The ‘Skills Development for Employment (SD4E) programme – consolidation phase’ is supporting the Government of Albania in the national VET and Employment reform through a comprehensive approach of institutional capacity building on a macro/policy level, enabling key actors (MFE, NES/NAES and NAVETQ) to deliver coordinated and demand-driven services. Responding to national priorities and the objectives of the National Employment and Skills Strategy, this Swiss funded intervention has the ambition to make a systemic contribution where the Albanian VET system and Employment Service supply the labour market with a skilled workforce that contributes to sustainable and inclusive economic development of the country.

To achieve the programme purpose and finally the programme goal, the programme focused its efforts in three strategic fields that aim to improve the governance and quality of service provision in VET and employment promotion in Albania.

Outcome 1: The institutional capacity of key actors in VET and Employment (Ministry, NAVETQ, NAES) is strengthened

Outcome 2: The employment service portfolio is based on a balanced demand-and supply-side oriented approach

Outcome 3: A standardized Quality Assurance (QA) framework is in place that improves the image of VET and fosters linkages between school and world of work.

The project, financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Coordination (SDC) is implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Ministry of Finance and Economics, through a participatory and consultative approach of development cooperation, fostering the sustainable development of national capacities. At the core of the intervention is the ambition to strength national key institutions in VET and Employment Promotion, through multilayer capacity building plans, the introduction of multiplier training elements, the collaborative development and roll-out of effective instruments for service delivery and innovative tools for Quality Assurance of day-to-day policy implementation.

The SD4E programme aims to support the National Agency for Employment and Skills (NAES) in optimizing its EPPs portfolio and provision, as set out in the objectives of the National Employment and Skills Strategy. The NAES aims to develop and deliver a service portfolio that is based on a balanced demand and supply oriented approach, recognizing and fostering the potential of various groups of job seekers through tailored action plans and mediation measures. 

After a thorough review of the Employment Promotion Programmes (EPP) in 2019, in terms of the degree to which they addressed the needs of the client base of NAES and the implementation procedures, in 2020, the SD4E team worked together with the working group of MoFE and NAES to finalize the legal and operational framework for the implementation of the reformed EPP packages. The five programmes proposed and approved by the Council of Ministers in 2020 are:

1. On-the-job Training, which targets jobseekers who do not have any qualifications, and trains them at the workplace, providing a subsidy for the duration of 4 months period for all types of professions, based on an approved training plan, and supervised by a trainer of the employer; (DCM approved)
2. Wage-subsidy, which is a one-year subsidized employment contract, where the needs of the jobseekers are matched to the profile of the employers, the wage is defined based on the market salary rate, and the duration of the subsidy is defined based on the vulnerabilities of the jobseeker. (DCM approved)
3. Internship programme, which ensures quick transition to the labour market of the recent graduates, in the same of similar area of study of recent graduates, for a duration of 6 months. (DCM approved)
4. Self-Employment Programme, which is a start your business programmes that provides financial grant and support for unemployed jobseekers, who have a proven, viable and marketable business idea and plan; (DCM approved)
5. Community employment, which is a programme with a clear focus on workforce training and is designed to place the work experience offered near the labour market, and in line with the local employment opportunities, implemented in partnership with community and NGO/voluntary organizations. (DCM approved – implementation not started)

The SD4E has provided support to NAES to draft all the necessary operational guidelines and forms which will aid the implementation of these programme by the Employment Offices. During the second half of 2020, SD4E supported NAES with the implementation of these programmes.

More recently, the SD4E programme has supported the MFE to design new employment promotion programmes which target those who have recently become unemployed due to the COVID-19 crises.

This assignment relates to the review of the implementation process and approach of the reformed EPPs portfolio, in close consultation with all the internal implementation structures of NAES, the employers, the jobseekers, and non-public bodies who represent vulnerable groups of unemployed jobseekers. The review is expected to provide evidence-based information that is credible, reliable and useful for the On-the-job training, Wage Subsidy, Internship programmes and the programmes which target the recently laid-off workforce due to COVID-19, namely, DCM nr. 17 and DCM nr. 608.

The scope of this evaluation will include an examination of the process, i.e. the way the EPP was implemented and the main focus will be to review operational and implementation issues to answer the following questions: Are the programmes implemented as per the guidelines? And Are there better ways of approaching the implementation issues. The evaluation will try to identify conceptual and operational bottlenecks and weaknesses and make recommendations for improved performance. The process review will also determine whether the EPPs were implemented as designed, assess implementation and suggest amendment.

The process evaluation will focus on the following main areas: 1. Eligibility criteria and targeting efficiency for both employers and unemployed jobseekers; 2. Type and level of financing; 3. Information and application procedures 4. Matching and approval procedures; 5. Financing procedures; 6. Monitoring procedures. During the evaluation process, the consultant is expected to conduct desk review, in-depth interviews with the main stakeholders and quick surveys with the beneficiaries of the programmes (employers and jobseekers)

In relation to this assignment, under the guidance of the Programme Specialist and the Programme Coordinator, the consultant is expected to carry out the following tasks:

1. Desk-review of the regulatory and operational framework which guides the implementation of the EPPs in Albania: The Decisions of the Council of Ministers, the approved operational guidelines etc.
2. Draft and present the methodology for conducing the process evaluation, identifying all the relevant stakeholders to be involved and the tools to be used for collecting the necessary information.
3. Organize meetings and quick surveys with all the relevant stakeholders, including the staff of the employment offices, regional structure of NAES, the relevant department in the headquarters of NAES, employers, jobseekers, organizations that represent vulnerable groups of jobseekers etc.
4. Draft the initial process evaluation report, which will include the following: methodology, evaluation findings and recommendations.
5. Present the initial finding to the working group of Ministry of Finance and Economy and the National Agency for Employment and Skills.
6.  Finalize and submit the report based on the comments received by the relevant institutions.

UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub delivers a full range of policy, programme, and operations support to 24 Country Offices (COs) in the Asia-Pacific region.  As a part of BRH, the Global Policy Network (GPN) Asia-Pacific team aims to be a cutting-edge provider of timely development advice, providing support to COs and programme countries in an integrated and coherent manner— to instantly connect countries to the world of knowledge, resources and networks of best practice they need to achieve development breakthroughs. GPN Asia-Pacific team performs these functions in collaboration with the Country Office Support and Quality Assurance (COSQA) team also part of BRH.

Gender equality is a non-negotiable priority for UNDP globally.  This commitment is articulated in UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2021-2025 and its accompanying Gender Equality Strategy (GES) 2022-2025.  UNDP is committed to help governments shift systems and power structures that generate gender inequalities and women’s disempowerment.  UNDP addresses gender equality as integral to all its development interventions, to expand people’s choices, realize a just and sustainable world, and achieve the vision for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Programme translates the global commitments for the region and offers gender-integrated solutions to the region’s complex development challenges.  Furthermore, UNDP GES establishes measures for UNDP’s institutional transformation.  Meaningfully integrating gender quality across UNDP’s work starts with the everyday decisions, actions, and behaviours of its personnel.  Such efforts will require leadership that fosters listening and learning and calls for courage and new ways of working.  UNDP Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme is UNDP’s key corporate initiative that is designed to facilitate the Organisation’s institutional transformation for gender equality.

To support this aspiration, Sub-regional Gender Specialists are outposted in selected UNDP COs to support a portfolio of 5-6 countries each in strengthening UNDP’s contribution to gender equality. Under matrix reporting lines to the Bangkok Regional Hub and the COs in their respective portfolio, the Sub-regional Gender Specialist based in the UNDP Country Office in Tehran, the Islamic Republicof Iran, will advise and provide technical support to CO management and staff in Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar and Pakistan on their gender equality programming and institutional transformation efforts, including their participation in UNDP Gender Equality Seal Certification Programme where applicable.   The Sub-regional Gender Specialist will enure strategic advice and oversight for the implementation of the existing gender-focused projects, while also ensuring the effectiveness and impact of UNDP’s gender-integrated interventions in all areas aligned with UNDP Gender Equality Strategy. The Sub-regional Gender Specialists will also work closely with CO senior management, and collaborate with CO Gender Specialists and CO Gender Focal Team members, and CO programming and operations staff, as well as local stakeholders as required.

As an outposted member of BRH Gender Team,  Sub-regional Gender Specialist will bring the global and regional perspectives and experiences to COs and vice versa, in alignment with UNDP’s corporate Quality Assurance standards and accountability mechanisms.  Sub-regional gender specialist will also support the delivery of gender equality results through regional initiatives at the country level. 

The alternate recommended candidates from this recruitment process will be  kept in the roster for future positions which may arise for Maldives, Laos and Samoa or other locations.

Under the overall guidance of Asia-Pacific Regional Gender Team Lead / Advisor and with the country-specific supervision of the respective CO senior management, the Sub-regional gender specialist will be responsible for the following scope of work relating to COs in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar and Pakistan:

a) Advice and support to CO management, , equality programming involving both gender-focused and gender-integrated initiatives,  in collaboration with the CO Gender Specialists/gender focal points and BRH Gender Team Through:

• Hands on support and advice to CO management, programme, operations and project staff on the implementation of the UNDP Gender Equality Strategy and the development of gender-transformative Country Programme Document,Analysis, monitoring and reporting and capacity building relating to UNDP Gender Marker  application.
• Mobilization of regional support to the COs, if and when needed, including designing training modules and support regional webinars to enhance COs’ gender equality results,.
• Identification and facilitation of strategic partnership building opportunities for gender equality ,
• monitoring and assessing  political, economic and social development trends and issues affecting women’s equal rights in the assigned countries, to inform strategic response to opportunities and challenges, in the context of the countries’ Country Programme Documents and government priorities,
• Support to COs on the effective application of gender mainstreaming throughout CO’s programme and project cycle , monitoring and evaluation frameworks, communication and advocacy,  results reporting and quality assurance of results.

b) Support the creation of strategic partnerships for resource mobilization,through:  

• Support CO senior management in identifying and following up on strategic opportunities for resource mobilization for the acheivement of the CO’s gender equality targets,
• Provision of technical inputs into the formulation of concept notes and programmatic offer on gender equality and women’s empowerment to build strong partnerships with donors and in coordination with government, and design project documents of gender-related programme interventions for resource mobilization,
• When requested, provide substantive inputs for UNDP’s representation in exchanges with government, donors, UN agencies, private sector and civil society advocating for the integration of key gender equality and women’s empowerment perspectives into policy dialogues.

c) Facilitate knowledge management, capacity building and coordination across the Cos and across the region, through:

• Organization and facilitiation training for CO staff on gender advancement, gender equality perspectives building, and the development of gender equality culture at workplace,
• Identification and formulation and exchange of lessons learned and recommendations to strengthen UNDP’s gender equality efforts, through co-learning and co-creation,
• Contribution to regional initiatives, regional and global knowledge networks, peer to peer exchanges, communities of practices, and regional and intra-regional exchanges.

d) Contribute to the global Gender Community of Practice from the regional perspectives, and support RBAP to comply with UNDP’s accountability and quality assurance requirements for gender equality results, through:

• Timely provision of inputs to corporate communications and reporting requirements relating to the implementation of the Gender Equality Strategy,
• Support to RBAP senior management to ensure its accountability for gender mainstreaming and for reporting to the Gender Steering and Implementation Committee,
• Support to the monitoring of RBAP KPIs relating to gender equality,
• Participation in BRH-Country Office planning and monitoring dialogues to ensure adequate inclusion of gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Institutional Arrangement

The Sub-regional Gender Specialists will be assigned a portfolio of 4-5 countries, to support through remote and in-country support, with frequent travels travel.

With close coordination to the regional gender team in the Bangkok Regional Hub, reporting lines will be to the Cluster Lead in COSQA, Bangkok Regional Hub.

a) Briefly describe the functions/ activities (scope, location, results expected, etc.) and other information that will help to understand the nature of the work 

b) As applicable, include any relevant data/information/policy framework that may be required for each activity.   

Core

Achieve Results:

LEVEL 3: Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact. 

Think Innovatively:

LEVEL 3: Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems. 

Learn Continuously:

LEVEL 3: Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility:

LEVEL 3: Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands. 

Act with Determination:

LEVEL 3: Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results

Engage and Partner:

LEVEL 3: Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

LEVEL 3: Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies 

Cross functional

System Thinking:

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Knowledge Generation

Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge, relevant for context, or responsive to a stated need.

Technical Competencies

Gender:

Gender and Institutional Development 

Gender Issues & Analysis 

Gender Mainstreaming 

Women's Economic Empowerment, including labour issues 

Women's Leadership (Political, Public Admin and Private Sector) 

Climate Change and Risk Management of Disasters with a Gender Perspective 

Contextualizaçao:

De acordo com o Relatório Mundial sobre o Paludismo de 2020 da OMS, em 2019, estima-se que 229 milhões de casos de Paludismo ocorreram em 87 Paises endemicos do paludismo, em comparação com 238 milhões de casos em 2000, em 2015, os casos de Paludismo foram estimados em 218 milhões.

A maioria dos casos (215 milhões, correspondente a 94%) de paludismo em 2019 ocorreu na Região Africana da OMS, seguida do Sudeste Asiático (6,3 milhões o que corresponde 3%) e na região do Mediterrâneo Oriental da OMS, o número de casos de Paludismo caiu 26%, passando de quase 7 milhões em 2000 para cerca de 5 milhões em 2019. 

A incidência de Paludismo (ou seja, número de casos por 1.000 habitantes expostos ao risco de Paludismo) caiu globalmente, de 80 em 2000 para 58 em 2015, depois 57 em 2019. De 2000 a 2015, a incidência da Paludismo em todo o mundo diminuiu, portanto, em 27%, mas apenas 2% entre 2015 e 2019, que reflete uma forte desaceleração desde 2015.

Em 2019, dos 33 milhões de grávidas que viviam em 33 países na região Áfricana da OMS onde transmissão é moderada a alta, 35% (ou 12 milhões) foram expostos à infeção por Paludismo durante a gravidez. Ao detalhar, as sub-regiões da OMS, a África Central teve a maior prevalência de exposição ao Paludismo durante a gravidez (40%), seguida de perto pela África Ocidental (39%), enquanto a prevalência foi de 24% na África Oriental e Austral.

As 33 milhões de grávidas expostas à infeção por paludismo em 2019 deram à luz cerca de 822.000 crianças com baixo peso ao nascer nestes 33 países.

Se 80% das grávidas tivessem recebido cuidados pré-natais, receberiam uma dose de tratamento preventivo intermitente durante a gravidez (TPIg), acredita-se que 56.000 casos de baixo peso ao nascer seria evitado nestes países.

O P. falciparum é o parasita do paludismo mais prevalente na Região Africana da OMS, respondendo por 94 % dos casos estimados de paludismo em 2018, e nas regiões do Sudeste Asiático (3%).

Globalmente, o número de mortes por Paludismo diminuiu continuamente na última década. período de 2000-2019, passando de 736.000 em 2000 para 409.000 em 2019. Crianças menores de 5 anos são as mais vulneráveis ao paludismo. Crianças menores de 5 anos foram responsáveis por 84% das mortes associadas ao Paludismo em 2000, contra 67% em 2019. A estimativa de o número de mortes em todo o mundo em 2015, foi em torno de 453.000.

Na região da OMS África, o número de mortes por Paludismo diminuiu 44%, de 680.000 em 2000 para 384.000 em 2019. No mesmo período, a mortalidade associada diminuiu 67%, caindo 121 a 40 mortes por 100.000 habitantes expostos ao risco do Paludismo.

Globalmente, quase 95% das mortes por Paludismo foram registradas em 31 países. A Nigéria (23%), República Democrática do Congo (11%), República Unida da Tanzânia (5%),Moçambique (4%), Níger (4%) e Burkina Faso (4%) concentraram quase 51% de todas as mortes devido à Paludismo em todo o mundo em 2019.

Luta contra o Paludismo durante a Pandemia de Covid-19

Em abril 2020, o Coronavirus 2 associado ao Sindrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo (SARS-CoV2), virus responsavel de Covid-19, propagou-se em todos os Paises endemicos do Paludismo, e no final da segunda semana do mês de novembro 2020 aproximadamente 22 milhões de casos e 600.000 mortos foram notificados nestes Paises.

A pandemia de Covid-19 e as restrições impostas para a resposta provocaram  o disfuncionamento dos serviços de base de luta contra o Paludismo.

Em março 2020, como a pandemia de Covid-19 propagou-se rapidamente no mundo inteiro, a OMS solicitou um esforço conjunto dos parceiros com vista a atenuar o impacto negativo do Covid-19 nos Paises endemicos do Paludismo e de contribuir para uma resposta contra o Covid-19.

Este esforço coletivo deu lugar aos esforços impressionantes nestes Paises, com objectivo de terminar as campanhas de prevenção do Paludismo atraves da distribuição dos Mosqueteiros Impregnados de Longa Duração de Ação (MILDA), Pulverização Intra-Domiciliar (PID) e a Quimioprevenção do Paludismo Sazonal (QPS) e, de minimizar o disfuncionamento de serviços de diagnostico e tratamento.

Na Guiné-Bissau em 2021 foram notificados um total de 181.855  casos de paludismo, incluindo os casos do setor privado e da comunidade, dos quais resultaram  462 obitos (DHIS2/INASA, 2021). Cerca de 26 713 (15%) de casos e 95 (21%) de óbitos foram registados nas crianças < 5 anos.

Objetivo da atribuição:

2.1. Objetivo Geral:

• Apoiar o consultor internacional na elaboração do Gap Analyses: casos de Paludismo.

2.2. Objetivos específicos:

• Apoiar o consultor internacional (CI) em determinar as estimativas de casos de paludismo (em números absolutos, não apenas em %) a partir de 2022 até final de 2023 diagnósticos, grávidas em TPI, crianças menores de cinco anos em QPS;
• Apoiar o CI em estimar os casos do paludismo a nível das estruturas públicas, comunitárias e privadas, levando em consideração o contexto do COVID-19, se necessário;
• Apoiar na quantificação dos insumos e elaboração dos orçamentos, se necessário.
• Elaboração de um relatório final detalhando da missão de consultoria.

The following documents shall be required from the applicants:

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past positions held and their main underlying functions, their durations (month/year), the qualifications, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate, and at least three (3) the most recent professional references of previous supervisors. References may also include peers;
• A cover letter (maximum length: 1 page) indicating:
  • why the candidate considers him-/herself to be suitable for the position, and
  • for which thematic area they wish to be considered;
• Managers may ask (ad hoc) for any other materials relevant to pre-assessing the relevance of their experience, such as  reports, presentations, publications, campaigns or other materials

Office/Unit/Project Description:

UNDP’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan emphasizes the critical links between environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and broader efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda and Paris Agreement. As part of the Global Policy Network in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP’s Nature, Climate Change, and Energy (NCE) Team promotes and scales up integrated whole-of-governance approaches and nature-based solutions that reduce poverty and inequalities, strengthen livelihoods and inclusive growth, mitigate conflict, forced migration and displacement, and promote more resilient governance systems that advance linked peace and security agendas.

The NCE Team works with governments, civil society, and private sector partners to integrate natural capital, environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies; support country obligations under Multilateral Environmental Agreements; and implement the UN’s largest portfolio of in-country programming on environment, climate change, and energy. This multi-billion dollar portfolio encompasses: Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services including forests, Sustainable Land Management and Desertification including food and commodity systems, Water and Ocean Governance including SIDS, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Renewable and Modern Energy, Extractive Industries, Chemicals and Waste Management, Environmental Governance, and Green/Circular Economy and SCP approaches. This work advances crosscutting themes on innovative finance, digital transformation, capacity development, human rights, gender equality, health, technology, and South-South learning. UNDP's Nature, Climate and Energy practice spans 137 countries, with a portfolio directly benefiting 86 million people. Our support to Governments focusses on enabling an inclusive, resilient, green recovery by: building competency to accelerate access to sustainable energy and climate and nature-positive policies and finance; scaling capacity to ensure No One is Left Behind; catalyzing SDG and Paris-aligned investments (public and private); delivering client-focused solutions that respond to countries' immediate, mid- and long-term recovery and socio-economic development priorities; and leveraging our on-the-ground presence and networks to unlock bottom-up solutions that deliver lasting impacts at country level.

In addition to UNDP’s bilateral partnerships on nature, climate, and energy, UNDP is an accredited multilateral implementing agency of the Green Climate Fund (GCF), the Multilateral Fund (MLF), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) which includes the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund (GEF Trust Fund), the Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund (NPIF), the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and the Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF). As part of UNDP’s partnership with these vertical funds, UNDP provides countries specialized integrated technical services for eligibility assessment, programme formulation, capacity development, policy advice, technical assistance, training and technology transfer, mobilization of co-financing, implementation oversight, results management and evaluation, performance-based payments and knowledge management services.  The Nature, Climate and Energy Team focuses on managing the oversight of climate and environmental financial resources from global trust funds to catalyze and unlock other types of public and private financing for sustainable development. This includes oversight of the design as well as implementation phase of projects (together with Country Offices and Regional Bureaus), as well as portfolio level oversight and management.

Climate Change Adaptation Programme:

Climate change could drive an additional 100 million people into poverty by 2030. Countries have increasingly included adaptation priorities in their NDCs pointing to issues of water and food security, safeguarding economic assets from extreme climate events and disasters, and protection and regeneration of natural capital. Building on the experiences and lessons from a portfolio of initiatives in over 137 countries, UNDP advances a ‘whole-of-society' approach to accelerate adaptation and continues to support countries to mobilize public and private finance to implement their adaption priorities. UNDP assists government partners to scale up the integration of climate change adaptation into policy, planning, and investments at both national and local levels through the support to the National Adaptation Planning (NAP) process and the NDCs. UNDP supports climate change adaptation action in the context of agriculture and food security, water resources, coastal zone management, ecosystems protection, public health, resilient infrastructure, urban resilience, livelihoods, and climate information/early warnings.

Climate Change Mitigation Programme:

In order to avoid an irreversible climate crisis, we need to halve global emissions by 2030, and have carbon-neutral economies by 2050. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions – or climate change mitigation - is essential to fulfilling commitments to the Paris Agreement and limiting global mean temperature increase to 1.5° C above pre-industrial levels. All sectors, including energy, transportation, industry, forests, and land-use/agriculture must make a meaningful contribution towards achieving carbon neutrality. UNDP, as the largest implementer of climate change support within the UN system, plays a critical role by supporting countries in their emission reduction plans. With a commitment to providing long-term development support, our mitigation portfolio currently comprises of over 280 projects and programmes in over 110 countries. Together with our partners, UNDP supports countries to take ambitious climate action, advance Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and use a wide range of strategies and approaches across energy, forestry and land-use/agriculture sectors.

Ecosystems and Biodiversity Programme:

UNDP recognizes health ecosystem services and biodiversity as the foundation of human wellbeing and essential for tackling multiple development challenges: the climate and biodiversity loss crises, inequality and poverty, insecurity and migration. UNDP works to increase government, business and public support for biodiversity conservation, accelerating the actions necessary for systemic changes that are necessary for achieving the global biodiversity goals. These systemic leavers UNDP focuses are: (i) redirecting flows of finance from nature negative to positive; (ii) transforming production and consumption system through mainstreaming; (iii) placing nature at the very heart of development thinking and actions; (iv) leveraging legal and human rights instruments for protection of nature;  (v) causing large scale behavioral change of individuals, businesses and governments.  Through national, regional and global programming and policy support UNDP catalyzes these changes.

Water Governance:

Water is essential for life and sustainable development. UNDP works across the full range of the water resources challenges, addressing them from a governance perspective to promote equitable and efficient use and protection of water resources, supporting institution-building and capacity development for participatory governance of water resources.

Supporting integrated ecosystem-based management in 27 shared basins, UNDP is one of the major global actors in transboundary water management and governance. The water governance programme seeks to expand its engagement in national and local water governance reform, including in support of climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as peacebuilding and the reduction of multi-dimensional poverty and inequality for greater prosperity.

Taking a source-to-sea / ridge-to-reef holistic perspective on integrated management of land, water, biodiversity and coastal resources, the water governance work is managed in close coordination with the ocean governance programme.

Energy Programme:

UNDP has been a leading advocate and the largest UN implementing agency for the energy transition at global, regional and national levels for several decades. UNDP’s Energy Programme supports policy makers with high quality data to make informed decisions on selecting and designing cost-effective public instruments to promote private investment in clean energy, contributing to SDG 7 and in line with UNDP’s ‘signature solution’ on energy. UNDP has a successful track record in using policy instruments to de-risk and catalyze investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and energy access projects, including a series of sustainable energy initiatives specifically adapted to the needs (and resilient recovery) of fragile and crisis-impacted countries. UNDP’s support to countries on the energy transition is structured around three tracks: A) Policy de-risking for energy market transformation with overall aim of reducing energy-sector GHG emissions and achieving universal access to electricity particularly in SIDS and LDCs; the focus is on off-grid, rural distributed renewable energy-based systems; B) Addressing the energy-health nexus with focus on i) increasing access to clean cooking solutions and overall aim of reducing social, economic and environmental impacts of solid fuels, and ii) electrification of health care facilities C) Addressing the energy-fragility nexus with focus on countries in crisis and fragile situations (e.g. Middle East, Sahel region and Horn of Africa,  especially solar energy solutions for displaced communities to address emergency needs through livelihoods restoration, health and education facilities.

Climate and Forests Programme:

Forests support the livelihoods of over 1 billion people and host the largest share of the world’s biodiversity. UNDP provides expertise in stakeholder engagement, social and environmental safeguards, governance, institutional coordination, strategic planning, implementation of policies and measures to address drivers of deforestation, access to innovative finance and accessing results-based payments. UNDP also facilitates the necessary partnerships to address the complex elements of the REDD+ process.

Food, Agriculture and Commodities Programme:

Current production and consumption patterns are taking food systems on an unsustainable trajectory with multiple impacts on human development. UNDP works on Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS) to support a new paradigm of agricultural production based on diversified, resilient agroecological systems which work simultaneously to achieve economic, environmental, social, and health outcomes. Sustainable agriculture has the potential to help address some of the world's biggest challenges. It can play a vital role in ending hunger and food insecurity, alleviating poverty, tackling climate change and protecting life below water and on land, addressing multiple Sustainable Development Goals. UNDP’s Food and Agricultural Commodity Systems (FACS) Programme is active in more than 100 countries and close to 500 landscapes.  UNDP’s FACS strategy focuses on 5 intervention areas: (i) Reforming policy, legislative & regulatory frameworks; (ii) Strengthening capacity in sustainable food and agricultural commodity systems (iii) Improving market & financial incentives; (iv) Promoting sustainable livelihoods for small producers; and (v) Increasing impact through global support and initiatives. Through this, UNDP aims to upscale sustainable production landscapes and jurisdictions, support the transformation of food and agricultural commodity supply chains towards sustainability and ensure that all members of vulnerable households and smallholder producers are empowered to become more resilient, attain food security and pursue sustainable livelihoods. 

Ocean Governance:

The ocean contributes substantially to human development, including via the provision of food security, transport, energy, tourism, and critical ecosystem services; ocean sectors contribute around $3 trillion per year to the global market economy. Due to governance and market failures leading to unsustainable ocean practices, the health and socioeconomic contributions of the ocean   face significant threats including overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species and climate change. UNDP works with national and local governments, intergovernmental organizations, UN agencies, NGOs, academia and the private sector to advance integrated, cross-sectoral, ecosystem-based approaches to ocean management that help to create and maintain sustainable blue economies.  

Small Island Developing States Programme:

The distinct characteristics of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) render them a special case for sustainable development, as recognized by the United Nations. While diverse and distinct development trajectories, SIDS are also bound together by certain commonalities. Based on national demand and needs, and embedded within UNDP’s Strategic Plan 2018-2021, UNDP’s “upgraded” SIDS offer identifies transformative levers for advancing sustainable development. The upgraded offer aims at support SIDS in realizing the goals of the S.A.M.O.A. Pathway and the 2030 Agenda. It is aligned with UNDP’s Strategic Plan and builds on the organization’s multi-sectoral programmatic portfolio, as well as its overall breadth of development expertise and experience and its valuable network of traditional and non-traditional partners. UNDP’s upgraded SIDS offer responds to their most pressing needs as well as greatest opportunities for accelerating sustainable development. Building on multipliers that promise to accelerate progress across the SDGs, and building on UNDP’s comparative advantage and specific expertise, UNDP over the next 10 years will elevate and expand its support in: (i) Climate Action; (ii) Blue Economy; and (iii) Digital Transformation, with access to financing harnessed as a key enabler. This work will put the natural capital at the center of sustainable development, promoting nature-based solutions –solutions that reflect cultural and societal values in the protection, conservation and use of ecosystems goods and services.

Local Action:

UNDP focuses on empowering community-based sustainable development and socio-ecological resilience by: (a) strengthening social inclusion through effective engagement of women, indigenous peoples, youth, and persons with disabilities; (b) targeting support to LDCs and SIDS with funding and support, and capacity development; (c) supporting community innovation through learning-by-doing; (d) promoting partnerships for broader adoption of local innovations and influence policies and strategies at all levels; and (e) providing grants and access to finance for community-driven initiatives.

Chemicals and Waste Programme:

Sound chemical and waste management could reduce the risks of exposure to hazardous chemicals and protect the human health and environment. UNDP Montreal Protocol/chemical Programme focuses on for providing policy and technical advisory, design and implementation oversight to the chemical projects funded by Global Environment Facility, the Multilateral Fund, and bilateral donors. Chemical team are organized into a number of substantive technical teams with staff located in both HQs and UNDP's Regional Hubs in Istanbul, Panama, and Bangkok. Currently, UNDP supports over 73 countries in meeting their obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Ozone Depleting Substances and its Kigali Amendment on HFCs, Stockholm convention on POPs, Minamata convention on mercury, as well as strategic approach of international chemical management (SAICM). UNDP has been on the forefront of efforts to advance the Kigali Amendment to tackle the climate change and improve cooling efficiency by partnering with developing countries, MLF, GEF, K-CEP, CCAC, Cool Coalition, bilateral donors and private sectors. UNDP’s Chemicals and Waste Programme  helps client countries improve their capacities for sustainable production and consumption, clean air action plan, integrated waste management (healthcare waste, E-waste, plastics), sustainable and non-chemical development in SIDS, promotion of Green/Circular Economy, resource efficiency, good practice in Artisanal and Gold Mining sector (ASGM).

Environmental Governance Programme:

UNDP’s Environmental Governance Programme focuses on strengthening environmental governance as one of the critical pathways to advancing environmental sustainability, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and broader efforts to achieve the goals of the 2030 Agenda, Paris Agreement, and post-2020 Biodiversity Framework. Environmental governance and related cross-sectoral, whole-of-governance initiatives, such as Green and Circular Economy approaches, Resource Efficiency, Poverty-Environment Nexus, and Sustainable Consumption and Production, are needed to strengthen rule-of-law, legislation, and institutional capacities that enforce social and environmental safeguards, rule-of-law, and prevent pollution and environmental degradation, while protecting human rights and access to justice. These approaches are applied across the Nature, Climate and Energy portfolio and broader work of the Global Policy Network to fully integrate environment and climate concerns into national and sector planning and inclusive growth policies. They help to shift economic incentives and financial flows away from nature-destructive investments in infrastructure, extractives, agriculture, energy and other sectors, towards financing that accelerates nature-based solutions across productive value chains. The NCE team also works closely with sister UN agencies and others to strengthen Environmental Governance through global flagship initiatives and partnerships, such as the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), Environmental Governance Programme on Mining, and Poverty Environment Action (PEA), as well as through UN coordination mechanisms such as the Environmental Management Group.

Institutional Arrangement:

• The NCE Technical Specialist will be home-based and report to the NCE Regional Team Lead located in UNDP’s Regional Hub in Amman.  The NCE Technical Specialist will be guided and overseen on technical matters (subject matter specialization) and fund/donor requirements related elements  by the BPPS/NCE Principle Technical Advisor (PTA);
• The NCE Technical Specialist will be given access to relevant information necessary for the execution of the tasks under this assignment;
• The NCE Technical Specialist will be responsible for providing their own work station (i.e. laptop, internet, phone, scanner/printer, etc.) and must have access to reliable internet connection;
• Given the global consultations to be undertaken during this assignment, the NCE Technical Specialist is expected to be reasonably flexible with his/her availability for such consultations taking into consideration different time zones.

The NCE Technical Specialist will provide first layer technical support in specialized thematic areas to augment and support UNDP Country Offices and to provide technical oversight of the design of new programmes and projects that are strategic and essential in nature. The RTS will provide technical quality assurance support to the CO and the design lead (progrmame programme officer/EFP) in line with UNDP and donor policies and requirements.

The scope of work will vary depending on the specific assignment but would include one or various of the below tasks:

Project Origination, Concept/PIF and Full Proposal Design and Development:

The Technical Specialist will support UNDP Country Offices (CO), working with NCE Regional Team Leads (RTL), Regional Bureaus (RBx), Regional Technical Advisors (RTA), Principal Technical Advisors (PTA)/ Senior Technical Advisors (STA) and the NCE Directorate, in line with the roles and responsibilities as per the RACI in the POPP. Coordinating with the CO Environmental Focal Point (EFP), the Technical Specialist should support coordination across the design task team, comprising of various technical experts and consultants (e.g. feasibility experts, safeguards, gender, economic/financial, etc.) during the design and development process. Detailed functions include:

• Support COs in assessing government requests for programming, including integrated approaches and multi-focal area projects, for prima facie alignment with UNDP’s Strategic Investment Criteria on nature, climate and energy;
• Provide first layer technical advisory assistance on nature, climate and energy-related subject matters that are of focus or related (in the context of integrated solutions) with the targeted project/programme, including advising on project components and all technical sections, logframe,etc.;
• Provide first layer technical advisory assistance to COs for the preparation of the Pre-Investment Steering Committee (PISC) submission package, including the draft idea notes and/or concept/PIFs;
• Provide technical inputs on the capacity requirements at the CO level to meet UNDP investment criteria on nature, climate and energy related matters and fund/donor requirements for project/programme design and implementation;
• Assist in the maintenance of programme/project and portfolio information;
• Facilitate the identification and sourcing of technical expertise and provide technical inputs for the preparation of TORs, identification and evaluation of experts, and review reports;
• Provide high quality first layer technical review and quality assurance of ideas, PIF/Concepts, PPG Initiation Plans, PPF, and ProDoc/Funding Proposals and related annexes on both the nature, climate and energy subject specialization as well as fund-specific requirements and UNDP requirements (POPP);
• Provide technical input to the preparation of budget, procurement plans, safeguard appraisals, etc. (led by CO) associated with the project, in line with the fund/donor requirements;
• Liaise with CO and RBx colleagues to ensure that the necessary due diligence of Implementing Partners (IPs) has been completed, and CO capacities are assessed and taken into account to inform the implementation arrangements and risk management in line with UNDP and fund/donor policies;

• Support the CO in liaising with the relevant experts in Government, NGOs, CSOs, Private Sector, and Development Partners to obtain critical advice and information that can feed into the preparation of a feasibility assessment, concept design and proposal development;
• Support the CO in organizing, leading, participating and collating information based on a series of consultations with stakeholders and communities to both inform and validate the project design;
• Ensure that COs are aware of deadlines, guide COs in establishing clear timelines for preparation, review and submission.  Support CO Senior Management to put in place risk management strategies and action plans to ensure that deadlines for submission are met as per the policies of the funds/donors;
• Undertake due diligence checks on fund specific requirements and UNDP policies and obligations as per the POPP and provide adequate notification to other UNDP units to ensure that due diligence is conducted on time and within scope;
• Provide guidance to the CO programme officer/EFP on the submission, for second level quality assurance led by BPPS NCE, of the complete proposal packages for the idea, concept and full proposal, in line with fund/donor requirements;
• Support the CO programme officer/EFP on the technical responses to reviews received from the UNDP second level quality assurance, the fund secretariats and associated governance bodies (Board/Council, etc.) to ensure that the UNDP submission is of the highest quality;
• Under the supervision of the PTA/STA, support the BPPS NCE units in negotiation with the funds/donors to achieve project/programme approval;
• In addition to project development, based on request by CO, provide technical support to augment CO capacity for 1st level due diligence and oversight of implementation (including adaptive management) insofar as this relates to NCE related technical areas of the project/programme.

Advocacy, Learning, Knowledge Management:

• Contribute to a strategic understanding of, and engagement with the substantive technical issues, institutions, and processes within the region, including establishing contact and identifying strategic partnerships with other agencies, donors, NGOs, the private sector, scientific institutions and the like;
• Support the development of policy analysis, tools, guidance, and strategic UNDP policy position papers and internal briefing notes and keep the NCE Regional Team Leads and relevant counterparts in the Regional Bureaus informed of trends and issues with respect to the substantive technical area;
• Evaluate, capture, codify, synthesize lessons and stimulate the uptake of best practices and knowledge, including the development of knowledge materials;
• Contribute to the preparation of regional, training, and Community of Practice meetings.

Guided by the global UNDP Strategic Plan (2022 – 2025) and UNDP Country Programme Document (CPD) for Lao PDR (2022 – 2026), UNDP in Lao PDR works closely with the line Ministries, mass organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector at both national and international levels in pursuit of the national socio-economic development priorities defined in Lao PDR’s five-year National Socio-Economic Development Plan (NSEDP) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UNDP’s work is strongly focused on the provision of policy advice and technical support to the Government of Lao PDR in the design and implementation of national legislation and strategies across four broad Priority Pillars – (1) inclusive growth and reduced inequalities, (2) UXO clearance and risk education, (3) natural resources, climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as (4) effective, responsive, and accountable governance.  

Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) is, per capita, the most heavily bombed country in the world. More than forty years after the end of the 1964-1973 Indochina Conflict, Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) remains a major humanitarian and socioeconomic challenge to the country, causing deaths and injuries, limiting access to potentially productive land, and adding substantial costs to processes of development. The Government of Lao PDR has been active in the process of clearance since shortly after the conflict. Lao PDR has advocated for the Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM) and hosted the first Meeting of States Parties in 2010. It also embraced the UXO issue as a key development matter by locally establishing the Sustainable Development Goal 18 (SDG18), “Lives Safe from UXO”.

The UXO sector in Lao PDR consists of the National Regulatory Authority (NRA), Lao national Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao), humanitarian operators (INGOs), several accredited commercial companies providing UXO services, and humanitarian clearance teams within the Lao People’s Army. The overall coordination / lead from the Government side is mandated to rest with Ministry of Labour & Social Welfare (MLSW) and the Minister is also the Chairperson of the UXO Sector Working Group and NRA Board.

UNDP is the leading development partner in supporting the UXO sector in Lao PDR, since mid-1990s. UNDP with other partners have helped create the two key state institutions in UXO sector – UXO Lao and the NRA, and have been supporting the capacity development of these institutions from the beginning. UNDP serves as Co-Chair of the UXO Sector Working Group, together with the MLSW and the United States. The Government of Lao PDR, with support from UNDP, finalized and endorsed a new long-term sector strategy, Safe Path Forward III (2021-2030) and is in the process of developing associated implementation/work plan (UXO Sector 5-year Work Plan) The Government of Lao PDR and UNDP launched a new strategic Programme, Supporting Effectiveness and Efficiency in the UXO Sector to contribute to the achievement of SDG 18 and Safe Path Forward III (SPF III), 2022- (2022-2026) that will provide the programmatic and technical support necessary for the national institutions within the UXO sector (NRA and UXO Lao) to pursue the targets set out in the Sector Strategy (SPFIII) and UXO Sector Five Year Work Plan 2022-2026.

UNDP support to the UXO sector in Lao PDR has focused on two axes, notably: 1) support to strengthening the capacity and technical competency of the National Regulatory Authority, to be able to oversee and steer the sector in pursuance of national strategic goals and obtaining Lao PDR’s unique UXO Action Sustainable Development Goal, SDG 18: Lives Safe from UXO. 2) To provide capacity support for survey and clearance, through support to UXO Lao and the Humanitarian teams of the Lao People’s Army (Unit 58), thus hastening progress towards clearance in impacted communities.   

OBJECTIVE

The Consultant will provide support to the UXO Programme Unit by working closely with the UXO Portfolio Manager, Programme Team and Implementing Partners (NRA & UXO Lao) in key areas of gender analysis and action plan development in the UXO sector for the next four years (2023-2026). The Consultant is expected to thoroughly conduct a gender analysis using intersectional approach in the UXO sector through desk review, literature review and survey in relation to gender context and other social identities with respect to access to power, in order to identify and understand gender inequalities, current state of contextual situation by gender, underlying causes and effects of gender disparities on target groups in the UXO sector. As a result of thorough a gender analysis, the consultant will use it as main input for setting effective measures to eliminate gender disparities, integrating a gender perspective into UXO programme, developing gender-responsive and effective interventions to address gender inequality and meet the different needs of women and men, and ensure female participation in all elements of the UXO programme, engagement in the decision-making process, females in leadership positions and etc

I. Academic Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (master's level, equivalent or higher) in Public Administration, Economics, Social/Political Sciences, Management, Law, International Affairs or related fields.

II. Years of experience:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience performing a similar technical assistance role on public services delivery, digital transformation /e-governance;
• At least 5 years in a senior position in an international development role in public administration, governance or public service reform;
• Experience working at the highest level of government and understanding of related cultural norms of driving and facilitating change processes at the highest level of government, with a range of government of institutions with different perspectives;
• Experience with training and development in particular in challenging and transitional environments.
• Experience in Central Asia would be an advantage
• Prior work experience with UNDP would be an advantage

III. Language requirements:

• Fluency in written and spoken English. Knowledge of Uzbek or Russian would be an advantage

Application Process:

Interested candidates need to apply online at www.jobs.undp.org and upload requested documents in Part 4 of the Procurement Notice no later than September 26, 2022 (New York time). Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload a maximum one document. Your online application submission will be acknowledged to your email address provided in the application. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

Link to the application at the UNDP Job Site – https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=109039

(cut and paste into the browser address bar if the link does not work).

Your online application submission will be acknowledged to your email address provided in the application. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary.

You can review detailed Procurement Notice, Terms of Reference and download templates from the UNDP Procurement Notices Site following the link http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=95479. (cut and paste into the browser address bar if the link does not work).

Applications submitted via email, incomplete applications, or received after the closing date (September 26, 2022) may not be given consideration.

For more detailed information about UNDP Uzbekistan please visit our website at www.uundp.org/uzbekistan  UNDP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified female candidates, people with disabilities, and minorities are highly encouraged to apply. UNDP Balance in Manage Policy promotes the achievement of gender balance among its staff at all levels.

Requests for clarification must be sent in writing to pu.uz@undp.org, ensuring that the reference number above is included in the subject line. UNDP shall endeavor to provide such responses to clarifications in an expeditious manner, but any delay in such response shall not cause an obligation on the part of UNDP to extend the submission date of the Proposals, unless UNDP deems that such an extension is justified and necessary.

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GC-TISD) is a joint initiative by the Government of Singapore and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to identify and co-create technological and innovative solutions to help countries achieve their Sustainable Development Goals. We draw on the expertise of innovative talent in Singapore and around the world, and curate partnerships that will allow us to take this know-how to the places where it is needed most.

Our areas of focus are Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, Smart Cities and Digitalisation, and Sustainable Finance. GC-TISD leverages expertise in Singapore, as well as across the network of 90+ UNDP Accelerator Labs, and from experts and partners around the globe. For each of our programmes we are bringing together policymakers, practitioners, leading private sector actors, entrepreneurs, civil society, and other stakeholders to build practical solutions that will create lasting impact through deep collaboration.

GC-TISD seeks to recruit Interns to deliver the communications and digital engagement strategy of the Centre. The Interns will be given the opportunity to work on assignments that complement their academic studies and connect with the thematic focus of the Centre. 

The UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development (GC-TISD) is a joint initiative by the Government of Singapore and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to identify and co-create technological and innovative solutions to help countries achieve their Sustainable Development Goals. We draw on the expertise of innovative talent in Singapore and around the world, and curate partnerships that will allow us to take this know-how to the places where it is needed most.

Our areas of focus are Sustainable and Digital Agriculture, Smart Cities and Digitalisation, and Sustainable Finance. GC-TISD leverages expertise in Singapore, as well as across the network of 90+ UNDP Accelerator Labs, and from experts and partners around the globe. For each of our programmes we are bringing together policymakers, practitioners, leading private sector actors, entrepreneurs, civil society, and other stakeholders to build practical solutions that will create lasting impact through deep collaboration.

GC-TISD seeks to recruit Interns to work on priority research projects, focusing on the areas of digitalisation, digital government, and smart cities.