Consultant Position: UNDP, CONSULTANT - DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDANCE NOTE FOR SUPPORTING CENTER OF GOVERNANCE IN THE AFTERMATH OF CONFLICT

For more info see http://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=46817
Location :	Home-Based
Application Deadline :	06-Jun-14
Additional Category	Democratic Governance
Type of Contract :	Individual Contract
Post Level :	International Consultant
Languages Required :	English
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)	16-Jun-2014
Duration of Initial Contract :	15 working days
Expected Duration of Assignment :	15 working days

Background

The capacity for policy management and coordination—from strategic planning to accountability for implementation and results—stands as a core and basic function of the centre of government. The importance of this capacity across all types of governments and political systems must be understood from two distinct angles. First, at a political level, it reflects the governance principles, culture and values followed by political leaders in setting directions, making choices and exercising power on behalf of and for the benefit of society. Second, at a more operational level, it manifests the organizational structures, rules and mechanics that operate to manage the policy process from the centre of government, including the act of balancing the political and technical dimensions of public policy within and across the machinery of government. As a whole, the functions of the centre of government oversee the effective functioning and organization of the public sector, both in implementing the policy agenda of the political leadership and in delivering services that matter to the well-being of society. Therefore, the capacity and functions of the centre of government is more than a technical and mechanical exercise in administrative efficiency and effectiveness. It also involves higher-level governance principles that define how, for whom and towards what end political power is exercised. The core functions of the centre of government are of even greater importance in the context of post-conflict environments, where its governance and operational dimensions serve as a lynchpin for statebuilding, sustainable development and lasting peace. In such environments the challenges and obstacles to restore or reform the basic functionality of the centre of government may prove to be either daunting or in a state of flux. One may not only have to contend with a precarious security environment but also with limited financial, human and infrastructure resources that make it close to impossible to determine with any degree of predictability the most immediate and/or short-term priorities for policies and strategies that are central to the future of a nation recovering from conflict. In 2013 the UN finalized a Lessons Learned Review of UN Support to Core Government Functions in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict. This report fulfilled the Secretary General’s decision to commission a ‘lessons learned review of country experiences in post-conflict public administration’, and follows from the ‘Report of the Secretary-General on Peace building in the Immediate Aftermath of Conflict’, which identified support for ‘core government functions, particularly basic public administration and public finance,’ as repeatedly requested from the UN in post-conflict countries. The objective of the Lessons Learned Review was to provide ‘recommendations to ensure the UN system is capable of providing effective, cohesive, integrated and strategic support to improve the capacities of post-conflict public administration at the national and sub-national levels.’  The primary audience of the report is Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, Deputy Special Representatives of the Secretary-General, United Nations Resident Coordinators, members of the United Nations Country Teams, United Nations mission political officers and civil affairs officers, and staff from all United Nations agencies working on support to public administration and local government. The report also intends to inspire debate among a wider group of interested member states, policy experts and donor institutions. Following approval of the report by the Secretary General’s Policy Committee in 2013, the Lessons Learned Review lays the groundwork for a series of more detailed and specific “how to” guidance notes on a range of technical areas which the report did not have space to deal with in sufficient depth. Production of these ‘how-to’ guidance notes is an effort to close the gap in analytical approaches and tools that the Review report recognized as “essential, not an optional extra” for a more effective programming and advisory role by the UN in supporting core government functions in the immediate aftermath of conflict. Consequently, UNDP is looking for a senior expert to lead the efforts to develop a “how to” note on support to the centre of government in post-conflict environments, including guidance on key trade-offs and dilemmas that come to the fore in such contexts. The how-to guidance note will primarily target UN country teams responsible for responding to government requests to strengthen the functions and capacity of the centre of government.

Duties and Responsibilities

The objective is to produce a 20-25 page ‘How-To’ Guidance Note that provides planning and programmatic guidance to UN staff in supporting the institutional and capacity development of the centre of government in post-conflict environments. The guidance note will offer practical guidance and, where appropriate, step-by-step diagnostic and programmatic direction to supporting centre of government. The guidance will draw upon evidence-based analysis and brief case studies of UNDP’s and other agencies’ support to the centre of government in post-conflict situations, lessons learned from development practice in similar contexts, and the relevant body of literature examining the role and functions of centres of government in post-conflict environments. The guidance note will specifically address the centre of government functions that are essential to statebuilding, development and service delivery objectives in the immediate aftermath of post-conflict. The focus of the Guidance Note is on the offices of the Prime Minister or President and the policy management system at this level of government, which includes but is not limited to national development objectives, policy processes, strategic planning, mediation/negotiation mechanisms, budget allocation and prioritization, coordination frameworks, implementation monitoring, accountability systems, communications, and decision making by the centre of government.  The outline of the Guidance Note will identify, define, map out and structure the core functions performed by the centre of government in the context of post-conflict situations along a set of common categories, of which six essential ones can be identified as follows: Translating political agenda into government policies, programmes and services: Decision-making rules; Coordination and mediation mechanisms; Revenue generation and budget allocation; Monitoring and oversight; Communication. These above categories are subject to final determination by the analysis of operational lessons, knowledge and best practices to be reviewed throughout the assignment. Other common categories may emerge from the analytical process which will be reflected in the guidance framework. In constructing its categories and providing its practical guidance under each category, the expert should take into consideration the following dimensions and nature of how the core functions of the centre of government vary in the context of post-conflict environments: Where are core functions located? Are they concentrated or decentralized among the organizational units of the executive? What is considered best practice models, and how are these facilitated or constrained by historical legacies or legal provisions (e.g., constitution, political settlement, other regulations, etc.)? How do core functions operate in practice? What are the debilitating institutional lacunae?  How does the nature of a political system (i.e., parliamentary, presidential or mixed) impact the organization and management of the core functions of the centre of government? What are the mechanics and different components of the policy making and policy management process: can the essential be separated from the desirable? Is sequencing an option in building up to a comprehensive policy management system? What is the trade-off between “good enough” vs “whole of government” functions and systems managed by the centre of government? What range of implementation timetables and resources are involved in supporting reform or restoration of core functions of centre of government? What are critical dimensions of intra-organizational and inter-organizational coordination, mediation and communications in policy making process? What is scope of incentives and disincentives to reform or restore the core functions of centre of government? What good governance dimensions should underpin the core functions of the centre of government?  How are the political and technocratic aspects of the policy making and decision-making process differentiated? Are these tasks and functions carried out jointly or separately through an office that supports government and an office that supports political leader? The selected senior consultant will manage a junior consultant to be selected in agreement with UNDP for gathering evidence through a number of ‘mini case studies’. Through the following steps the senior consultant will be responsible for the final delivery of the Guidance Note: Develop an interview protocol to be used in interviewing key stakeholders from both UNDP, the wider UN System and governments involved, currently or previously, in projects and programmes of support to the centre of government in post-conflict situations. UNDP will provide a list of individuals to be interviewed; Manage the junior expert selected by UNDP to prepare country-based ‘mini case studies’ based on conducted interviews, which can serve as a supplementary evidence base for the Guidance Note; Review relevant literature and case studies on strengthening capacity and functions of centre of government, particularly in post-conflict environments; Use literature review, interview findings and case studies to inform and populate content of the Guidance Note by developing a framework for synthesizing findings and consolidating materials into a 20-25 page Guidance Note, including an executive summary, necessary annexes and bibliography. Work Plan and Reporting Line The selected consultant will report to the Head of the Public Administration (PA) Team in UNDP’s Democratic Governance Group. There will be an initial briefing for the consultant by the PA team and the Crisis Governance Unit in the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR).   The consultant will be supported throughout the assignment by a junior consultant identified by UNDP. The junior consultant will have 20 working days available to develop ‘mini case studies’ and support the senior consultant. The consultant will send an outline of the approach to be taken for comment by UNDP within the first 10 days of the consultancy, including an annotated outline of identified literature and the interview protocol to be used in interviewing UN and government staff involved in projects and programmes supporting the centre of government in post-conflict situations.   After incorporating UNDP’s comments on the outline and interview protocol the consultant will, supported by the junior consultant, conduct interviews, and produce a draft report and draft mini case studies which will be submitted to UNDP for comment. At this stage UNDP will organize a review and provide comments. The consultant will then submit the final report and mini case studies, with comments incorporated, to complete the assignment.

Competencies

Understanding of institutions, capacity development or institutional strengthening in statebuilding and peacebuilding; Excellent presentation and planning skills; Strong analytical and communication capacities with ability to relate to people from different institutional and cultural contexts; Good interpersonal and teamwork skills; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability; Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced university degree or equivalent qualification in international development, international relations, political science, social sciences, public administration or related fields. Experience:

At least 15 years of relevant experience, a majority of which should be in the field of governance in crisis countries; Extensive experience with the UN system. Experience in an integrated mission environment is an asset; Proven experience in supporting centre of government in post-conflict environments; Experience in developing UN knowledge products; Solid managerial experience. Language: Excellent communications skills in English, both oral and written, is required; A second UN language, preferably French or Spanish, is an advantage. Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: Proposal - Please submit, in 2 pages or less, the following to demonstrate your interest and qualifications: Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; Provide a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work. Price Proposal - Please submit an all-inclusive consultancy fee which may be made up as follows: Daily fees and any other financial claims to accomplish this task; No travel costs are envisaged for this assignment. Personal CV and/or UNDP Personal History Form Applicants are encouraged to fill and sign a P11 Form and submit it on the online application. Regular CVs are also acceptable but should provide contact details of at least 3 references. The P11 Form can be obtained at http://sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc Evaluation Process Application Evaluation Process - Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the Cumulative Analysis methodology [weighted scoring method], where the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Technical Criteria weight; [70%] . Financial Criteria weight; [30%]. The following criteria will be used in Technical Evaluation: Demonstrated professional experience supporting Center of Government in special development situations, max 30 points; Understanding of the UN System, different development paradigms and proven understanding of the expectations for UN knowledge products, max 25 points; Methodology and work plan demonstrating a clear understanding of the job to be done, max 25 points; Proven ability to draft, in English, practical guidance tools to the highest levels of the UN System, in particular UN Country Teams, max 20 points. Only consultants obtaining minimum 70 of the obtainable 100 points in the technical evaluation will be considered for the Financial Evaluation. UNDP applies a fair and transparent selection process that takes into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly.

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.   Courtesy  Craig Zelizer on May 28, 2014 at 10:49am in Job/Consulting Opportunities