Job, UNDP - Consultant to Contribute to the Creation of a Toolkit for Facilitating the Implementation of the Future SDGs at the Local Level - Home based

Crossposted from UN Job List Click here to view the original listing and apply Background

The Post-2015 development agenda definition process will culminate with September’s United Nations Member States Summit whose outcome will define the agenda of the next fifteen years of development. The agenda implementation will be guided by the future Sustainable Development Goals and respective targets. Lessons learned from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) implementation process have shown that the achievement of critical objectives and challenges of the Post-2015 agenda would also depend on strong local action and leadership embedded in a coordinated and effective multi-level governance system. Therefore, among the issues that are critical to the successful implementation and attainment of the Post-2015 Agenda is “localization” – i.e. the need to identify various specific mechanisms, tools, and processes to effectively translate the SDGs into practices at the local level and monitor them. In light of the above, UNDP and UN-Habitat, on behalf of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), together with the Global Task Force of local and regional governments (GTF) undertook in 2014 a dialogue process in 13 countries from different regions of the world aimed at promoting the localization of the future development agenda. The process resulted in several key messages and recommendations to foster the local implementation of the future SDGs. In particular, national and local Governments and the actors involved in the “localizing” Dialogues – including Local governments, academia, private sector and civil society – further expressed the need to be informed and equipped with concrete strategies and mechanisms able to translate the key outputs of the process into substantial development plans at the local level. For this reason, UNDP, GTF and partners embarked on the elaboration of a toolkit aimed at contributing to facilitate the SDGs implementation at the local level. The main objective of the toolkit is to help countries overcoming the challenges they will face in implementing the future SDGs at the local level through concrete solutions, based on the operationalization of the principles resulted from the Dialogues on Localizing the Post-2015 agenda as well as on the lessons learned from the MDGs implementation in multiple countries. The Toolkit will analyze crucial local development experiences and practices with the objective of identifying criteria and offering a set of suggestions that could be then adapted and contextualized by those territories interested in localizing the SDGs. Under direct guidance provided by a Steering Committee, UNDP, UN Habitat and the GTF the development of the toolkit will be built upon a preliminary identification and review of the extensive already-existing toolkits and mechanisms, looking particularly at the past experience of the MDGs implementation process and at the messages and lessons learned from the Dialogues on Localizing the Post-2015 Agenda. The toolkit formulation process will be designed to reach out to key partners and stakeholders. The exercise will start with a first phase of revision of the existing toolkits, mechanisms and practices that can be relevant for the implementation of the SDGs at the local level. Based on this, a preliminary proposal of the principles, structure and contents of the toolkit will be elaborated. Afterwards, technical Participatory Workshops will be organized with key institutions and local stakeholders at different levels – local, national and global –in order to concretize, define and distill conclusions to feed the drafting of the toolkit. The preparation of the various Participatory Workshops will be facilitated by the Steering Committee, together with the support of the appointed lead consultant. Each workshop will involve a range of expertise that will help to look at different key elements of the future SDGs from very specific angles - with a view to informing the elaboration of the toolkit. The toolkit elaboration process, starting in August 2015, will be completed with the elaboration of the toolkit draft document and is expected to be approved by the Steering Committee approximately by March 2016. The toolkit elaboration process will be co-organized by UNDP, UN Habitat and the GTF: UNDP is the leading UN Agency of the United Nations Development Group (UNDG), chairing the body and providing overall guidance to the other members. It also holds a global recognized leadership in Governance matters, including at sub-national levels. In this regard, UNDP recently launched the new Strategy on Local Governance and Local Development (LGLD), which, in line with the new UNDP Strategic Plan and with the global recognition of Local and Regional Governments’ key role in implementing the future SDGs, sets a concrete framework of principles and activities to strengthen the local component of the Post-2015 Agenda implementation. In this regard, UNDP contributes to the advancement of Goal 16, as defined by the Open Working Group, which underlines the need to promote and build inclusive societies for sustainable development. This entails commitments to promote inclusive development processes and articulation between governance levels, improving strategic planning for successful identification of priorities and further implementation as well as defining new approaches to monitoring and measurement. Furthermore, at the local level, UNDP, through the ART Global Initiative puts in place a comprehensive and integrated framework for sustainable human local development and enhanced local governance. Launched in 2005 and currently active in over 20 countries, the UNDP ART Global Initiative (Territorial Partnerships for Implementing the SDGs at the local level) is an entry point for all international cooperation actors interested in harmonizing their respective actions in support of national policies for sustainable and local human development with a particular view to implementing the future SDGs at the local level. The Global Task Force of Local and Regional Governments for Post 2015 development agenda towards Habitat III gathers local and regional government leaders and their global organizations in view of building joint strategies to contribute to the international policy making debates within the framework of the Post 2015 agenda, Rio+20 follow-up and towards Habitat III. The GTF holds a recognized international leading role in advocating for LRGs centrality within the future universal development framework. The members of the GTF have accumulated a large experience and expertise in supporting their members, local and regional authorities and their associations, to promote local development through decentralized cooperation and peer to peer learning. UN-Habitat acts as a focal point for local governments and their associations, including metropolitan, regional, provincial and other territorial government levels. Un-Habitat works closely with both central and territorial governments to establish mechanisms of institutional dialogue and exchange of best practices to support the empowerment of local and regional governments through a fair distribution of responsibilities and resources. Un-Habitat’s role is to develop normative and operational frameworks, to share experiences and disseminate best practices on local governance and access to basic services. Un-Habitat also promotes city-to-city cooperation and advocates for the essential role of local governments on a global level. The consultant will support UNDP, GTF and UN Habitat in gathering and analyzing the inputs resulting from the toolkit elaboration process and consequently in proposing criteria and mechanisms aimed at facilitating the implementation of the future SDGs at the local level.  The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Steering Committee. The final product will contribute to respond to the challenges that countries will face when implementing the future SDGs at the local level offering concrete solutions based on the operationalization of the principles that resulted from the Dialogues on Localization process. The Toolkit elaboration process, and therefore the duration of the contract, is expected to last until March 2016.  Workdays will be in its majority home-based. The incumbent will have to undertake a limited number of travels associated to the purpose of his work, which will be defined in coordination with the Steering Committee – at least three Participatory Workshops and two meeting with the Steering Committee.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall objective To elaborate a practicable toolkit containing criteria and suggestions aimed at helping countries and local governments in implementing the future SDGs at the local level, through an inclusive and participatory elaboration process involving a broad range of key stakeholders. Expected outputs and deliverables Output 1: Existing Toolkits and mechanisms reviewed Within the Output 1, the main objective of the lead consultant will be to identify and review already-existing toolkits, mechanisms and practices that could provide guidance to the toolkit elaboration process and therefore facilitate the implementation of the SDGs at the local level. Particular attention shall be given to the past MDGs implementation experience – toolkits; evaluations; reports etc. The lead consultant will capture and analyze essential recommendations, lessons learned and best practices that could be adapted to the toolkit and thus reproduced. He/she will produce a preliminary proposal of the principles, possible structure and contents of the toolkit to facilitate the subsequent workshops with key institutions and local stakeholders at global, national and local levels. The expert will look into a territorial approach for development, strengthening a strategic participatory planning approach at local/subnational level to “localize” the SDGs goals and targets, linking it with national policies for the implementation of the SDGs, reinforcing the capacities of local governments and institutions to facilitate and coordinate local development, mobilize and involve local stakeholders (ONGs, private sector, academics, etc.),  to mobilize resources from local and national sources, and to access (or collect)  localized data. Output 2: Toolkit’s participatory elaboration process facilitated and key inputs resulting from the process gathered and analyzed. Gather inputs from partners. Within the Toolkit elaboration framework, relevant international organizations, research institutes, academic institutions, CSOs and other key actors with accumulated experience will be consulted and invited to provide inputs. As part of the Output 2, key institutions will directly consulted by the lead consultant, which will therefore gather and process the relevant information provided and integrate it within the toolkit document. Report on the Participatory Workshops. Participatory Workshops at different levels – local, national and global – will be organized in partner countries aiming at capturing perspectives of a wide range of stakeholders of local relevance with a view to integrate them in the Toolkit elaboration process. Within the Output 2 framework, the lead consultant will capture and systematize the results of the participatory sessions at the country level, producing briefings and reports, while integrating the main recommendations in the toolkit elaboration process. Output 3: Toolkit document for facilitating the localization of the SDGs elaborated. Through the background research on the existing toolkits and mechanisms, which could be adapted to the SDGs local implementation framework, as well as through the collection and analysis of the inputs provided throughout the participatory elaboration process, the main objective of the lead consultant will be the drafting, design and elaboration of the toolkit document. The final product will be submitted to the Steering Committee for official approval. Within the Outputs context, the contractor will undertake the following specific tasks: Deliverables: The toolkit to facilitate the implementation and monitoring of the future SDGs at the local level, including: Toolkit final draft to be approved by the Steering Committee. The draft document will be of about 60 pages and will be composed by: (i) An introductory section summarizing the methodology of the participatory process through which the toolkit will be elaborated; (ii) Different sections, looking at the mechanisms and topics addressed during the Participatory Workshops, whose content and main focus will be decided by the Steering Group; (iii) Potential annexes. The tools, mechanisms and processes that will be presented in the toolkit should be “ready-to use” and presented in an operational way to facilitate understanding and appropriation by the governments.

Competencies

Corporate competences: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP, UN Habitat and the GTF; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.  Functional competences: In-depth practical knowledge of inter-disciplinary development issues including local governance and local development, gender equality and empowerment issues, as well as a good knowledge of the inter linkages between the social, economic, environmental and cultural dimensions of sustainable development; Excellent understanding of international sustainable development related issues, particularly the Post-2015 development agenda formulation and potential implementation processes; Excellent research, drafting and report writing skills; Familiarity with LRGs Associations and knowledge of LRGs’ associated development issues; Ability to compile and analyze information from a variety of sources, conceptualize issues and synthesize it in a coherent structure; Ability to structure a task in terms of the analytic/investigative process and to produce a well-structured output; Openness to change and ability to receive / integrate feedback; Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Advanced Degree (or equivalent degree/experience) in Development Studies, International Relations, Social Sciences or related field.  Experience: Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive experience in report, analysis and/or research on development and/or international relations issues.  Language: Excellent spoken and writing skills in English, plus a second language (Spanish or French). Important notice: Application Submission Process: The application is a two-step process. Failing to comply with the submission process may result in disqualifying the applications: Step 1: Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications in UNDP job shop (Please note that only 1 (one) file can be uploaded therefore please include all docs in one file): Personal History Form (P11), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;  Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment. Step 2: Submission of Financial Proposal Applicants are instructed to submit their financial proposals in US Dollars for this consultancy to dalal.alhashash@undp.org using the Offeror’s letter template available here:http://www.undp.org/content/dam/brussels/docs/Other/Template_for_Co...The proposals should be sent via email with the following subject heading: “International Consultants-TOOLKIT " by the deadline for this vacancy. Proposals to be received after the deadline will be rejected. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal should be all-inclusive and include a breakdown. The term ‘all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel related expenses, communications, utilities, consumables, insurance, etc.) that could possibly be incurred by the Contractor are already factored into the financial proposal. 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; and Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation. Technical Criteria – 70% of total evaluation – max 100 points. Financial Criteria – 30% of total evaluation – max. 30 points. Only candidates scoring 49 points (70%) or higher from the review of education, experience, languages will be considered for financial evaluation. Financial score shall be computed as a ration of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal of those technically qualified. UNDP retains the right to contact references directly. 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.