Mapping South- South cooperation mechanisms and frameworks in the Arab region, especially post COVID – 19 pandemic

Consultant

Overview

Map South-South cooperation mechanisms and frameworks in the Arab region post-pandemic.

You have:

• Master's degree or above in economics, public administration, political science, development, law, international relations, or a relevant field is essential
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the development field, including policy development, analysis, research, planning, coordination, and monitoring, is required
• At least 5 years of prior experience in development cooperation preferably in South-South or Triangular Cooperation is an asset
• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and research
• Fluency in Arabic and/or French is required
• Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines

Contract

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

Background

South-South and triangular cooperation (SSTC) continue to play an important role in the global development cooperation discourse and architecture for sustainable development. The scale, scope, volume, and number of stakeholders of SSTC continue to record an exponential growth at all levels. The Second UN High-level Conference on South-South Cooperation (BAPA+40, 2019) resulted in a very ambitious Outcome Document that aims at further strengthening and revitalizing SSTC, within the framework of a Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. In addition, the Outcome Document acknowledged the importance of sharing of knowledge, experiences and best practices, particularly homegrown development approaches, on SSTC in the attainment of sustainable development and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda; reaffirmed the key role of UN system entities in this endeavour, including UN country teams; and called on the UN system entities to continue supporting regional and sub-regional organizations. The 20th session of the UN High-level Committee on South-South Cooperation also provided further impetus to the follow-up to the BAPA+40 outcome document, especially in the context of COVID-19 recovery efforts and the last Decade of Action for SDGs.

South-South Cooperation in the Arab region has increased in the last decade and many countries and actors in the Arab States and beyond are playing an important role reshaping the regional development landscape. While some Arab countries – be it beneficiaries/receivers, providers, or both - are sharing their experiences, are learning from others, and transforming their rich knowledge and skills, their creative social and economic policies, and their emerging political influence into positive outcomes, some others are still lagging behind due to many factors and challenges: conflicts, fragility, weak governance, lack of structures, capacities, and resources. Moreover, the importance of this region, its richness and complexity at several levels (geopolitical, socio-economic, demographic, natural and cultural resources) have contributed to an increase in the number of actors who would like to play/are playing an important role in its development.

A joint report entitled Mapping Mechanisms and Solutions - South-South Cooperation in the Arab States published by UNOSSC, UNDP and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) in 2014 helped in understanding the state of play and addressing the needs (and lack thereof) in access to information across the Arab States with regards to SSC. It looked into South-South Cooperation (SSC) initiatives that focuses on worked mechanisms and successful solutions already implemented in the different countries.

In 2017, the UNOSSC and IsDB released an updated report - Mapping South-South Cooperation Solutions in the Arab States. It included updates on the landscape of SSTrC in the Arab world as well as new development solutions around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In the same year, another report was produced by the UNOSSC and UNDP – focusing on South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Towards Sustainable Human Development in the Arab States that analysed efforts undertaken at the national level in the countries of the region with a view to defining a number of practical models that could be applied for further regional and global cross-fertilization of ideas, solutions and capacities towards achieving the 2030 Agenda.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed fault lines, fractures and fragilities in societies and economies of the Arab countries, in a region that is already rife with tensions and inequalities which is having profound consequences on political and social stability. Although the region is blessed with tremendous diversity and potential, Arab countries – whether oil-rich, middle-income, or least developed, continue to face difficulties in responding.

Therefore, the Division for Arabs States, Europe and the CIS of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), in cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and UNDP, is commissioning a new regional report aimed at defining medium- and long-term regional strategies, plans and programmes related to SSTrC in the Arab region to better help and support Arab States unleash their potential, including through more inter-regional, intra-regional and international cooperation.

Within the UN system, the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is responsible for mainstreaming SSTC across the UN system and assisting developing countries in strengthening their capacities to manage, design and implement SSC policies and initiatives through the identification, sharing, and transfer of successful Southern-generated development knowledge and solutions.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives

• Take stock/establish an updated mapping of South- South cooperation mechanisms and frameworks in the Arab region.
• Present good practices, lessons learned and recommendations that could pave the way for a better and solid SSC cooperation in the region and beyond it.
• Identify opportunities for the Arab countries and region to set up and leverage SSC institutional framework, tools and mechanisms that are needed to achieve the SDGs and sustainable development.
• Lay the foundation for the SSC players, including the UN system, national and other development partners, to provide substantive and meaningful support to the Arab region.
• Provide recommendations on how the UN System (as well as other actors) can provide support to institutional frameworks for SSC at country and regional levels.

• In the recent decade, several countries of the region established national and international cooperation agencies while other countries were active in international cooperation, without establishing dedicated national institutions. The report will also take stock of the institutional diversity in the region, draw lessons from recent experience and will offer recommendations on knowledge sharing within the region and beyond. This theme will be the focus of the report.

  Methodology for Analysis

Candidates are expected to provide a description of the proposed methodology for the assignment taking into consideration some contextual factors summarized below. The selected consultant will produce a more detailed version of the methodology in the Inception report

Under the overall supervision of the Chief, Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS, and the direct guidance of the Specialist for Arab States, as well as in regular consultations with other organizations, the incumbent will be responsible for drafting the report. The report will rely on diverse methodological approaches[1] that allow quantitative analysis from available data sources. However, given the possible scarcity and limitations of the quantitative data, it will focus on qualitative tools.

Main tasks for this consultancy include but are not limited to the following*:

• Draft and present the methodology, surveys, interview template and present it in the inception report.
• Conduct a desk review and prepare a list of main documents, references, and sources.
• Agree on the list of the interviewees identified through her/his as well as the Division’s and task team’s networks.
• Organize interviews through direct communications, mostly in the virtual format, with governments, non-state actors, development partners and relevant UN entities at the regional, subregional, and country levels to collect the required information.
• Include good practices and cases from other Southern countries outside the Arab region, through a benchmarking exercise.
• Consolidate and analyze the collected information and identify missing information that requires further analytical work.
• Conduct follow-ups necessary for collection and analysis of inputs to complement the findings with particular attention to the selected focus areas.
• Draft the report and address the comments from partners and the team.
• Finalize and ensure the high quality of the report and prepare it for publication.

*******More details are included under the paragraph number 4 below “expected outputs and deliverables”.

Considering limitations caused by COVID-19 pandemic, first-hand data might be collected through on-line survey, interviews or focus groups.

A working group/task team comprising representatives of the IsDB, UNDP and other interested organizations will be put together for the purpose of the production of the report, coordinated by the UNOSSC Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS.

Expected Output and Deliverables

:

Review on mapping South- South cooperation mechanisms and frameworks in the Arab region, especially post COVID -19 pandemic

Deliverables/Outputs

Target Due Dates

Percentage of Payment

1

Present an inception report that includes:

i) Outline of the report ii) Methodology for designing and drafting the report based on what is outlined under “Methodology for Analysis” above. iii) template for the survey and detailed timeline for the assignment

5 working days from the contract signature

2

Conduct a literature/desk review of national, regional and international references, studies, papers, websites, documents and other relevant sources that can help drafting the report.

End of March 2022

20%

3

Based on the approved methodology, this phase will be dedicated to conducting surveys/questionnaires/online consultations with stakeholders and individuals identified by the consultant. This phase will be dedicated to the collection of important data and new and/or missing information as follow:

- Bilaterally with the different stakeholders in each country (e.g. Public sector, public institutions, UN system entities, private sector, think tanks, research centers, academia, CSOs, donors and international organizations, etc).

- At the regional level, with different stakeholders that intervene and work directly with the Arab region on the SSC (e.g. Donors, think tanks, networks, banks, research centers etc).

- At the international level, with strategic donors, countries and organizations that support SSC in the Arab States.

- Update and validate the table of contents, chapters, and subchapters, taking into consideration the findings and present it to the division.

Mid May 2022

20%

4

Design and submit a first draft of the report that will include (but not only):

• Overview/mapping of South- South cooperation mechanisms, frameworks, institutional mechanisms and resources in the Arab States, at the national and regional levels.
• Presentation and analysis of national and regional findings and data related to the mapping.
• Identification of SSC challenges and opportunities in the Arab region related to the mapping exercise.
• Suggestions on how to advance Arab SSC at the national and regional levels and to Strengthen policy, institutional and operational structures for advancing Arab SSC

Mid June 2022

40%

5

Integrate feedback from core team and finalize the report

End of July 2022

20%

Payments will be made only upon confirmation of the Regional Chief, Division for Arab States, Europe, and the CIS of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner. The lump-sum price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

Institutional Arrangement

• The Consultant will report to the Regional Chief, Arab States, Europe and the CIS, UNOSSC Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS (Istanbul) and to the Specialist – Arab States, on a weekly basis. In addition to weekly meetings on progress update, the Consultant will also join the Team meetings of the Division.
• The consultant will be expected to liaise/discuss with relevant institutions and stakeholders in complete coordination with the division.
• A task team will be put together by several organizations. The Division for Arab States, Europe and the CIS will be responsible for initiating, coordinating and managing the entire report production process, and make available key relevant documents and contacts for the purpose of the mapping and analysis.
• The Consultant is requested to follow the UNDP Editorial Style Manual.
• Every deliverable is subject to up to three reiterations and the consultant is requested to integrate the division’s comments, reviews, and guidance.
• Be responsible for providing her/his own working station (i.e., laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, assignment specific software, etc.) and must have access to a reliable internet connection.
• The Division will ensure that the consultant has access to the relevant information and contacts

Copyright, patents and other proprietary rights

UNDP shall be entitled to all intellectual property and other proprietary rights including, but not limited to, patents, copyrights, and trademarks, with regard to products, processes, inventions, ideas, know-how, or documents and other materials which the Consultant has developed as part of his/her functions under this consultancy or related to the Services performed hereunder. The Consultant acknowledges and agrees that such products, documents, and other materials constitute works made for hire for UNDP.

[1] In preparation for BAPA+40, the IsDB, the UNOSSC and the South Centre, worked on preparing a framework on national institutional arrangements and published a report entitled “Developing National Ecosystems for South-South and Triangular Cooperation to Achieve Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development”. Subsequently, an “Assessment Framework for National Ecosystems for South-South and Triangular Cooperation” was developed to provide a structured approach to analyze the state of national institutional arrangements for SSTC in member states. These documents may be consulted during the development of this exercise.

Competencies

Corporate competencies:

• Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values.

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

• Highest standards of integrity, discretion, and loyalty.

Functional and technical Competencies

• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Solid experience in research, drafting national and regional reports, and sound capacity in analyzing complex data and information, in relation to SSC.
• Ability to plan, organize and implement the collect of information and to on report on work.
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.
• Ability to work under pressure and tight deadline.
• strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills.
• Solid understanding of the Arab region and the different countries.
• Familiarity with SSC set-up and mechanism in the region is a plus.
• Experience in liaising and exchanging with internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work from remote, with personal IT resources such as laptop and internet connection.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education:

University degree (Master’s degree or above) in economics, public administration, political science, development, law, international relations, or another relevant field is essential

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in the development field including policy development, analysis, research, planning, coordination and monitoring.

• At least 5 years of prior experience in development cooperation preferably in SS/TrC is an asset.

• Required skills and competencies:

• Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and research

• Familiarity with the Arab region, trends and dynamics, and economic, social, cultural, and political landscape.

• Corporate Competencies:

• Integrity, professionalism, respect for diversity, and teamwork.
• Functional Competencies: Strong communication skills both written and verbal; excellent research, analytical and report writing skills; Strong interpersonal skills; and sound judgment with proven ability to work effectively under minimum supervision

Desired additional skills and competencies:

• Experience working in a developing country context.

• Familiarity with UN development system reform, work of the UN Regional Commissions covered by the Division, IFIs, Development Funds etc. would be an asset.

Language skills:

Excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills in English

Fluency in Arabic and/or French is required.

Evaluation of Applications

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a desk review considering the applicants’ qualifications, experience and proposed methodology.

Application procedure

Interested candidates must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications.

• Cover letter explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for the advertised position.
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=272680.
• Financial Proposal* - The financial proposal shall indicate the lump sum amount in US Dollar payable in instalments
• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply. Due to large number of applications, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Selection criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis methodology (weighted scoring method), where the award of the contract will 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 technical and financial criteria

Technical Criteria weight: [70%]

Financial Criteria weight: [30%]

Only Individual Consultants obtaining a minimum of 70% on the technical evaluation (49 scores) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Proposal - 70% (70 scores):

• (desk review) Demonstrated experience in policy analysis and research (15 scores);
• (desk review) Familiarity with the Arab region, trends and dynamics, and economic, social, cultural, and political landscape (15 scores);
• (desk review) Excellent research, analytical and report writing skills in English (10 scores);
• (desk review) Experience working in a developing country context (5 scores).
• (desk review) Familiarity with UN development system reform, work of the UN Regional Commissions covered by the Division, IFIs, Development Funds etc. would be an asset (10 scores);
• (desk review) At least 5 years of prior experience in development cooperation preferably in SS/TrC (5 scores);
• (interview) Strong communication skills. Strong interpersonal skills; and sound judgment with proven ability to work effectively under minimum supervision (5 scores);
• (interview) Fluency in Arabic and/or French (5 scores)

Financial Proposal - 30% (30 scores)

Schedule of payment: The consultant will be paid in installments as per the deliverables above.

Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org

UNDP is applying fair and transparent selection process that would take into account both the technical qualification of Individual Consultants as well as their price proposals. The contract will be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores. Please go the following link for the General Conditions of Individual Contracts: https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_file.cfm?doc_id=201288

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Potential interview questions

Added 4 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: jobs.undp.org