UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

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1 UNITED NATIONS OFFICE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Incheon, Republic of Korea TERMS OF REFERENCE COORDINATION CONSULTANT 2018 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT TRANSFORMATION FORUM (SDTF) OCTOBER 2018, INCHEON, REPUBLIC OF KOREA 1. Background and Objectives The UN Office for Sustainable Development contributes to building, exchanging and facilitating the use of knowledge in support of transitions to sustainability. UNOSD specialises on mapping, assessing and improving exchange of knowledge resources, providing advises to Member States and the broader policy communities on sharing and applying such resources, and conducting research and capacity development in areas of sustainability transition. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by UN Member States in September Included in the Agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 associated targets, described as integrated and indivisible, global in nature and universally applicable, taking into account different national realities, capacities and levels of development and respecting national policies and priorities. Furthermore, through the Agenda Member States noted the following: We are determined to take the bold and transformative steps which are urgently needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path. As we embark on this collective journey, we pledge that no one will be left behind The Goals and targets will stimulate action over the next fifteen years in areas of critical importance for humanity and the planet: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace (and Justice), and Partnerships. In 2017 the UNOSD s Sustainable Development Transition Forum (SDTF) convened 110 participants from governments, the United Nations system, policy think tanks, and academic institutions from around the world in Incheon, Republic of Korea to discuss experiences, approaches and challenges in mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs into national and sub-national development plans. The 2018 SDTF will be convened from October 2018 in Incheon, Republic of Korea. Not only will the forum build on its 2017 outcomes and insights, it will help create a bridge between the 2018 High Level Political Forum s thematic focus of Transformation towards sustainable and resilient societies, including the HLPF s attention in 2018 to SDGs 6 (Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all), 7 (Ensure access to affordable, reliable sustainable and modern energy for all, 11 (Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable), 12 (Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns), and 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forest, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss) and the 2019 HLPF thematic focus of Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality, including the HLPF s SDGs going under in-depth review, namely SDGs 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all), 8 (Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all), 10 (Reduce inequality within and among countries), 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts), 16 (Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels), and SDG 17 (Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development) which is going under in depth review every year since the 2017 HLPF. 1

2 The event will be designed to accommodate approximately about 100 participants from governments, UN Agencies, think tanks, Development Banks and Academic institutions from around the world. The objectives of the Forum are to achieve better understanding of successes, lessons and specific mechanisms for initiating and foster the profound transformation that is urgently needed to make our societies sustainable and resilient, as expressed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. While discussing the specific thematic focuses and selected SDGs of the 2018 and 2019 HLPF, the SDTF will seek to achieve the right balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development throughout the different sessions of the Forum. The present terms of reference (TOR) are therefore detailing the task of an event coordination consultant who will assist UNOSD in preparing and implementing this activity before, during and after the holding of the SDTF itself. The Sustainable Development Transformation Forum was approved by the UNOSD Steering Committee as item Work Assignment To implement the above-mentioned activity, UNOSD is recruiting a senior international consultant well experienced in organising, facilitating and documenting such events, particularly as they pertain to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The Consultant will report and work under the guidance of and in close collaboration with the UNOSD Head of Office and Senior Sustainable Development Expert. The Consultant will be responsible for the following duties and outputs: 1) A SDTF Concept Note and Preliminary Agenda (5 days) a) Write a Concept Note (roughly 10 pages) that will guide the preparation, proceedings and reporting of the SDTF, and which should include: - a discussion of event rationale, objectives, outputs and outcomes; - a listing and justification of agenda items to be discussed before and during the SDTF, including working with SDTF partners to develop a draft agenda by 24 August and a revised draft agenda by 31 August 2018; and - a discussion of SDTF procedures in all preparation, execution and post-forum phases. b) Submit a first draft of the Concept Note to UNOSD no later than 31 August 2018 and a final version no later than 7 September, in time for distribution to SDTF participants. 2) SDTF Planning and Preparation (5 days) a) Identify and recommend potential SDTF participants which UNOSD could invite to attend for the SDTF no later than 31 August b) Correspond with invited speakers and chairpersons to provide guidance on their specific presentations and roles. c) Revise the agenda as required per the availability of invited speakers, correspond with the UNOSD regarding changes in the agenda, and submit a final SDTF agenda version no later than 3 October d) Outline the process for breakout group activities for the individual sessions and identify and coordinate breakout group chairpersons and rapporteurs in advance of the SDTF. e) Outline the procedure for the final session s foresight exercise and prepare for the session. 2

3 f) Prepare for ice-breaker and warm-up exercises to be used throughout the forum. g) Correspond with the UNOSD regarding SDG speaker and video selections for the SDTF opening reception. h) Prepare opening and closing remarks for the UNOSD Head of Office 3) Facilitation of SDTF Event, including the opening and closing plenary sessions of the overall forum and the SDTF parallel workshop (6 days) a) Substantively introduce the event to participants in the first working session, explaining the objectives, procedures and expected outcomes; b) Guide, coordinate and collect the work of rapporteurs for the opening and closing plenary sessions and the SDTF parallel workshop; c) Facilitate sessions as needed in the occasional role of chair, rapporteur, and through substantive contributions to the discussions; d) Coordinate the evaluation of the event, including the drafting of an assessment questionnaire, its delivery to participants, compilation and analysis. e) The evaluation compilation and analysis for the opening and closing plenary sessions and the SDTF parallel workshop should be delivered as part of the SDTF Contract Report (below). 4) SDTF Reporting (3 days) a) Write a 1-2 page communiqué synthesising the work and outcomes of the SDTF, for media and web-publishing purposes. The draft communiqué should be submitted to UNOSD no later than 3 working days following the SDTF. b) Write a substantive report of the SDTF, which will include: - An analysis of each working session with a synthesis of presentations and discussions; - An overall synthesis of proceedings, outcomes, conclusions and recommendations; - The draft SDTF Report should be submitted no later than 15 working days following the SDTF, and be in a format ready for on-line distribution, including a table of content and all substantiating annexes such as a bibliography, edited session reports (if useful to the overall report), list of participants, final agenda, communiqué, etc. 5) Contract Report (1 day) a) Write a report on contract activities, evaluating the achievement of objectives and used methodology, and make recommendations as needed for the organising and delivering of similar support and events in the future. b) The Contract Report should be delivered no later than 5 working days after the completion of all other deliverables of this TOR. 3. Duration of Contract The consultant will be engaged for 20 days, over the period of 1 August 2018 to 30 November

4 4. Location of Assignment The consultant will perform the work assignments in Incheon, Republic of Korea from 28 to 31 October For the remaining work days, the assignments will be completed home-based. 5. Travel UNOSD will assume travel costs as per UN rules and regulations (economy-class roundtrip air tickets and DSA). The consultant shall depart his/her home base on 26 th October to arrive in Incheon on the 27 th of October 2018 and depart Incheon on the 1 st of November Expected Output and Delivery Dates 1) SDTF Concept Note and Preliminary Agenda (7 September 2018); 2) SDTF Planning and Preparation: Liaison activities conducted, identification of speakers and participants, logistical arrangements made, and agenda and remarks drafted (3 October 2018); 3) Facilitation of SDTF Event (29-31 October2018); 4) SDTF Communiqué (5 November 2018); 5) SDTF Substantive Report (23 November 2018); 6) Contract Report (30 November 2018) 7. Fee and Payment Schedule Fees are to be determined by the UNDESA Capacity Development Office in accordance with UN rules. Payments will be made on satisfactory completion of deliverables, as per above schedule. The consultancy will be paid in three instalments, upon satisfactory clearance by the Senior Sustainable Development Expert. The first instalment representing 25 per cent of the whole contract fee will be paid upon satisfactory completion of deliverable 1 on 7 September 2018; the second instalment representing 25 per cent of the whole contract fee will be paid upon satisfactory completion of Deliverable 2 on3 October 2018; and the final instalment representing 25 per cent of the whole contract fee will be paid upon satisfactory completion of deliverables 3, 4, 5, 6 on 30 November Performance Indicators 1) Quality, relevance and timeliness of submissions research and analysis (review of documents); 2) Quality, relevance and timeliness of submissions of drafted texts and presentations (review of documents); 3) Success of events organized (based on supervisor s and participants evaluation). 9. Qualifications Education: Post-graduate degree or equivalent and advanced expertise in social or natural sciences pertaining to international sustainable development issues. Experience: At least 10 years of experience in relevant functions, including project management, research and/or publishing in international sustainable development issues, writing of awareness and/or education material (preferably in the context of the United Nations). 4

5 Delivering: Proven ability to work autonomously, be results-oriented and meet pressing deadlines. Communication: Strong interpersonal and communication skills, able to engage in complex discussions and presentations with staff of the U.N. and partner organisations. Languages: Excellent oral and written command of English is essential. A workable knowledge of other official U.N. languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish) is an asset. 10. Application process Interested candidates should send their updated resume on the P11 form with short cover letter to Ms. Hye Kyung (Shelley) Choi at choi9@un.org as soon as possible, and no later than 15 June