INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANCY ON POLICY ANALYSIS ON DEVELOPMENTS IN AFRICA, NEW YORK

Location :

NEW YORK, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Application Deadline :

21-Oct-13

Additional Category

Management

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Post Level :

International Consultant

Languages Required :

English   French  

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

25-Oct-2013

Duration of Initial Contract :

Three Months

Expected Duration of Assignment :

Three Months

Background

Africa has made giant strides in accelerating economic growth over the past decade. With an average growth rate of 5.1 percent per year between 2000 and 2010, Africa has been projected as the second fastest growing developing region in the world (after developing Asia). Out of the 29 countries projected as the fastest growing nations between 2012 and 2014, sixteen of the countries are from Africa. Widespread improvement in macroeconomic policies and management, growing consumer demand, rising commodity prices and substantial flows of external finance (FDI, ODA and remittances) are among the major drivers of change on the continent. Progress in democratization combined with more improved responsive and accountable leadership in both the public and private sectors is emerging, as well as more engagement of citizenry is also an important factor. This progress has started to yield social dividends. For instance, the last decade has also witnessed reduction in African poverty rates, with less than half of the African population (48 percent) now living in extreme poverty ($1.25 per day) – from 56 per cent in1990. Under-five mortality rate in sub-Saharan Africa has dropped by about four percent annually over during the last decade. Perhaps most significantly, 10 African countries are among the top 12 Human Development Index (HDI) performers, measured by magnitude of change, between 2000 and 2011.   There is concern, however, that the high growth rates are not translating quickly enough into Economic transformation – improved economic diversification and rapid job creation. Africa’s poverty and development gains have not been commensurate with what would be expected from the high economic growth rates and the responsiveness of poverty to income growth has been significantly lower in Africa than in other developing regions. The increases in the Human Development Index have also not translated into commensurate improvements in food security and living conditions of most Africans.

Rationale and Objectives

Regional Bureau for Africa is poised to providing analytical support to the causes and implications of economic growth in the continent. This requires providing up to date analysis of the main drivers of economic growth including sectoral composition of growth and key drivers of economic diversification across the various regions in Africa. In addition to frequent request for support from its country offices, the Bureau also undertakes regular analysis of possible impact of development policy options, and how the emerging shocks (economic, social and natural) affect the living conditions of the people and the long term human development.

The main objectives are to:

•  Provide analytical support to the activities of the Bureau and demand from our country offices;
• Gather sectoral and macro data that will help to provide numerical and scientific support to the work of the Regional Bureau for Africa; and
• Assist in providing briefs on key development policy issues in Africa especially on issues relating to inclusive growth, effective governance and promoting resilience.

Duties and Responsibilities

To be able to accomplish the foregoing, UNDP/RBA is seeking the services of a consultant who will work closely with the Head of the SAU and the RBA focal person on the MDGs and Post 2015 Agenda. 

The specific tasks of the consultants are to:

• Review policy documents, providing comments on analytical papers and  briefs on African development as well as issues on national development issues;
• Work with relevant staff of the SAU to in preparing briefs relating to the activities of the Unit;
• Assist is gathering statistics or data from various approved sources that will be helpful in undertaking social and economic analyses;  
• Carryout regression analysis on pertinent development issues in the continent as may be assigned by the Head SAU or the MDG Advisor;
• Providing literature review on important development issues as may be assigned by the Unit; and
• Carryout some other activities assigned by SAU including participation in meetings.

Methodology

The consultant will be assigned schedule of activities to undertake on weekly basis. Key deliverables will be discussed from time to time to keep tab on expected results and outputs. Results will also be discussed to ensure positive feedback and quality assurance.

Expected Outcomes

The key deliverables are:

• Generate a database of economic and social variables that are regularly used for SAU analytical works. This including creating a macroeconomic database between 1960 to 2012;
• Use any statistical package (e.g. STATA, SPSS and Econometric View) to carryout regression analysis based on demand from the Strategic Advisory Unit;
• Review at least four policy oriented documents on monthly basis and provide copious comments on how quality of such documents could be enhanced;
• Provide desk review of socio-economic issues based on demand from country offices and participation of RBA in corporate and regional activities; and
• Participate in at least two meetings per week.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

• Good research and statistical analysis;
• Good organization and research management skills;
• Strong analytical, communication and inter-personal skills;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team,
• Ability to work under pressure with tight deadlines;
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
• Ability to obtain, evaluate, interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports;
• Flexibility to travel, including on short notice;
• Exposure and predilection to international and multicultural settings, including policy contexts and civil society settings;
• Familiarity with political and policy contexts and the conditions of African Continent.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• A Masters or Post-Master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences or related fields.

Experience:

• Minimum of 3 years post-qualification experience in poverty, public policy, international development, and human development issues;
• Sound knowledge and understanding of social, economic, and development issues in various parts of the African continent;
• Must have basic econometric skills;
• Knowledge of the following statistical packages -STATA, SPSS or Econometric View or any related package will be an added advantage;
• Excellent analytical and presentation skills.

Language:

• Fluent in English and or French in all components (writing, reading and speaking).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Proposal:

• Including a maximum 500 words-long brief information on similar tasks implemented in the past;
• Describing on how he/she will approach and conduct the work especially the generation of database on socio-economic variables (maximum 500 words);
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (Blank form can be downloaded from here).

Financial Proposal will be very competitive. It should specify the total lump amount for the tasks specified in this announcement over a period of three months. The Financial proposal shall include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (number of anticipated working days per month, travel, per diem and any other possible cost). Please note the total working days per month are estimated to be 21.5 days.

Travel

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty 
station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP will not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy 
class ticket. Should the Individual Consultant (IC) wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal 
expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior 
to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Criteria

Candidates will be assessed based on the following technical criteria:

Technical Proposal (70 Points):

• Quality and relevance of the methodology or approach of undertaking the assignment (20 points);
• A Masters or Post-master’s degree in Economics, Social Sciences or related fields.(10 points);
• Minimum three years post-qualification experience in poverty, public policy and human development issues. (10 Points);
• Sound knowledge and understanding of social, economic, and development issues in various parts of the African continent (10 points); and
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, is required to obtain, evaluate and interpret factual data and to prepare accurate and complete reports. (10 point);
• Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points on technical proposal will be considered for the Financial Evaluation;
• Financial Proposal (30%): The proposal will specify the all-inclusive lump sum fee. may be quoted and will be paid in US dollar only;

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p y (μ/z),

• 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.

Evaluation Method ;Cumulative analysis

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:

• 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 points; 
  Financial Criteria weight: 30 points.

Please note that the financial proposal is all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. fee, health insurance, vaccination and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services...). 
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

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UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence