International Consultant: Senior Partnership Adviser, Addis Ababa

INTERNATIONAL CONSULTANT: SENIOR PARTNERSHIP ADVISER

Location : Addis Ababa, ETHIOPIA Application Deadline : 04-Mar-12 Additional Category Millennium Development Goals Type of Contract : Individual Contract Post Level : International Consultant Languages Required :

English   Starting Date :

(date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 01-Mar-2012

Duration of Initial Contract : 4 months from March - June 2012 Expected Duration of Assignment : 4 months from March - June 2012  

Background

The African Union (AU) is charged with spearheading Africa’s rapid integration and sustainable development by promoting unity, solidarity, cohesion and cooperation among African States as well as developing new strategic partnerships worldwide.

The AU has a large number of Partnerships already in existence, coupled with a growing number of those under consideration as well as those to be initiated. A recently conducted global review of partnerships has also identified the need for strengthening these partnerships. Towards this end, the AUC intends to strengthen its capacity to deliver by, amongst others, effective management of Strategic Partnerships between Africa and the rest of the world. Further to this, a decision has been taken by the Executive Committee that the AUC should establish a new Partnership Unit.

UNDP has been a key partner of the AU for many years. Under the Regional Cooperation Framework (RCF), UNDP has been providing support to the AU notably through the Ten Year Capacity Building Programme (TYCBP) and regional programmes focusing on Democratic & Participatory Governance in Africa; and Support for the implementation of the Peace and Security Agenda of the Union. UNDP is also currently conducting a management and Technical review of its Regional Programmes to position itself more strategically to support the priorities of the AU. Discussions between the AUC and UNDP have also been conducted to further scale up partnership between the two organizations.

The African Union has sought assistance from UNDP to strengthen its strategic partnership management and coordination capacity. The AUC’s request is in line with the spirit of the UN Ten Year Capacity Building Programme for the AU and UNDP’s comparative advantage and track record in the area of Partnerships management and coordination.

The UNDP/RAULOE, in response to that of African Union Commission’s request for assistance in strengthening its strategic Partnership management and coordination capacity, fielded two missions in February and March 2011 to assess the current state of partnerships management at the AUC and conduct a capacity needs assessment for partnerships management and coordination.

This scoping mission report is therefore intended to assist the AUC in laying the foundation for a sustainable partnership development and coordination effort by high-lighting key partnership related findings, recommendations and a concrete plan of action for a partnership strategy including key requirements for setting up a unit within the AUC.

In view of that, a number of activities have been emerged from the two missions, and a concrete plan of action for engagement with the AUC has been designed, and implementation has commenced. One of the activities identified is the recruitment of a Partnerships Advisor to implement start up activities towards the establishment of a full functioning Partnerships Coordination and Management Unit at the AUC.

Duties and Responsibilities

The main objective of the consultancy is to oversee the establishment of the Partnerships Management and Coordination Division of the AUC. The consultant will in particular support the functionality and operationalization of the coordination institutions, with a view to promote sound management of development assistance at continental and regional levels. To this end the consultant will perform the following tasks: Guide and support the establishment of African Union functional and operational partnerships management and coordination mechanisms or institutions namely the Partnerships Management and Coordination Division, and the proposed Partnerships Coordination Committee, and prepare a guidance note for High-Level Partnership Review Meetings;Directly supervise and guide the design, development, testing and installation of a Partnership Information Management System and Donor Database aligned to the AUC Strategic Plan which can facilitate the monitoring of partnerships implementation and partners’ contribution to progress towards achieving strategic development goals. It should also provide functionalities for, among other things, sharing information, monitoring and evaluation , details of partners with their interventions, and coordination and communication on partnerships activities among AUC departments. AUC Officers should be trained in using the system, imputing and maintaining data; and a Users’ Manual prepared;Coordinate a Study tour to ICRAF Nairobi for of PMCD staff and Partnerships Coordination Committee members;Establish Partnerships Management and Coordination institutions in 2 RECs and 5 Member States and Organize training for respective staff;Produce Quarterly and Terminal Reports on UNDP Partnership Support to the AU.

Deliverables and Time Frame:

The consultant will be expected to undertake the following tasks for a period of 4 months from March – June 2012, within designated time lines.

Deliverable

Due Date

Oversee the establishment of the Partnerships Management and Coordination Division (PMCD) of the AU;Report on Stakeholders Survey of AU Partnerships.March 31, 2012

Ensure that the AU Partnership Strategy and Partnerships Information Management System are developed and in place for the PMCD.;Provide Quarterly reports on UNDP Partnership Support to the AU.  Functioning and operating Partnerships Management and Coordination Division of the AU;Coordinate a Study tour to ICRAF Nairobi for of PMCD staff and Partnerships Coordination Committee members.April 30 , 2012

Partnerships Management and Coordination institutions established in 2 RECs and 5 Member States;Training in Partnerships Information Management System in 2 RECs and 5 Member States;Quarterly and Terminal Reports on UNDP Partnership Support to the AU.June 30, 2012

Institutional Arrangement:

With regard to the specific deliverables, the consultant will report to the Chief of Staff at the Office of the Chairperson of the AU Commission, who will be responsible for the day to day management of the consultant. The AU Commission will provide the consultant with the necessary logistical support, including workspace, and internet access to enable the consultant to perform his official duties.

The UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative (Ethiopia) is entrusted with supervision of the consultant. The latter will report on the progress of activities and other day-to-day implementation issues, and support needed where necessary, to the Resident Representative.

The UNDP Representation to the AU and Liaison Office with UNECA will facilitate and provide in-country administrative and logistical support to the consultant.

The overall management of the contract will be by the Project Manager of the Regional Project to Strengthen Institutional Capacities to Accelerate Pro-Poor Growth and Accountability in Sub-Saharan Africa, under which the consultant contract is issued. In this regard the Project Manager will have responsibility for monitoring and reporting on overall progress of implementation.

In addition, the UNDP Regional Service Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa, will provide technical support to the consultant to undertake the assignment, while the Partnership Bureau in New York will provide guidance on substantive partnership management issues.

Competencies

At least 10 years of work experience in the field of development management (with at least 5 years in Africa), strategic/policy advice and/or global geo-politics, donor coordination, and ODA management;Extensive experience with African political institutions, including the Regional Economic Communities and continental institutions;Familiarity with global aid standards such as the Paris Declaration, the Accra Agenda for Action and the Dili Declaration;Strong analytical skills with emphasis on assessments;Knowledge of multi-stakeholder engagement processes;Ability to engage at a very high level;Ability to work independently and creatively with delegated authority.

Required Skills and Experience

Post-graduate degree or equivalent in international relations, or related field with work experience related to partnership development.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

1. Proposal: (not more than 450 words):

(i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work

(ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable)

2. Financial proposal: indicate lump sum fee (includes DSA, Ticket and other cots) payable based on deliverables

3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references

Financial Proposal:

Please submit financial proposal in a separate sheet to our e-mail Procurement.et@undp.org;

Evaluation:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) 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 point and above would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

Criteria

Weight

Max. Point

Technical  (based on CV, Proposal and Interview)

Minimum educational background and work experience (CV)

10%

10

Understanding of scope of work and methodology (From Proposal)

20%

20

Individual Competencies (Interview or  desk review)

40%

40

Financial

30%

30

Note: Submission of Technical and Financial proposal is mandatory failing to submit one of the proposals will be automatically disqualified.

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.

 

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