National Individual Consultant for Mainstreaming Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into Decision-Making Processеs

Offeror’s Letter     UNDP P11_Personal_history_form.New

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

 https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=98046

1. Background Information on the Project:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been active and present in eastern Ukraine for the past decade, prior to the conflict, with a focus on community development, civil society development, and environmental protection. Work on addressing the specific conflict-related development challenges built on this earlier engagement, established partnerships, and started in 2015 through the United Nations Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme (UN RPP). The UN RPP is a multi-donor funded framework programme formulated and led by the UNDP in collaboration with the Government of Ukraine and in cooperation with a number of partnering UN agencies (UN Women, FAO, UNFPA). The RPP was designed to respond to, and mitigate, the causes and effects of the conflict in the east of Ukraine. It is an integral component of the UNDP Country Programme and is therefore fully aligned with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPF).

In October 2018, four UN agencies (UNDP, UN Women, FAO and the UNFPA) have countersigned a new joint project document, currently funded by twelve international donors. The overall objective of the project is to restore effective governance, support economic recovery and promote reconciliation in the crisis-affected communities of Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia oblasts in Ukraine, thereby enhancing the credibility and legitimacy of local governments in the government-controlled areas of the regions. It will contribute to peacebuilding and prevent further escalation of the conflict in Ukraine through effective and accountable decentralization, gender-responsive recovery planning and equal access to services, as well as enhanced economic recovery and development.

Component ІІІ of UN RPP “Community Security and Social Cohesion” aims to reach its goals by enhancing community security; supporting civic mobilization and empowerment of communities; reconciliation and restoration of social cohesion. This includes implementation support of the projects strengthening community security and social cohesion through testing innovative legal aid, access to justice, conflict resolution and peacebuilding mechanisms at local level.

As a part of the social cohesion activities, Component III of UN RPP actively supports inclusion of persons with disabilities into decision-making processes in the communities of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, promotes principles of universal design and promotes civic engagement among persons with disabilities. In order to facilitate mainstreaming of inclusive practices into local and regional policies, the Programme is seeking a qualified expert with a solid background in policy drafting, policy analysis and advocating the rights of persons with disabilities.

2. Main objectives of the assignment

The overall objectives of this assignment are analyzing alignment of local and regional policies and decision-making mechanisms with the national and international practices of inclusion of persons with disabilities; analyzing capacities of the most active organizations of persons with disabilities in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts; and drafting recommendations for local self-governance bodies and regional administrations on mainstreaming inclusion of persons with disabilities into local and regional policies.

The Consultant will ensure the mainstreaming of gender equality considerations in all aspects of the assignment, promote a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behaviour, respect differences and accord equal spaces and dignity regardless of personnel’s sex, ethnicity, sexual preference, gender identity, (dis)ability or other markers of identity, and use the principles of gender-responsive communications in line with the UNDP corporate standards.

3. Description of Responsibilities/Scope of work

The National Individual Consultant for Mainstreaming Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities into Decision-Making Processes, under the supervision of the Community Security and Social Cohesion Component Lead, will be responsible for:

1) Analyzing community policies (strategies, local programs in at least 3 areas: social, cultural and youth policies), regional policies of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (at least 3 areas: social, cultural and youth policies) and decision-making mechanisms (participation of persons with disabilities in working groups, committees of at least 4 communities, two in Donetsk and two in Luhansk oblast) in terms of inclusion of persons with disabilities.

• Developing methodology of the research, selecting target communities, and approving them with Supervisor, developing timeframe of the research.
• Conducting research according to the approved methodology with at least three focus groups (online or offline) comprised of representatives of local self-governance bodies, experts and organizations of persons with disabilities, held in each community, and at least one focus group (online or offline) at the regional level in each oblast. In case the focus groups are held offline, logistical expenses will be covered by UNDP upon prior approval with Supervisor.
• Organizing at least 6 online public consultations (3 in each oblast) on engagement of persons with disabilities into decision-making processes on local, regional and national levels.
• Based on the research and public consultations, prepare recommendations for self-governance bodies and inputs to national policies, including the draft of National Strategy on Barrier-Free Ukraine, National Strategy for Developing Inclusive Education and National Strategy of the Public Administration Reform on mainstreaming inclusion of persons with disabilities into decision-making processes.

2) Analyzing capacity and involvement of organizations of persons with disabilities into decision-making processes in Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and at the national level

• Analyzing best practices of inclusion of organizations of persons with disabilities from Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts at community, regional and national levels (participation in working groups, committees, councils, etc.)
• Analyzing capacities of the organizations of persons with disabilities to better understand what skills are lacking to improve their participation at the community and regional levels. Collecting feedback from organizations of persons with disabilities on the skills needed to facilitate participation.
• Based on the research, prepare training agenda for increasing capacity of organizations of persons with disabilities (at least 40 hours of training).
• Prepare a report on the analysis (Ukrainian language, at least 10 pages) and a presentation for further advocation of the mainstreaming inclusion of persons with disabilities.

3) Presenting the results of research and advocating inclusion of organizations of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes

• Holding at least 3 offline/online presentations (Kramatorsk, Sievierodonetsk and Kyiv) of the research and recommendations to promote mainstreaming inclusion of persons with disabilities in local, regional and national policies. In case the presentations are held offline, logistical expenses will be covered by UNDP upon prior approval with Supervisor..
• Holding at least 1 online presentation of the results of the research for local and regional organizations of persons with disabilities to facilitate partnerships between the organizations of the two oblasts.

 4. Deliverables

The timeframe is spanning about 5 months, from April 2021 to September 2021. The requested services will be provided according to the agreed workplan and paid in lump sums according to the following schedule.

5. Proposed payment schedule

Payments will be made in three stages according to the proposed payment schedule below:

15% – upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 1

20% – upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 2

20% – upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 3

25% – upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 4

20% – upon submission and approval of report according to Deliverable 5

The payments will be paid out upon the full completion and acceptance of deliverables in accordance with certificate of payments provided by the Community Security and Social Cohesion Component Lead.

6. Monitoring/Reporting requirements

The Consultant will work under supervision and directly report to the Community Security and Social Cohesion Specialist according to the abovementioned schedule.  All reports and materials shall be prepared and transmitted electronically (Formats of: * .docx, * .xlsx, * .pdf, etc.) to the electronic device or in the form of electronic communication with the final product. The materials/reports should be prepared in Ukrainian.

7. Required Skills and Experience

• At least Specialist’s/Master’s degree in Humanities, Sciences, Education, Economics, Social Sciences or other related field;
• Proven experience in drafting or analyzing policies and preparing analytical reports, example of at least 3 policy documents presented;
• Minimum 4 years of proven experience with organizations advocating the rights of persons with disabilities;
• Minimum 3 years of proven experience in capacity building of organizations of persons with disabilities;
• Membership in national bodies advocating the rights of persons with disabilities would be a strong asset;
• Professional fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, both written and oral is mandatory.

Competencies

• Excellent communication and organization skills;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Excellent computer skills (including, MS Word);
• Ability to set priorities, meet specific objectives, use political judgment and knowledge;
• Good interpersonal skills, diligence, open mindedness, and dedication;
• Excellent team and networking skills;
• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment;
• Ensures the mainstreaming of gender equality and women’s empowerment considerations in the field of expertise.

8. Documents to be Included when Submitting the Proposals

Applicants shall submit the following documents:

9. Financial Proposal

Lump sum contract.

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, according to the abovementioned schedule. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including number of anticipated working days, logistical expenses, etc).  

The IC will be responsible for all administrative expenses associated with undertaking this assignment including office accommodation, printing, stationary, telephone and electronic communications, and report copies incurred in this assignment.

Travel costs

All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. This includes all travel to join duty station/repatriation travel. In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel in a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

10. Evaluation criteria

1. At least Specialist’s/Master’s degree in Humanities, Sciences, Education, Economics, Social Sciences or other related field – 7 points max

{5 pts. – Specialist’s/Master’s degree in Humanities, Sciences, Education, Economics, Social Sciences or other related field; 7 pts. – PhD in the relevant fields};

2. Proven experience in drafting or analyzing policies and preparing analytical reports, example of at least 3 policy documents presented – 15 points max

{10 pts. – 3 relevant policy documents presented; 12 pts. – 4-5 relevant policies presented; 15 pts. – more than 5 relevant policies presented};

3. Minimum 4 years of proven experience with organizations advocating the rights of persons with disabilities – 20 points max

{15 pts. – 4 years of proven experience; 17 pts. – 5-6 years of proven experience; 20 pts. – more than 6 years of proven experience};

4. Minimum 3 years of proven experience in capacity building of organizations of persons with disabilities – 18 points max

{14 pts. – 3 years of proven experience; 16 pts. – 4-6 years of proven experience; 18 pts. – more than 6 years of proven experience};

5. Membership in national bodies advocating the rights of persons with disabilities would be a strong asset – 5 points max

{0 pts –  no membership; 5 pts – proven membership}

6. Professional fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, both written and oral – 5 points max

{5 pts. – professional fluency in Ukrainian and Russian, both written and oral}.

11. Evaluation method:

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. b) having received the cumulative highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight: 70%

* Financial Criteria weight: 30%

Only candidates meeting the minimum requirements and obtaining a minimum 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points [max points available for financial part] x [lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers] / [evaluated price].

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_job.cfm?cur_job_id=98046