Special Skills Expert (SSE) for Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW)

Contract

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

Background

Successful implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides a better opportunity for the Revitalized Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to carry out reforms skilfully, structurally, systematically, symbiotically and synthetically in financial public institutions. This will necessitate the placement of public servants with the capacity to allow the effective and efficient delivery of peace dividends to positively impact for welfare of over 12.58 million people of South Sudan. Early support and leveraging coordinated partnerships is needed during the transitional period with a concentration on delivery capacity of Change Agents (CAs) in the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW) mentored by a Special Skills Expert (SSE) on governance and services. This will include assessing, analysing, deciding, planning, organizing, training, staffing, leading, controlling, performing, evaluating, redressing the fundamentals of public administration and management of services.

The objective of the Governance and Economic Management Support Project (GEMS) of UNDP is to support the effective implementation of the R-ARCSS and improve economic management by:

• Strengthening the capacity of key national institutions for effective and accountable implementation of the R-ARCSS with a focus on Chapter I and IV.
• Bolstering key economic governance and accountability functions with attention on Chapter IV of the R-ARCSS.
• Establishing a consistent and structured platform for advancing policy dialogue and mutual accountability on implementation of the R-ARCSS, and
• Providing a platform for south-south cooperation and for development partners to bring their expertise and experiences to bear on the implementation of the R-ARCSS priorities.

The core objective of assigning SSE for MoGCSW is to develop and backstop the institutional capacity of the RTGoNU to successfully direct the peace and development dividends with effective reforms of public sector guided by clear vision, specific mission, ethical values and strategic plans for scoring on the following core objective:

• Strengthened functional capacity for governance on services with trained skills of public servants to practically assist in implementing Chapter I, IV and the related provisions of R-ARCSS, applying Public Institutional Management (PIM) professionalism with coordination and continuous dialogue among top political actors guided by leadership ideals.

This core objective relates to the design of activities that support government institutions to operate cohesively, integrally and technically in promoting honest transparency, enforceable accountability, participation and nationalistic inclusivity with diversity of voices. It must be measured by the quality of provision of services of the government in line with legal principles, regulatory frameworks, operational policies, public service code of ethics and human resource development. The MoGCSW is a key national institution for coordinating all these with links to the Presidency, Ministries, Departments and Agencies (PMDAs) and the associated agencies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The SSE shall support the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW) with detailed technical capacity building and development of the institution to deliver on reforms on service delivery in accordance with R-ARCSS and reviewed laws.
• The SSE shall train, coach and mentor the staff of the MoGCSW to support technically the administration and management of government services with coordinated facilitation and recommendations, so as to:
• Harmonize the Strategic Plan (2020 – 2025) of MoGCSW with R-ARCSS and revisited Vision 2040, emphasizing on reforms within the new trends of e-governance on services.
• Update the organizational structure (organogram) of MoGCSW with clear line of bureaucratic authority and division of mandated duties/rights.
• Aid in reviewing the conduct of business of MoGCSW as linked to the government and the less privileged individuals and societies of South Sudan.
• Aid in harmonizing the legislative frameworks and policies of MoGCSW to match with the demands of R-ARCSS implementation.
• Assist in organizing quarterly forums for the deliberation on pressing issues of gender, children and welfare of less advantaged societies.
• Audit and review the professional competence of all employees of the MoGCSW to match with the contemporary standards and pyramidal staffing structure in line with nominal rolls.
• The SSE shall prepare skills training plan of actions, provide policy advice, and help in designing strategic government communication and with informed technical understanding of government’s decision-making on gender, child and less privileged societies based on conferred powers, functions and responsibilities by R-ARCSS and the Law.
• The SSE and CAs shall be provided with efficient work facilities (computers, printers, internet service, and stationeries) through the GEMS Project budget while the Ministry provide offices space with power during workhours.
• The SSE shall work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Minister of MoGCSW in coordination with GEMS Project Manager.

Deliverables:

• Inception Report and initial workplan (10 days after contract commencement).
• Bi-monthly workplan and report of previous period (2 months after contract commencement and every two months following).
• Draft Final Report on the results/finding and recommendations (one month prior to end of contract).
• Final Report on the results/finding of the assessment and recommendations for future interventions (Revised draft incorporating the feedback from stakeholders) (one week prior to end of contract). This is to be presented to stakeholders for validation

Competencies

Identifying and Building Strategic Consensus with Collegial Partnerships:

• Establish effective networking with PMDAs and partners, seizing opportunities to build strategic alliances relevant to mandate of RTGoNU as provided in article 1.2 of R-ARCSS and with special focus on governance and services during the transitional period.
• Contextualize assistance of hierarchical bureaucracy of the MoGCSW for fast-tracking a coordinated decision-making and directives for delivery of services, using efficient tools necessary for supporting capacity building of the public sector with domestic partnerships in accordance with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Innovating and Developing Good Governance Strategies, Plans and Regulations:

• Coordinate the harmonization of legislative framework, institutional policies, strategic plans, and work plans with well-studied knowledge sharing flatforms on e-governance and services.
• Adopt new approaches of public administration with broader range of perspectives in developing innovative proposals for meeting the contemporary standards of government management of specialized services to vulnerable sectors of the society.
• Create conducive work environment and team spirit, which fosters innovative collective thinking through the reformed institution of the public service sector.

Creating Impact through Sustainable Peace and Holistic Development Dividends:

• Develop leadership and administrative skills of developmental analyses of government services with information on potential bilateral and multilateral cooperation with international counterparts to recommend strategic approach for mutual benefits and accountability.
• Compile comparative lessons learnt on human capacity development and public administration strategy of managing the public service sector in accordance with inculcated fundamentals of sociology of gender, child and less advantaged members of society.

Promoting Institutional Training, Technical Expertise and Knowledge Sharing:

• Prioritize continuous training, coaching and mentoring of senior public servants with efficient use of contemporary computerized tools and standardized mechanisms of e-governance on gender, child and social welfare.
• Enhance efficient drafting, effective planning, presentation and report-writing skills with strong analytical and strategic resilience in advanced professional specialization in gender and society.
• Demonstrate comprehensive skilful knowledge and competence in information technology and strategic communication on governance for services with efficiency and accountability.

Organizational Awareness:

• Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW).
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment understands the structure and hierarchy of Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW), process flows throughout the ministry.

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MoGCSW) as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitate and encourage open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
• Deliver verbal/written information in a timely, clear, organized and easily understood manner.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to listen and take direction and leadership from others.

Self-Management & Emotional Intelligence:

Create synergies through self-control, tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Gender studies, Gender and Development, international development, development studies, law, public administration/policy or first-level university degree combined with relevant specialized professional experience.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in relevant fields related to gender equality and women empowerment, gender and development is required;
• A minimum of 5 years working in the gender equality and/or governance, women empowerment, gender and development area of work is required;
• A minimum of 2 years working in knowledge management within an international organization is required;
• Proven experience organizing and managing events and workshops is desirable;
• Knowledge of the UN system is desirable;
• Proven ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines, and to deliver in a timely manner within cost and quality standards;
• Proficiency and proven experience in the use of Microsoft Office suite (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point) is required. Proven experience in the development infographics, online surveys, presentations, organization of webinars would be an asset;
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate information collection and monitor own work plan;
• Ability to work, establish and maintain strategic partnerships with government institutions, donors, civil society partners and other UN agencies.

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required;

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;
• Personal CV, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references;
• Two pages to describe the methodology to respond to the TOR (understanding of the project requirements.

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive daily fee (based on a 7-hours working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).
• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract.
• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
• If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation Process:

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being 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 where technical criteria weighs 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical Evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

• Criteria 1: Professional working experience in relevant fields related to gender equality and women empowerment, gender and development, particularly within the MoGCSW: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100;
• Criteria 2: Proven technical experience working in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management: Weight = 15%; Maximum Points: 150;
• Criteria 3: Demonstrated experience working in knowledge management, strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination: Weight = 10%; Maximum Points: 100;
• Criteria 4: Proven relevant work experience and knowledge of corporate social networking-based platforms/tools, and competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates: Weight = 7%; Maximum Points: 70;
• Criteria 5: Experience organizing and managing events and workshops: Weight = 7%; Maximum Points: 70; and
• Criteria 6: Proven experience to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate information collection and monitor own work plan: Weight = 21%; Maximum Points: 210.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will award the top candidates with highest scores. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (49 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (70 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial Evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

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

Contract Award:

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of the Undersecretary of (MoGCSW) and the UNDP GEMS Project Manager and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

Payment Modality:

• Payment to the Individual Contractor will be made based on the actual number of days worked, deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager.
• The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7-hours working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.