Job - Innovation Specialist, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), UNDP, Armenia

Innovation Specialist, Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Location : Yerevan, ARMENIA
Application Deadline : 16-Jul-2017 (Midnight New York, USA)
Type of Contract : Individual Contract
Post Level : National Consultant
Languages Required : English Russian
Starting Date : (date when the selected candidate is expected to start) 20-Jul-2017
Duration of Initial Contract : 20 July – 31 December 2017 (up to 120 working days)

Background

The Government of Armenia, theUnited Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia work together to advance the national reform agenda and develop the capacities of counterparts at a national, regional and local level.
The UN in Armenia and the Center for Strategic Initiatives (CSI), the government’s ‘reform accelerator’ are in the process of developing a National SDG Innovation Lab, hosted in the CSI. The Lab will be a hub for data, analytics and policy recommendations and will provide support to ensure that government reforms contribute to a sustainable development path, have systems thinking at their core, and create an ecosystem for innovation and impact investment.
Specifically, the Lab will produce a series of research products as well as solution prototypes developed out of extensive systems mapping exercises. These products will inform the implementation strategy of a wide range of innovative tools and methods aimed at tackling Armenia’s biggest funding and implementation gaps in achieving the SDGs.
To help manage this process an Innovation Specialist is sought. The Expert, under the guidance of the SDG Lab Lead,will manage the day-to-day workflow of the lab, work to steer the policy direction of research and projects, provide oversight over the work of the experts and manage the communication flow between the Lab, the Center for Strategic Initiatives and the UN, and necessary stakeholders, where relevant. Additionally, the specialist will help lead the Lab in building strong partnerships among various members of the international community in Armenia

Duties and Responsibilities

The Expert will work under the guidance of the SDG Lab Lead, and in coordination with Deputy Resident Representative and UN RCO. Specifically, the Expert will perform the following functions:

Work on the finalization and regular update of the Lab design and its key analytical knowledge products as well as preparation of SDG Quick Wins project fiches, and periodic updates.
Oversee the application of systems thinking and mapping methodologies, in order to identify implementation and funding gaps and opportunities relevant to SDG implementation.
Work on the data dimension of the Lab’s work, including working with the National Statistics Office and key international partners (Global Pulse, SDG Dashboard, etc.), particularly in the utilisation of new and big sources of data.
Coordinate the integrated effort with the Kolba Lab in ensuring a high-quality innovation dimension of the SDG Lab work, connecting citizen-centric initiatives with development programmes and other SDG Innovation Lab initiatives;
Support the planning and implementation of the SDG Innovation Lab launch, in coordination with the SDG Lab Lead, and a series of thematic events as part of the Lab’s work-plan;
Liaise directly with potential partners in the development organizations and foreign embassies with a view to identify areas for possible cooperation and contribution to the SDG Innovation Lab and to the RCO;
Contribute to the future planning direction of the SDG Innovation Lab, with particular reference on testing, and later scaling, foresight exercises for the development of sectoral growth scenarios;
Review and assess the SDG-related communication efforts and evaluate the feasibility of the planned activities;
Provide other strategic design and policy advise related to innovation and SDG achievement, where necessary.
Provide other support and assistance as required.

Deliverables

Three revisions the SDG Innovation Lab concept note;
Preparation and implementation of a tentative SDG Innovation Lab action plan and budget, based on the concept note;
The SDG Innovation Lab Data work-plan and overall design of the Armenia SDG Barometer
Overseeing and supporting the facilitation of sector mapping/systems thinking sessions, and subsequent production of insight-capturing knowledge products;
Provide recommendations on tools and approaches of the Lab related to foresight, behavioural science, systems acupuncture, big and open data, and citizen engagement;
At least three packages on new areas of Innovation for Development with recommendations produced and disseminated, including analysis of the most interesting global policies, approaches and tools;
At least two SDG Quick Wins with full cost-benefit analysis;
Production of key SDG-related knowledge products;
Identified partnership and resource mobilization opportunities for the SDG Innovation Lab and the RCO;
Development and implementation of fundraising activities focusing on youth and the SDGs;
Support to SDG-related activities, as required (e.g. Accelerate2030).

Competencies

Excellent written and oral communication and interpersonal skills;
Strong organizational and team-building skills;
Proven ability to negotiate and to troubleshoot relationships with variety of stakeholders;
Creative flair and originality;
High level of motivation, ability to show initiative and work independently;
Ability to adapt quickly to new work environments, to establish and maintain good working relations with individuals of different backgrounds, and to work under pressure.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Policy, Public Administration, Development Studies, or a related field. A relevant university degree in combination with a qualifying experience in the sector may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

At least 5 years work experience in project management in social policy or a related filed;
Experience in working with the government at national or local level would be an asset;
Experience with innovative methodologies of public policy design would be an asset, with particular reference to foresight, behavioural science, systems acupuncture, big and open data, and citizen engagement.

Language Skills:

Fluency in Armenian, English and Russian is required (written and oral).
Knowledge of other language would be an asset.

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS WILL BE EVALUATED BASED ON THE FOLLOWING METHODOLOGY:

Candidates will be evaluated using a cumulative analysis method taking into consideration the combination of the applicants' technical qualifications, experience and financial proposal. The contract will be awarded to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Technically responsive/compliant/acceptable to the requirements of the ToR;
Having received the highest cumulative (technical and financial) score out of below defined technical and financial criteria.
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points in the technical evaluation would be considered for financial evaluation.

Technical Criteria - 70% of total evaluation - max. 100 points

Criterion A: Education-10 points
Criterion B: At least 5 years work experience in project management in social policy or a related filed-15 points
Criterion C: Experience in working with the government at national or local level-10 points
Criterion D: Experience with innovative methodologies of public policy design, with particular reference to foresight, behavioural science, systems acupuncture, big and open data, and citizen engagement-10 points
Criterion E: Knowledge of English and Armenian-5 points
Criterion F: Interview-50 points

Financial Criteria - 30% of total evaluation - max. 30 points.
The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal. All other price proposals receive points in inverse proportion.

Payment terms

The contractor will be paid on a monthly basis for the number of days worked (up to a maximum of 20 days per month). For payment, certification of satisfactory performance and completed timesheets for each month are required. Evaluation of the outputs is the responsibility of the SDG Lab Lead.

Timing and reporting

The Consultant will be engaged on short-term basis, up to 120 working days during 20 July – 31 December 2017 period under Individual Contract arrangement and direct supervision of the SDG Lab Lead and in close cooperation with Deputy Resident Representative and UN RCO

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Interested candidates can apply for the position at: https://jobs.undp.org/cj_apply.cfm?cur_job_id=73234

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION.

UNDP Personal History form (P11): http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/corporate/Careers/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
Letter of interest;
Financial Proposal and Availably: OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP
General Conditions of Contract is available here: http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/documents/procurement/documents/IC%20-%20General%20Conditions.pdf.
Note: Please note you can upload only one document to this application (scan all documents in one single PDF file to attach).