Terms of Reference. For Individual Consultants/Contractors (IC)

Transcription

1 Terms of Reference For Individual Consultants/Contractors (IC) Assignment Title: Type of Assignment: Host Agency/Host Institute: Project Title: Duration: Location, Country: Consultant, Best Practice Case Publication on Youth Employment and Skills Building National Consultant Business Call to Action (BCTA)/ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Fostering Inclusive Business and Public Private Collaboration (a joint project by Business Call to Action and UNDP Kenya) 40 days within two months Nairobi, Kenya Expected Starting Date: April ) BACKGROUND The Business Call to Action (BCtA) is a global leadership platform that challenges companies to advance core business activities that are inclusive of poor populations and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals. BCtA is a joint initiative of the UK Department for International Development, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the US Agency for International Development, the United Nations Global Compact, and the Clinton Global Initiative. BCtA is hosted by the United Nations Development Programme Headquarters in New York. The Business Call to Action global leadership platform provides opportunities to share expertise, knowledge, and best practices for market-based approaches to development; initiative development advice and assistance; and linkages with companies, donors, and other key stakeholders. In Kenya, Business Call to Action and the United Nations Development Programme Kenya, work jointly to i) raise awareness and understanding of inclusive business models and potential through knowledge publications; ii) facilitate linkages between companies and to foster public-private dialogue through convening events and to ii) increase the commitments of existing and new BCtA member companies to address country level development challenges through sustainable business models.

2 Under this joint project, BCTA and UNDP are requesting the services of a National Consultant to conduct research and write a publication featuring best practice company approaches to build the skills and provide employment for low-income youth in Kenya. The study shall feature three examples of company approaches to be jointly identified with BCtA. Preferably the examples are from different sectors and provide insights into approaches to include low-income youth as employees of the company, as suppliers for the company and as distributors/retailers of the company. The overall aim of the short publication is to provide examples, insights and ideas for companies in Kenya to address youth unemployment and skills gap with a specific focus on including disadvantaged youth from economically challenged backgrounds with limited opportunities to access education. 2) OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT The objective of the assignment is to prepare a short (approximately 10 page) publication featuring three company approaches to build the skills and include low income youth as employees or as suppliers or distributors in the value chains. The Consultant shall conduct desk research and interviews with selected companies to describe their approaches and identify success factors, challenges and opportunities for scaling the approaches as well as action points/implications for wider stakeholders (private sector, public sector, civil society organizations, educational organizations and development partners) in regards to supporting the economic inclusion and skills building of low income youth in Kenya. 3) SCOPE OF SERVICES The Consultant is expected to undertake the below tasks: i. Prepare an inception report including work plan for undertaking the assignment with clear milestones and structure of the final product (publication) ii. Prepare a short background note describing the Kenyan youth employment and skills context and highlighting the need to build talent and skills of low income youth and support their economic inclusion based on desk research (will be used in the final publication) iii. Identify in collaboration with BCtA case examples featuring Kenyan based companies that have included low-income youth as their employees or as suppliers or distributors in their value chains with a focus on examples where the skills of the youth have been clearly built either by the company or in partnership with other actors (NGOs, public sector, company foundations and/or development partners) iv. Prepare interview structure for case companies (a clear structure on what kind of insights and date shall be gathered) v. Conduct research (interviews) to describe the company approaches and gather insights of success factors, challenges and opportunities for scaling up as well as potential policy implications.

3 vi. vii. viii. Analyze the research findings and prepare draft study, that shall include (at least): A short background describing the Kenyan youth employment and skills context and highlighting the need to build talent and skills of low income youth and support their economic inclusion (1-2 pages) Three detailed case examples of company approaches identifying impacts, success factors, challenges, collaboration schemes and potential for scaling up/replication (6-9 pages) A section of key takeaways & implications for stakeholders on how to support, develop and scale approaches to include low income youth (1-2 pages) Validate draft publication findings with key stakeholders and review the publication based on comments (note that a few rounds of iterations are usually needed) Prepare final publication 4) DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT, DUTY STATION AND EXPECTED PLACES OF TRAVEL The duration of this assignment shall not exceed 40 days within a time period of two (2) months. The Consultant is expected to be based in Nairobi, Kenya and avail him/herself to an induction meeting and required review meetings with work supervisor on an as needed basis at the UN compound in Nairobi. Were travel outside Nairobi needed for interviews, UN Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rates for towns outside Nairobi shall apply. The consultant will be requested to organize his/hers own working space and needed facilities (internet, IT). 5) DELIVERABLES The main outputs of this consultancy assignment will be as outlined below: Inception report detailing work plan and expected structure of the final publication Short background note on youth employment and skills context (see section 3) Interview structures for each interview Interview transcripts/recordings from interviews conducted & list of other potential resources used to write the case descriptions (e.g. company annual/csr reports) Draft study including case examples for review Final Publication (approximately pages excluding references) 6) PROVISION OF MONITORING AND PROGRESS CONTROLS The consultant will report to the Project Manager of the BCtA and UNDP joint project based at UNDP Kenya. In the beginning of the assignment, the project manager and consultant will have an induction meeting to go through the assignment and agree on ways of working (reporting, update calls, ways of reaching identified case companies) and decide on case examples. The Consultant is expected to proactively update the project manager on advancements based on the work plan created. The Project Manager shall provide timely feedback for the consultant on the deliverables and performance of duties.

4 7) DEGREE OF EXPERTISE AND QUALIFICATIONS Qualifications: Professor, lecturer, researcher, and/or affiliate at a business school, university, think tank in Kenya or consultant/consultancy Master s Degree with 5-10 years of relevant work experience, e.g. in research and communications in areas related to the assignment, international experience is an asset Good understanding of inclusive business and in depth knowledge on how business can contribute to development through core business practices Good knowledge of the youth unemployment and training context in Kenya Previous proven research experience (including interview techniques) and publications to your name to showcase excellent writing skills Skills: Excellent knowledge of English (spoken, written and reading) Good communication and presentation skills Able to work independently and proactive attitude to work Able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines 8) LANGUAGE All the deliverables shall be in English language. Therefore, excellent English communication skills (oral, written and presentation) are essential for this assignment. 9) TIMING The assignment is expected to commence in April Specific dates will be agreed with the Consultant. 10) PAYMENT TERMS Schedule of payments and amount 20% Required Deliverables Inception report detailing work plan and expected structure of the final publication Short background note on youth employment and skills context (see section 3) Interview structures for each interview 30% Interview transcripts/recordings from interviews conducted & list of other potential resources used to write the case descriptions (e.g. company annual/csr reports) Draft study including case examples for review 50% Final approved publication

5 11) EVALUATION CRITERIA Applications from qualified candidates will be desk reviewed by selection panel. Best three to five candidates will further be invited for interviews at the UN compound in Nairobi. Criteria Weight Max points 1) Desk Review Master s Degree with 5-10 years of relevant work experience, e.g. in 10% 10 research and communications in areas related to the assignment, international experience is an asset Good understanding of inclusive business & good knowledge of the 15% 15 youth unemployment and training context in Kenya and private sector approaches to address these Previous proven research experience and publications to your name to 25% 25 showcase excellent writing skills Clarity of proposal for implementing the assignment (including key 20% 20 work stages and timelines; consultants can also suggest suitable case examples if any) 2) Interview 30% APPLICATION PROCEDURE Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications including the following: 1. UNDP Personal History Form (P11) 2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae 3. Maximum two page proposal for implementing the assignment (including key work stages and timelines; consultants can also suggest suitable case examples if any) Template provided. 4. Maximum of three examples of previous publications/research to you name Please quote the following references on the subject line: Please quote the following references on the subject line: Consultant, Best Practice Case Publication on Youth Employment and Skills Building. Applications should be ed to consultants.ken@undp.org to reach us not later than Friday, 10 April 2015 by 2.00 P.M Kenya Time.