Institutional Relations Consultant

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UNCDF - United Nations Capital Development Fund

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Application deadline 3 years ago: Tuesday 23 Mar 2021 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

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

Background

UNCDF makes public and private finance work for the poor in the world’s 46 least developed countries. With its capital mandate and instruments, UNCDF offers “last mile” finance models that unlock public and private resources, especially at the domestic level, to reduce poverty and support local economic development. This last mile is where available resources for development are scarcest; where market failures are most pronounced; and where benefits from national growth tend to leave people excluded.

UNCDF’s financing models work through two channels: financial inclusion that expands the opportunities for individuals, households, and small businesses to participate in the local economy, providing them with the tools they need to climb out of poverty and manage their financial lives; and by showing how localized investments — through fiscal decentralization, innovative municipal finance, and structured project finance — can drive public and private funding that underpins local economic expansion and sustainable development. By strengthening how finance works for poor people at the household, small enterprise, and local infrastructure levels, UNCDF contributes to SDG 1 on eradicating poverty and SDG 17 on the means of implementation. By identifying those market segments where innovative financing models can have transformational impact in helping to reach the last mile and address exclusion and inequalities of access, UNCDF contributes to a number of different SDGs.

In 2019 , UNCDF formulated its Digital Strategy ‘Leaving no one behind in the digital era’. The vision of UNCDF is to empower millions of people by 2024 to use services daily that leverage innovation and technology and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. For further detail on UNCDF strategy, refer to; https://www.uncdf.org/article/4931/global-strategy-leaving-no-one-behind-in-the-digital-era.

In relation to the Digital Strategy UNCDF is currently developing several initiatives, namely:

  • Deploying the digital economy scorecard (IDES) is a policy tool that allows governments to identify key market constraints hindering the development of an inclusive digital economy and helps set the right priorities with public and private stakeholders in each country to foster a digital economy that leaves no one behind.
  • Leading the Global Dialogue on Digital Finance focused on how to ‘ensure that the SDGs provide an effective framework for governing international developments of digital financing’, notably those with cross-border implications https://digitalfinancingtaskforce.org/about-the-task-force/.
  • Participating in the Generation Equality Forum: A campaign intended to drive concrete actions over the period of five years to drive systemic change in order to reduce gender inequality. Six thematic Action Coalitions—which will feature a combination of UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, and member states--have been created to accelerate progress for women and girls by addressing critical constraints. https://www.unwomen.org/en/get-involved/beijing-plus-25/generation-equality-forum
  • Leveraging digital finance to increase Coivd19 resilience with the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP). https://www.uncdf.org/article/6455/covid-19-team-europe-supports-african-caribbean-and-pacific-countries-to-access-finance-through-digital-technology
  • Building a pipeline of projects that reduce the digital divide and to empower key customer segments (Youth, women, migrants, refugees, and micro-small-and-medium-sized enterprises) understanding the intersection of six categories of Digital Services (DS) (i) finance, (ii) agriculture, (iii) energy, (iv education, (v) health and (vi) transport sectors.

UNCDF requires an Institutional Relations Consultant (Home Based) to review its partnership strategy for the above-mentioned initiatives with the IDES, Global Dialogue, Gender, EU and Regional Office teams to (1) revise UNCDF’s partnerships strategy ensuring up to date information on funders’ strategies and priorities while leveraging all of the UNCDF themes and allowing UNCDF to coherently present, manage and increase its partnerships and project pipeline (2) propose recommendations for the strengthening of the existing pipeline (3) design resource mobilization action plans for the different thematic areas and (4) test the approach in one proposal per theme.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Inclusive Digital Economy (IDE) Practice Deputy director, the consultant will be responsible for the following activities and deliverables:

Activity 1: Collecting and analysing bilateral donors’ information with potential impact for resource mobilization, including information, policies and procedures related to relevant International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and Development Banks (DBs) collaboration with UNDP and UNCDF; as well as material from external sources (including from other UN agencies) for comparative analysis.

Deliverables:

  • Stakeholders analysis report for IDE resource mobilization.

Activity 2: Reviewing the status of existing partnership strategies, work plans, partnerships materials (stakeholder maps, presentations, pipelines, etc.) and value propositions of the IDES, Global Dialogues, Gender, EU, and RO teams and making recommendations for improvement to IDE Senior Management.

Deliverables:

  • Revised IDE resource mobilization action plan aligned to the corporate strategy and based on thorough analysis of funding trends and opportunities.
  • Recommendations report and presentation to UNCDF’s senior management.

Activity 3: Based on the above findings revising IDE’s global partnerships strategy leveraging all the themes and allowing UNCDF and formulating recommendations for the strengthening of pipeline management and monitoring and support to regional partnership priorities, goals, and key performance indicators.

Deliverables:

  • Recommendations report for the strengthening of pipeline management and monitoring of regional partnership priorities, goals, and key performance indicators, including related templates.
  • Updated pipeline tracker, including soft or hard pipeline with the capacity to create management reports to highlight pipeline by region, funder, and theme (sector/segment/workstream) and progress toward annual goals.
  • At least one project proposal for resource mobilization related to a regional/country identified as a priority in the strategy.

Activity 4: Revised resource mobilization action plan for UNCDF’s IDES:

Deliverables:

  • Revised IDES resource mobilization action plan aligned to the corporate strategy and based on thorough analysis of funding trends and opportunities.
  • At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the digital economy scorecard (IDES)

Activity 5: Revise resource mobilization action plan for Global Dialogue on Digital Finance:

Deliverables:

  • Revised Global Dialogue on Digital Finance resource mobilization action plan aligned to the corporate strategy and based on thorough analysis of funding trends and opportunities.
  • At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the Global Dialogue on Digital Finance.

Activity 6: Revise resource mobilization action plan for the Gender Equality Community of Practice:

Deliverables:

  • Revised Gender Equality Community of Practice resource mobilization action plan aligned to the corporate strategy and based on thorough analysis of funding trends and opportunities.
  • At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the programmatic agenda of the Gender Equality Community of Practice.

Activity 7: Revise resource mobilization action plan related to Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP:

Deliverables:

  • Revised Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP resource mobilization action plan aligned to the corporate strategy and based on thorough analysis of funding trends and opportunities, with a focus on support at country level.
  • At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP.

Activity 8: Progress reports for the abovementioned resource mobilization action plans and tools:

Deliverables:

Quarterly update of database together with management report highlighting key trends and progress.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Target Due Dates starting from signature of the contract

Activity 1: Collecting and analysing information for resource mobilization, including updates to funders’ strategies.

Stakeholders analysis report for IDE resource mobilization

Week 4

Activity 2: Reviewing existing partnership strategies and making recommendations for improvement to IDE Senior Management.

Revised IDE resource mobilization action plan

Week 10

Recommendations report and presentation to UNCDF’s senior management, including suggested priorities.

Activity 3: Formulating recommendations for the strengthening of pipeline management and monitoring of regional partnership priorities, goals, and key performance indicators.

Updated pipeline tracker, including soft or hard pipeline with the capacity to create management reports to highlight pipeline by region, funder, and theme (sector/segment/workstream) and progress toward annual goals.

Week 15

Recommendations report for the strengthening of pipeline management and monitoring of regional partnership priorities, goals and key performance indicators, including related templates.

Activity 4: Revised resource mobilization action plan for UNCDF’s IDE

Revised IDE resource mobilization action plan.

Week 22

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the digital economy scorecard (IDES).

Week 47

Activity 5: Revise resource mobilization action plan for Global Dialogue on Digital Finance:

Revised Global Dialogue on Digital Finance resource mobilization action plan.

Week 35

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the Global Dialogue on Digital Finance.

Week 47

Activity 6: Revise resource mobilization action plan for the Gender Equality Community of Practice.

Revised Gender Equality Community of Practice resource mobilization action plan.

Week 39

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the programmatic agenda of the Gender Equality Community of Practice.

Week 47

Activity 7: Revise resource mobilization action plan related to Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP

Revised Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP resource mobilization action plan.

Week 43

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP.

Week 47

Activity 8: Progress reports for the abovementioned resource mobilization action plans and tools:

Updated project Work plan

Week 4

Mid term progress report

Week 28

Final report and handover note

Week 52

Timeline, total number of working days, duty station:

  • Timeline: 12 months from May 2021 to May 2022

Location:

  • Home based.

Standard travel costs and living expenses:

Travel: Travel, as deemed relevant by UNCDF, will be approved and arranged by UNCDF, following UNDP/UNCDF Travel Policy.

Progress Controls & Payments:

The Consultant must send a financial proposal based on a lump sum amount. Contract prices will be fixed and “all-inclusive” based in the contractor’s financial proposal; payments will be divided into lump sum amounts according to the schedule of payments below.

Payment will be made against satisfactory completion of each deliverable. All payments shall be disbursed only upon written confirmation of acceptance of the outputs which and authorization for payment by Deputy Director IDE. Disbursement of the final payment shall require a signed performance evaluation of the consultant.

Deliverables/ Outputs

Payment in % of total contract price

Target Due Dates starting from signature of the contract

Review and Approvals Required

Stakeholders analysis report for IDE resource mobilization.

Updated project work plan.

10%

Week 4

Review: Global Technical Lead

Approval: Deputy Director IDE.

Revised IDE resource mobilization action plan

10%

Week 10

Recommendations report for the strengthening of pipeline management and monitoring of regional partnership priorities, goals and key performance indicators, including related templates.

Updated pipeline tracker, including soft or hard pipeline with the capacity to create management reports to highlight pipeline by region, funder, and theme (sector/segment/workstream) and progress toward annual goals.

10%

Week 15

Revised IDE resource mobilization action plan.

10%

Week 22

Mid-term progress report.

10%

Week 28

Revised Global Dialogue on Digital Finance resource mobilization action plan

7%

Week 35

Revised Gender Equality Community of Practice resource mobilization action plan.

6%

Week 39

Revised Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP resource mobilization action plan.

7%

Week 43

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the digital economy scorecard (IDES).

20%

Week 47

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the Global Dialogue on Digital Finance.

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the programmatic agenda of the Gender Equality Community of Practice.

At least one project proposal for the resource mobilization related to the Coivd19 resilience with the EU and ACP.

Final report and handover note

10%

Week 52

Competencies

  • Excellent analytical skills.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • Focus on impact and results for clients and stakeholders.
  • Builds trust in interactions with others.
  • Ability to work with high level officials.
  • Committed to teamwork.
  • Remains calm, in control and good humored even under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced University Degree in international development, economics, political or social sciences, or any development related field.

Experience:

  • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in development, international relations, management, communications, business consulting, or related field is mandatory.
  • Experience in strategy development and donor and UN partnerships/public relations at the international level is mandatory.
  • Working knowledge of current developments in microfinance, including one or more of the following: branchless banking, microinsurance, social performance, financial literacy is preferred.
  • Experience of working in Low-Income Countries or Middle-Income Countries in a development context would be an asset

Language Requirements:

  • Fluency in English is mandatory, proficiency in French preferred but not required.

Application process:

Interested individuals must submit the documents mentioned below as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications (Note: the system does not allow multiple uploads of documents. Applicants must make sure to upload all documents in one PDF file).

All applications must contain the following information:

  • Cover letter with a summary statement of competencies in relation to the Terms of Reference (TOR) and earliest availability information.
  • CV or completed and signed P11 (available from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc), indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
  • Signed financial proposal: that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided at: http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=29916.

Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Step I: Screening

Applications will be screened and only applicants meeting the following mandatory criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

  • Advanced University Degree in international development, economics, political or social sciences, or any development related field.
  • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in development, international relations, management, communications, business consulting, or related field is mandatory.
  • Experience in strategy development and donor and UN partnerships/public relations at the international level is mandatory.

Step II: Shortlisting (20% of technical assessment points)

UNCDF will produce a shortlist of candidates and technically evaluate candidates by evaluating the following criteria with corresponding points (100 points):

  • Advanced University Degree in international development, economics, political or social sciences, or any development related field (20 points).
  • A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in development, international relations, management, communications, business consulting, or related field (25 points).
  • Experience in strategy development and donor and UN partnerships/public relations at the international level (20 points)
  • Working knowledge of current developments in digital financial services and digital economies, (10 points).
  • Experience of working in Low-Income Countries or Middle-Income Countries in a development context (10 points).
  • Fluency in English (10 points).
  • Proficiency in French (5 points)

As applicable, only applicants scoring 80 points or more shall be considered for an interview.

Step III: Interview (80% of technical assessment)

An interview shall be conducted to candidates having scored above 80 points in the shortlisting.

Step IV: Financial Evaluation

Only candidates with scores above 70% of the technical evaluation will be considered as technically qualified and will be reviewed further for financial evaluation.

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: lowest priced proposal/price of the proposal being evaluated x 30%.

Award Criteria

The contact shall be awarded to the best applicant whose offer have been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and Having received the highest combined weight (technical scores) 70% + financial 30%= 100%.

Both individual consultants and individual employed by a company or institution are welcome to apply.

Any individual employed by a company or institution who would like to submit an offer in response to a Procurement Notice for IC must do so in their individual capacity (providing a CV so that their qualifications may be judged accordingly). Women candidates or women-owned businesses are strongly encouraged to apply.

ba/ma

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org