International Policy Advisor on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Baku, AZERBAIJAN UNDP - United Nations Development Programme - Closing Date: 14-April-2017

International Policy Advisor on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, 
Baku, AZERBAIJAN  
UNDP - United Nations Development Programme  
Closing Date: 14-April-2017

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Background

On October 6th 2016, the President of Azerbaijan signed into decree the existence of the National Coordination Council for Sustainable Development (NCCSD). This marks a significant step towards integrating SDGs into national development agenda in Azerbaijan. To assist the Government of Azerbaijan in nationalizing SDGs and formulating comprehensive policy interventions and action plans the UNDP has launched the project “Supporting localization of SDGs and alignment of national development plans to the SDGs “. The project is focusing on achieving the following key results: Prioritization and nationalization of SDGs, monitoring and evaluation of progress towards achieving sustainable development; ·Policy advice on mainstreaming sustainable development into national and local policies through identification of SDGs inter-linkages and accelerators; Advocacy and capacity building to promote national ownership and mobilize national and international creative potential. To be realistic and achievable national SDG Agenda needs to be linked to existing national development strategies. Strategic Road Maps (SRM) endorsed recently by a Presidential Decree outline both the short-term plans for 2016-2020 as well as longer-term agenda for 2025 and beyond. Ultimately aimed at building competitive economy, which can ensure inclusive growth and improved welfare of population based on sustainable economic development, the SRM serve as an overall framework for the SDG process. Meanwhile, the latter could contribute in operationalizing these national strategies and priorities in a coherent and integrated manner.

Duties and Responsibilities

In this context,  the role of the Policy Advisor on 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development will be: To support UNDP Country Office in engaging with the Government of Azerbaijan on SDGs nationalization processes including SDG monitoring and reporting; Support UNDP Country Office in the implementation of the Strategic Roadmap on Economic Reforms. Specific responsibilities will include: Provide technical oversight and serve as a lead technical resource for the provision of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives in the implementation of the project “; Provides strategic direction and support in conducting participatory and multi-stakeholder sectoral reviews, identification of SDGs accelerators, modelling; Provide strategic direction, guidance and quality assurance for the preparation of the National Voluntary Report and country report on SDGs; Provide advisory support to ensure complementary and synergies with UNDP’s related initiatives, including the project on building statistical capacity for SDG monitoring; Provide technical support to multi-stakeholder mechanisms, especially in regard to the project’s coordination and government/civil society partnership-building activities; Define and lead an analytical policy research agenda to enable Azerbaijan to contribute to global debates on SDG implementation; Provide strategic advice and support to the implementation of the Strategic Roadmap on Economic Reforms; Provide technical oversight and serve as a lead technical resource for the provision of technical assistance and capacity building initiatives for the Centre of Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication and other lead think-tanks. The assignment is commissioned by UNDP Azerbaijan. The Country Office will provide with any logistics and administrative support as needed. The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Assistant Resident Representative and in collaboration with the entire Programme Unit, project teams, national consultants and Government officials. The Programme Unit and project teams will provide assistance in facilitating field trips, organizing meetings, providing access to information

Competencies

Corporate 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 Treats all people fairly without favoritism Functional Competencies: Knowledge Management and Learning Promotes knowledge management in UNDP and a learning environment in the office through leadership and personal example. Actively works towards continuing personal learning and development in one or more Practice Areas, acts on learning plan and applies newly acquired skills    Innovation and Marketing New Approaches - Developing new approaches Seeks a broad range of perspectives in developing project proposals; Identifies new approaches and promotes their use in other situations; Creates an environment that fosters innovation and innovative thinking; Makes the case for innovative ideas from the team with own supervisor. Self-management/Emotional Intelligence Stays calm and maintains composure under stress or during a crisis, keeping disruptive emotions under control Adapts flexibly to changing situations, overcomes obstacles and recovers quickly from set-backs Tolerates conditions of stress, uncertainty or ambiguity and continues to maintain a positive outlook and to work productively Is realistic about own limits using support mechanisms as needed and maintaining an appropriate work-life balance Senses the emotions of others, understanding their perspective, taking an active interest in their concerns Fosters a positive outlook and maintains focus during period of stress and heavy work load, inspiring and guiding others towards goal achievement Creates a climate of enthusiasm and flexibility, where people feel encouraged to give their best Stands up to group pressure, not giving in out of a desire to please or to avoid confrontation and conflict Promoting Organizational Learning and Knowledge Sharing - Developing tools and mechanisms Makes the case for innovative ideas documenting successes and building them into the design of new approaches; Identifies new approaches and strategies that promote the use of tools and mechanisms Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise - In-depth knowledge of the subject-matter Understands more advanced aspects of primary area of specialization as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines; Keeps abreast of new developments in area of professional discipline and job knowledge and seeks to develop him/herself professionally; Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of information technology and applies it in work assignments; Demonstrates comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the current guidelines and project management tools and utilizes these regularly in work assignments; Have effective interpersonal and negotiations skills and ability to coordinate complex, multi-stakeholder projects and be able to think in a strategic manner on complex and difficult projects.  Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills; Excellent written communication skills.  Client Orientation - Contributing to positive outcomes for the client Anticipates client needs; Works towards creating an enabling environment for a smooth relationship between the clients and service provider; Demonstrates understanding of client’s perspective

Required Skills and Experience

At least Master’s degree in any area related to the SDGs Agenda; At least 10 years of experience with think-tanks, academia or research institution; At least 7 years of experience in policy development, strategic planning, preferably in a cross-sectoral integrated manner; previous experience with MDGs will be an asset; At least 5 years of project design, management and monitoring experience with international organizations ; Ability to effectively coordinate a large, multi-stakeholder project; Good understanding of the local context and previous work in Azerbaijan will be an asset; Outstanding analytical skills; Strong drafting, presentation and reporting skills; Strong computer skills; A good working knowledge of English is a requirement; knowledge of Russian is an advantage. Evaluation: Individual consultants will be evaluated based on cumulative evaluation that takes into account both financial offer and the technical expertise of the potential candidates. A two-stage procedure will be utilized in evaluating the proposals, with evaluation of the technical component being completed prior to any price component being reviewed and compared.  The Price Component will be reviewed only for those individuals whose Technical Component meets the requirements for the assignment.  If the substantive presentation of a technical proposal achieves the minimum of 70 percent, the competitiveness of the offered consultancy expenses will be taken into account and the maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest fees proposed that is compared among those invited individuals which obtain the threshold points in the evaluation of the technical proposal. The technical expertise of the potential candidates will be evaluated based on the following scoring: At least Master’s degree in any area related to the SDGs Agenda (10 points); At least 10 years of experience with think-tanks, academia or research institution (15 points) At least 7 years of experience in policy development, strategic planning, preferably in a cross-sectoral integrated manner; previous experience with MDGs will be an asset (15 points); At least 5 years of project design, management and monitoring experience with international organizations (15); Methodology how to approach and implement the assignment (10 points) A good working knowledge of English is a requirement; knowledge of Russian is an advantage (5 points). DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS. Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Offeror's letter to UNDP conforming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) Assignment Duly filled out and signed Personal History Form or CV Brief description of Approach to Work Financial proposal indicating following: Daily Consultancy Fee;  (Inclusive other costs such as communication, insurance, utilities, other consumables and etc.) Estimated cost of 1 round trip economy class ticket to Baku, Azerbaijan; Daily Living cost; (not exceeding UN DSA rate for Baku. FYI the DSA rate Baku, April 2017 is 176 US$)