Consultancy for Project Situational Analysis at UNDP

Background

• Applications for this assignment should be sent to icrecruitments.ng@undp.org. No applications should be sent to the UNDP jobsite. The application package can be downloaded at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/ under the heading IC-Situational Analysis on DGD Project in Nigeria.
• Nigeria conducted its 5th cycle of elections since the return to democracy in 1999 on 28th March and 11th April 2015. The polls were acclaimed to be credible and transparent. A number of development partners supported the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other stakeholders in the electoral process, in ensuring the success of the elections, through the Democratic Governance for Development II (DGD II) Project. The DGD-II Project was launched in 2012 with the aim of strengthening the democratic character of the Nigerian political process and outcomes by promoting, consolidating and advancing democratic governance and accountability, to achieve the country’s stated development priorities and outcomes as specified in the Federal Government and UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). The DGD-II was implemented by the UNDP, with funding from the European Union (EU), UK Department for International Development (DFID), The Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFTAD), the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• The DGD-II contribution include: strategic planning of INEC, improved voter registration through the deployment of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), improved legal and policy frameworks to enhance the credibility of the elections, capacity building for INEC and SIECs, confidence building and dialogue among stakeholders, strengthening of political party system and capacities, reform of the electoral legal framework by the National Assembly, inclusive political participation and strengthening of the channels of civic engagements, and the peaceful conduct of the elections.
• Since the conduct of the 2015 elections, the political context in Nigeria has undergone critical changes, including the advent of a new political administration, appointment of a new leadership for the electoral commission, and renewed clamour for the deepening of electoral reforms from the civil society. Reports of two evaluation exercises conducted on the DGD-II by the EU and UNDP reinforce the continued relevance of the Project’s outcomes to the consolidation and deepening of electoral reforms in the 2016-2020 Cycle.
• Against this backdrop, UNDP is seeking the service of a consultant to conduct a situational analysis for the development and implementation of a successor Democratic Governance Project to the DGD-II. The main objective of the situational analysis is to: determine the feasibility of establishing a UNDP-managed DGD-III Project, identify the most pressing elections issues which have been unmet and that could potentially be addressed by the Project, identify potential partners that will collaborate within the Joint Donor Basket Fund Arrangement, build targeted partners’ consensus around the coordination and management of the Project and facilitate the validation of the proposed approach by INEC and partners. The situational Analysis also aims to inform UNDP on the strategies to be adopted in terms of developing a DGD-III Project in Nigeria.

Duties and Responsibilities
This situational analysis is expected to:

• Provide a comprehensive mapping and analysis of the existing partners’ frameworks for development assistance on the elections support to Nigeria in the current electoral cycle;
• Map out the partners’ thematic footprints, interests and mechanisms for electoral assistance in Nigeria;
• Identify and consult with potential partners that can collaborate within the UNDP-managed Joint Donor Basket Fund Arrangement;
• Through consultation, commence the process of building targeted partners’ consensus around the coordination and management of a potential DGD-III Project;
• Based on findings, advice the UNDP Country Office management on the feasibility of establishing a DGD-III Project in Nigeria, and outline the most appropriate strategies and options for developing such a Project;
• Make recommendations for the joint validation of the proposed approach by Potential Partners, UNDP and INEC.
• The situational analysis will form the basis for project formulation and development:

Methodology:
The Consultancy will entail both home-based and fieldwork deliverables:
Home Based:

• Conduct a Desk Review of existing partners’ frameworks for development assistance on electoral support to Nigeria. The desk review should also contain partners’ thematic footprints, interests and mechanisms for electoral assistance, identify on-going partners’ engagements, and opportunities for a UNDP-managed Joint Donor Basket Project in the current electoral cycle. Based on the desk review, the consultant will submit an inception report which will include a detailed methodology, conceptual framework, and timeline for conducting the assessment.

Fieldwork (in Abuja and Lagos):

• Conduct in-depth one-on-one interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, including but not limited to:
• The Ministry of Budget and National Planning;
• Independent National Electoral Commission;
• European Union Delegation to Nigeria & ECOWAS;
• UK Department for International Development (DFID);
• Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFTAD);
• Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA);
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JAICA);
• British High Commission.

Home Based:

• Develop and submit draft assessment with advice to the UNDP Country Office management on the feasibility of establishing a DGD-III Project in Nigeria, and outline the most appropriate strategies and options for developing such a Project, and make recommendations on the validation of the proposed approach.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:
The Consultant will work under the direct supervision of the Team Leader, Governance and Peacebuilding and DCD (Programme) to achieve the following deliverables:

• Inception Report, which will include a detailed methodology, conceptual framework and timeline for conducting the assessment.
• Draft assessment of findings from the fieldwork (interviews);
• Final Report, with recommendations and follow-up actions.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Postgraduate Degree in Law, Political Science, Social Sciences, Peace and Conflict Studies.

Experience:

• At least 5 years’ experience working on governance and elections issues in Nigeria;
• Extensive experience in the design and conduct of baseline research for the project formulation and development;
• Excellent report writing skills;
• Previous experience with a UNDP Governance Programme/ JDBF Project is a distinct advantage.

Competencies:

• Strong networking skills;
• Strong research and analysis skills;
• Proven ability to think and plan strategically;
• Proven knowledge of procedures of Development Partners working on elections;
• Knowledge of UNDP Joint Donor Basket Fund Modality.

Language:

• Fluent in written and spoken English.