A. Background Information

The UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 embraces the complexity of development and commits the organization to helping countries find faster, more durable solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and address wicked issues like urbanization, climate change, and rising inequalities that could stonewall the achievement of Agenda 2030.

Among the new generation of solutions launched by UNDP is the Accelerator Lab Network. Aiming to build the largest and fastest learning global network embedded in its bureaucracy, UNDP has set up Accelerator Labs in an initial set of 60 countries, including the Philippines. Such labs are tasked to pursue interdisciplinary approaches and non-linear solutions that crowd in the collective efforts of variety of partners and tap into local insights and the knowledge of people closest to the problem and the solutions. Through the Accelerator Labs, UNDP aims to introduce a range of new services to partners—including sensemaking, collective intelligence, solutions mapping, and experimentation—to accelerate the testing and dissemination of solutions within and across countries.

With the arrival of the COVID-19 virus, cities are on the frontline of both the current phase of managing and coping with the immediate effects of virus transmission as well as being confronted with the challenge of recovery and resilience planning. UNDP Philippines led by the Accelerator Lab team has been engaging with two cities in Metro Manila – Pasig and Marikina – to develop a program of support based around the concept of “strategic risk management”.  The COVID context makes such work more urgent but with the ongoing community quarantine in the Philippines, the mode of delivery and content of the planned training sessions would need to reviewed and revised.

The focus of UNDP’s support is to enable selected cities in Metro Manila to futureproof and accelerate sustainable development impact through dynamic management of strategic risks, opportunities and innovation. It aims to empower city leaders and their teams by providing a series of strategic options to better understand the key risks they are facing and exploit the transformative opportunities available to them and ultimately increase their effectiveness in creating citizen centered, livable and sustainable city spaces. This is anchored in the view of strengthening democracy and scaling participatory governance, while ensuring that no one is left behind.

Furthermore, while building on the gaps from the CO’s wealth of experience to the integrated programme areas, it would need to shift from the “business as usual approach” and respond to the challenges with agile and flexible approaches and solutions. The three integrated programme work areas are the following:

1. Strengthening capacity to plan, manage and deliver quality social and economic services for the most marginalized and at-risk people;
2. Supporting the effective transition towards low carbon and climate resilient development; and
3. Support towards addressing the key drivers of conflict and risks to stability.

The UNDP Philippines Country Office has in fact taken steps to work differently: taking steps to create the space to collaborate creatively; to encourage the staff to take an outside-in perspective driven by client perspectives and needs; and, to adopt an experimentation mindset to take measured risks.

B. General objectives

Purpose of call for applications:

UNDP Philippines seeks to create a roster of consultants for the Accelerator Lab-Philippines, which could be used to hire consultants on a need basis. A specific Terms of Reference will determine the scope of work and the selection of experts from the vetted roster for each of the assignments.

1) Urban Specialists

The roster of urban specialists shall support the UNDP Philippines’ sustainable cities agenda by providing in-depth advice analysis and guidance on supporting innovation systems within city local governments.

Specifically, the consultant will be required to do the following:

1. Orientation and consultations with city Iocal governments, academia and the Development Academy of the Philippine on the concept and operations of city innovation labs.

• Present a first approach to the  experience of city innovation labs, creating a common ground, shared  vocabulary, and  a  collective reflection on  new  possibilities  in  the  context  of  participatory urban governance.
• Give  an  initial  understanding  of  the  potential  for  experimental  and  participatory practices  within the context of complex and dynamic  societies.
• Surface and explore potential partnerships for the UNDP Accelerator Lab program.

        2. Public seminar on city innovation labs for  academia civil society, the private sector and UN/UNDP staff.

• Present social interest surrounding lab practices: an experimental and creative approach to the public realm and its challenges.
• Have the event function as a self-selecting process to identify possible future collaborators and new talent for UNDP, through the Accelerator Lab.
• Facilitate discussions about the possibilities of reinvigorated urban planning and human-centered services.
• Identify potential long-term academic and expert partners.

        3. Co-design framework for establishing city innovation labs in the Philippines.

• Conduct training to the Accelerator Lab through the co-design of a framework to establish city innovation labs with the view of identifying foundational principles, design and initial operations, governance arrangements, collaboration ecosystems, mechanisms for full societal inclusion and the promotion of interdisciplinary approaches.
• Provide mentorship to the Accelerator Lab and city innovation lab stakeholders.

2) Social Innovation and Design Support Experts

The roster of social innovators shall support the UNDP Philippines’ innovation agenda by providing client-oriented advisory services and other related support services in the training and capacity building, facilitating of seminars, training and workshops, and design of innovation programs that support the overall achievement of the CPD.  The social innovators are expected to work in one, some or a combination of these categories of work, tools and approaches.  A specific Terms of Reference will determine the scope of work and the selection of experts from the vetted roster for each of the assignments.

Specifically, the social innovator shall:

1. Provide client-oriented advisory services and programmatic support to the UNDP Accelerator Lab, programme teams, staff, clients and partners on innovative approaches to horizon scan, strategic planning, design, implementation and evaluation of global, regional and country programmes, projects and campaigns;

• Review programme and project documents to identify “windows of opportunity” for infusing innovative approaches such as foresighting, scenario planning, human-centered design (or design thinking), behavioral insights, among others;
• Facilitate discussions with issue-based teams to bring fresh ideas and approaches to programme and project design, implementation and M&E, such as sense making, horizon scanning, foresight, crowdsourcing, participatory statistics, rapid feedback mechanisms, and micro-narratives;
• Peer-review innovation-related documents, briefs, and papers produced by the country office;
• Provide support in designing UNDP innovation challenges, hacathons, and competitions;
• Participate in evaluation committees, evaluating proposals, and providing suggestions for improvement;
• Participate in / facilitate design jams, rapid sensemaking and other brainstorming activities with UNDP staff in applying innovative approaches, tools and techniques;
• Participate in working out loud by injecting advice on social innovation through blogs, vlogs, social media posts / stories, online messaging discussion, etc.;

         2. Closely work with the Accelerator Lab in providing support for the development of innovative approaches, methodologies, tools and techniques, such as, but not limited to, systems thinking, human-centered design, service design, systemic design, among others;

• Work with the UNDP Philippines staff to design social innovation mechanisms, such as ethnography, games, competitions, hackathons, social innovation camps, prize challenges, crowd-funding, etc.;
• Support the delivery of these mechanisms;
• Support sharing and discussion of examples experiences, practices and lessons on social innovation mechanisms through blogs, online discussions, webinars, events, etc.

         3. Provide training on innovation to UNDP staff, clients and partners;

• Design and deliver training on social innovation approaches, methodologies and tools delivered via webinars to CO staff, partners and clients, and face-to-face innovation hub-style trainings;
• Design and participate in learnings and reflections sessions on innovation, such as, but not limited to, innovation conversations series, brown bag lunches, webinars, and the like;
• Regularly blog about innovation for UNDP-internal and external audiences to raise awareness and connect UNDP with interesting resources, projects and experts on social innovation.

            4. Support the design of and participate in country, regional, and global events on innovation, such as, but not limited to, innovation summits, innovations conversations & webinars, communities of practice, etc.;

            5. Participate in events in varying roles, e.g., as a technical expert, facilitator, presenter, etc.

C. Governance and accountability

The Consultants will work under the primary supervision of the Senior Policy Advisor or, depending on the initiative, appropriate project manager. The deliverables will be reviewed and approved by the Senior Policy Advisor, or appropriate project manager, as per the specific terms and conditions that will be agreed on during the selection of the candidate from the Roster.

D. Facilities to be provided by UNDP

UNDP Philippines will assign a work area for the Consultant and provide administrative and logistics service on a need basis.

E. Duration of assignment

Successful candidates will be placed under the roster for minimum of one (1) year.  The roster duration may be extended for up to a maximum of three years depending on satisfactory performance and ongoing requirement. 

Depending on specific requirements, the actual duration will be specified in the ICs Terms of Reference for each individual assignment.

F. Duty station

The Consultant’s duty station can be arranged with a mix of remote and in country visits to UNDP Philippines Country Office, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. The Consultant is not required to report on a daily basis at the Country Office. But in terms of  handling capacity building sessions for staff, s/he is expected to report on a mutually agreed schedule, organize regular updates meetings with the Resident Representative and the Deputy Resident Representative and participate in Management Team meetings.

G. Performance Indicators

Aside from the delivery of the outputs, the roster is to be evaluated based on the on the following Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

KPI 1.Responsiveness: Accept or decline the assignment within 5 calendar days after being contacted and should be available to start no later than 10 calendar days upon receipt of confirmation of acceptance by UNDP.

KPI 2.Timeliness of submission of reports

KPI 3.Quality of reports based on TOR

KPI 4.Communication and Reporting: Consultant shall communicate and provide reports in a timely and professional manner

KPI 5.Innovativeness. Consultant was able to recommend and/or try out new ways of engagement and/or doing things for the project.

If the consultant fails to meet UNDP’s performance requirement, the consultant will receive in the first instance a warning to improve their performance. Continued failure to meet performance requirements may result in the exclusion from the roster.

H. Competencies

To be eligible part of the roster, the applicant must possess the following competencies:

Innovation – Ability to make new and useful ideas work : Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them.

Leadership – Ability to persuade others to follow : Level 4: Generates commitment, excitement and excellence in others.

Delivery – Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement : Level 4: Meets goals and quality criteria for delivery of products or services.

Advocacy – Level 5, Originate: Catalyzes new ideas, methods, and applications to pave a path for innovation and continuous improvement in professional area of expertise.

Communication- Level 5, Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others.

I. Qualification of the consultants

1) Urban Specialists

The expert roster for  Urban Specialists will be a repository of qualified national and international experts who should meet the minimum qualifications. Only those who will obtain at least 49 out of 70 obtainable points will be considered technically qualified and shortlisted.

Education

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Political Science, or a development-related discipline. A doctorate degree on any of the aforementioned is an advantage (max 30 points)

21 points for Master’s; additional points for additional degrees; 30 points for doctorate

General Experience

• At least seven (7) years of experience in providing technical advice for urban development, particularly in the areas of Iocal governance, urban planning, service delivery, community mobilization, and cultural preservation (max 20 points).

14 points for 7 years; additional point per additional year

• At least 5 years of experience in designing, overseeing, implementing, and mobilizing resources for innovative programs at the city/local government level (max 10 points).

7 points for 5 years; additional point per additional year

• At least 5 years experience in facilitating engagements with government, private sector, academe, and wider civil society (max 10 points).

7 points for 5 years; additional point per additional year

2) Social Innovation and Design Support Experts

The expert roster for Social Innovation and Design Support Experts will be a repository of qualified national and international experts who should meet the minimum qualifications. Only those who will obtain at least 49 out of 70 obtainable points will be considered technically qualified and shortlisted.

Education:

• Master’s degree in international development,  development studies, business, social sciences, arts & design, or related area. Equivalent relevant 7 years of experience combined with a Bachelor’s degree will also be considered (max 30 points)

21 points for Bachelor’s if with 7 years of experience or Master’s degree; additional points for additional degrees; 30 points for doctorate

General Experience:

• At least 5 years of providing advisory services to development organizations, academic institutions and private sector corporations on innovation.  Experience with providing advisory services to international organizations, especially that of UN agencies, is a plus (max 20 points)

14 points for 5 years; additional point per additional year; additional 3 points for experience with international organizations such as UN agencies

• At least 3 years of experience with designing and delivering trainings on innovation (max 10 points)

7 points for 3 years; additional point per additional year

• At least 3 years experience in blogging and effective use of social media for advocacy and discussion (max 10 points)

7 points for 3 years; additional point per additional year

J. Evaluation Method, criteria for selection and Establishment of Roster

Candidates will be evaluated based on the Combined Rating method (technical score 70% + financial score 30%).

Qualified candidates are requested to apply online via the eTendering site. The application should contain the following THREE documents:

• DOCUMENT 1: Personal CV or P11 Personal History Form, indicating all past experiences, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of at least three (3) professional references.
• DOCUMENT 2: Brief description of why the individual considers her/himself suitable for the roster
• DOCUMENT 3: Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability and Financial Proposal (use UNDP Template)

1. The financial proposal should specify an all-inclusive “daily fee” In USD or PHP currency (all-inclusive of communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract. Your hourly rate will be computed as 1/8 (based on 8 hours in a working day) of your daily fee.

        2. Other expenses including cost of travel from the home base to the duty station and vice versa, where required; living allowances at the                duty station etc. will be reimbursed by UNDP on actuals and must not be included in the daily fee rates;

        3. Interested applicants to note that personal Medical/Health insurance (to be purchased by the individual at his/her own expense) is        mandatory for the issuance of contracts. Upon award of the contract, the consultant must be ready to submit proof of insurance valid during the contract duration.

        4. In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

        5. If the Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

       6. Payments will be made upon submission of a certificate of payment request, at a schedule agreed based on deliverables, indicating outputs achieved and days worked to be verified and cleared for payment by UNDP supervisor.

       7. Incomplete applications may be disqualified. Please make sure you have provided all requested documents.

K. Mode of Submission

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY THROUGH THIS JOBS SITE.

Interested applicants are requested to register on the UNDP eTendering website:  https://etendering.partneragencies.org  and search for the notice and attached documents with the following information:

Business Unit (BU) Code: PHL10
Event ID number: 0000007311

The step by step guide for e-tendering website (including vendor registration) can be downloaded at this link:

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/procurement/business/procurement-notices/resources/

Please prepare your application in accordance with the requirements and procedure and submit it by the Deadline for Submission indicated in the etendering system. Any and all amendments to the advertisements including possible extensions of the deadline will be posted on the etendering website. Please make sure you register on the website and click on the ‘Accept Invitation’ button for this event so you can receive notifications on posted updates.

For any clarifications on the etendering site, please write to  procurement.ph@undp.org and in the subject line, write: “Expert Rosters for Accelerator Lab.”

Due to the large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.

Please note that this call for applications is solely intended for inclusion in the roster and that there is no guarantee of a contract or immediate opportunity for an assignment. Actual engagement will be dependent on the Country Office’s specific requirements and Terms of Reference, and a secondary competition among roster experts may be conducted.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply