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Senior Research Coordinator

New York City

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: New York City
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Scientist and Researcher
    • Managerial positions
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

The United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) aims to be a robust knowledge hub providing advisory and consulting services to Member States and United Nations entities on South-South and triangular cooperation enabling developing countries to effectively face their development challenges and harness global opportunities to address them, in tandem with monitoring progress on implementing the Buenos Aires Plan of Action, New Directions Strategy and the Nairobi Outcome.

UNOSSC engages with Member States globally, regionally, as well as within the UN system to facilitate practical expressions of Southern solidarity towards the achievement of internationally agreed development goals.? UNOSSC works with a wide range of partners including global centers of excellence to intensively explore how building endogenous capacity can be encouraged, how broadening and sharing technological advances within the global South will systematically occur, and how emerging innovative financing mechanisms can be harnessed through South-South and triangular cooperation. UNOSSC ensures that our southern constituencies have timely access to high quality analytical planning, mapping, programming, and reporting on data, trends and opportunities that will propel South-South and triangular cooperation in ways that ensure success.

The Executive Committee of the United Nations Secretary-General, in decision 2017/63, called for strengthening the United Nations positioning and capacity to support South-South cooperation. The decision mandated:

UNOSSC to consider commissioning an independent annual comprehensive South-South cooperation report. UNOSSC, supported by DESA, UNDG, and UN regional and country teams, to conduct a mapping of major development cooperation activities led by the South and key South-South cooperation providers, assessing potential linkages with the 2030 Agenda and opportunities for UNs engagement and to do so efficiently, based on the existing mapping and reviews already conducted.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objective

To procure the services of an experienced Senior Research Coordinator with a strong background in international and sustainable development, social sciences research , policy analysis, and South-South solutions, as well as with extensive experience working in the UN and in collaboration with major players of SSC.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director, Programmes and Operations, the Senior Research Coordinator will lead the overall development of the first independent annual comprehensive South-South cooperation report as mandated by the Executive Committee of the United Nations Secretary-General.

The functional duties and responsibilities of the Senior Research Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

  • Leading the overall development of annual report including:
    • Formulation of Advisory Committee.
    • Development of report concept note.
    • Substantive input into report research methodologies.
    • Coordination and review of background research papers and other inputs.
    • Strategic engagement and consultation with Member States, relevant UN entities, think tanks and research institutions, as well as other stakeholder groups.
    • Validating and analysizing collected data, including the development of policy options.
    • Report drafting and editing.
  • Providing substantive support in organizing launch and other relevant events including drafting concept notes, preparing draft agendas, identifying key speakers, assisting with preparing speaking notes and summary reports.
  • Preparing background notes, briefings, speeches, talking points and other inputs for presentations by Senior Management on issues of relevance.
  • Participating in or taking the lead in specific inter-agency coordination for facilitation of inputs.
  • In consultation with the Deputy Director and colleagues, leading strategic planning and scoping work for subsequent annual reports including resource mobilization strategies and strategies for mobilizing non-financial resources such as research fellowships and secondments of personnel.
  • Contributing substantively to other knowledge products being developed by UNOSSC and partners, as required.
  • Other duties as required.

Major Deliverables

  1. Concept note for 2017 report completed and approved; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 28 February 2018
  2. Call for background papers and report inputs issued;Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 March 2018
  3. Background papers and report inputs received and reviewed; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 30 April 2018
  4. Background papers and report inputs received and reviewed.;Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 May 2018
  5. Initial analysis of report inputs completed;First draft of report completed and circulated to Advisory Committee and UNOSSC Senior Management for review; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved? - 30 June 2018
  6. Comments from Advisory Committee and UNOSSC Senior Management received and incorporated into report. Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 July 2018
  7. Advisory Committee approval of final report; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 August 2018
  8. Initial report launch successfully completed; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 30 September 2018
  9. Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 October 2018
  10. Report translation completed; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 30 November 2018
  11. Graphic design and layout completed; Report sent for printing; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 December 2018
  12. Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 January 2019
  13. Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 28 February 2019
  14. Report launch event at BAPA+40 Conference completed; Monthly report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 31 March 2019
  15. Report launch follow up as required; Final report with agreed deliverables submitted and approved – 30 April 2019

Competencies

Professionalism: Strong analytical and negotiation skills. Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks and proven ability to work and act under pressure and with discretion in a politically sensitive and challenging environment. Sound political judgment as well as diplomacy, impartiality and discretion.?Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Remains calm in stressful situations.

Integrity: Demonstrates the values of the United Nations in daily activities and behaviours. Acts without consideration of personal gain. Resists undue political pressure in decision-making. Does not abuse power or authority. Stands by decisions that are in the Organization’s interest, even if they are unpopular. Takes prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour.

Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills (spoken/written), including the ability to listen to and incorporate the views of stakeholders. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively (both verbally and written). Ability to tailor language, tone, style and format to match the audience. Ability to communicate effectively via tele-communication tools.

Teamwork:? Proven ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accept joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Client orientation: Ability to identify clients’ needs and suggest appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients. Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Planning and Organizing: Ability to develop clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; ability to foresee risks and allow for contingencies when planning; and, ability to identify priority activities and adjust them as required. Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.

Respect for Diversity: Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability. Proven ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity, including gender and geographical balance. Respect for, and understanding of, international political processes; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and discretion.

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Skills:

  • PhD related to international development areas, such as sustainable development, development studies, economics, social sciences, or related;
  • Excellent research, planning, monitoring and reporting skills;
  • Professional proficiency in English with demonstrated excellent writing and analytical skills;
  • Excellent multi-tasking skills;
  • Ability to work independently, meet deadlines and prioritize competing responsibilities;
  • Familiarity with UN policies and systems, highly desirable;

Required minimum years of specific work experience:

  • At least 10 years prior work experience in sustainable development, development studies, economics, social sciences or related fields;
  • Mastery of social sciences research methods and methodologies;
  • Strong track record in leading policy studies related to international cooperation, development studies, economics or social science;
  • Prior experience working in South-South and triangular cooperation;
  • Professional proficiency in English with demonstrated excellent writing and analytical skills;
  • Experience working within the United Nations system and/or Member State governments, preferred;

DOCUMENTS TO BE SUBMITTED

  • P11 form or CV
  • Technical proposal: draft research methodology for development of the report (maximum 1000 words).
  • Financial proposal in the form of a monthly rate in USD. Please note that financial proposals in excess of USD 12,000 may not be considered due to budgetary limitations.

EVALUATION AND SELECTTION PROCESS

A cumulate analysis method will be used to evaluate proposals. The evaluation criteria as shown below shall be used to evaluate all the proposals received. The award of the Individual Contractor contract shall be made to the individual 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.

Technical Proposal (70% total)

Candidates will be shortlisted following desk review of CV/P11 against required skills and experience.

Shortlisted candidates CV/P11, technical proposal, and interview performance will be evaluated against the following criteria:

  • Strong track record of leading policy studies related to international cooperation, development studies, economics or social science (25 points)
  • Prior experience working in South-South and triangular cooperation (25 points)
  • Demonstrated excellent writing and analytical skills (25 points)
  • Experience working within the United Nations system and/or Member State governments (25 points)

Financial Proposal (30% total)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z),

  • p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated;
  • y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal;
  • µ = price of the lowest priced proposal;
  • z = price of the proposal being evaluated;

Other Information

Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Only selected candidates will be notified

UNDP Individual Consultant General Conditions for Contract apply and can be downloaded at:

http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf

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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.
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