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International Consultant for Development of Joint Programme Document for Social Protection Programming in Yemen

home based and travel to duty stations aden and sana'a

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: home based and travel to duty stations aden and sana'a
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Social Affairs
    • Library Science
    • Information Technology and Computer Science
    • External Relations, Partnerships and Resource mobilization
    • Civil Society and Local governance
    • Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Project and Programme Management
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

A. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has further impoverished the Yemeni population and increased their vulnerability. In May 2015, the UN placed the Republic of Yemen at Level 3 of humanitarian distress with 10 governorates declared to be at a Level 4 state of emergency, the highest categorization of countries in conflict.   The World Bank estimates that the poverty level has grown nationally from an average of 34.1 to between 71% and 78%. The economy contracted by about 28 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), while inflation has been estimated to have reached about 40 percent. Public sector investment in education and health has been suspended with the growing fiscal deficit and suspension of donor funding.

The humanitarian crisis has worsened since the collapse of peace negotiations in August 2016 and the resumption of armed conflict. In 2020, conflict escalated in many areas, mainly along the established lines of control. By early 2021 there were 49 active front lines in Yemen – including 14 that opened up in 2020. While this is deeply worrying and a cause of great suffering to the people of Yemen, it is equally important to note that 70 per cent of the country’s territory, (home to around 35 per cent of Yemen’s population), still has very few incidences of violent conflict or none.

Over 80% of the total population lives below the poverty line according to latest Humanitarian Needs Overview (Yemen HNO 2021). The crisis has damaged or destroyed health facilities, schools, factories, micro, small and medium enterprises, local authorities’ office buildings and houses. Overall, the conflict has eroded the coping capacities of Yemenis. About 75% of the households are facing worse economic situation now compared to pre-crisis situation, with cost of living having increased by more than 40%, and the loss of income and livelihoods due to the conflict and disruption in the salary. Over 80% of Yemenis are found to be indebted, with more than 50% of households buying food on credit. Over 60% of the households are resorting to negative coping mechanisms for consumption. The interruption in the payment of civil servants’ salaries has caused further deterioration in the delivery of essential services such as health and education.

The social protection system in Yemen has been largely dysfunctional, with heavy reliance on informal social security including kinship-based arrangements; mutuality-based/self-help initiatives; religious- or charity-based arrangements (e.g., Tafakul; Zakat-based arrangements); and also, remittances and endowments. The COVID19 pandemic of 2020/2021 has served as an opportunity to accelerate actions to rebuild and strengthen the Social Protection system in Yemen. Going beyond how to support the coping capacities of Yemenis, although challenging, it will be worthwhile to consider the practical and effective building blocks for a sustainable and comprehensive SP priorities under the existing strategic documents of the UN (CCA, CPDs, COVID Socio-Economic Framework, etc.

The situation is compounded by the disruption of formal social protection systems. The Social Welfare Fund (SWF) which used to deliver unconditional cash transfers to 1.5 million beneficiaries, suspended its programme in March 2015. Currently, UNICEF with the support from the World Bank delivers emergency cash transfers to those 1.5 million SWF beneficiaries across the country. Other key welfare and development funds are almost non-functional. The Social Fund for Development (SFD) and the Public Works Project (PWP) are among only a few programmes currently being supported by again the World Bank through UNDP with a view to promoting short-term employment opportunities and safety nets. Informal social protection networks and mechanisms that the poorest segments of the population heavily rely on are overstretched. The collapsing social protection systems are eroding community resilience. Some institutions, such as the Handicap Care and Rehabilitation Fund has been heavily impacted due to lack of funding. While it has been established as a key safety net institution for persons with disabilities, it has not been able to provide the support it is mandated to provide since the conflict escalated. This comes as the need for its support is increasing with number of persons with disabilities increasing as the conflict goes on.

 

Since 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has further stretched the capacity of a very weakened health sector and the provision of essential services such as safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Expectedly, this has exacerbated other crises resulting in increased death, illness, violence and an expanding poverty circle amongst the Yemeni population thereby underscoring the need for solid and integrated social protection response. The pandemic also highlights the need for a more shock-responsive Social Protection system especially in fragile contexts such as Yemen; an area that needs to be prioritized by humanitarian and development actors including UNICEF and UNDP.

Considering the foregoing, UNDP & UNICEF seek an expert/consultant to lead and coordinate the development of a joint programming document to articulate the programming needs in social protection in Yemen against the backdrop of the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 which have aggravated the needs of the poor and vulnerable and further devastated the social protection system and institutions of the country.

Preliminary discussions between UNDP & UNICEF have resulted in the identification of three (3) main pillars of immediate substantive work as:

  • Joint support for the formulation of the social protection strategic framework

A national Social Protection Strategic Framework is required to articulate key Social Protection capacity needs, conceptual approaches of relevance to Yemen, identify/strengthen governance structures, delivery, funding and national coordination mechanisms, including humanitarian social assistance support.

  • Mainstreaming Social Protection in Humanitarian- Development-Peace Nexus.

Here we seek to leverage social protection as an effective short and long term response approach to multivariate shocks, protracted crises and displacement and support in transforming short-term humanitarian interventions into sustainable development interventions aimed at achieving resilience, peace, stabilization, and economic growth in Yemen. We also aim to link emergency humanitarian social assistance support with medium to long term processes and actors in the productive sectors in more sustainable ways.

  • Public work schemes using contributory and non-contributory arrangements.   

These help address widespread unemployment and poverty, we aim to explore public works programmes of relevance to support poverty alleviation, with a focus on youth and women. For example, health coverage, disability support and unemployment protection, sickness benefits and maternity protection, are key social protection areas that should benefit from contributory public works arrangements. Issues to be considered will include the establishment of a national-scale productive safety net arrangement, into which public work (such as Cash for Work/VSLS) programmes are integrated.

 

The above pillars will directly support and promote the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF); the Yemen HRP 2021 and the 5 pillars of the UNDS Response to COVID19 namely:

  1. Health first: protecting health services and systems during the crisis
  2. Protecting people: social protection and basic services
  3. Economic response and recovery: protecting jobs, small, medium sized enterprise and informal sectors.
  4. Macroeconomic response and multilateral collaboration
  5. Social cohesion and community resilience

 B. OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The protracted crisis in Yemen demands accelerated scaled-up support to address the immediate needs of Yemenis – leveraging and enhancing endogenous support mechanisms for social protection to populations at risk that can complement a largely insufficient humanitarian response. This includes the need to strengthen the existing capacities and mechanisms at local and national levels to ensure a sound foundation for building back better, recovery and sustainable peace in Yemen.   

In consultation with national authorities and counterparts, humanitarian and development actors, the assignment is aimed at achieving the following specific objectives:

  • Finalize the draft programming document by UNDP & UNICEF which will aid the subsequent development of a national strategic framework for social protection in the north and south of Yemen
  • Consult and engage relevant actors (national and international) in the processes leading up to the finalization of the Joint Programme Document.
  • Provide specific implementable recommendations for joint programming on Social Protection by UNICEF, UNDP and other relevant partners in Yemen.

Duties and Responsibilities

C. Scope of work

An international consultant to be identified by UNDP will lead and coordinate the work of two (2) national consultants to be identified by UNICEF. The trio will work as one team under this consultancy.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and global travel bans and lockdowns, the assignment will be conducted using a mix of modalities i.e., work-from-home, field-based consultations in person and/or through virtual media to develop a Joint Programme Document which will comprehensively outline the three (3) pillars mentioned above including a focus on conflict, environmental safety and gender analysis where necessary. 

The validated Programme Document is expected to be used as the roadmap for joint programming on Social Protection in Yemen in support of national efforts; and to serve as a key resource for the subsequent formulation of a National Strategic Framework for Social Protection Programming in Yemen.

Under the overall guidance of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and direct supervision of the UNDP Project Manager (Social Protection), the selected international consultant is expected to conduct and deliver:

  • Inception report: the inception report will include the proposed methodology and structure of the Joint Programme Document with clear delivery timelines.    
  • A comprehensive Desk Review of the historical and current analysis of the status of social protection in Yemen.
  • Consultations and Interviews: with relevant government partners and community leaders in the North and South of Yemen, UN/NGO and donors on gaps, opportunities and recommendations for prioritization and programming approach to Social Protection in Yemen.
  • Presentation of the draft Joint Programme Document to UNICEF and UNDP management
  • Donor Consultative workshop to validate the Joint Programme Document.
  • Final Report including the validated Joint Programme Document.

 

D. Specific Contract Deliverables/Expected outputs

The assignment is expected to be completed within 55 working days, spread over 3 months.

Key Milestones

Time allocation

Approving Officer

1.Inception report to be submitted after desk review and initial discussions with UNDP and UNICEF. The IR is expected to include the proposed approach, methodology, timeframe for the delivery of the whole assignment

5 days

Project Manager/ERDU Team Leader 

2.Draft Joint Programme Document

This is expected to comprehensively cover all sections of the scope of work as outlined above including the inputs from the 2 national consultants with annexes, templates, etc. as necessary.

40 days

3.Final Joint Programme Document  

The final document is expected to sufficiently incorporate and address all inputs/comments and resolutions by UNDP and UNICEF made in the draft document. All references contained in this version must be accurate and verified by the consultants.

10 days

Note: Exact months of the contract will be determined based on the actual commencement date, those expressed here are indicative.

 *Note: Travel to Yemen may be subject to visa approval, medical insurance of the consultant in Yemen. In case the consultant is not able to travel to Yemen, then he/she may be required to work from home on mutually agreed schedule with UNDP & UNICEF. As the Lead Consultant, the consultant is required to deploy effective ways to coordinate the work of the selected national consultants and submit one coherent and comprehensive Strategic Framework and other deliverables acceptable to both UNICEF & UNDP.  He/she will conduct tele conferencing with partners/stakeholders in Yemen and coordinate with survey- national consultant recruited and based in Yemen to support him/her and deliver the assigned tasks.

E. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS

  • The selected Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the UNDP Social Protection Manager with general oversight by the ERDU Team Leader in UNDP.
  • All liaison with UNICEF under this assignment will be facilitated through the UNDP Social Protection Manager.
  • All liaison and effective coordination with the two (2) national consultants to be hired by UNICEF is the responsibility of the lead international consultant.

Competencies

NA

Required Skills and Experience

  • At least a Master’s degree in Economics/ Development Study/Social Sciences/Statistics/ or related fields is required.
  • At least 10 years of demonstrable experience in drafting successful (funded) Social Protection, crisis and post-conflict recovery, peacebuilding, resilience and stabilization, HDP nexus programmes with thematic expertise in transitional governance and state-building, social policy reform and economic recovery is essential.
  • Familiarity with UNDP and UNICEF programming procedures will be an added advantage.
  • Previous experience at senior management, advisory and strategic planning levels with the UN or other international organizations will be an added advantage.
  • Strong programme management and operational background, including on assessments and strategy development, programme design, management and supervision, results-based budgeting, monitoring and evaluation, and resource mobilization is an advantage.
  • Ability to speak and write English fluently is essential
  • Ability to speak and write Arabic language is an asset.
  • Knowledge/experience of Yemen context is an advantage. 

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested qualified and experienced individual consultants must submit; a) recently updated and detailed CV outlining experience in similar assignments and at least 3 references; and b) detailed technical and financial proposals. The proposals will be assessed using Cumulative Analysis Method - technical proposal (70%) and financial proposal (30%).

Financial proposals should be protected by password and in pdf format, then will ask for password only for those applications that obtained 70 points or above in the technical proposal. The financial proposal should specify a total lump sum amount and payment terms shall be in line with those that are mentioned in the deliverable table above.

Technical proposals (total score: 70 points)

Criteria

Max score

Weight

Proposed methodology, approach, and workplan (relevance, logic, rigor, practicality, creativity, realism of work plan etc).

  1. Clarity and relevance of the proposed methodology, to the local context and to achieve the deliverables as stated in the ToR.

25

35%

  1. Realistic and complete work plan which reflects clear and comprehensive understanding of the scope of work outlined in the ToR.

20

29%

  1. Clarity about how gender and conflict analysis were factored into the overall analysis.

5

7%

Technical capacity of the applicant: relevant qualifications, competencies, relevant experience and skills as per the ToR.

20

29%

Total

70

100%

 

PAYMENTS SCHEDULE

Fee payments will be made upon acceptance and approval of planned deliverables by UNDP, based on the following payment schedule:

Milestone for payment

Percentage

Inception report

20%

Draft joint programme document

40%

Final joint programme document 

40%

 

Requirements for submission of proposals:

All interested and qualified International or National Independent Consultant should apply by clicking apply now and register if not yet registered.

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below:

  1. TOR (Annex I)
  2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II;

 

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Technical Proposal

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work;

            (ii)  Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work

                  schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable;

2. P11 Form: Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services;

3. Financial proposal (should be in pdf format and MUST be protected by password):  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III.

4. Similar sample reports if any;

 

Instructions for on-line submissions:

Step 1:Please prepare all required documents electronically;

Step 2: Name all documents in as per their titles, and upload to the UNDP Jobs by clicking "Apply now";

Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected.

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails:                               

Procurement.yemen@undp.org attention Mr. Bandar Abdulrazzaq

This vacancy is now closed.
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