Community of Practice Facilitator, SDG Integration and Knowledge Network support, BPPS / SDG Integration team

Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a global organization with 18,000 staff working in approximately 170 offices globally. UNDP works in development and crisis settings with the aim to achieve the eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities and exclusion, and sustained development results. Coming together under the new framework of the Global Policy Network (GPN), the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS) and Crisis Bureau (CB) sit at the core of UNDP’s global policy, programming, and knowledge capacities. 

The current revitalization of these functions aims to better capture UNDP’s knowledge, innovations, good practices and lessons learned from country, regional and global experience, drawing from a network of internal and external expertise, in order to address complex problems. To this end, UNDP has recently re-established its global Communities of Practice (CoPs), of which UNDP has a rich history, to promote and support knowledge flows within and across the GPN areas of work and enrich UNDP’s global policy and programme functions. The new model of the CoPs has a more inclusive, flexible approach taking advantage of existing networks, both internal and external to UNDP, to build inclusive communities around UNDP’s main thematic areas of work. 

One of the key thematic areas the new CoP structure aligns to is focused on the topic of SDG Integration. The CoP on SDG Integration brings together colleagues globally to brainstorm ideas and concepts, co-design integrated policy solutions, and share lessons across a range of issues related to integrated approaches to sustainable development: from the latest thinking and experiences of integrated modelling tools, and comparative experiences in integrated SDG planning and programming, to cutting edge innovations that are driving acceleration and address gaps, backed by data driven and evidenced based approaches. 

Across the 7 new CoPs, there is a need for dedicated support, particularly in the area of developing and monitoring indicators for success. The CoPs performance and added value to the organization and its members will be assessed through a robust measurement framework, including quantitative data measures and qualitative feedback. 

This post will facilitate one new global CoP on SDG Integration and will support the needs of development and monitoring of success indicators across all 7 CoPs. The Facilitator will report to the Policy Specialist: Community and Network Management in the Knowledge Management team and will work closely with colleagues in the SDG Integration team in the Global Policy Network.

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK 

The CoP Facilitator plays an important role in fostering strong substantive engagement within and across the CoPs, supporting content curation, quality assurance, and providing substantive advice and feedback loops. For this role, the Facilitator will spend 50% of their time facilitating the new global CoP on SDG Integration. The other 50% will be spent supporting the Knowledge Networking structure, with a special focus on measurement frameworks for the CoPs.

The main areas of responsibilities are:

Foster engagement among CoP members:

• Facilitate timely, focused, targeted and crosscutting e-discussions and on/offline events;
• Engage with Thematic Advisors who lead on relevant practices under the CoP’s purview and are accountable for their respective CoP;
• Engage in continual “behind the scenes” work of connecting practitioners, flagging experts to come in where necessary, and supporting development of queries and discussion topics for members;
•  Support the development and implementation of relevant webinars and in person events;
•  Manage a “direct connect” service via email/chat for CoP members who prefer reaching out with questions via social networks; thus, enabling small networks of practitioners and peer assists.
• Scan the internal and external environment for relevant content for the CoP members:
• Interface with and draw from existing internal and external networks focused on a range of related topics, including integrated modelling tools, SDG planning and programming, innovation for development, data for development and other relevant thematic and cross-cutting areas of UNDP work;  
•  Detect and capture any relevant issues from one or more networks that could be elevated as an inter-practice discussion;
•  On a weekly basis, reach out to all the CoP members through digestible, targeted email updates (“Community Snapshots”) to bring the most pertinent updates and opportunities for engagement to the attention of the CoP members, including, relevant discussions, queries, cross-cutting consultations, hands on “labs”, webinars, events;
• Continually update relevant information on a curated, easy to use, central web portal (on SharePoint);

Produce knowledge products related to community engagement and integrate the CoP into corporate processes:

•  Prepare relevant knowledge products pulling from the CoP members’ knowledge, experience and engagements including e-discussion summaries, FAQs, lessons learned overviews, guidance documents and case studies, for reference and use by the community members and beyond;
• Connect the CoP and its members to corporate systems and processes, such as capacity mapping exercises, individual and group learning opportunities, and lessons learned capture and reuse from programmes and projects, in order to ensure the CoPs are not stand-alone discussion forums, but are learning from and informing programmes and processes across the organization.

Support to Knowledge Networking efforts and monitoring framework:

• Offer support to Knowledge Management team and CoP facilitators related to knowledge networking activities;

• Support finalization of CoP measurement framework to assess functioning and added value of CoPs;

• Develop and implement regular assessments of quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure long and medium-term outcomes;

Support drafting Q1 2020 report on status of CoPs

Expected outputs and deliverables:

Based on the detailed list of tasks outlined in the scope of the work section, the IC is expected to deliver the following outputs:

- Organize and facilitate e-discussions and/or offline events at least once a month.

- Detect and capture at least 2 relevant issues from one or more networks that could be elevated as inter-practice discussions

- Develop 2-3 knowledge products related to the needs of the CoP

- Prepare and send weekly Community Snapshot messages to CoP members for the duration of the contract 

- Continually update relevant information on a curated, easy to use, central web portal (on SharePoint);

- Contribute to weekly meetings with network of CoP Facilitators

- Prepare 2 reviews of the functioning of the CoP on SDG Integration. The first approx. Oct 2019, and the second, approx. March 2020, reviewing successful elements and areas for improvement.

- Support finalization of CoP measurement framework

-Develop and implement regular assessments of quantitative and qualitative indicators to measure long and medium-term outcomes of CoPs.

Competencies

 Core Competencies:

Ethics & Values:

• Demonstrates commitment to the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Demonstrates and promotes the highest standard of integrity, impartiality, fairness and incorruptibility in all matters affecting his/her work and status.

Organizational Awareness:

• Promotes the mission, vision and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment understands the structure and hierarchy of UN/UNDP, process flows throughout the organization, products and services, their measures of effectiveness, and perceptions of clients;
• Excellent knowledge of development issues and internationally-agreed development goals;

Working in Teams:

• Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork;
• Works collaboratively with colleagues inside UN/UNDP as well as its partners and other stakeholders to pursue common goals.
• Ability to work at ease in a multicultural setting.

Communicating Information and Ideas:

• Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively;
• Delivers 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:

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

Knowledge Sharing & Continuous Learning:

• Ability to efficiently handle and share information and knowledge.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

 ·    Master’s Degree in International Development, Social Sciences, Knowledge Management or related area required. Or 7 years equivalent relevant experience combined with a bachelor’s degree in relevant aforementioned areas may also be considered.

Experience:

• A minimum of 5 years of professional working experience in international development, particularly related to supporting SDG implementation/integration in the last few years (required);
• A minimum of 2 years working in knowledge management within an international organization (required);
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with monitoring and measurement frameworks (desirable);
• Proven experience organizing and managing events and workshops (desirable);
• Knowledge of the UN system (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;
• Proven work experience and knowledge of Yammer or other relevant social media-based platforms/tools is required. Proven experience in managing Microsoft SharePoint web-based platforms is an asset;
• Country Office experience with international organizations or with UNDP (desirable).

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required; 

• Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset

Important Note:

The Individual Contractor is required to have the aforementioned professional and technical qualifications. Only the applicants who hold these qualifications will be shortlisted and contacted

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 or P11, 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; and

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-hour working day - lunch time is not included - and estimated 21.75 days per month).

• 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- Number of years professional working experience in international development, particularly related to supporting SDG implementation/integration – Weight: 20%; Maximum Points: 140 points;

• Criteria 2. Number of years working in knowledge management Weight = 20 %; Maximum Points: 140; 

• Criteria 3. Experience working with monitoring and measurement frameworks – Weight: 10%; Maximum Points: 70

• Criteria 4. Proven work experience and knowledge of corporate social media-based platforms/tools, and experience in managing web-based platforms – Weight: 10%; Maximum Points: 70;

• Criteria 5 Demonstrable Experience in organizing and managing events and workshops – Weight: 10%; Maximum Points: 70 and

• Interview: Weight = 30 %; Maximum Points: 210.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will invite the top three shortlisted candidates for interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (µ/z), wherep = points for the financial proposal being evaluatedy = maximum number of points for the financial proposalµ = price of the lowest priced proposalz = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial the 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 Policy Specialist: Community and Network Management in the Knowledge Management team and will work closely with colleagues in the SDG Integration team in the Global Policy Network and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop. 

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-hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs Annex 2 - IC Contract Template Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions Annex 4 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org  

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.

Click here for important information for US Permanent Residents ('Green Card' holders).