Consultant - Small & Medium Enterprise Development at UNDP

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.

We are recruiting to fill the following position:

Job Title: Consultant - Small & Medium Enterprise Development

Location: Abuja, NIGERIA

Background
Consequent upon the October 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling on the international boundary dispute between Cameroon and Nigeria, the Cameroon-Nigeria Mixed Commission (CNMC) recognized the need for confidence building measures between and among the populations affected by the demarcation (an estimated 170,000 people in Nigeria), in order to secure peace and cooperation between the two States to by reducing the impact of relocation on their livelihood.

The Nigeria United Nations Country Team (UNCT) and United Nations Civilian Observers (UNCO) undertook a Joint Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) with Nigeria specialized agencies in affected communities in seven locations from three States of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River State. Key findings of the NAM highlighted serious socio-economic challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, poor health conditions, lack of public services such as potable water, energy, health and education facilities, agriculture, fisheries, livestock services. In addition, issues of human security and social protection, including gender based discrimination and violence, rule of law and justice, featured prominently as key priorities.

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and its agencies, the host States and local governments have implemented various programmes to assist the returnees to settle down. However, the enormity of needs and priorities to be addressed require more concerted effort by the people and government of Nigeria, as well as the international community. Collaboration between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the UNCT resulted in the articulation of a programme document to serve as the basis for future interventions from the FGN as well as from partners. The intervention, Returnee Community Focused Reintegration (RCFR) programme, is organized according to the four main components viz (i) livelihoods, resettlement and reintegration; (ii) access to basic services; (iii) security and protection of human rights; (iv) Infrastructure.

For each of the above component, priority projects have been determined in the diverse locations assessed, directed at the affected population in the various camps and in their respective host communities. The thrust of this programme is advocacy to the FGN and the States, and implementation of pilot projects, which is expected to be replicated and ultimately lead to bigger projects by the FGN, the States and the LGAs, with other partners.

The specifics of these pilot projects would need to be defined in such a manner that the overall objective of settling returnees and creating conducive living environment in host communities for people affected by the ICJ Judgment is achieved. This would require the services of a consultant to articulate.
Assignment Management and Process

Each consultant will be expected to work independently but collaboratively with other consultants on the assignment with organizational support will be available from the office of the Resident Coordinator and technical support by the respective agency specialists. Under the overall supervision of the RC/UNCT, the RCO with the support of the agency specialists will be primarily responsible for managing the assignment process with the day-to-day technical management support by the RCO for and on behalf of the RC/UNCT. The relevant agencies/RCO will facilitate (where necessary) access of the consultants to key informants, including UN agency heads and staff, development partners, government and other partners; prepare the necessary documentations for the consultants. A detailed work plan will be prepared by the consultants and submitted to the RCO for approval to guide the monitoring of the assignment. Each selected consultant shall be accountable for the deliverables within deadlines agreed upon with UNS in Nigeria.

Time Frame and Remuneration
The consultancy is expected to last 30 working days from December, 20, 2013. Remuneration will be in accordance with the UN Rules and Regulations and will be commensurate with the complexity of the assignment. The UN will in addition to the agreed fee meet the costs for official travel of the consultant and pay the appropriate Daily Subsistence Allowance which should be included in the financial proposal. The Consultancy fee will be paid as a lump sum contract or in line with the following schedule and upon acceptance of key deliverables:

• At the submission of inception report: 20%;
• At the submission of the Final Draft project document. Report: 50%;
• At the submission of Final project document Report: 30%.

Consultants’ Composition
There will be a team of six (6) national consultants. Each national consultant should possess relevant qualifications and experience in his/her areas of specialty and should thoroughly review the ToR before submission of application.

Duties and Responsibilities
The national consultant will work with relevant UN agencies, other organizations and the target states to develop the costed project for providing sustainable means of livelihood for individuals displaced by the ICJ judgement, through improving their knowledge and skills in small and medium enterprises in the host communities in Adamawa, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River Borno, Taraba and Benue States. This will include but not limited to:

• Desk Review all available documentation, by the UN system, Federal and State Governments, as well as other donor agencies on resettlement of persons affected by the 2002 ICJ judgement;
• Identify existing sustainable livelihood opportunities in host communities of the states;
• Identify challenges faced by individuals in such communities for engaging in small and medium scale enterprise businesses;
• Review existing state and local government public accountability processes and identify those that could hamper and/or improve engagement of individuals in small and medium scale enterprises;
• Identify capacity building initiatives, for both the private and public sector, that would ensure a conducive environment for operation of small and medium scale enterprises in host communities;
• Identify opportunities for Private Public Sector Participation (PSP) with support frpm Bank of Industry (BOI), Small and Medium Scale Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) etc
• Specifically for Adamawa State, identify other relevant issues that would improve the security condition in the state – in view of the State of Emergency there;
• Work closely with other consultants to ensure synergy and avoid overlaps in suggested intervention measures.

Based on the above, articulate a fully-costed project document, with specific activities, clearly defined roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders etc

Deliverables:
The consultant is expected to achieve the above scope by working closely on technical issues with the relevant government (State and Local authorities, Staff of line ministries and specialized agencies, UN Civilian Observers Team in Nigeria, etc) and UN agencies, as well as the target states. S/He will be responsible to submit the following reports:

• Inception Report: detailing work plan and working strategy submitted not later than 3 days after commencement of the assignment;
• A Draft Project Report: SMEs Project document including: recommended technical option (with rationale) and mechanisms for implementation and follow up; detailed expected outputs, success indicators and critical assumptions; cost estimate; suggested implementing partners (draft costing and action plans), to be submitted not later than 20 days after commencement of the assignment for review by the relevant UN and Government agencies.

Competencies

• Strong understanding and knowledge of development and participatory approaches is a must;
• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent writing and reporting skills;
• Evidence of previous engagement in areas similar to the current assignment;
• Exposure to gender and women empowerment issues will be an asset.;
• Strong skills in written communications in English particularly in preparing issue-based papers or reports.

Required Skills and Experience
Education;

• A minimum of Masters degree in the social sciences, Economics, project management, enterprise development or relevant and related development field.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years progressive work in programme development with special focus on poverty alleviation/inclusive growth, small enterprise development;
• At least 5 years cognate working experience on local level development, peoples’ participation in governance, public accountability at sub-national levels;
• Experience in the targeted states and LGAs preferred.

Language:

• Fluent in English.

Application Closing Date
22nd January, 2014

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply