Job Opportunity for Individual Consultant – Proposal Writer at UNDP

Concept and Background :

UNDP strives to have a workforce which reflects diversity and gender balance and applies an equal opportunities approach. UNDP does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS status. All selections are on merit.

The UN General Assembly, and all its 193-member countries, in September 2015 adopted a global development vision entitled Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This 2030 Agenda was designed as a plan of action for people, planet, and prosperity.  It lays out 17 new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, to stimulate global action over the next 15 years on issues critical to humanity and the planet. India committed to these SDGs at the September 2015 UN Summit and the SDGs officially came into force on 1 January 2016. The Government of India has been actively engaged in integrating the SDGs since early 2016. NITI Aayog, the National Institution for Transforming India, has been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the efforts on SDGs with ministries and states, indicative of “whole of government” approach. The NITI Aayog has prepared an Action Agenda (3 Years) and is preparing medium term perspective plan (7 years) and long term (15 years) goals for the country through a 15-year vision document for a period up to 2030, which will be co-terminus with sustainable development goals. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has prepared a Draft National Monitoring Framework consisting of 306 Indicators. At National level a High-Level Steering Committee which has been constituted for refining the indicators is expected to emerge as backbone on the development interventions of the country.

State Outreach and SDG Integration Unit

UNDP in India is reorganizing internally and moving to an integrated, collaborative business model. The vast population, uneven development and geographical makeup up of the country together with the federal structure lends itself to an empowered and decentralized field office structure. There is a strong need to strengthen state level programming, which cannot be done without new partnerships through new proposal developments.  The intention would be to expand to additional priority states when and as appropriate. UNDP has been getting invites from the State Governments for technical support and development of new projects for Government partnership. In this regard, the State Outreach and SDG Integration Unit, UNDP India is looking for a consultant to provide technical support, prepare conceptual proposal reports, work plans and detailed project proposals and reports. UNDP is in the process of strengthening its presence in North East and accordingly is preparing few proposal for funding from the State Governments.

Objective of the Assignment

The Consultant will provide technical support and develop and draft concept notes and proposals, prepare work plans, and reports for externally aided projects for the State Outreach and SDG Integration Unit, UNDP India. UNDP is in the process of preparation of Project Proposal for the following items and the services of the consultant will be primarily for the same.

• Project Proposal for providing technical support to State of Arunachal Pradesh on value chains on horticulture, bamboo, Eri silk etc.
• Project Proposal on technical support to Department of Forest for enhancing the capacities for achievement of SDGs in the Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and wetland development
• Project Proposal on Technical support to Disaster Risk Reduction to Government of Tripura
• Technical Support to Government of Tripura for Tribal Development and Skill & Employment
• Technical Support to MoDoNER for fast-tracking SDGs in North East India.

Work Schedule:

The consultant will undertake the tasks specified over a period of 90 days in 2021. Consultant and Supervisor has to agree on the days of work for technical support over email on activities.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope and Assignment details

The consultant shall provide the following deliverables against the tasks and work schedule specified above:

• Under the guidance of the supervisor and in close coordination with Policy Specialist, State Outreach and SDG Integration Unit, UNDP India, the Consultant will
• Determine proposal concept by identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs; studying requests for proposal (RFPs); attending strategy meetings.
• Gather proposal information by identifying sources of information; coordinating submissions and collections; identifying and communicating risks associated with proposals.
• Develop proposal by assembling information including project nature, objectives/outcomes/deliverables, implementation, methods, timetable, staffing, budget, standards of performance, and evaluation; writing, revising, and editing drafts including executive summaries, conclusions, and organization credentials.
• Meet proposal deadline by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, writing, review, and approval; entering and monitoring tracking data; coordinating requirements with contributors; contributing proposal status information to review meetings; transmitting proposals.
• Prepare presentation by evaluating text, graphics, and binding, coordinating printing.
• Maintain quality results by using templates; following proposal-writing standards including readability, consistency, and tone; maintaining proposal support databases.
• Obtain approvals by reviewing proposal with key providers and project managers.
• Improve proposal-writing results by evaluating and re-designing processes, approach, coordination, and boiler plate, implementing changes.
• Support in any other task as directed by supervisor, State Outreach and SDG Integration Unit, UNDP India related to concept note and proposal writing.

Competencies

Monitoring

The team consisting of Regional Head, UNDP and Policy Specialist will monitor the progress of project proposal and quality aspects will be communicated to the consultant through written emails on a week-to-week basis.

Required Skills and Experience

Schedule of Payment:

On submission of deliverable, approval by the supervisors (Regional Head and Policy Specialist) consultant will be eligible to claim the consultancy fees for the days agreed with supervisor. However, the payments will be processed in five instalments.

Time Frame:

01st August to November 2022.

Project Location:

Home based with two travels for three days each to North Eastern States. The cost will be reimbursed by UNDP as Out of Pocket Expenditures.

Recruitment Qualifications: 

Education:

Degree in one of the following disciplines: Public policy, finance, economic policy, business strategy, sustainability, or other related fields
Master’s degree would be desirable.

Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in writing exceptionally strong/winning proposals to institutional donors like EU, USAID, World Bank, UN or other international donors with relevant technical skills
• Experience of developing projects proposals and working under strict deadlines.
• Experience of working in a multi-sector team, including coordinating technical input into proposals.
• Ability to work rapidly with project members in various locations and remotely in writing and where necessary revising the proposal.
• Experience of working with Central and State governments.
• Familiarity with requirements of donors, including external funding agencies and government.
• Demonstrable experience with policy and programme management
• Good programme design skills, including capacity to prepare logical, coherent, and consistent documents including log-frames and budgets.

Language:

Fluency in written and oral English and Hindi.

Evaluation Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as Responsive to the requirement. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

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 %

Technical Criteria (70% of total evaluation)

• Past professional Experience including strong consulting experience with government, international and private sector – 40
• Educational Qualification – 20
• Strong Publication Records – 10

Financial Proposal:

Technically qualified consultants will be requested to submit their lump sum 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:

• Any kind of miscellaneous charges i.e. internet, phone, relocation charges etc. would not be reimbursed
• Travel, lodging and boarding as per UNDP rules subject to prior approval.
• Individuals working with institutions may also apply, contract would be issued in the name of institution for the specific services of individual.
• Please note proposals without financial proposal will not be considered.