Request for information (RFI) for provision of Global HR Management Services of In-Country Specialists for the NDC Partnership

New clarification added: Question 1 : Assignment and remuneration assumptions.For the indicative overhead estimates requested in Form C Q7, please provide any available assumptions regarding specialist remuneration ranges and expected assignment durations. We understand that estimates should assume one deployment per country.Answer 1 : Remuneration depends on each specialist’s duty station, using publicly available UN rates as a benchmark, with final remuneration agreed upon in consultation with the project team. Assignment durations are expected to range from approximately six months to three years, with multi-year positions subject to funding availability and satisfactory performance. Estimates should generally assume one deployment per country, though some countries may require multiple deployments.Question 2 : Initial deployment and recruitment requirementsPlease clarify the anticipated initial number of specialists and countries, and whether the service would primarily involve transferring existing UNOPS-contracted specialists, recruiting new personnel, or a combination of both. The public notice refers to approximately 60 specialists, while the background describes an existing network of approximately 90 specialists across 80 countries.Answer 2 : A combined approach is envisaged. The existing network of approximately 80 specialists across 80 countries will gradually transition to the new contracting modality, alongside the recruitment of approximately 60 new personnel as required. Please notet that this numbers are rough estimates. Question 3 : Division of supervision responsibilitiesAnnex 2 places specialists under the overall supervision of the Regional NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist, while Section 1.2 requires the provider to monitor performance against ToRs and objectives. Please clarify whether the provider’s role is principally administrative monitoring, coordinating reviews and reporting, or whether independent assessment of the specialists’ substantive technical work is also expected.Answer 3 : Specialists will be directly supervised by the designated NDC Partnership Country Engagement Specialist. Substantive technical oversight—including reviewing and final approval of technical work—remains with the NDC Partnership. The provider’s role is focused on administrative monitoring, operational coordination, and tracking performance against ToRs and deadlines.Question 4 : Payment clearance and reimbursementRegarding Form C Q6.2, is payment before reimbursement an optional arrangement respondents may offer, or an expected feature of the delivery model? Please indicate the anticipated reimbursement period, the timing of UNOPS clearance relative to payroll deadlines, and the proposed arrangements if clearance or reimbursement is delayed.Answer 4 : Experts must be paid on a regular monthly basis. Payments are triggered after designated NDC Partnership supervisors review and formally approve the specialists' deliverables or reports, followed by standard reimbursement processing through UNOPS.Question 5 : UN Clear Check screeningSection 1.2 requires screening against the UN Clear Check database. Please clarify how a commercial provider would arrange these checks, including whether UNOPS would facilitate access or undertake checks on the provider’s behalf.Answer 5 : Commercial providers do not have direct access to the database. UNOPS will facilitate and undertake the necessary screenings against the UN Clear Check database when and if nessesary  before the onboarding process.