Call for Application - Feasibility Study - African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems

OVERVIEW

Grade : 

Parent Sector : Natural Sciences Sector (SC)

Duty Station: Johannesburg

Job Family: Natural Sciences

Type of contract : Non Staff

Duration of contract : From 1 to 6 months

Recruitment open to : External candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 25-MAR-2025

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

CALL FOR APPLICATION

African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems – (AIIKS) – in the Republic of South Africa as a UNESCO Category II Centre

1. Background Information

UNESCO in partnership with the Government of South Africa proposed the African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIIKS) for Category 2 Institutes and Centres (C2C) status under the auspices of UNESCO to contribute to achievements of UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget (C/4 and C/5). C2C are a global network for institutions of excellence in the Organization’s domains of competence and contribute to global strategies and action plans, sectoral programmes and priorities through implementation of international and regional cooperation, research, knowledge production, policy advice, and capacity enhancement. The AIIKS has been approved as a Research Institute at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa and has been recommended by the UNESCO Intersectoral Review Committee for designation of C2C under the auspices of UNESCO subject to a feasibility study to assess whether the centre is practical and aligns with UNESCO’s principles and requirements.

AIIKS’ mission is to promote and support the contribution of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) to the global pool of knowledge with diverse objectives including to use the holistic, multi-and trans-disciplinary, community and cultural, ecological specific -based nature of AIIKS including indigenous languages and home-grown philosophies, to decolonize and transform research, innovation and knowledge production/scholarship in Africa.

UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) is seeking an experienced team of experts to assess the feasibility of establishing AIIKS as a C2C, ensuring its alignment with UNESCO’s mission and goals.

2. Scope of the Work

Within the framework of UNESCO's Programme and Budget for 2022-2025 (41 C/5), under the authority of the Director of the Division of Ecological and Earth Sciences (SC/EES), and the supervision of the Chief of Section for Indigenous Knowledge Systems (SC/EES/ILK), and the Head of Natural Science Unit, UNESCO ROSA, the contractor shall conduct the feasibility study to inform the decision-making process for the designation of C2C status to the Research Institute at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to ensure its alignment with the requirements of the 2019 Strategy for Category 2 Institutes and Centres, and its contribution to the Strategic Programme Objectives of UNESCO, notably in the Natural Sciences. The findings of the feasibility study will be included in the Director-General’s report to the 21st session of the Executive Board, with her recommendations as to whether the designation as C2C under the auspices of UNESCO should be approved.

Long Description

The feasibility study's scope is to assess the proposal's conformity with the requirements for a Category 2 Centre. The specific objectives of this work include two areas of assessment:
 
A.    Operational and Programmatic alignment:

i.    Evaluation of the alignment of AIIKS with UNESCO’s strategic priorities in reference to the current UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy (C/4) and C/5 Approved Programme and Budget;
iii.    Investigation of potential partnerships with governments, academic institutions, and NGOs; and
iv.    Estimation of the long-term benefits and contributions of AIIKS to UNESCO missions and goals.

B.    Financial and Governance framework

v.    Assessment of the financial viability and sustainability of the AIIKS; and
iv.    Examination of AIIKS legal and operational frameworks,

The Consultancy should cover and plan for the following tasks: 

A.    Operational and Programmatic themes: 

i.    Evaluate the extent to which the institution’s programmes and activities are relevant and aligned with UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget (C/4 and C/5), including global strategies and action plans, as well as sectoral programme priorities; 
ii.    Evaluate the regional or global needs for the AIIKS and how it will fill gaps in knowledge, capacity building, or policy support and global development agendas; 
iii.    Evaluate the geographical reach of activities of AIIKS; 
iv.    Engage with key stakeholders, including UNESCO, governments/delegations, potential funders, and academic experts;
v.    Assess if the institution’s activities complement UNESCO’s programmes and activities and do not overlap with those of other category 2 institutes or centres or with other similar institutions created and operated by other United Nations systems organizations; and
vi.    Describe the operational plan for AIIKS including staff, administration, reporting lines and monitoring. 

B.     Financial and Governance themes

vii.    Review the legal framework for establishing a Category 2 Centre within the host country, including its governance structure, with attention to the financial and governance autonomy of AIIKS for the execution of its activities and legal capacity to contract, institute legal proceedings and to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property; and
viii.    Evaluate AIIKS financial model, including operating costs, established and forecast sources of funding, and long-term sustainability plans; 
ix.    Assess if the institution’s organizational structure, the composition of its Governing Board or comparable body and its existing human resources allows for an effective and efficient management of the institution, and implementation of the functions foreseen; 

3. Methodology

Entities may apply to study the feasibility of either A and B, or of both themes together, as described above. Please specify. 
The feasibility study methods to be employed shall be determined by the contractor in an inception report, showing how each of the feasibility study dimensions above will be addressed with regards to data sources and data collection methods. Among others, the following methods should be considered:  
i.    Document review (desk study)
ii.    Interviews with stakeholders (face-to-face, phone/online)
iii.    Questionnaires/surveys with stakeholders, such as Partners institutions and beneficiaries (trainees).

The AIIKS will provide the experts with relevant documentation to be reviewed in the desk study. Interviews are to be conducted with relevant key stakeholders (e.g., academics and professionals, trainees) who have been involved in or benefitted from the work of AIIKS. The AIIKS will make all relevant documents and information available to the expert, including:  

i.    Technical reports if applicable  
ii.    Progress and activity reports 
iii.    Curricula of trainings  
iv.    Financial reports 
v.    List of staff 
vi.    List of key publications 
vii.    List of donors and project partners 
viii.    Minutes of the Governing Board meetings 
ix.    Available audit and evaluation reports (if available) 
x.    List of beneficiaries, people trained, and countries assisted.  

4. Planning and implementation arrangements 

UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA) will assist in the preparation and organization of the feasibility study. The expert will be responsible for being self-sufficient as regards logistics (office space, administrative and secretarial support, telecommunications, printing of documentation, travel costs etc.). However, suitable working space, when necessary, will be provided during any visit to AIIKS. While the experts are primarily responsible for the dissemination of all methodological tools (surveys, questionnaires), UNESCO will facilitate this process to the extent possible (providing contact information, email addresses, etc.). Relevant stakeholders are being requested to provide documents relevant to the feasibility study. 

5. Deliverables

The feasibility study will result in 3 (three) deliverables, as follows: 
i.    Inception Report: Initial report outlining the detailed methodology, timeline, and any specific requirements for the study.
ii.    Draft Feasibility Report: A draft document containing key findings and recommendations, presented for stakeholder feedback.  
iii.    Final Feasibility Report(s): A final, comprehensive report including:
a.    SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) 
b.    Alignment with UNESCO’s programmatic areas 
c.    Risk assessment and mitigation strategies

Including the following as a stand-alone report providing: 
d.    Analysis of legal and governance autonomy
e.    Review of the funding and financial model
f.    Legal and administrative recommendations 

Applicants may propose to cover one or both components (programming and / or financial) during their application process. 

6. Duration

The Consultancy Team will be expected to complete the project within 6 weeks and will need to define a clear timeline with key milestones (e.g. submission of draft reports, feedback sessions with stakeholders, and submission of the final report).  

7. Reporting

A draft feasibility study shall allow adequate time for a discussion of the findings and the recommendations with pertinent stakeholders. Report templates should be agreed on in advance with UNESCO. All reports should be submitted in English in word and pdf format. 

8. Technical and Financial Proposal  

A technical description, which demonstrates an understanding of the assignment. The proposal should include the following: 
i.    Proposed methodology and potential constraints for work assignments. It should minimize repeating what is stated in this ToR and respond to the methodology outlined above. There is no minimum or maximum length. If in doubt, ensure sufficient detail. 
ii.    Work plan based on the ToRs and detailed timetable by activity. 
iii.    Profile and CVs of team members

Financial Proposal 

The price proposal must be fully separated from the technical proposal. Costs will be proposed in USD excluding all taxes. It should be aligned and comparable as much as possible with the proposed activities and workplan. The budget must include the following elements as a minimum requirement:
i.    Overall price proposal; and  
ii.    Breakdown of costs for consultancy fees, stakeholder engagement, travel, and other operational costs.  

Long Description

9. Roles and Responsibilities  

Team Leader (Consultant 1)

•    Lead the overall design, methodology, and execution of the MTR process 
•    Evaluate the extent to which the institution’s programmes and activities are relevant and aligned with UNESCO’s Approved Programme and Budget (C/4 and C/5), including global strategies and action plans, as well as sectoral programme priorities
•    Assess if the institution’s activities complement UNESCO’s programmes and activities and do not overlap with those of other category 2 institutes or centres or with other similar institutions created and operated by other United Nations systems organizations; 
•    Engage with key stakeholders, including UNESCO, governments/delegations, potential funders, and academic experts;
•    Describe the operational plan for AIIKS including staff, administration, reporting lines and monitoring
•    Review the legal framework for establishing a C2C within the host country, including its governance structure, with attention to the autonomy of AIIKS for the execution of its activities and legal capacity to contract, institute legal proceedings and to acquire and dispose of movable and immovable property;
•    Assess if the institution’s organizational structure, the composition of its Governing Board or comparable body and its existing human resources allow for an effective and efficient management of the institution, and implementation of the functions foreseen; 
•    Evaluate AIIKS financial model, including operating costs, established and forecast sources of funding, and long-term sustainability plans  

IKS Expert (Consultant 2)

•    Evaluate the regional or global needs for the AIIKS and how it will fill gaps in knowledge, capacity building, or policy support and global development agendas; 
•    Evaluate the geographical reach of activities of AIIKS; 
•    Engage with key stakeholders, including UNESCO, governments/delegations, potential funders, and academic experts;  

Financial proposal based on UNESCO template (Annex 1). The financial proposal should be in United Stated Dollars. The budget should be prepared in sufficient detail to justify resource requirements and demonstrate cost-effectiveness 

11. Evaluation and Selection Process 

The applications will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

•    Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and.
•    Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
* Technical Criteria weight 70%
* Financial Criteria weight 30%
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation 

Consultant 1: The consultant has relevant experience and understanding of UNESCO strategic areas, UNESCO category 2 Centres and their function, and assessment of organization/institutional legal, financial and operational framework. (125 points)

Consultant 2: The consultant has relevant experience managing and implementing feasibility projects in Southern Africa and/or similar contexts including experience in managing and coordinating initiatives in advancing African Indigenous Knowledge Systems (AIKS) for sustainable futures and global epistemic justice in public, private and education sectors.  Traceable references have been provided. (125 points).

- The Consultant presented a clear/realistic work plan relevant to the work assignment and demonstrated careful consideration for timelines required to prepare and implement activities in line with the project timeline (250 points).

- The Consultant presented a professional team with terms of reference for each team member (including CVs) (100 points)
- Partner specified for each key position the amount of time the staff will dedicate to the project (ref Budget annex). (100 points).

Sub-total for Technical Proposal    700

Financial Proposal Evaluation
Clear budget breakdown by main cost elements provided. Costs are direct costs, reasonable (with clear rationale for the cost element), in line with national standards and market prices (300 points).
    
Total (Technical and Financial) Combined score    1,000

Short Description

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Specific Qualifications for Team Leader:

•    Expertise in UNESCO’s strategic areas 
•    Understanding of Category 2 Centres and their functioning;  
•    Experience in legal, financial, and operational assessments

Specific Qualifications for IKS Expert

•    Proven track record in working in advancement of African Indigenous Knowledge Systems and / or Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for sustainable futures
•    International experience in promoting the role of Indigenous Knowledge Systems in global  or regional epistemic justice in public, private and education sectors;  
•    Proven track record in conducting similar feasibility studies
 
Financial proposal based on UNESCO budget template Annex . The financial proposal should be in United Stated Dollars. The budget should be prepared in sufficient detail to justify resource requirements and demonstrate cost-effectiveness 

Expression of Interest

Please send separately a technical proposal and financial proposal to vacancies.harare@unesco.org 

Please quote in the subject email "i. African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems – (AIIKS) – in the Republic of South Africa as a UNESCO Category II Centre' - Technical Proposal 

ii. African Institute in Indigenous Knowledge Systems – (AIIKS) – in the Republic of South Africa as a UNESCO Category II Centre - Financial Proposal" in the email subject lines.  Submissions without proper referencing as given will be disqualified.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

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