to tackling unemployment, informal and other forms of precarious employment. We are also exploring innovative solutions for labour market integration of the most vulnerable e.g. migrant returnees, people with disabilities, Roma, rural women experiencing multiple forms of discrimination, low-skilled and long-term unemployed etc. In our analytical, advisory and programming work, we are actively cultivating partnerships to explore new ways of ensuring more inclusive growth patterns, while fully respecting the principle of “leaving no-one behind”.

This international consultancy position is established under Sustainable Development Cluster of the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). The consultant is expected to closely collaborate with the team members and report to the SD Team Leader.

Duties and Responsibilities

Summary of key functions:
The objective of the assignment is to support the Sustainable Development Team in:

1) Providing effective advisory support to 17 countries in ECIS region in policy and programming activities related to inclusive growth and inclusive employment from the perspective of 2030 Agenda and post COVID-19 recovery;

2) Providing top-notch advisory support to 17 countries in ECIS region in the development of innovative schemes and financing facilities for promoting jobs creation, digital and green transformation of MSMEs;

Key Results Expected:
Deliverables:
This assignment will be based within the Sustainable Development Cluster of the Istanbul Regional Hub (IRH). This will be achieved by delivering the following outputs and upon confirmation by the Certifying Officer of satisfactory delivery:

Deliverable 1: Evidence-based analysis of the institutional barriers and drivers of exclusion and informality in ECIS labour markets, including best practices and innovative programmes for tackling informality and promoting inclusive employment;

Deliverable 2: An overview of entry points and innovative mechanisms for promoting digital and green transformation for inclusive growth in ECIS region

Payment schedule will be 50% payment upon submission of each deliverable.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities skills;
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback;
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines;
• Extensive knowledge of UN System and UNDP mandate;
• Comprehensive knowledge of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• Outstanding communication, project management and organizational skills;
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
• Positive, constructive attitude to work;
• Ability to work with, and analyze data, using relevant tools/computer programs (Excel, online survey tools) to present findings

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in economics, labour economics, social sciences, international development or closely related fields.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience working on economic, labour economics, skills development, women economic empowerment or international development issues;
• Experience working on the the relevant SDGs;
• Hands-on experience of working in ECIS region or in middle and upper middle-income countries;
• Analytical or project experience, which requires ability to synthesize growth, poverty, inequality labour market and social protection data

Language:

• Good command of English both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of Russian language is an asset.

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

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions as well as other related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs.

Evaluation of Applicants:
Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a cumulative analysis taking into consideration the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal.

The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max. 70 points:

• Criteria A (Relevance of education) – max points: 5;
• Criteria B (Relevance of work experience in the area of inclusive employment, SMEs development, inclusive growth, digital and green transformation) – max points: 15;
• Criteria C (Quantitative and qualitative data collection, processing, interpretation and analysis of data on employment, poverty, growth, inequality and social protection) – max points: 10;
• Criteria D (Language) – max points: 5;
• Criteria D (co-authored reports, policy papers, presentations– technical knowledge and clarity of the text) – max points: 15;
• Criteria E (Interview – assessing technical knowledge, motivation and communication skills) – max points: 20.

Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points

Only those candidates who will obtain min. 70% of points will be invited for the next stage of the technical evaluation and financial proposal evaluation.

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

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position,
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/dam/rbec/docs/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc); please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
• Financial Proposal* in USD – consisting of a) total all-inclusive lump sum amount for professional fee for tasks specified in this announcement b) travel costs to/from duty station. Price offer must not include costs related to official missions. Missions will be paid separately as per UNDP rules and regulations;
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.
• Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services…).

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

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

General Terms and conditions and related documents can be found under: http://on.undp.org/t7fJs

Qualified women and members of 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.