Project Development Expert for UNDP Knowledge Hub Unit

Background

UNDP is committed to support the people and the Government of Nigeria to coordinate partnerships, resources and strategies towards a coherent and integrated development response. A key component of this response is to continue to ensure that enhanced data analytics are a foundation upon which tailored and innovative preparedness, mitigation and early recovery responses are designed. To avail this rapid intelligence gathering, a key foundation is the comprehensive assessment of strategic indicators, continued data collection and analysis as well as monitoring of trends across the country and across sectors. Collectively, this foundation will provide an evidence base for policy actions for the immediate and long term.

 

In this regards, UNDP Nigeria has established a Knowledge Hub in late 2019 to enhance its ability to make timely and evidence-based interventions, particularly in areas of Preventing and Responding to Violent Extremism, conflict prevention and human security. With the objective to create a Unit that would provide a new type of ‘development intelligence gathering’, i.e. continuous monitoring and data collection, to inform UNDP’s work for early warning, adjust interventions to maximize preventive efforts and initiate new thematic approaches. Through harnessing the potential offered by both old and new sources of data, it is UNDP’s hope that the accuracy and precision of its development responses are increased and a strong foundation for meaningful public policy making, efficient resource allocation and effective public service delivery is created. The ultimate objective of the Knowledge Hub is to harness data, including real time data, for development through providing evidence-based intelligence that can be translated to meaningful policies and planning for development impact.

 

After close to two years in operation, the intial project detailing the interventions for the Knowledge Hub is now coming to an end. UNDP Nigeria therefore wishes to formulate a new project document that articulates and expands the Unit’s data driven support, taking into consideration lessons learned and reflecting data related needs, current and emerging, from various teams within the Country Office as well as relevant development partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

A.    Scope of Work

The Expert will undertake the following tasks:

Consultation with UNDP Nigeria Programme Team Leads and relevant partners. The Expert will work closely with UNDP Nigeria’s Knowledge Hub and engage in close consultations with the Programme Team Leads/Project Coordinators within the CO on each Unit’s individual data and analysis needs. The three pillars of UNDP’s interventions in Nigeria include Inclusive Economic Growth, (ii) Climate Change and (iii) Governance, Peace and Security. The Expert will also support the collection of data and information from the Team Leads to identify strategic areas and avenues where support from Knowledge Hub can provide additional insight or could open up new areas of intervention/investigation. Similarly, the Expert will also have close consultations with relevant external partners to identify where the Unit can provide support to fill in data needs and analysis gaps across various thematic areas.

 

Support the development of a Project Document. The final output of this consultancy will include a Project Document. Taking into consideration the UNDP Data Strategies and findings from the above cited consultation and in close consultation with relevant members of the UNDP Nigeria team, the Expert will develop and write a 4 year Project Document that specifies the Unit’s interventions and its purpose contextualized within an ever increasing need for evidence based policy making. The Project Document will articulate expected outputs and deliverables, management arrangements, etc. as per UNDP Project Document Template. The Project Document will also specify the Unit’s engagement in the provision of support to internal UNDP teams and across selected thematic areas of focus as well as strategies for explorating and identifying new areas of intervention. The Project Document will communicate the Unit’s function in data collection and analysis (both traditional and new methods and incorporating best practices in the field of data analytics) and data visualization in creating and disseminating data driven knowledge, policy briefs, etc.

 

B.     Expected Outcome/ Deliverables

The Expert will be expected to deliver the following:

1. A 4 year project document which establishes the technical engagements of the Knowledge Hub through provision of data and analysis and one that services UNDP Nigeria as well as the overall knowledge generation for various partners working in the development space.

C.    Institutional Arrangements

The Expert will report directly to the UNDP Knowledge Hub Cooridnator and will work in close coordination with relevant project managers and Unit leads in the UNDP Country Office.  The Expert is expected to have the appropriate software, equipment, facilities or access to such as relevant to complete the required services. 

Competencies

A.Competancies and values

Core

Innovation

Ability to make new and useful ideas work

 

Level 4: Adept with complex concepts and challenges convention purposefully

Communication

Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning.

 

Level 4: Synthesizes information to communicate independent analysis

Delivery

Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement

Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions

Technical expertise

Knowledge of advanced data analytics, including methodologies related to big data and data science.

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Knowledge Management

Ability to capture, develop, share and effectively use information and knowledge.

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Gender sensitivity

Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity regarding gender issues;

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability

to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

Secondary

Report Writing

Ability to prepare quality reports.

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of

expertise

Data Analysis/Measurement Ability to evaluate, transform and  model data to derive relevant findings.

 

Level 4: Apply & Adapt: Contributes skills and knowledge with demonstrated ability to advance innovation and continuous improvement, in professional area of expertise

 

Required Skills and Experience

A.Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• A university degree in Economics, Computer Science, or a related field in a recognised university

Experience:

• 12 years’ experience in economic development strategies and leveraging data and technology across various policy areas
• 5 years of experience in data science and analytics related project management including in areas of innovation, urban intelligence, smart cities, etc.
• 5 years of experience working with Government and/or international organisations to implement strategies related to improving data and digital ecosystems for better economic development and policy outcomes.
• Experience in managing multi-disciplinary expert teams and, including in the design and facilitation of stakeholder consultations
• Ability to define project strategies and interventions at different levels, in order to engage multiple expert, Government, international, and community constituents
• Excellent command of English
• Fully proficient in the following software applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint

 

Payment Term(s)

The Expert will be paid based in two lumpsums and only after approving authority confirms the successful completion of each deliverable as stipulated hereunder.

 

The Financial Proposal will include all fees and costs associated with the execution of the contract, including professional fees, equipment and all other expenses that will be incurred during the execution of the work. Payment will be remitted subject to the approval of final deliverables by UNDP, and based on the contractor’s price proposal. Expected proposed payment allocations are as follows:

 

 

Item	Description	Fixed Costs
1	First draft of the project document after consultation with Team Leaders in the Country Office and relevant partners	50%
2	Final draft of the project document taking into consideration comments and inputs received from a validation workshop and review by both UNDP and external partners.	50%

 

The Expert will be responsible for his/her own personal computer and other facilities required to perform the tasks outlined in Section D. If unforeseen travel outside the Duty Station not encompassed by the Terms of Reference is required and upon written afreement, such travel will be at UNDP’s expense and the individual contractor will receive a per diem not to exceed United Nations daily subsistence allowance.

 

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant who meets the technical requirements stated above along with the financial offer being evaluated. Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their daily fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70%

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation;

•             Technical Criteria weight - 70%;

•             Financial Criteria weight – 30 %

 

Financial Criteria: (30% of the total evaluation) 

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their Consultancy  fee rate i.e. consultants who score more than 70% i.e. 49 marks with respect to the above-mentioned evaluation criteria. Consultant should not specify their consultancy fee on their CV or with the submission. The CV will not be evaluated further in case the consultant submits the same.

Note:

            i.         Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed;

          ii.         Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval