Country: Thailand
Closing date: 19 Aug 2015
Background
UNFPA’s Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (APRO) was established in July 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand, and provides a key link between UNFPA’s organization-wide vision, strategies, policies and analyses, on one hand, and the needs of the region and programme countries therein, on the other.
APRO provides leadership in positioning the agenda of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) at the forefront of poverty reduction and development strategies, policies, and debates throughout the region. It coordinates, oversees, supports and monitors the work of UNFPA’s 23 country offices in Asia and the Pacific , as well as Sub-Regional Offices in Suva and Kathmandu, aiming to strengthen the implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action and the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) according to national priorities.
The Regional Office also facilitates advocacy and policy dialogue to generate the political will and financial resources needed to achieve the goals of the ICPD Programme of Action, which emphasizes the integral links between population and development, focusing on meeting the needs of individual women, men and young people. The ICPD agenda underpins UNFPA’s work globally, and APRO is responsible for developing and maintaining strategic partnerships and regional networks to ensure broad ownership of the agenda in the region. This includes facilitating the exchange of knowledge and working to improve the quality of result-based management. In order to implement its programming, APRO manages a regional consultant roster of technical specialists that provide short term assistance to both the regional office and the country offices.
The UNFPA Consultant Roster serves as an intermediate between consultants interested in working on UNFPA consultancy assignments, and organizational units seeking consultation. The Consultant Roster assists APRO and country offices in their search by helping them identify qualified candidates, based on the need of the unit and the expertise/qualifications of the consultant.
Overview of the Consultancy
Purpose
UNFPA APRO is in need of a consultant to review the existing Roster mechanism, refining the technical criteria for candidate inclusion in the UNFPA APRO roster and reviewing current roster members and new applicants against those criteria. In addition, the consultant will work with APRO and Country Office (CO) members to help establish a way forward to maintain the roster and to communicate with members to ensure profiles are kept up to date and relevant to UNFPA’s needs.
Objectives
To review the current APRO consultant roster mechanism and processes and provide recommendations for improvement.
To refine tools and criteria for reviewing and vetting applicants.
To update the existing roster with current information and profiles.
Scope of Work
Key milestones:
Technical Consultant Roster Review and Profiling completed. (30 days)
- Review the current consultant roster mechanism and provide practical recommendations for improvement, particularly for:
- aligning the APRO Roster systems to the UNFPA Global Roster
- ensuring easy access to the APRO Roster by UNFPA staff at the regional and country levels
- sustaining the engagement of roster members and ensuring they update their profiles regularly
- utilizing LinkedIn, applicant tracking software and/or CV parsing within APRO
- maintaining an overview of the roster members and their profiles
- ensuring a sustainable mechanism for consultant recruitment and vetting
- meeting the consultancy needs of country offices
- other areas not identified by APRO
- Review over 300 profiles of all current members and new applicants and determine their suitability and availability for APRO assignments;
- Collate samples of work, UNFPA performance reviews (for candidates previously working with UNFPA in any capacity) and document reference checks for each candidate where necessary;
- Prepare a brief technical assessment and recommendation for each APRO roster candidate and summarize areas of strength and availability;
- Lead a technical assessment review panel of candidates together with the APRO staff for final vetting and inclusion in the roster.
Systems and Tools Developed (10 days)
- Based on UNFPA policies, refine tools and criteria for technical review of APRO roster members and new applicants for inclusions into the APRO roster;
- Working with knowledge management and information specialists, outline requirements for establishing a transparent and easy to use system for Roster management that aligns with the UNFPA Global Roster.
Total days 40
Qualifications & technical criteria
Master’s or advanced degree in public health administration, public health or related subject area;
10 years of experience in the development and/or implementation of programming and administration related to UNFPA’s mandate;
Exposure to and knowledge of UNFPA’s work;
Excellent English communication and writing skills;
Experience managing human resource rosters would be a comparative advantage.
Work setting
The primary work setting would be the consultant’s home base (30 days) and the offices of UNFPA APRO in Bangkok, Thailand (10 days).
Technical guidance and oversight
The consultant will work under the supervision of the Deputy Regional Director and under the immediate supervision will report to the Regional Progamme Specialist.
Terms and schedule of payment
A competitive selection process will be applied. Remuneration will be based on experience and qualifications of the incumbent. When travel is required, UNFPA APRO will cover the travel costs in accordance with the UN travel rules and regulations.
How to apply:
Candidates should submit the following documents:
- An application letter which states the candidate’s motivation to apply for this post
- A curriculum vitae, and
- A completed United Nations Personal History (P 11)
All the above documents must be sent by e-mail to vac-robangkok@unfpa.org
The P11 is available on the UNFPA websites at http://www.unfpa.org/resources/p11-un-personal-history-form
Please quote the Vacancy number “VA 1511 UNFPA APRO”. The deadline for application is :
Wednesday, 19 August 2015, at 15:00 hours, Bangkok time
Due to the total volume of applications only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.