Special Skills Expert (SSE) for the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST)

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 skillfully, 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 are needed urgently during the transitional period with concentration on delivery capacity of Change Agents (CAs) in the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST) mentored by a Special Skills Expert (SSE) in these fields. This will include assessing, analysing, deciding, planning, organizing, training, staffing, leading, controlling, performing, evaluating, redressing the fundamentals of tertiary education and research in the public sector.

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.

MoHEST is the lead government agency mandated to support higher education in the Republic of South Sudan. The sector consists of 120,000 students (within and outside South Sudan), approximately 6000 academic staff serving in the country, five public universities, four polytechnics, six private universities, and teachers’ colleges. The institution has also three professional, statutory, regulatory bodies. The strategic objective of the Ministry is to make quality higher education accessible, affordable and equitable to all, particularly the most marginalize groups.

The core objective of assigning SSE for MoHEST is to develop and backstop the institutional capacity of the RTGoNU to successfully direct the administration of peace and development process with effective reforms of tertiary educational sector through transformational leadership guided by clear vision, specific mission, ethical values and strategic plans for scoring on the following core objective:

• Strengthened functional capacity for governance with trained skills of public servants to practically assist in implementing Chapter I, Chapter IV and the related provisions of R-ARCSS, applying professional Public Institutional Management (PIM) of higher education, science and technology services 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 to promote honest transparency, enforceable accountability, participation and nationalistic inclusivity with diversity of voices. It must be measured by the quality of provision of public services in line with legal principles, regulatory frameworks, operational policies, public service code of ethics, human resource development and devolution of powers with checks and balances. The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST) is the 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 MoHEST with detailed technical capacity building and development of the tertiary education institutions to deliver on reforms and delivery of public services in accordance with R-ARCSS and reviewed laws of services sector.

The SSE shall train, coach and mentor the staff of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MoHEST) to support technical management of public services with coordinated facilitation and recommendations through Services Cluster of 11 Ministries and related specialized Commissions, Authorities and Independent Mechanisms so as to:

• Harmonize the Strategic Plan (2020 – 2025) of MoHEST with R-ARCSS and revisited Vision 2040 as well as National Development Strategy, emphasizing on reforms and new standardized trends in advanced education.
• Update the organizational structure (organogram) of MoHEST with clear line of bureaucratic authority and division of mandated duties/rights.
• Help with review, development and monitoring of the curricula of public universities and other higher learning institutions, including research and polytechnic incubation centers.
• Help in reviewing the laws and policies regulating tertiary education, research, science and technology in South Sudan with fast-tracking of the bill and roll out of Research Development Centers.
• Design the policy and mechanisms of management of Student Support Fund with affirmative action and gender mainstreaming accorded to less developed counties based on new approach of public finance management system and equitable students’ access to higher education, including design and roll out of students’ welfare fund to widen the participation.
• Support higher education management information system with strengthen transition from traditional mode to e-governance, including enhancing the capacity with admission server for on-line admission process and detection of fake certificates using an efficient technological system.
• The SSE shall prepare skills training plan of actions, provide policy advice, and help in designing strategic communication of MoHEST with informed technical understanding of government’s decision-making process in services sector 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 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 MoHEST 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
• All reports are subject to review and endorsement by the MoHEST and UNDP and the final report to a validation workshop by stakeholders.

Competencies

Identifying and Building Strategic Consensus with Collegial Partnerships:

• Establish effective networking with PMDAs and partners in 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 reform agenda for services delivery during transitional period.
• Contextualize assistance of hierarchical bureaucracy of the MoHEST in fast-tracking a coordinated decision-making and directives for professional services delivery, using efficient tools necessary for supporting capacity building of the public sector with international 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 higher education, science and technology services sector.
• Adopt new approaches of services administration with broader range of perspectives in developing innovative proposals for meeting the contemporary tertiary education, science and technology standards with quality assurance.
• Create conducive work environment and team spirit, which fosters innovative collective thinking through the reformed service delivery institutions in the public sector of higher education, science and technology.

Creating Impact through Sustainable Peace and Holistic Development Dividends:

• Develop leadership and administrative skills of tertiary educational, scientific and technological analyses of services information on potential bilateral and multilateral cooperation with counterparts to recommend strategic approach for mutual benefits and accountability.
• Compile comparative lessons learned on human capacity development and public services strategy for managing the tertiary education sector in accordance with inculcated fundamentals of science and technology for developmental services delivery.

Promoting Institutional Training, Technical Expertise and Knowledge Sharing:

• Prioritized continuous training, coaching and mentoring of public servants with efficient use of contemporary computerized tools and mechanisms of tertiary education e-governance.

• Enhanced effective planning, presentation and report-writing skills with strong analytical and strategic resilience in advanced professional services administration and specializations in higher education, science and technology.

• Demonstrated comprehensive skilful knowledge and competence in information technology and strategic communication on tertiary educational services with efficiency and accountability.

Organizational Awareness:

• Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of MoHEST
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment; understands the structure and hierarchy of MoHEST and process flows throughout the ministry.

Working in Teams:

• Act as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside MoHEST 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 or Advance degree in relevant fields of education, science and technology (higher education management, public administration, law, sciences, information, communication, etc.) is required with over 5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree in relevant fields with over 10 years of experience in government institutions.

Experience:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional working experience in relevant fields related to public administration and management sector is required;
• A minimum of 5 years working in public administration and management sector is required;
• Proven experience in organizing and managing events and workshops is desirable;
• Strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination and mastery of public service fundamentals.
• 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. Strong background in planning, policy designs, professional leadership, intra government relations, inter-departmental coordination and mastery of economics fundamentals.
• Experience in capacity development and coaching of technical staff, especially at managerial level in economic, resource, revenues and financial management.
• Knowledge of mandates of key national and international tertiary education services institutions at bilateral and multilateral levels of partnerships.
• Competence in computerized office applications, data basing and visualization software, including faster adaptation of new updates.
• Professional command of written and spoken English with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Timely delivery on the assignment in operational environment of pressure with risks from both expected and unforeseen situations.

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. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
• 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 education, science and technology, particularly within the MoEST: 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 MoHEST and 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.