Terms of Reference Consultancy to Support the Development of the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF)

Title- CF Consultant

Background

The United Nations System (UNS) in the Gambia has launched the preparation and formulation of its next United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). The UNSDCF is “the most important instrument for planning and implementation of the UN development activities at country level in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda)”. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (in short, Cooperation Framework) is a strategic, medium-term results framework that describes the collective vision and response of the UN system to national development priorities and results based on normative programming principles.

The Cooperation Framework is nationally owned, and anchored on national development priorities, the 2030 Agenda and the principles of the UN Charter. It outlines the UN development system’s contributions sought by national stakeholders to reach the SDGs in an integrated manner, with a commitment to leave no one behind, human rights and other international standards and obligations.

Based on the UN development system’s policy expertise and its comparative advantages, its normative agenda, and its ability to leverage, influence and unlock a broad range of resources for development, the Cooperation Framework reflects:

(a) The expectations national stakeholders have of the UN development system’s contribution to national development;

(b) A shared vision and strategic priorities of the United Nations, framed within the broader landscape of partners;

(d) How the UN system and its partners will contribute to accelerating progress towards the 2030 Agenda; and

(e) The financial and non-financial commitments of the UN system and partners in the wider context of the financing required to reach the SDGs in the country.

The UNSDCF will cover the period 2023-2028 and will be prepared in close partnership with the government, international development partners, private sector, civil society organizations, academia, media and other relevant stakeholders. As an integral and critical part of the UNSDCF process, the UN Common County Analysis (CCA) has been developed which analyzes the overall context of The Gambia and provides the analytical baseline for discussion on the next UNSDCF priorities in the country. The development of the Cooperation Framework will be inclusive, participatory, co-led by the UN System and the Government and premised on the tenets of sustainable development. To that end, an international consultant is needed to help consolidate the findings of the CF consultations and to facilitate the process of developing the Cooperation Framework, that will describe the collective response of the UN Country Team to the priorities of the Government of The Gambia.

The assignment may require the consultant to physically be present in The Gambia for a period of 10 -15 days (specific number of days to be finalized) over the duration of the consultancy. (March 2022 to July 2021 – (60 working days)), under the overall guidance of the Economist, of the Resident Coordinator’s Office and reporting directly on day-to-day matters to the UN The Gambia Programme Coordinating Group (PCG).

Duties and Responsibilities

As provided for in the UN Cooperation Framework Internal Guidance, the development of the Cooperation Framework will entail, but not limited to, the following in line with Roadmap (Annex 1) for the process:

(i) Facilitating the UN internal visioning exercise; UN comparative advantage analysis; SWOT analysis; and developing the theory of change;

(ii) Facilitating the UN prioritization process – facilitating the UN, in consultation with national partners, to choose strategic priorities and related development results (outcomes and outputs) in which to invest its collective efforts, capacities and resources;

(iii) Drafting the Cooperation Framework narrative;

(iv) Developing a results matrix, including indicator definitions;

(v) Developing a costed Monitoring and Evaluation Plan.

(vi) Facilitating the UNCT configuration dialogue;

(vii) Facilitating the development of the Cooperation Framework governance structure and guide;

Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), the consultant will be responsible for preparation, implementation, and administration of the assignment, which includes but is not limited to:

· Facilitate discussions among UNCT and PCG about the concept and findings of the CCA and progress on the development of the Cooperation Framework;

· Draft an annotated outline and prepare the methodology for the analysis of the reports, indicating which key issues will be raised in each section of the report, and present to UNCT – prepare inception report;

· Support the facilitation of the CF consultations with the provision of tools for engagmennt during the consultations.

· Consolidate outputs from all consultations and coordinate the preparation of draft Cooperation Framework report;

· Facilitate discussion within the UNCT and larger stakeholders’ community, as required, on Cooperation Framework to validate the draft reports;

· Revise the reports in line with the findings from the validation session and comments/feedback;

· Submit final reports.

Deliverables

No.	Deliverables	Proposed timeline
	Inception report (detailing the approach and methodology, including the workplan to complete the assignment; (10% payment)	March 2022
	Facilitate UNCT visioning Exercise/workshop -	March 2022
	Facilitate CF Consultations/Prioritization workshops	March 2022
	Facilitate UNCT configuration exercise	April 2022
	Facilitate work sessions in drafting the Cooperation Framework	April 2022
	Develop First draft Cooperation Framework (50% payment)	May 2022
	Develop Second Draft Cooperation Framework document	June 2022
	Facilitate CF Draft validation workshop	June 2022
	Develop Final Cooperation Framework document (40% payment)	June 2022

Methodology

The consultant will develop a detailed technically sound methodology for completing the assignment. The methodology shall put into consideration the human rights approach to data, international data protection standards and the UN Principles on Personal Data Protection and Privacy. The methodology shall ensure a highly participatory process involving a wide range of national stakeholders – government, development partners, international financial institutions, private sector, civil society, international NGOs, trade unions, youth, women, children and other vulnerable groups of persons at risk of or already being left behind.

Corporate Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UN

• Ability to apply tact and diplomacy, especially when addressing sensitive issues.

• Ability to adapt and display sensitivity based on various grounds, including but not limited to culture, gender, religion, race, nationality and age.

• Treats all people fairly without favoritism

• Fulfils all obligations to zero tolerance for sexual harassment

• Ability to exercise sound political judgment;

Knowledge and skills requirement

· Outstanding communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to write reports, conduct consultations and interviews and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;

· Good knowledge of the UN system and UN common country programming processes (CCA/Cooperation Framework);

· Ability to review and synthesize large amounts of information rapidly, and to distinguish major trends from minor details;

· Ability to conceptualize and analyze problems to identify key issues, underlying problems, and how they relate;

· Technical competence in complex analysis;

· Familiarity with statistical data and knowledge of human rights and gender equality approaches;

· Familiarity with indicators and monitoring and evaluation methodologies;

· Ability to respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of view;

Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic environment

· Ability to handle a large volume of work under time constraints;

Knowledge of Gambia’s social, political, human rights and economic situation is desirable

· Ability to share knowledge and experience and provide helpful feedback and advice.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

· Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree and equivalent) in international development, economics, development planning, development studies, social sciences, or related field.

Experience

· A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in supporting international development planning and strategy;

Strong understanding and knowledge of UN common country programming processes some of which must be related to 2030 Agenda for sustainable development/SDGs; and SDG nationalization and reporting processes

· Experience working in or with the UN System and documented experience in developing, managing and working with complex development programmes such as UNSDCF and CCA.

· Understanding of basic human rights norms and principles.

Strong inter-personal, teamwork and organizational skills demonstrated by working with multi-disciplinary teams, broad stakeholder including Government, NGOs, the UN/ multilateral/bilateral institutions and donor entities
Strong project formulation, analytical and research skills

· Demonstrated capacity in strategic thinking, problem solving, high level facilitation of visioning exercises and policy advice

· Knowledge about the UN system and expertise on the rights-based approach, gender, environmental sustainability and capacity assessment an advantage

· Substantive knowledge of and skills in Results-Based Management principles (Accountability, National Ownership and Inclusiveness) and its application in programming;

· Excellent presentation and drafting skills, especially writing programme documents, drafting strategic plans among others (Sample documents done from previous evaluations is a mandatory requirement)

· Previous experience in preparation/writing of Cooperation Framework documents, with experience in the region is an asset;

· Demonstrated knowledge of UN agency mandates and activities; direct experience of UN programming at the country level; familiarity with the Cooperation Framework process and the Delivering as One modality;

Language

· Fluency in written and spoken English is required

Schedule of Payments

• UNDP shall pay the Individual Contractor upon certification by the Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office that services have been satisfactorily performed and outputs delivered.

Submit Technical and Financial Proposals to: bids.gm@undp.org

Email subject: CF Consultancy

Deadline: 22 February 2022