EXPRESSION OF INTEREST - INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FACILITATORS (2)

UNDP Action for Cooperation & Trust (UNDP-ACT), Nicosia, Cyprus invites interested consultants to apply for conference facilitation consultancy positions aimed at supporting the UNDP-ACT programme with the facilitation of an inter-regional learning exchange conference scheduled to take place in Nicosia, Cyprus from 9^th – 11^th October 2012.

UNDP-ACT will recruit a team of between 6 to 8 local and international facilitators, including 1 lead facilitator.

Background

UNDP-ACT Cyprus aims at creating opportunities for both the Greek Cypriot (GC) and Turkish Cypriot (TC) communities to work together on concrete projects for the benefit of all people on the island, while at the same time promoting tolerance and mutual understanding and the foundations for lasting cooperation.

In 2005 UNDP launched its peace building project in Cyprus, Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT). The purpose of ACT was to create opportunities for Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots to work together on projects which would benefit all people on the island, while at the same time promotes inter-communal tolerance and mutual understanding. In 2008, the ACT programme moved into its second phase, where it continued to promote inter-communal cooperation with a focus on strengthening civil society’s capacity to actively participate in the process of reconciliation.

Building on twelve years of peace building support to Cyprus the UNDP Action for Cooperation and Trust (ACT) programme is now its third phase (2011-2013).

One of the key objectives of the current programme is the creation of a strong vibrant network advocating for reconciliation in Cyprus. The Peace it Together civil society network encompasses the main objective of creating a sustainable solidarity platform for the efforts of Cypriot civil society in peace building and reconciliation. Through Peace It Together, UNDP’s partners will be provided with a cohesive platform for coalescing into a unique civil society network which is able to advocate for policy change, promote reconciliation and codify and transfer knowledge which would help enhance the local and regional practice of citizen-led peace building.

Learning Exchange Conference

The Peace it Together network, with the support of UNDP-ACT, will convene an international learning exchange on the role of citizens and civil society in stimulating social change in periods of transition. This forum will focus on the exchange of knowledge between Europe and the Arab region.

The event will provide an opportunity for a substantive dialogue between civil society organizations across regions, and through case-studies and an interactive development-marketplace, bring together the leading thinkers and most prolific civil society practitioners working on managing the socio-political and economic consequences of complex transition processes and working towards sustainable peace and democracy. 

Focus Areas of the Exchange

Social cohesion and reconciliation – The role of Civil Society in promoting constructive coexistence between diverse groups and communities in supporting the development of pluralistic societies. What support role can civil society play in ensuring social inclusion during periods of socio-economic fragmentation and stress?

Shaping the policy debate – Research in action and the role of think tanks, universities, research organisations, and development practitioners - as an informed and independent voice - in fostering transition towards peaceful and inclusive democratic societies. What are the opportunities and priorities for civil society in influencing policy-making to ensure social equity, access to economic opportunities and the protection of vulnerable groups during periods of transition?     

The right to be heard: community voice for representation - The role of New Media in promoting equality and diversity and representing marginalized voices with a special emphasis on women and youth. What are the possible strategies for social activists at the local and national levels for changing and influencing public opinion and promoting citizens’ interests in a sustained way?

Intended Results and objectives

Within this context the Exchange forum will focus on achieving the following results:

• To allow CSO’s and CSO networks to share, in a structured manner, practical knowledge and tested tools to play an effective role in complex socio-economic transitions
• To encourage cross learning through the analysis of selected case studies 
• To showcase successful examples of harnessing innovative ideas for promoting positive social change and ensuring their successful implementation.

Through these objectives it is expected that the learning exchange will result in the following:

• Development of a framework for the sustainability of inter-regional collaboration including proposals for financial sustainability and mobilizing donor support
• At least two concrete proposals for inter-regional social innovation camps, with the intention that these will lead to specific inter-regional projects.
• At least one inter-regional CSO issue based coalition/network
• Agreement on a declaration which captures a commitment for inter-regional collaboration between Civil Society Organisations

Participation and Format

It is expected that the number of participants will be between 100 and 150. The conference will attract a variety of delegates, including:

1) Civil society leaders and practitioners: CSO representatives from Europe and the Arab states at the forefront of their field in the areas of concern under the conference agenda;

2) Think-tanks, research institutions, and universities: Independent public policy research and engagement institutions, networks and universities from Europe and the Arab states that generate policy-oriented research, analysis and advice to policy-makers and public to deal with the problems of social, economic and political transitions; and

3) International Development Community: Representatives from UNDP and other UN agencies, donor agencies and multilateral organizations/international NGOs working in the countries of the Arab states and Europe regions.

The conference will look to attract high caliber CSO representatives who can make significant contributions to a learning exchange and be able to actively participate in the English-language debate.

The overall objective of the conference is to enhance learning through the exchange of knowledge and to create new networks and connections among members of civil society in the region. Therefore, the intention is that the sessions will be interactive and utilize non-traditional methods for achieving the knowledge exchange objectives.

The general approach is on making all sessions of the conference focused on both the gaining of knowledge and exchanging of “know how” through the exploration of the following themes:

Day 1 Scene Setting and expectations - Within each pillar, three short presentations (7-10 mins), followed by a discussion-oriented exchange, leading into collecting and registering expectations of the conference.  

Days 1, 2, 3 Panels: Two case studies will be presented in each panel. These will be of good practices around the regions. They would frame the discussion for the Knowledge Exchange Workshops.  The speakers for the workshops will be chosen by the Conference partners based on set criteria. The panels will be asking the question what participants did to address the question set for the respective session.

Days 1, 2, 3 Knowledge Exchange Workshops: Facilitated sessions discussing questions raised during the panels. Participants in the workshops will be encouraged to share their experiences and practices, in order for convergences and divergences to be established between the two regions. Workshops will have different characters, e.g. technology-oriented and others. In essence, the workshops will be asking the question how participants overcame challenges and created new realities.

Pre-registration: Participants to pre-register for the Knowledge Exchange Workshops, as well as the organized activities during social time.

Facilitator’s role

The facilitation team will play a central role in the success of the conference. Strong facilitation will be required to ensure that the participants are able to capitalize on the opportunities for knowledge exchange and learning across the themes and amongst the countries and regions.

Scope of Work/Deliverables

1. International Conference Facilitators (x 2)

Under the supervision of the Peace and Development Advisor, with support and coordination from the Lead Conference facilitator, the Conference facilitators will be responsible for the following:

• Provide inputs into the designing of an appropriate facilitation methodology that delivers the conference results and objectives.
• Provide inputs into the development of conference facilitation plans and conference facilitation methodology working as part of a team.
• Facilitate sessions during the conference including wrapping up and providing inputs for feeding back results and outcomes during the conference, working as part of a team.
• Provide inputs into the production of a report on the conference including an analysis of the facilitation methodology and recommendations for future conferences
• To facilitate knowledge exchange workshops across the 3 days on the various topics/case studies and to “process hold” while ensuring constructive conclusions are reached.
• To maintain clear and accurate notes on the process and outcomes of the workshops for inclusion in the final conference report

Location: Home based and Cyprus – The Conference Facilitators will need to be available from June 2012 to undertake 3 days of initial planning prior to the conference and be available to travel to Cyprus on Friday 5^th October for a 7 day mission which will include the conference dates, followed by 2 days for follow up including providing inputs into the production of the report.

Minimum Requirement

• Applicants must have at between 4 to 7 years experience in facilitation techniques and methodologies
• Excellent facilitation skills as demonstrated, for example, by prior experience and participation as facilitators in policy dialogues, seminars, and conferences.
• Proficiency (verbal and written) in English  (Spoken Arabic and/or Russian an advantage for international consultants)
• Experience of working with Civil Society in Eastern and Central Europe, the former Soviet Union, and/or Cyprus and/or the Arab region.
• Experience in working as part of a team.
• Experience in working in a multicultural setting.

Submission details

Interested consultants should submit as follows:

-   What to submit :        Expression of Interest (EOI) application letter , CV (including the names of at least 2 references)

-   How to submit           electronically via the announcement or to fo.cyp@undp.org;

- When to submit           Deadline -  Friday 25^th May 2012

- When to start              June 18th 2012  (Expected)                 

Interested Consultants should include a description of similar assignments, experience in similar settings, etc in the EOI letter.  The documents submitted must contain the reference number: UNDP-ACT-IC-2012-13

EOI applications received after the above deadline will not be considered.

Any subsequent agreement or purchase order will be issued in accordance with the rules and procedures of UNDP.

This EOI does not entail any commitment on the part of UNDP, either financial or otherwise. UNDP reserves the right to accept or reject any or all EOI without incurring any obligation to inform the affected applicant/s of the grounds.

Interested consultants may send any queries or questions to: fo.cyp@undp.org.