Vacancy announcement
Home-based
CS/2022/020

Consultant – Proposal Writer

Vacancy type Consultant/Individual Contractor
Duration of the contract
6 months
Deadline for submission of applications
15 December 2022
Organizational Unit
Hiroshima Office (HO)
Number of job positions
1
Areas of Specialization/Thematic Areas

Inclusive, sustainable development

Overview

The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) is a training arm of the United Nations System and a strategic driver in today’s global and essential role of the UN by empowering individuals, governments and organizations through knowledge and learning to effectively overcome contemporary global challenges. UNITAR serves over 350,000 beneficiaries annually by conducting close to 900 capacity development and research activities around the world.

Within UNITAR, the institute is organized around four of the five thematic pillars of the 2030 Agenda - Division for Prosperity, Division for People, Division for Planet and Division for Peace. In addition, the cross-cutting nature of our work on strengthening multilateral diplomacy, satellite analysis and applied research (UNOSAT) and Accelerating SDG Implementation are also organized in Division for Multilateral Diplomacy and Division for Satellite Analysis and Applied Research.

The Division for Prosperity delivers training across six thematic areas to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, including: Leadership and Empowerment; Entrepreneurship and Private Sector Development; Finance and Trade; Anti-Corruption and Combatting Financial Crime; Frontier Technologies; and Hiroshima and Peace.

General Objectives of the Contract

The incumbent will help develop project concepts and proposals in the area of inclusive, sustainable prosperity. Specific activities are listed below.

Responsibilities/Description of Professional Services

Under the guidance of the Director of Division for Prosperity and in close coordination with other team members, s/he/they will support in:

  • Identifying background information in the area of inclusive, sustainable prosperity through literature review, interviews with key stakeholders and experts;
  • Conducting needs assessment for training through interviews and focus group meetings;
  • Designing logical framework of initiatives;
  • Developing project concepts that meet the findings of needs assessment and priority areas of partner organisations;
  • Developing project proposals based on concepts;
  • Providing guidance and advice to the Director of Division for Prosperity on concept/proposal writing; and
  • Conducting any other tasks requested by Director of Division for Prosperity.
Measurable outputs/deliverables/schedule of deliverables
  • High quality concepts developed.
  • High quality proposals developed.
Performance indicators for evaluation of results
  • Quantity, quality and timeliness of outputs produced,
  • Deep knowledge and experience on in proposal writing, and
  • Good communication with colleagues, partners, resource persons, mentors, coaches and fellows.
Competencies

Professionalism: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations; takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals and solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required and allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently; ability to follow up on project work-plan.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Interpersonal competencies: Able to communicate and interact effectively with all stakeholders; is able to work both independently and as part of a team; is able to work under pressure and with limited resources; demonstrates high level of discipline.

Minimum requirements

Education: Advanced university degree in one of the following fields: writing, economic development, international affairs, organizational development, training and capacity development or other related field.

Experience: Relevant experience at the national or international level in writing of concepts and proposals. Experience of project management in the field is an asset. Work experience with UN or other international/donor agencies is a plus.

Additional desirable competencies: Has a good to excellent understanding of one or several thematic fields related to livelihood development, capacity development, and passion for social impact.

Language Requirement: Fluency in oral and written English language is mandatory; working level of other UN languages is an asset.

Special Notice

UNITAR shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).  Priority will be given to applicants from under-represented regions at UNITAR.

How to apply

Please submit your application along with a motivation letter as soon as possible and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

Due to the high number of expected applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.