Consultant for Preparing an Operational Guide On Establishing a Consulting and Research Unit at The Bahrain Institute of Public Administration

Location: Manama, BAHRAIN

Application Deadline: 03-Mar-13

Type of Contract: Individual Contract

Post Level: International Consultant

Languages Required: English 

Starting Date: (date when the selected candidate is expected to start)   01-Apr-2013

Duration of Initial Contract: 40 Days

Background

In 2010, the Bahrain Institute for Public Administration (BIPA), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Country Office signed an agreement on establishing a Capacity Development Facility (CDF) at BIPA. The CDF aims to enhance the capability of BIPA in serving the public sector and promote BIPA as the reference point for Quality Assurance in training, consulting and research for governmental institutions in Bahrain. BIPA has been launched with the core mandate of providing value-added training to the public sector.  Moreover, BIPA's ambition has been increasingly to invest the 'governance agenda' through leadership training, consulting and research, a 'think tank' approach to strategic issues in the Public Sector, and providing assessment services to Government and Public Directorates.  The above necessitates an evidence-based research and consulting approach to ensure bespoke solutions are provided. To date, BIPA has set the bases for establishing a Consultancy and Research Unit and providing actual consulting and research services to a number of public sector entities.  The main focus of BIPA consultancies is governance of public sector organizations and higher education institutions. However, the capacity of the Unit remains limited and BIPA is striving to further develop and expand the services of its consulting and research services to become a point of reference for such services in the Bahrain Public Sector. Rationale: The lack of a Strategic and Business plan for the consulting and research unit which translates BIPA’s strategies into specific institutional strategies and plans is one of the key challenges BIPA faces. In order to respond to the growing consulting and research needs in the public sector, BIPA needs to develop its capacities to meet such demand in accordance to its mandate. To that end the consultancy will conduct assessment and analysis that will result in the following specific deliverables: Market survey Stakeholder analysis Strategic and Business Plan for the Consulting and Research Unit Marketing Plan Customized Consulting Services Operational Manual (CCSOM) Reference Manuals for Consulting Services Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (M & E Framework)

Duties and Responsibilities

The overall objective of the consultancy is to build the research and consulting capacities for BIPA to better enable it serving the public sector in Bahrain through conducting a market survey, stakeholder analysis, develop a Strategic and Business plan, CCSOM, reference manuals for consulting products, an M & E framework, and Marketing Strategy in the process of developing the capacity of the Consulting and Research Unit at BIPA. The specific objectives of the consultancy include: • In line with the mandate of BIPA and its thrive to further develop and boost its consulting and research services; identify strategic priority areas of intervention  through conducting a Market Survey, Stakeholder Analysis, a Marketing Strategy, reference manuals for consulting services, and a CCSOM Develop and formulate a Strategic and business Plan, with specific timeframe, budgets, targets and responsible Human Resources (HR). Develop and formulate an M&E Framework to monitor implementation of the Strategic and business plan. The market survey and analysis of consulting and research needs will assess the public sector needs in the consulting and research, and  identify the training needs and required expertise for BIPA to develop its own internal capacity to respond to such needs. The survey should focus on identifying needs related to BIPA’s mandate and vision. The stakeholder analysis should identify potential stakeholders in Bahrain and globally that would either provide support or act as partners to BIPA in provision of consulting and research services. In addition, it should propose modalities to set-up partnership arrangements with the stakeholders. Based on the completed identification of the market and training needs, and stakeholder analysis, the consultant is expected to develop a sound Strategic and Business Plan, which would ensure continued and sustainable operations of the Unit. The Business plan will be accompanied by a sound Marketing Plan for BIPA’s Consulting and Research Services in Bahrain and the GCC countries.  The CCSOM sets out a systematic approach that aims at formalizing the processes and procedures which will be used by the Consulting Unit in organizing its internal work processes for consultancy and client management.  It should be designed and structured in a way that will enable BIPA’s Consulting Unit to apply it for all types of consultancies. In this context, it is worth mentioning that BIPA has so far developed signatory services in the following consulting areas: Training Needs Assessment L&D capacity assessment and development Performance Management Strategic & Operational Planning Organizational Re-design These consultancy products have been implemented on AD/HOC bases and relying on individual expertise in different units and positions in BIPA. In order to acknowledge and integrate these products in the business plan of the unit, BIPA needs to properly capture and describe its signatory products by creating reference manuals for every consulting service it had delivered. The reference manuals for the above illustrated  consulting products will serve the following purposes: Describe the core process and end products of each consulting service Train internal and external associates in delivering each of the consulting products Used as marketing tool with BIPA’s clients to describe the expected results and benefits of each consulting product.  Hence, besides the developing the CCSOM, the consultant will be required to develop reference manuals for BIPA’s main consulting products. The Monitoring and Evaluation framework aims to support the Unit in becoming more results oriented and improve its focus on implementing the Strategic and Business Plan. The framework is aimed at providing practical guidance on how to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Strategic and Business Plan. The framework will also enable BIPA’s executive board to update the Strategic and Business Plan. Duties and Responsibilities: Sope of Work: Under the supervision of the head of BIPA’s Research and Consulting Unit, the CDF Project Manager, and with assistance provided by an assigned part time local consultant, the consultant will undertake the following tasks: Define a consultative process and mechanism for the preparation of the Market Survey, Stakeholders Analysis, Strategic and Business Plan, CCSOM, Marketing Plan, and a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework taking into consideration the involvement of key stakeholders in the public sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Organize and conduct consultations, desk review of key documents, meetings and interviews with staff members in BIPA as well as various stakeholders, including governments ministries and institutes, universities, private sector…etc, to elicit inputs, ideas, opinions and recommendations on the vision, goals and objectives; and strategies for the Plan. Identify the capacity constraints that hinder the Research and Consulting Unit at BIPA from fulfilling its mandate and recommend appropriate counter measures. Maybe also let them identify the strong points that can be built further upon. Develop and formulate, in consultation with BIPA’s management, and the UNDP CDF Project Manager, the overall vision as well as strategies for development of priority areas such as, but not limited to planning and product development of consulting and research services, marketing and promotions, standards, quality assurance and accreditation, manpower development, and required financial investments in the unit. Prepare an action plan or roadmap on the various components of the Plan. Define and collect the baseline data on BIPA’s Research and Consulting Unit performance on which future performance will be assessed. Develop a Monitoring and Evaluation framework relevant to the implementation of the Plan, including baseline assessment component; reliable, relevant and valid indicators and measurement strategies; tools to facilitate data collection; responsibility for data collection; frequency of data collection and sources of data. Finalize and present the final seven key documents: Market Survey, Stakeholders Analysis, Strategic Business Plan, CCSOM, Reference Manuals for Consulting Services, Marketing Plan, and the M&E Framework o BIPA and UNDP. Deliverables: An inception report on the assignment detailing the understanding/ interpretation of the TORs; the methodology of carrying out the assignment; work plan and implementation schedule as agreed upon with BIPA and UNDP. A Market Survey and Stakeholders Analysis A Strategic and Business Plan; and Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Marketing Plan CCSOM Reference Manuals for Consulting Services Presentation of Market Survey, Stakeholders Analysis, Strategic and Business Plan, CCSOM, Reference Manuals for Consulting Services, Monitoring and Evaluation framework; and Marketing Plan to BIPA’s board and UNDP End of Mission Report Timing and Duration: The timing and duration of the assignment will not be more than 40 working days over a period of two (2.5) calendar months. Payment Modalities: Payment to the consultant will be made in three installments upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables: 20% of the contract amount upon submission of acceptable final inception report. 20% of contract amount upon submission of initial draft for review of Market Survey, Stakeholders Analysis,  strategic and business plan, CCSOM, Reference Manuals for Consulting Services, Monitoring and Evaluation framework, and Marketing Plan. 20% of contract amount upon submission of the final draft for review of Market Survey, Stakeholders Analysis,  strategic and business plan, CCSOM,  Reference Manuals for Consulting Services, Monitoring and Evaluation framework, and Marketing Plan. 40% of contract amount upon the acceptance of all prepared reports by BIPA and UNDP

Competencies

Corporate Competencies: Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards; Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP; Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability Treats all people fairly without favoritism; Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment Technical Competencies: International experience in similar assignments in the areas of Research, Consulting, and Business Development in public and private sectors Understanding of development and market needs in the context of the Arab Gulf, or  OECD countries Proven experience in report writing and drafting. Functional competencies: Excellent analytical skills. Excellent ability to communicate in English both written and spoken, and to work in a team. Personal Competencies: Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards. Positive, constructive attitude to work. Ability to act professionally and flexibility to engage with government officials, development partner representatives, private sector and communities.

Required Skills and Experience

Qualifications: PhD or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Management, Economics, Development or related fields. At least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in conducting similar assignments in the fields of Business and Capacity Development, Research, and Consulting. Language: Fluency in written and spoken English Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: Proposal: Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work, Provide a brief methodology, outline and/or design of the work plan Financial proposal Personal CV including past experience in similar projects/assignments and at least 3 references Financial Proposal: Lump sum contracts: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) as illustrated under the above Payment Modalities section. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of the lump sum amount (including travel, fees, and anticipated per diems for the 40 working days).  Evaluation: The proposals would undergo the cumulative analysis, as per the below given table, with 70% weightage to the technical criteria and 30% to the financial aspect.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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