Through Vision 2030, and the TSP the government has renewed its efforts to strengthening and modernizing public service. Public-sector reforms and modernization efforts have started aimed at assisting all public institutions to review their structures, systems and operations to ensure compliance with the constitutional provisions for effective and efficient service delivery to citizens.

Key institutions that have been mandated with public sector transformation and modernization include the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is a key institution that is tasked with increasing quality of service delivery through its work with the whole of civil service. The PSC recently developed a new Strategic Plan which will usher in a new structure and pillars of work leading to its own internal transformation while supporting changes in the rest of the civil service.

Another key institution that can be strengthened to effectively and efficiently deliver on programmes and services to citizens is the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) whose mandate includes preparing for, conducting and supervising elections. The recently launched ZEC strategic plan 2020-2024 presents entry points to build towards improved election administration and management in Zimbabwe.  An election administration that has less areas of conflict fomenting can also be a contributor to the peace architecture in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe has embraced the pathways for peace preventive agenda approach towards building of confidence and trust between the state and institutions.

In order to augment UNDP and RCO’s technical support on the implementation of Public Sector Reforms and support to the ZEC, Peace Building and the PAC, consultancy services are required targeted at supporting achievement of set results. The consultancy services will respond to the prevailing political and economic context, significantly informed by the Government’s reform agenda. Regular analysis of the prevailing social, economic and political environment will also be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with the PSR Tripartite (PSC-OPC and MOFED) in providing senior advisory and technical services on Public Sector Reforms;
• Support the implementation of the PSR strategic plan;
• Provide support for the effective coordination of development partners mechanism for ongoing and planned PSR support to OPC-PSC-MOFED-line ministries;
• Provide technical advice to PAC in the implementation of its mandate, including expert analysis on prevailing political economy context;
• Support to the implementation of the ZEC five-year strategic plan;
• Support to ZEC’s capacity-building and institutional development plan;
• Support to ZEC’s continuous engagement with electoral stakeholders;
• Support to the operationalisation of ZEC’s gender inclusive policy;
• Support to effective voter education to ensure participation in electoral processes;
• Contribute to peace building agenda as state under the Peace Building Fund;
• Support the Hosting of key ad High Level Missions to the Country.

Expected deliverables

• Monthly political and democratic Governance context analysis and advisories, end of each month (or as need arises);
• Monthly progress report on the implementation of the assigned PAC, PSR, Peace Building, SDG and ZEC activities, end of each month;
• Concept Notes; Activity Reports; Meeting Outcomes, end of each month;
• Reports on High level in-country missions, end of each month.

Competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism.

High Level of Professionalism:

• Strong analytical, quantitative and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to provide clear messages on complex information;
• Ability to seek and synthesize information from a variety of sources and draw solid conclusion based on in depth analysis;
• Accuracy and attention to detail;
• Good communication skills, including the ability to write high quality reports, conduct studies and to articulate ideas in a clear and concise style;
• Excellent interpersonal skills, teamwork and adept at working with people of diverse cultural and social backgrounds;
• An understanding of and ability to abide by the core values of the United Nations.

Strong Planning & Organizing Capacity:

• Organizes and accurately completes multiple tasks by establishing priorities while taking into consideration special assignments, frequent interruptions, deadlines, available resources and multiple reporting relationships;
• Plans, coordinates and organizes workload while remaining aware of changing priorities and competing deadlines;
• Demonstrates ability to quickly shift from one task to another to meet multiple support needs;

Demonstratable Teamwork:

• Works collaboratively with partners to achieve organizational goals;
• Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
• Facilitates the development of individual and multi-cultural/team competencies;
• Ability to provide substantive training and mentoring, and manage teams.

Required Skills and Experience

• Master’s Degree in Political Sciences, Law, or International Development;

Experience:

• At least 10 years’ experience in the field of development, senior advisory in implementation of reform development projects, SDGs;
• Proven experience in development of strategies and other policy documents related to SDGs, public sector reform, political analysis;
• Experience of working with government and providing advice;
• Experience of working in Zimbabwe is a pre-requisite;
• Experience working within a government agency or ministry desirable;
• Familiarity with Southern African Region;
• Excellent analytical, writing and presentation skills;
• Experience in providing professional services in the Region and positive past experience in working for UNDP, and/or other bilateral/multilaterals, is an added advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Excellent verbal and written communication in English.

Application procedure:
Applicants are requested to upload copies of:

• Latest CV highlighting the relevant experience;
• Updated P11 Form template of which can be downloaded from this website - http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.
• A detailed technical proposal on undertaking the tasks and evidence of previous work;

Please group all your documents (CV, P11, Technical Proposal and certificates) into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document. Incomplete applications will not be given consideration.
Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application

Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Evaluation criteria:

The Consultant will be evaluated based on qualifications and the years of experience, as outlined in the qualifications/requirements section of the ToR.  In addition, the Consultant will also be evaluated on the following methodology:

Technical Criteria weight: 70%;
Financial Criteria weight: 30%;

The award of the contract shall be made to the Consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the Terms of Reference.

“UNDP is committed to gender equality in its mandate and its staff, and equal opportunities for people with disabilities. Well qualified candidates, particularly women and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply”.