Business Operations Strategy (BOS) Annual Review Consultant

Result of Service The consultant will conduct the Annual Review of the Business Operations Strategy (BOS). Key deliverable for this consultancy is to review all the data, which is already reflected by the OMT WGs 2021, add new data from the BOS stock-take to cover the period that will start on 1 January-December 2022.

Work Location Kabul, Afghanistan

Expected duration Jan - Mar 2023

Duties and Responsibilities - The Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) and the subsequent Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) resolution on Operational Activities of the United Nations for international development cooperation (2011) call for simplification and harmonization of the United Nation system. At the country level, harmonized business operations will reduce transaction costs, eliminate duplication, and contribute to more effective programme delivery. For this purpose, the UN Development Group (UNDG) High Level Committee on Management (HLCM) was mandated to work with UN Country Teams (UNCTs) to improve programme and business operations. The Business Operations Strategy (BOS) was created in 2012 as the UNDG response to these needs and requests. - The 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have increased expectations for cost-effectiveness, timeliness and quality of service provision by the UN. The UN Reform calls for advanced common business services and back-office functions to promote more effective and efficient programme delivery on the 2030 Agenda. The Secretary-General encourages all UNCTs to ensure compliance with an improved Business Operations Strategy by 2021. - The Business Operations Strategy (BOS) is a voluntary framework that focuses on joint business operations with the purpose of business process harmonization for improved delivery efficiency and reduced transaction cost. It allows UNCTs to take a strategic and results-oriented approach to planning, management and implementation of harmonized business operations at a country level aligning operational activities to Basic Human needs activities as outlined within the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA).

Outputs/Work Assignment (to provide the list of work/output with price and total contract price):

Under the guidance of the Chair of the Operations Management Team, and overall supervision of the Head of the RCO, the selected consultant will be responsible for preparation, implementation and administration of the assignment, which includes but is not limited to: a) Finalization of Baseline Analysis: collection, overview and analysis of operational data to determine current status; b) Determining new needs and requirements (review of the UNSFA results framework to determine new needs and advice on system requirements to address those new needs); c) Conduct of cost-benefits analysis and strategic prioritization (rationalizing and ranking in terms of the most beneficiary and cost-saving activities); d) Finalization of the results and BOS Framework matrixes as well as related budgeting; finalizing the BOS document by compiling all relevant collected data and drafting the narrative. Within this framework, the proposed Working groups of the BOS under which the review shall be done include Procurement, Human Resources, Finance, Admin, Logistic and ICT respectively based on the work of the OMT Working Groups and the current country context. Key activities include the following: 1) Review and finalize the BOS stock-taking: The consultant will be required to work closely with OMT BOS FPs and working group (WG) chairs to gather the data on stock-taking and rigorously follow up with the BOS FPs on timely filling out the stock take sheet in the online BOS platform. Continuous follow-up required from the agencies to complete the stock take exercise. 2) Review and finalize opportunity Analysis: in close cooperation with the BOS FPs and WG Chairs define, review, and compile the opportunity analysis statements and prioritizes the results areas according to the outcome. This would include stock take Analysis, opportunities Analysis and Prioritization. 3) Review key Performance Indicators (KPIs - narratives): Review and support the development of the KPIs under each Common Service Line and suggest a required budget per activity in consultation with WG chairs. 4) Develop Planning framework: finalize the planning framework in close coordination with BOS FPs and WG Chairs.

Output 01: Support to the BOS FPs for the Annual Review of BOS 2.0 a) Deliverable - Provide an orientation session to OMT/WGs on BOS annual review process. Review data already collected for stock take exercise (available in BOS online platform) and work with OMT WGs for gathering of any additional missing data (Within 2 weeks of the assignment). Percentage of payment: 10% of the total contract amount.

b) Deliverable - Review and compile the opportunity analysis statements of the results focus. This would include Baseline Analysis, Needs & opportunities Analysis and Requirements Analysis and Prioritization (Within 2 weeks of the assignment). Percentage of payment: 20% of the total contract amount.

c) Deliverable - Support the review and formulation of Key Performance Indicators (with narratives): Develop and suggest KPI under each activity and suggest the related budget (Within 3 weeks of the assignment ). Percentage of payment: 30% of the total contract amount.

d) Deliverable - Facilitate pre-validation workshop with OMT, its working groups and PMT i.e., business prioritization exercise to determine strategic operational services and finalize related CBA (Within 1 weeks of the assignment). Percentage of payment: 30% of the total contract amount.

Output 02: Annual Review of BOS 2.0 is finalized and endorsed by OMT and final approval by UNCT and RC. Deliverable - Presents a draft BOS Annual Review with the assistance of DCO Regional Coordinator and facilitates incorporation of comments for finalization of BOS after inputs from UNCT, PMT and OMT (Within 2 weeks of the assignment Week). Percentage of payment: 10% of the total contract amount.

Review & Approval: Deliverables shall be reviewed by DCO regional Coordinator and by Chairs of OMT and final by the OMT Chair.

Qualifications/special skills - Master’s degree in operations, finance, auditing, logistics, procurement, management, statistics or development related field preferably with specific focus on international development and humanitarian operations. - Minimum of 5 years of experience with procurement, logistics or operations including quantitative analysis background and UN experience. - Professional training in, and experience with statistical/operational analyses, and inter-agency procurement activities involving multiple UN agencies. - Experience developing the UN BOS for other UN Offices.

Languages - Excellent proven written and spoken English and presentation skills; - Excellent communication and interview skills; interpersonal and teamwork skills; - Excellent report writing skills

No Fee THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.