By continuing to browse this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Read our privacy policy

Vetted Experts Roster: Sustainable Development: Human Development

Addis Ababa

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Addis Ababa
  • Grade: Mid/Senior level - Mid/Senior - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Development Cooperation and Sustainable Development Goals
    • Environment
    • Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

The 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. The 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 order to achieve these aims, the IRH employs a team of in-house policy advisers and specialists, backed by an extensive roster of outside experts. Regional programme advisers and specialists provide demand-driven advisory services, access to knowledge, and technical backstopping to ECIS country offices. Their specific services include diagnostic missions, on-site support to UNDP Country offices principally in programme identification and preparation, evaluations, expert referrals, capacity development, training and applied research. They may also be responsible for leading and managing regional communities of practice (COPs) in their respective areas of expertise.The IRH Sustainable Development Team (SDT) supports the nationalizing, implementing and monitoring of the global 2030 sustainable development agenda. It invites competitive applications from qualified experts to establish a roster of consultants to work on various consultancy assignments in the region, in following areas: 

  • Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), 
  • Poverty and Inequality, 
  •  Employment and Inclusive Growth, 
  • Private Sector and Trade, 
  • Social Protection and Social Inclusion
  • Roma Inclusion
  • Green economy
  • Human Development

Human Development and the Global Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development

The links between the human development framework, the 2030 agenda for sustainable development, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are mutually reinforcing. Fulfilling the 2030 Agenda is a critical step towards enabling people to reach their full potential. In fact, the human development approach and the 2030 development Agenda have three common analytical links:

  • First, both are anchored in the principle of universalism—the human development framework by emphasizing the enhancement of freedoms for every human being, and the 2030 Agenda by concentrating on leaving no one behind. Both also share a focus on eradicating extreme poverty, ending hunger, reducing inequality, ensuring gender equality; both also have sustainability as the core principle. 
  • Second, human development indicators (such as the inequality-adjusted human development index or multidimensional poverty measures) can be used in assessing progress in SDG implementation. 
  • Third, Human Development reports can be an extremely powerful advocacy instrument for the 2030 Agenda, the SDGs and its related accelerators. The Agenda 2030’s integrative nature places a premium on aligning national human development reporting with on-going work in support of the SDGs. The SDGs can be a good platform for the greater visibility of the human development approach and reporting for the coming years.

In the era of Agenda 2030, human development reports and papers should be aligned with UNDP) narratives, strategic planning, SDG roadmaps and national priorities for sustainable human development. They should be short, straight-forward, innovative and illustrative, leaner and more strategic, and positioned for social media dissemination. They should also show how the human development approach can add value to UNDP) support for regional and (sub)national SDG implementation.A number of human development-related processes and events with particular relevance to UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Europe and CIS (RBEC) are now occurring. These include:

In a number of instances the Regional Center for Europe and CIS made an effort in codifying regional approach to various themes of human development (HD) reporting through HD summer schools organized in cooperation with academia (https://summeruniversity.ceu.edu/sustainable-2012) (ex. Central European University on sustainable human development) or via HD call for papers at sub-regional (ex The Institute of Economics, Zagreb) or national (ex. Moscow State University) levels.The launch of regional human development report (RHDRs) and papers, on:

  • Disaster Risk Management and Human Development in the Western Balkans (http://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/hdr_2016.pdf) (a sub-regional HDR), in 2016); 
  • Progress at Risk: Inequalities and Human Development in Eastern Europe, Turkey, and Central Asia (http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/library/human_development/regional-human-development-report-2016--progress-at-risk.html) in New York, Brussels, and elsewhere during 2016-2017; and 
  • The Central Asian Human Development series (http://www.eurasia.undp.org/content/rbec/en/home/library/poverty/central-asia-trade-and-human-d)
  • is broken down into several dimensions, which are fundamental to the development of the country: democracy and rule of law, economic development, social progress, the countryside and European integration;
  • Kosovo  NHDR 2016 titled “Making the labour market work for women and youth” (http://www.ks.undp.org/content/kosovo/en/home/library/human_development/kosovo-human-development-report-2016.html)
  • Kazakhstani NHDR 2016 “SDGs and Capability-based Development in the regions” (eng) (http://www.kz.undp.org/content/kazakhstan/en/home/library/corporate/national-human-development-report-2016.html) Photo album. This report coincides with year one of the implementation of the global sustainable development agenda and the SDGs. The novelty of the Report rests with the introduction of the Regional Sustainable Development Goals Challenge Index based on SDG 10 (inequalities), SDG 9 (innovation and infrastructure), SDG 8 (Growth, productivity and employment), SDG 3 (health and access to healthcare), SDG 4 (education) and SDG 5 (gender). 
  • Kyrgyzstan HDR 2015/2016 “Trade and Human Development” (http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/national-human-development-report-2016-kyrgyz-republic) emphasizes that trade, both internal and external, promotes human development in various ways. This report  disaggregates “sustainability” and “affordability” data and analysis sub-nationally and links them to trade. It also continues the tradition of publishing updated multidimensional poverty indicators  (MPI). 
  • Moldovan HDR 2016 “Inequalities and Sustainable Human Development” (http://www.md.undp.org/content/moldova/en/home/library/human_development/nhdr-2016.html). Press Release and photo gallery. The Report identifies and analyses the inequalities both in terms of income and non-income that jeopardize sustainable human development of the country and impact negatively the welfare of the population. The Report is an overview of the situation with SDG 10 in its different forms and manifestations such as income and non-income inequalities, grouping them in economic, social, and political inequalities. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Consultants selected for the Roster will be working with UNDP Country Offices and/or the Istanbul Regional Hub on various assignments related to human development. Final agreement on operational reporting lines will be made during contractual tasks negotiations. The range of tasks typically includes:

  • Supporting Country Offices in the region in developing and implementing projects in human development for achieving the SDGs and their Roadmaps;
  • Providing input for the preparation, review and analysis of various policy options, training materials and initiatives at the regional, national and local levels that affects sustainable human development and the SDGs in the region;
  • Contributing to analytical and thematic research within the subject areas, including for the development of relevant strategies, plans, programs/projects;
  • Contributing to the development of toolkits, guidelines, and publications in the area of sustainable human development, mutually reinforcing the 2030 Agenda for Development and the SDGs at regional and (sub)national levels;
  • Contributing to the development of cross-sectoral and sectoral strategies, policies and measures, based on  the human development approach and SDG national and local SDG priorities;
  • As required, supporting the implementation of MAPS—SDG Mainstreaming, Acceleration, and Policy Support—frameworks in countries of region, promoting the human development framework and the 2030 development agenda as mutually reinforcing, informing and influencing each other;
  • Analyzing the complexity of SDG goals, targets and indicators, and the relationships between targets and indicators at regional and (sub)-national levels and Human Development indicators; making suggestions for reinforcing SDG monitoring and human development reporting;
  • Collecting and systematizing information regarding SDG- and HD-related policy measures undertaken, as well as programs implemented by Governments, UNDP and other development organizations;
  • Collecting and systematizing country case studies, and analytical materials, on the basis of information collected;
  • Depending on qualification, consultants might be required to have technical skills in computing HD (and related) indices based on global and nationally endorsed methodologies, especially at (sub) national levels, and (ii) working experience with HD methodological and calculating skills; and
  • Providing analytical and operational support for Human Development reporting: writing, editing, peer reviewing.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

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

Functional competencies:

  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
  • Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
  • Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
  • Ability to translate the general HD-oriented analyses into SDG and policy-oriented actions integrated into national and local level decision-making;
  • Awareness of the HD process from “HD inputs” – “HD outputs” – “HD outcomes” perspective;
  • Awareness of HD and SDG costing and budgeting
  • Knowledge of the interrelated nature of HD, the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Minimum Master’s degree at least in one of the following fields:  Economics, Public administration, Business Administration, Public Policy, Social Science, Political Science, Development Studies or related fields.
  • Relevant training on construct of human development-related indices and/or dashboards is preferred.

Experience:

  • At least 5 years of proven work experience in development work with emphasis on human development framework and approach (e.g. programming work, research, academic teaching or ToTs for NHDR teams, consultancy)
  • Experience with liaising and cooperating with government officials, civil society organizations, universities, research institutes or economic think tanks is an asset.
  • Experience with knowledge products such as books, articles, research papers, toolkits, guides, methodologies, analytical documents, policy papers and notes, project and program documents, baseline studies, desk reviews, comparative studies, reports etc. developed and/or published by the candidate is an asset.
  • Previous relevant experience of working in/for ECIS countries  is an asset.
  • Experience in translating HD concepts into local and regional level policies and development planning instruments. 

Language skills:

  • Fluency in English is required
  • Fluency in Russian or any other language spoken in the region is an asset

Computer and application skills:

  • Full IT literacy is a must.
  • Proficiency in STATA or SPSS is an asset

Evaluation of Applicants:

All applicants will be screened against qualifications and the competencies set above. Candidates fully meeting the requirements will be further evaluated based on the criteria below. Inclusion into the Vetted Roster of Experts will be offered to individual consultants whose offers have been evaluated and assessed as (a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and (b) having received high scores specific to the solicitation.Technical Criteria – 70 % of total evaluation– max. 70 points:

P11 review: 60 points Only highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job based on the CV desk review (who will score at least 70%) will be considered for drafting and formulation skills evaluation.

  • Relevance of education – 5 points;
  • Years of professional experience in human development initiatives (frameworks, reporting, evaluation, construct of HD indices and dashboards) – max. 15 points
  • Relevance of proven professional and technical experience (skills) in human development approach and reporting, especially relevant to Agenda 2030 and SDG MAPS - max. 15 points;
  • Relevance of experience with development and implementation of the human development approach on central and local levels, including sector-specific reforms – max. 10 points;
  • Relevance of experience with liaising and cooperating with government officials, civil society organizations, universities, research institutes or economic think tanks is an asset – max. 5 points;
  • Relevant regional knowledge and experience in the ECIS region – max. 5 points;
  • Fluency in English; Fluency in Russian or other language spoken in the region is an asset– max. 3 points;
  • Proficiency in STATA or SPSS is an asset– max. 2 points;

Proven drafting and formulation skills (based on the record of existing publications focused on poverty and inequality related areas) – max. 10 points (candidates can provide written samples of their work in relevant areas as links or send as attachment  together with the P11 form  , preferably in English. Publications in Russian language will also be accepted).Only candidates who will receive at least 70% of points in technical evaluation (desk review and evaluation of written samples) will be considered for financial evaluation.Financial Criteria – 30 % of total evaluation – max. 30 points.Contracting Arrangements:Successful candidates will be included into Vetted Experts Roster for 3 years. Entry into the expert roster system does not necessarily mean that contract with UNDP is guaranteed. This will depend on forthcoming needs. During this period, IRH (which manages the roster) can regularly follow up with consultants as well as UNDP offices in ECIS on their assignments. The financial proposal (daily fee in USD) provided by the consultant is to take the form of an all-inclusive maximum daily fee payable and is bound to the period of 3 years (unless the consultant applies to the roster during its re-opening). Profiles of roster members will be published on UNDP internal platforms and will be accessible to UNDP IRH and Country Offices.When a request for services arises, the IRH or other UNDP office will share a specific Terms of Reference (TOR) outlining specific services, outputs and timeline for that assignment with consultant(s) matching the requested profile; the consultants will be requested to provide a price offer. The consultant offering the best value for money will be contracted.Payments:Payments will be made as specified in the actual contract upon confirmation by UNDP of delivering on contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.Application procedures

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

  • A cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position. Please paste the letter into the "Resume and Motivation" section of the electronic application. 
  • A filled in P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees 
  • (a 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 – specifying all-inclusive maximum daily fee

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 (e.g. fee, health insurance, office supplies, communications, vaccination, personal security needs and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). Payments will be made only upon confirmation by UNDP of delivery 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.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.

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.
This vacancy is now closed.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: