International Consultant (CCA Expert )- Support the Common Country Analysis
Prepare analytical reports for the Common Country Analysis in Afghanistan
Overview
Prepare analytical reports for the Common Country Analysis in Afghanistan
You have:
- Master’s Degree in Governance, Local Governance, Public administration, Development studies, Political Science, International Relations or related disciplines.
- At least 10 years of work experience in development, governance, and local governance project development and implementation with at least 5 years in post-conflict settings.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
- Proven experience of project formulation with UNDP; with excellent knowledge of local governance project management.
- Strong project formulation, analytical and research skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment.
Contract
This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.
Background
The United Nations System in Afghanistan is in the process of formulating the Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022–2025, starting with a Common Country Analysis (CCA). The findings of the CCA will help to strategically position the UN system in the country, based on robust evidence-based analysis on sustainable development. It provides the basis for future programming and represents a powerful source of information to help the UN system engage with national stakeholders.
The CCA will be guided by the promise of the 2030 Agenda to leave no one behind, and the three programming principles (human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment; sustainability and resilience; and accountability). Due to COVID-19, a lighter CCA process is being done, with focus on three key areas: Vulnerable Groups, Multi-dimensional risks, and Social Exclusion. To that end, a Consultant is needed to prepare an analytical report on these three areas. The position will be home-based throughout the time period envisioned (01 September – 31 December 2020), under the overall guidance of the Head, Resident Coordinator’s Office, and reporting directly on day-to-day matters to the Deputy Head, RCO/Economist.
Duties and Responsibilities
SCOPE OF WORK AND DELIVERABLES
Duties and responsibilities
The Consultant will prepare three analyses contributing to the Common Country Analysis for Afghanistan. These analyses will be based on desk reviews of available information and existing research. Each analysis report should include a section identifying:
- key stakeholders, actors and partners, including a mapping of current initiatives, etc.,
- challenges and opportunities,
- UN’s comparative advantage
- Conflict analysis were relevant as well as potential peace dividends, and
- the impact of COVID-19 on these three areas.
The three analyses are as follows:
Analysis #1: Vulnerable Groups and Human Rights.
The report will focus on an analysis of vulnerable groups, reflecting the guiding principles of “Leave No One Behind”, human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment. The report will also identify:
- relevant international human rights obligations and commitments,
- the capacities of people as rights holders to claim their rights as well as of the government and institutions as duty bearers to fulfil their obligations and ensure inclusive sustainable development.
Analysis #2: Multi-dimensional risks.
This analysis will examine the probability, impact and priority of existing, emerging and future risks on Afghanistan’s development trajectory, particularly its impact on those furthest left behind. The risks will be analysed, applying the SDG-based risk framework comprising 12 risk areas:
- Democratic space
- Displacement and migration
- Economic stability
- Environment and climate
- Food security, agriculture and land
- Internal security
- Infrastructure and access to social services
- Justice and rule of law
- Political stability
- Public health
- Regional and global influences
- Social cohesion, equality and non-discrimination
For each risk dimension relevant for Afghanistan, there should be consideration of its scope and potential impact on existing vulnerable groups as well on people made vulnerable through crisis.
Analysis #3: Social Exclusion
This analysis will examine Afghanistan’s social structure and its implications for a more equitable development. It will consider multiple forms of exclusion and the intersection of different types of inequality and discrimination, what drives exclusion, the various manifestations of exclusion, and their potential consequences. The analysis should follow the following three steps:
Step 1. Analyse the social structure of the country and its implications for more equitable development, by examining the main social groupings identified in the section on analysis of vulnerable groups. Analyse the patterns of discrimination or exclusion (on the basis of gender, age, ethnic or religious group, disability, indigenous identity, religion, language, caste, national or social origin, etc.) and the ways these are enshrined in the discriminatory laws, customs, traditions, norms, institutions, policies and social practices.
Review also:
- laws and norms that aim to promote equality and non-discrimination (including e.g. special measures to reverse patterns of exclusion and discrimination);
- stigmatization or criminalization of specific social groups;
- patterns of social conflict and risks of declining social cohesion;
- forms of spatial exclusion and how exclusion is magnified by physical segregation of regions, neighbourhoods and slums.
This analysis should seek to understand the social system, but also identify possible shifts and openings, considering opportunities for catalysing social change to enable more inclusive and sustainable development.
Step 2. Assess the impacts of multiple types of discrimination and the intersection of different forms of inequalities and discrimination, especially to identify those most left behind. Many people suffer not only from one type of discrimination but also face the. Analysis should look at the compounding effects of multiple forms of discrimination to identify those who are most left behind, and to identify interventions that will have the most compounded positive effects across multiple SDG targets.
Step 3. Review other main drivers of exclusion, marginalization, violence and insecurity, including political, economic, legal, social, cultural, religious, and environmental drivers. In the context of Afghanistan, these drivers include:
- conflict and resulting displacement
- the implications of cross-border dynamics and illegal activities
- displacement, forced migration, etc., for geographically specific populations
- the impacts of resource degradation, water scarcity, climate change or natural hazards on different groups
- rural-urban divides
- lack of social safety nets or social protection floors
- lack of access to social and reproductive health and rights
- lack of political representation/ participation, etc.
Step 4. Assess the manifestations of these forms of discrimination, marginalization and exclusion on development and SDG outcomes, including in terms of income inequality, right to own land and property, unequal access to social services, unequal opportunities, and unequal progress in SDGs and LNOB.
Review national SDG planning and implementation to assess what elements have been put in place to address discrimination, inequalities and the drivers of exclusion. Use this review to identify how the UN can best engage to support the State in in order to reverse negative trends for positive SDG progress, particularly for those groups most left behind, as well as recognising the impact of COVID-19.
Deliverables:
- Analysis 1 delivered within 15 working days from signing
- Analysis 2 delivered within 22 working days from submission of Analysis 1
- Analysis 3 with first draft of the full report delivered within 22 working days after submission of Analysis 2.
- Second draft taking in account comments and suggestions delivered within 22 working days after receipt of feedback/comments.
- Final revised report, fully edited following UN formatting guidelines delivered within 07 working days after final review by RCO.
Renumeration
The payment will be paid according to the following schedule, upon certification by the Head, RCO of satisfactory delivery:
Deliverable
Timeframe
(in working days)
% of Payment
Analysis #1 submitted
15 days from signing of contract
10%
Analysis #2 submitted
22 days from submission of Analysis 1
10%
Analysis #3 and first draft of the full report submitted
22 days from submission of Analysis 2
30%
Second draft taking in account comments and suggestions delivered
within 22 working days after receipt of feedback/comments
25%
Final revised report, fully edited following UN formatting guidelines delivered.
within 07 working days after final review by RCO
25%
TOTAL number of working days 88
100%
Competencies
Corporate Competencies:
- Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
- Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
- Maturity combined with tact and diplomacy;
- Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
- Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
Knowledge and skills requirement:
- Shows ability to communicate and to exercise advocacy skills in front of a diverse set of audience
- Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
- Demonstrates openness to change and ability to manage complexities;
- Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
- Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment;
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors;
- Ability to work independently with strong sense of initiative, discipline and self-motivation.
- Knowledge of Afghanistan’s social, political and economic situation
- Knowledge of UNDP and its mandate in the area of democratic governance and programme development
- Excellent analytical/conceptual thinking
- Excellent interpersonal/communication skills
Required Skills and Experience
Academic Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Governance, Local Governance, Public administration, Development studies, Political Science, International Relations or related disciplines.
Experience:
- At least 10 years of work experience in development, governance and local governance project development and implementation with at least 5 years of work experience in post conflict settings;
- Proven experience of project formulation with UNDP; with excellent knowledge of project local governance project management
- Strong project formulation, analytical and research skills
- Experience working with the UN and with multi-stakeholders: governments, NGOs, the UN/ multilateral/bilateral institutions and donor entities;
Language:
- Fluency in written and spoken English is required.
Evaluation Method and Criteria:
Individual consultant will be evaluated based on the following methodology:
The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
- Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
- Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
* Technical Criteria weight 70%
* Financial Criteria weight 30%
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.
Technical Evaluation (70%)
Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (70 marks):
- General Qualification (30 marks);
- Experience relevant to the assignment (40 marks);
Financial Evaluation (30%):
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:
p = y (µ/z), where
p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated
y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal
µ = price of the lowest priced proposal
z = price of the proposal being evaluated
PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS
Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal. The consultant shall then submit a price proposal when requested by UNDP, in accordance with the below:
- Daily Fee – The contractor shall propose a daily fee, which should be inclusive of his professional fee,The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract of 88 working days.
Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:
Interested international Consultant must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications in one single PDF document:
- Personal CV or P11, 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.
Technical Proposal (can be attached with CV or response can be provided to mandatory question on jobs site)****:
- Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment
- A methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment and work plan as indicated above.
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a time when you had to analyze complex data to inform your decision-making? | This question assesses your analytical skills and ability to interpret data effectively. | Provide a specific example, outlining the data analyzed, the context, and the impact of your findings. |
| How do you approach stakeholder engagement in your projects? | This question evaluates your experience in working with diverse groups and your conflict resolution skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you had to navigate cultural sensitivities in your work. What did you do? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methodologies do you employ when conducting social inclusion analyses? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How did you ensure the delivery of projects on time and within budget? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |