Consultant: Development of a Capacity Self- Assessment methodology for Local Government Training Institutions

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT - Issued on: 27 June 2011

ORGANIZATIONAL LOCATION: UN-HABITAT DUTY STATION: Home Based (with one mission to Nairobi, Kenya) FUNCTIONAL TITLE: Consultant: Development of a Capacity Self- Assessment methodology for Local Government Training Institutions DURATION: August 15, 2011 to November 30 2011 (25 days work within this timeframe)
CLOSING DATE: August 1, 2011

BACKGROUND Training institutions are key actor in supporting the capacity development of government authorities – both at national and local level alike. By having the “capacity to build capacity” training institutions play a key role in promoting and fostering sustainable urban development, and strengthening key actors who contribute to the achievement of the MDGs. Additionally, for many bilateral and multilateral agencies, training institutions are essential in taking normative or pilot capacity development initiatives to scale. Yet training institutions themselves are not well understood and comparatively little attention has been paid to strengthening them and understanding their unique opportunities and challenges; some endure and have significant impact, some collapse, others are bypassed completely or compete with other institutions that similar or overlapping mandates. In short, the potential of training institutions is large, the successes exist, but a more detailed understanding of training institutions is lacking.

Against this background the UN Habitat Training and Capacity Building Branch has begun a new three year initiative with the support of UN DESA that aims to strengthen the capacity of training institutions. An Expert Group Meeting was held in Nairobi, Kenya in March 2011 that brought together 34 participants representing training institutions and other related organizations from 26 countries. In the meeting the participants explored elements such as what constitutes an enabling environment for training institutions, the pros and cons of different business models, collaborative arrangements they utilize, and how some training institutions have begun to shift towards becoming learning institutions. The broad outlines of the debates were informed by the OECD working paper “Training and Beyond: Seeking Better Practices for Capacity Development.” Over the next two and half years more specific regional level work will be undertaken to assist training institutions in providing relevant services to their key counterparts through an array of capacity development actions. However, a key message arising from the Expert Group Meeting - and a key theme of effective development assistance itself - is the need to ensure that the support is demand driven and specific to the context and capacities of the training institutions. As such, a flexible capacity assessment methodology is required so as to facilitate training institutions in understanding their capacity assets and needs, and in turn provide the detailed information required for appropriate capacity development support. This consultancy is for the research and design of such a capacity assessment methodology.

RESPONSIBILITIES a. Research current approaches to capacity assessment from a variety of bilateral, multi-lateral, private sector and research institutions to develop a broad understanding of the different approaches utilized. Particular attention to be given to self-assessment methodologies that allow institutions to work through a process on their own with little or no external facilitation.
b. Review the current literature on local government training institutions in developing countries so as to better understand the different structures and mandates they have, their business models and service offerings and capacity assets and weaknesses (at a broad level). c. Analyse the broader urban aspect through review of the State of the World’s Cities Reports, State of the Urban Youth Report, Urban World: Ten Years Into the Future and other relevant documents that will be provided by UN Habitat so as to gain a better understanding of the challenges cities are facing and hence the types/form of support that training institutions may need to provide. d. In consultation with the UN Habitat focal point and based on the analysis above, develop a draft outline of the self-assessment methodology (format to be determined based on research) that will include major section headings, sub section headings, and short explanations in bullet points to describe the underpinning logic, as well as draft list of questions that will be utilized in the self-assessment process. e. Based on the feedback of the UN Habitat focal point and that of several training institutions in the south (via email, skype, conference call or similar), elaborate the self-assessment methodology with full process, instructions on how to use it, question lists or other similar methods to gain information, analytical framework, and other relevant components.
f. In a mission to Nairobi, Kenya, review the utilization of the self-assessment methodology with two training institutions in person, gather information for relevant changes, and revise and finalize the document (maximum 25 pages) COMPETENCIES Professionalism: Knowledge of concepts and approaches relevant to the training and capacity development and ability to conduct independent analysis, identifying issues, formulating options and making conclusions and recommendations. Communication: Excellent written communication skills and ability to articulate ideas in a clear and accurate manner including the ability to prepare and edit a variety of written documents, reports and briefs. Planning and organising: ability to work under pressure, establish priorities and plan, coordinate own work plan, use time efficiently and apply judgment in the context of competing deadlines. Creativity: Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches, takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”, and offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs.

EDUCATION Advanced University degree (masters or equivalent) in a field deemed relevant to the subject areas covered by these Terms of Reference such as political science, international development, education, or similar.

WORK EXPERIENCE • A minimum 10 years of experience working in the field of international development • Advanced knowledge capacity development theory and practice is required, with at least two years tangible experience in working with capacity development issues. • Previous working experience with international development assistance agencies is required • Demonstrated ability to write advanced conceptual documents such as methodologies, position papers, policies, or research papers • Independent research ability is required • Previous experience in designing and/or undertaking capacity assessments in developing countries is preferred, as is specific experience in supporting the strengthening of local or national government or private sector training institutions in developing countries. LANGUAGE SKILLS English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For the post advertised, excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required.

OTHER SKILLS • Proficient in use of Microsoft word, Excel and PowerPoint. • Ability to be flexible with changes in timelines REMUNERATION Payments will be based on deliverables over the consultancy period. 30 per cent of the total is payable upon completion of activities a, b, c and production of output noted in point d below. A further 30 per cent is payable upon completion of output e. The remaining 40% is payable upon completion of the mission to Nairobi and production of output f. There are set remuneration rates for consultancies. The rate is determined by functions performed and experience of the consultant. The fees will be paid as per agreement.

ITEM ACTIVITY TIME FRAME (tentative) OUTPUT a Research current approaches to capacity assessment from a variety of bilateral, multi-lateral, private sector and research institutions to develop a broad understanding of the different approaches utilized. Particular attention to be given to self-assessment methodologies that allow institutions to work through a process on their own with little or no external facilitation. 15 August to 1 September. No written output required – information feeds into output noted in D below. b Review the current literature on local government training institutions in developing countries so as to better understand the different structures and mandates they have, their business models and service offerings and capacity assets and weaknesses (at a broad level). 15 August to 1 September No written output required – information feeds into output noted in D below. c Analyse the broader urban aspect through review of the State of the World’s Cities Reports, State of the Urban Youth Report, Urban World: Ten Years Into the Future and other relevant documents that will be provided by UN Habitat so as to gain a better understanding of the challenges cities are facing and hence the types/form of support that training institutions may need to provide. 15 August to 1 September No written output required – information feeds into output noted in D below. d In consultation with the UN Habitat focal point and based on the analysis above, develop a draft outline of the self-assessment methodology (format to be determined based on research) that will include major section headings, sub section headings, and short explanations in bullet points to describe the underpinning logic, as well as draft list of questions that will be utilized in the self-assessment process. September 2011 Annotated outline of self assessment methodology produced e Based on the feedback of the UN Habitat focal point and that of several training institutions in the south (via email, skype, conference call or similar), elaborate the self-assessment methodology with full process, instructions on how to use it, question lists or other similar methods to gain information, analytical framework, and other relevant components. October 2011 Draft methodology produced f In a mission to Nairobi, Kenya, review the utilization of the self-assessment methodology with two training institutions in person, gather information for relevant changes, and revise and finalize the document (maximum 25 pages) November 2011 Finalized capacity self-assessment methodology produced

Applications should include: • Cover memo (maximum 1 page) • Summary CV (maximum 2 pages), indicating the following information: 1. Educational Background (incl. dates) 2. Professional Experience (assignments, tasks, achievements, duration by years/ months) 3. Other Experience and Expertise (e.g. Internships/ voluntary work, etc.) 4. Expertise and preferences regarding location of potential assignments 5. Expectations regarding remuneration

All applications should be submitted to: Mr. Joe Hooper UN-HABITAT P.O. Box 30030, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Email: joe.hooper@Unhabitat.org Fax: + 254 20 762 4881

Please be advised that since April 15th 2010, applicants for consultancies must be part of the UN-HABITAT e-Roster in order for their application to be considered. You can reach the e-Roster through the following link: http://e-roster.unhabitat.org

Deadline for applications: 1 August 2011

UN-HABITAT does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process. If you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of these offices and requesting the payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unon.org