Consultant (National Space Designer) at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life for themselves. It provides expert advice, training and grants support to developing countries, with increasing emphasis on assistance to the least developed countries. It promotes technical and investment cooperation among nations.

Headquartered in New York City, the status of UNDP is that of an executive board within the United Nations General Assembly. The UNDP is funded entirely by voluntary contributions from UN member states. The organization operates in 177 countries, where it works with local governments to meet development challenges and develop local capacity.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant on National Space Designer

Location: Abuja
Additional Category: Democratic Governance and Peacebuilding
Type of Contract: Individual Contract
Post Level: National Consultant
Starting Date (Date when the selected candidate is expected to start): 26-Jun-2023
Duration of Initial Contract: 30 days
Expected Duration of Assignment: 30 days

Background

• UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021 embraces the complexity of development and commits the organization to support countries find faster, more durable solutions to achieve the 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development.
• It is in on this background that the organization has begun incubating several strategic initiatives aimed at ensuring the organization is better positioned to deliver a new generation of solutions in line with the challenges the world faces.
• One such key strategic initiative is the UNDP Accelerator Lab Initiative. Launched in 2018, a global network of 90 Accelerator Labs serving 90 countries were established to re-imagine development for the 21st century by working together with traditional and emerging partners to find new approaches that fit the complexity of current development challenges.

The Accelerator Lab working alongside the growing innovation ecosystem in Nigeria will:

• Surface, test and through CO Programmes and other partnerships deploy to scale new and cutting solutions to accelerate response to development challenges facing the country. This will be done by leveraging existing capacities of the Start-Up Ecosystem, Social enterprises, Creatives, Innovation and Tech-Hubs in Nigeria and through innovation challenges, hackathons, design-thinking sessions (This will be achieved by tapping into the depth and breadth of Nigeria’s rich start-up, tech and innovation ecosystems)
• Enable evidence-based planning, through portfolio approaches to understanding risk and programming (This will be achieved through enhancing big data innovation capabilities, new technologies and nurturing incentives for new sources of real-time data in development work)
• Position the ingenuity of Nigerians through portfolio of experiments to reinforce locally sourced solutions at scale in hard-to-reach communities in the country. (In this regard, the framework will combine deep local networks within Nigeria’s society to identify, incubate and elevate user-led solutions that have potential to respond to complex challenges)
• Prototype new models of development financing and support including by (taping into local venture ecosystems, Nigerian philanthropy, innovative financing currencies, social impact investors, Private Sector, and others).

Duties and Responsibilities

• To deliver on this strategic area of work UNDP proposes to set up a bespoke Accelerator Lab Space that will comprise of co-working offices, think-pads and creative corners, design and brainstorming hubs, collaboration meeting rooms, an amphitheatre and coffee shop in Ikoyi, Lagos.
• This space will host the Accelerator Lab Team, but also providing co-working offices for complimentary UNDP Projects and UN Staff. In addition, the space will allow for ecosystem engagement, innovation policy dialogues, pitch events and related collaboration activities.
• A four-phase approach that is interlinked is proposed for the Setup of the Accelerator Lab Space in Lagos. This is outlined as below:
  • Defining the scope of work (through a detailed design consultation process with UNDP and other key stakeholders)
  • Design, Construction, Refurbishing (this will include landscaping based on user needs)
  • Furnishing and Finishing (This will include interior design, décor and landscaping. Service providers working on 2 and 3 above (to be referred as Space Developer) will also provide Project Management services (This will include overall management, sourcing of tools, supervising contractors, and final handover)

This Consultancy (space designer) is exclusively focused on delivering phase (1) as defined above with the below expected deliverables.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The Space Designer will be under the overall supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Operations) in Nigeria and the direct supervision of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery (Accelerator Lab Focal Point). 
• S/he will work in close collaboration with the CO Operations Team including the Procurement Team and the UN Architect.
• Space Designer will ONLY be responsible for defining the Scope of work that will form the basis for the terms of reference for the development of the Accelerator Lab Space.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables
Deliverable - 1:

• Content - Inception report by the consultant demonstrating a clear understanding of the assignment; well spelt out execution methodology and work plan
• Timing - 5 days after signing the contract (10% Payment)

Deliverable - 2:

• Content: First draft of detailed terms of reference with the scope of work for designing and developing the bespoke Accelerator Lab Space. This will need to draw from extensive internal consultations in Abuja, site visits to the premises in Lagos
• Timing: 10 days after signing the contract (20% payment)

Deliverable - 3:

• Content: Second refined draft having integrated all comments and input from UNDP
• Timing: 15 days after signing the contract (20% payment)

Deliverable - 4:

• Content: Final Terms of Reference and Scope of work with sketches, outlines and final outcome of the envisaged space with building cost estimate
• Timing: 20 days after signing the contract (20% payment)

Deliverable - 5:

• Content: Submit a risk analysis and risk management plan (including Social and Environmental Screening and related documents);
• Timing: 25 days after signing the contract (10% payment)

Deliverable - 6:

• Content: Conduct a feasibility study with a detailed report on a conclusion of technical and financial viability of this construction project.
• Timing: 30 days after signing the contract (20% payment)

Coordination and Supervision:

• The Space Designer will be under the overall supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative (Operations) in Nigeria and the direct supervision of theCrisis Prevention and Recovery (Accelerator Lab Focal Point). 
• S/he will work in close collaboration with theCO Operations Team including the Procurement Team and the UN Architect.

Qualifications
Education:

• Master’s Degree in Interior Design or Architecture with Undergraduate Degree in Architecture and related Technical courses.

Required Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of design, architecture and space management
• Demonstrated experience in designing, planning and development of bespoke interior fit spaces
• Experience in development of 3D visualisation and design based on client needs and transitioning
• Experience in designing environmentally friendly creative spaces – including co-working spaces
• Knowledge of construction practices and design ecosystem in Nigeria; and
• Working experience in Nigeria.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) required.

Technical / Functional Competencies:
Results-Orientation and Development Effectiveness:

• Plans, prioritizes and produces quality results on time.
• Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting.
• Ability to lead implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development programs and projects, mobilize resources.
• Ability to lead formulation and management of budgets, manage contributions and investments, manage transactions, conduct financial analysis, and reporting.

Innovation and Judgment:

• Conceptualizes and analyses problems to identify key issues, underlying problems and how they relate.
• Contributes creative, practical ideas and approaches to deal with challenging situation.
• Strives for quality client-centered services (internal/external) when making decisions and taking action.

Payment Modalities and Specifications

• An individual contract will be issued by UNDP. The financial proposal must be expressed through a lumpsum (all inclusive– transportation, etc).  Payments will be linked to deliverables. The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

Recommended Presentation of Offer:
The following documents are requested:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• Personal CV and portfolio of work indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) and at least three (3) professional references.
• Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a methodology on how he/she will approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided. 

Application Closing Date
8th June, 2022.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Click here for the Offeror's Letter

Application Instruction

• Individual consultants interested in applying for this position must complete their application using the Template for Offeror’s Letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment. The methodology, other documents and the Financial Proposal files MUST BE COMPLETELY SEPARATE.
• The financial proposal (Offeror’s Letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability for the Individual Contractor (IC) assignment) shall be encrypted with different passwords and clearly labelled. Financial Proposal without password will be disqualified.
• The password for opening the Financial Proposal should be provided only upon request of UNDP. UNDP will request password only from bidders whose Technical Proposal has been found to be technically responsive. Failure to provide correct password may result in the proposal being rejected.