Applied Behavioural Science Expert

Contract

This is a National Consultant contract. More about National Consultant contracts.

Background

The complexity and interconnectedness of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) require novel approaches, methodologies, strong data systems, and institutions that would have the capacity to provide ‘out of the box’ solutions to the problems faced by the global community.

In response, the United Nations and the Government of Armenia have established the Armenia National SDG Innovation Lab as a platform for collaboration, experimentation, analytics and world class human resource development to accelerate the implementation of the Agenda 2030. The Lab is the first of its kind in country platform to support SDG implementation at country level. To do this, the Lab has adopted a toolbox of innovative methodologies such as design thinking, data analytics, digitization, behavioural experimentation, and capacity building in the Lab’s most advanced public policy techniques.

The overarching goal of the Lab is to transform the business-as-usual of public administration through mainstreaming innovation in the public sector with its service lines and tools including Behavioural Interventions.

Main objective of the assignment is support the streamlining of behavioural insights in policy-making and public service design to generate the desired behavioural change and contribute to achieving the impact envisaged within the “Yerevan 2.0. Towards More Inclusive and Greener Recovery”, “Re-framing Road Safety in Armenia”; “Mainstreaming Human Security Approach in Regional Policy Making to Support Recovery of the Areas and Populations Affected by Complex Challenges” projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the SDG Lab Lead and in close consultation/cooperation with respective projects, the consultant will:

• Develop methodology for conducting Behavioural Barrier Analysis in given sectors and priority areas under respective project;
• Oversee the literature review and primary research phases of four behavioural interventions;
• Develop behavioural interventions and behaviourally informed communication campaigns in given sectors and priority areas based on Behavioural Barrier Analysis in a form of comprehensive trial protocols;
• Support data scientists for sampling, power analysis, randomization and econometric analysis of the results;
• Formulate quality assurance plans to enhance the internal validity of the randomised controlled trials;
• Develop written reports on the findings of the interventions, deriving policy and scale up recommendations;
• Mentor SDG Lab’s research expert and provide guidance and insights in behavioural science;
• Conceptualise a toolkit for mainstreaming behavioural change in the context of public policy and public service design.

Expected deliverables:

Outputs

Deliverable

Due date

Output 1

1.1 Trial protocol of the behavioural intervention on increasing the uptake of digitalized municipal services developed

Jun, 2022

1.2 Methodology for conducting Behavioural Barrier Analysis in the context of road safety in Armenia derived

1.3 Methodology for conducting Behavioural Barrier Analysis in the context of child/parent/community education on road safety in Armenia (in cooperation with UNCEF) derived

1.4 Final report on the analysis of intervention results of the behavioural intervention focusing on increasing the uptake of digitalized municipal services developed

Output 2

2.1 Methodology for conducting Behavioural Barrier Analysis among the population in Syunik region to identify obstacles and barriers hindering access to human security dimensions derived

Oct, 2022

Output 3

3.1 Trial protocol (including randomization) targeting the context-specific barriers to road safety in Armenia developed

Nov, 2022

3.2 Trial protocol detailing the mainstreaming of behavioural change in UNICEF implemented children/parent/community road safety awareness trainings developed

3.3 Conceptualization of a toolkit for mainstreaming behavioural change in the context of public policy and public service design based on lessons learnt and international literature

Payment mode****:

Payment will be done in several instalments, upon timely completion of respective outputs and their acceptance by UNDP based on the signed acceptance acts. UNDP reserves a right to terminate the contract at any phase if the requirements as per the TOR are not met.

• Output 1 - 50%
• Output 2 - 15%
• Output 3 - 35%

Competencies

• Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to explain complex topics in simple terms;
• Strong organisational and team-building skills;
• Proven ability to negotiate and to troubleshoot relationships with variety of stakeholders;
• Creative flair and originality;
• High level of motivation, ability to show initiative and work independently;
• Ability to adapt quickly to new work environments, to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different backgrounds, and to work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

*Education*****:

• Master’s degree or PhD in Economics, Behavioural Economics, Psychology, or Sociology.
• At least intermediate knowledge of Statistics and Econometrics and proficiency in R/STATA (or other relevant software) are required.

Experience:

• At least 10 years of experience in the field economics with at least 7 years of which experience with behavioural interventions, e.g. randomised controlled trials, laboratory, and on-line experiments.
• Experience in applied statistics and econometrics. Please attach your portfolio of projects if any.
• Proven knowledge of central concepts of behavioural science.
• Demonstrable capacity building skills.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in Armenian, English and Russian is required (written and oral).

CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal.The contract will be awarded to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR and received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 70 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

• Financial Proposal and Availability form: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP (A total lump sum option is applicable for this assignment)
• CV shall include Education/Qualification, Processional Certification, Employment Records /Experience

General Conditions of Contract is available here: GENERAL CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT

Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents that should be included in the application in one single PDF file and upload it).