International consultancy for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) localization and prioritization

Contract

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

Background

Since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in 2015, Maldives has taken various initiatives to localize and prioritize the 17 Goals. However, five years down the path, the process is yet to be fully completed.

The achievement of the SDGs depends, more than ever, on the ability of the country, both at central and local governments to promote integrated, inclusive, and sustainable territorial development. The objective of this assignment is to localize the SDGs at national level in relation to mechanisms for coordination and prioritization of SDGs in line with national and sector policies, budgeting and financing. This would also include capacity building and advocacy efforts with the stakeholders (such as private sectors/ philanthropy, academia, CSOs and media) by increasing the coordination, coherence, efficiency, and effectiveness of the support for SDGs localization.

In this regard, UN Resident Coordinators Office is looking for an Individual Consultant, to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure, completing the SDG Localization and prioritization process in the Maldives.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the guidance of the designated official of National Planning Division of Ministry of National Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (MNPHI), the Consultant will complete the localization and prioritization process in the country. The consultant shall carry the following specific tasks:

1. Conduct a preliminary analysis with in-depth interviews from government officials, state officials (including parliament and its relevant committees), councils, CSOs, development partners and other key stakeholders.
2. Formulate the localized SDGs that are aligned and tailored to government priorities (e.g., determining the appropriate mix of mainstreaming, advocacy, policy support tools and innovation) and other stakeholders (such as local councils, private sectors, academia, CSOs and media)
3. Identify capacity building needs to the localized SDGs in government policies, services, and actions at the national and sub-national levels
4. Identify the national level priorities of SDGs and its targets based on the existing policies, international commitments, masterplans, sector plans, re-prioritised SAP and action plans.
5. Present key findings for developing SDGs localization strategies and national SDGs priorities and targets to stakeholders.
6. Conduct consultations where required. The process must ensure, online participatory tools and consultation across all sectors in the country.
7. Prepare materials needed for the SDGs localization and prioritisation consultations sessions

Outputs and Deliverables

1. Inception report, which outlines the Consultant’s planned methodology for delivering the assignment, and detailed work plan for the project, for approval of National Planning Division
2. Report on preliminary findings of opportunities and challenges to localize and prioritize the SDGs
3. Final report with the following sections
   • Executive summary, including list of localized SDGs and synthesis of existing capacity of national and sub-national governments in implementing SDGs
   • Preliminary findings
   • Targets, indicators and priorities of SDGs at national level
   • Narrative highlighting key issues in SDGs localization and prioritization based on the matrix for this project and recommendations to overcome them
   • A matrix of SDGs localization at different government levels and prioritization

Institutional Arrangement

The Consultant is expected to work under the guidance of the designated official from National Planning Division of MNPHI. Weekly progress report on implementation of all related activities, including delivery of results must be shared with the National Planning Division. Updates on draft reports with localized and prioritized SDGs to be shared with National Planning Division in advance for comments. Further arrangements will be agreed during the briefing meeting that will be arranged upon signing of the contract.

Duration of the Work

This assignment will be for a total of 50 days during the period Nov 2020 – Jan 2020.

Duty Station: Home Based

Schedule of payment

Payment will be made in one instalment upon satisfactory delivery of milestones which will be agreed before contract signing.

Competencies

• Demonstrated understanding of the international development agenda, in particular the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals
• Proven experience in developing Communications Strategies for UN or Governments
• Ability to work with a diverse team to achieve common goals and results
• Ability to achieve results through delivery of mentoring and coaching support through virtual means
• Excellent ability to form productive working relationships with people from various backgrounds and experience
• Demonstrated written, presentation and communications skills at the highest level

Required Skills and Experience

• Advanced knowledge of the 2030 Agenda
• Demonstrated previous experience in nationalising the universal 17 SDGs and their associated targets in at least one country, preferably more.
• Demonstrated expertise in decentralization, partnerships, means of implementation, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• High level ability to work independently in a fluid and changing environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to deliver substantive products requiring consultation and dialogue with a wide range of partners on virtual platforms.

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in sustainable development, economics, public policy, public administration, finance, law, social sciences or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in combination with five (5) additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience on sustainable development issues, including experience on development planning or decentralization is required.
• Previous experience in SIDS countries, will be an advantage.
• Experience in policy-oriented work in sustainable development issues is required.
• Experience in preparing written outputs on sustainable development issues is required.
• Experience in consultations and facilitation skills is required.
• Experience in using online platforms to carry out consultations and training.

Language requirement

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required

Performance Indicators

• Positive feedback on conducted workshops;
• Increase understanding, engagement and commitment by key stakeholders in localization and prioritization
• Timeliness, quality, accuracy and full delivery of all deliverables.

Application process

Interested individuals must submit the following as proposals in order to demonstrate their qualifications.

• A letter indicating why the candidate considers himself/herself suitable for the required consultancy;
• Submission of an updated detailed Personal CV or P11 form which can be downloaded from http://sas.undp.org/documents/p11_personal_history_form.doc
• Financial quotation, daily consultancy fee.
• At least two references from recent previous jobs or three references contact details

Evaluation criteria

The award of the contract will be made to the consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as having received the highest combined score of the technical and financial scores.

• Technical Criteria weight: 70%
• Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points out of 100 points at the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.

Application procedure & documents to be submitted

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications on or before suggested deadline online.

Technical Proposal –

• Explaining why you are most suitable for the work
• Providing a methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work, with a detailed breakdown of the timeline
• Relevant work experience and skills for the assignment. Consultant’s curriculum vitae, outlining detailed qualifications, similar experience and skills should also be presented.

Financial proposal

• The financial proposal shall indicate the overall amount of the proposed all-inclusive (LUMPSUM) and shall be presented according to the breakdown costs for the work

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