Temporary Assistance – UN System Annual Reporting

Background:

The Resident Coordinator system works to bring together different UN agencies to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational activities at the country level. In November 2008, the UN Country Team (UNCT) decided to pursue UN reform (or Delivering as One – DaO) in order to increase the effectiveness of the UN system in delivering development results as well as to increase the efficiency with which these results are achieved. Our approach to achieving results, a major departure from the normal practice of UN country operations, is encapsulated in the power of five: One Programme, One Budgetary Framework; One Office; One Leader and One Voice.

The main objective of the UNCT Annual report is to feature the collective development effort of the UN System in Lesotho in 2009. The report will also allow the UN to articulate the Delivering as One vision and mission; and reflect key activities carried out during the 2009 towards DaO. In effect, the report will represent one of the DaO tools, specifically facilitating the UN to communicate as one. 

As part of the development of the UNCT Annual Report, the consultant will elaborate the Resident Coordinator Annual Report (RCAR). This is a summary version of the UNCT Annual Report, following a specific reporting outline. The (RCAR) is an essential element of the accountability and results framework for UN operational activities. These guidelines have been formulated to ensure that all necessary reporting requirements for UN coordination and collaboration at the field level, as set by the Secretary-General, are met, including the funding of coordination activities.

These reports provide an opportunity for the UNCT, under the leadership of the Resident Coordinator (RC), to review their collective results, share good practices in support of national development plans and priorities, improve their planning process and identify the support they need from Headquarters and Regional Directors Teams (RDTs) / UNDG Regional Teams.

The deadline for completion of the first draft report is Friday 12 February 2010 the review should subsequently be done leading to a final report by Friday 19 February 2010.

Deliverables:

The UNCT Annual Report and RC Annual Report for the activities of UN System in Lesotho in 2009 are the main deliverables expected to be completed during the short term assignment. In order to complete this, the consultant is expected to complete a number of tasks an indication of which is provided below. An indicative work effort has been provided for each step (although actual payment will be based on completion of timesheets and confirmation of the quality of the deliverable).

·         Document review – to gain an understanding of the reporting requirements and the achievements of the UN system in Lesotho, review existing documentation such as the reporting guidelines, UNCT work plan, the different Delivering as One documents, existing agency based annual reports, other UNCT reports (either from Lesotho or elsewhere); estimated work effort 2 days

·         Design reporting shell – based on the document review, design a shell for the UNCT  Annual Report 2009 identifying key content areas, existing pieces of information, gaps etc (please note that for the RCAR a specific format is already prescribed; estimated work effort 1 day

·         Interviews of UN Staff Members – using the reporting shell and the document review, interview essential staff members of the UN System, such as the Resident Coordinator, Head of Agencies and staff in key sections that can provide input to the report; estimated work effort 4 days

·         Report styling – collaborate with the UN Communications Group to review and select communications materials (e.g. pictures, layout options etc) to complement the report; estimated work effort 1 day

·         Drat report – based on the previous activities, draft the UNCT Annual Report and RCAR 2009 and submit for review to the UN Country Team; estimated work effort 10 days

·         Finalise report – review and incorporate comments into final reports, potentially conduct additional interviews with UN staff members to obtain further information - estimated work effort 2 days

Payment schedule:

Payment will be done based on completion of timesheets and acceptance of the deliverables by UN office management. In discussion with the incumbent payment can happen at certain intervals during the short term assignment or alternatively as a lumpsum towards the end of the assignment. The daily rate will be set using the guidance provided in the “Determination of Remuneration for National Short-term Consultants in the United Nations System in Lesotho” dated October 2009.

Qualifications:

Master’s Degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Public Administration, Economics, Political Sciences, Social Sciences or related field.

·         Fluency in English and Sesotho.

·         Applications with comprehensive CVs, reference to websites and names and contact details of referees should be submitted by email on or before 15 January 2010 to registry.ls@undp.org 

·         Only short listed candidates will be responded to. Salary negotiable and commensurate with work experience and qualifications.