INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANCY ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT SERVICE TO DEVELOP A CONCEPT DESIGN AND UPDATE THE BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE ONE UN HOUSE IN RWANDA TERMS OF REFERENCE 1. Background and Project Description The United Nations launched the "Delivering as One" pilot initiative in 2007 to respond to the challenges of a changing world and test how the UN family can provide development support in a more coordinated way in eight countries. The governments of eight countries-albania, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uruguay and Vietnam-volunteered to become "Delivering as One" pilots. The pilot countries agreed to work with the UN system to capitalize on the strengths and comparative advantages of the different members of the UN family. Together they are experimenting ways to increase the UN system's impact through more coherent programs, reduced transaction costs for governments, and lower overhead costs for the UN system. The eight pilot countries are making reforms based on four principles: One Leader, One Budget, One Programme, and One Office (Now Operating as One under the new Standard Operation Procedures). Within the framework of Operating as One the UN Country Team in Rwanda approved the establishment of a UN Common Premises to become more cost effective and reduce transactions costs. In April 2009, the Government of Rwanda granted a parcel of land to the United Nations System in Rwanda under donated rights of use modality as specified in a Land Agreement signed by the UN and the Government of Rwanda representatives. In July 2010, the following UN entities expressed their interest to participate in the One UN House project: FAO, IFAD, ILO, IOM, OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNCDF, UNDP, UNECA, UNEP, UNESCO,UNFPA, UN-Habitat, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIDO, UNV, UN Women, WFP and WHO (collectively known as the UN System ). In July 2013, a second phase of the DaO process was launched in Rwanda and the United Nations Development Assistance Plan (UNDAP) was signed between the UN and the GoR. It was also comprised of the Business Operations Strategy with an intended impact to reduce costs for the One UN in Rwanda by nearly US $ 15 Million during 2013 to 2018. The potential savings from the establishment of the One UN House were of US $ 1, 725,172. In the same month of July 2013, the UN agencies signed a renewed expression of interest letter that was submitted to the Government of Rwanda.
A letter of intent stipulating the engagement of the United Nations Systems and the Government to collaborate on setting up a One UN House in Kigali, through a Public Private Partnership (PPP), was signed by both the UN and the Government of Rwanda in July 2014. In July 2014, an Expression of Interest, inviting investors to submit a proposal for financing and building the One UN House in Kigali was published by the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA). Bids were received from 3 companies from which the evaluation committee preselected two bidders in December 2014. Additional information, clarifications as well as the building specifics (from a survey done with the participating UN agencies) have been provided to the two preselected companies which were invited to submit new bids with financial mechanisms based on the updated information provided. The vision statement of the One UN House was adopted by the One UN Rwanda and the Government of Rwanda. It represent the higher level guiding principles for the One UN House Rwanda and is as follows: The One UN House Rwanda: A. Should be a visible symbol of the integration of the mission of all agencies functioning as One under a common identity; B. Should reflect the unique nature of One UN in which workplace functionality and diplomatic decorum carry equal importance.the workplace should be motivating, flexible and facilitate efficiency and productivity; C. Should provide for all agencies to function as One and permit flexible use of space to address changing requirements; D. Should achieve the highest Green Building goals and be one of the most energy efficient buildings in East Africa; E. Should integrate the urban landscape and be part of sustainable urban development of the area; F. Should reflect the heritage of the Rwandan Culture ; G. Should be a state of the Art learning Center in Rwanda. Before the UN and the Government of Rwanda commence the contract negotiation process, the RCO would like to hire an individual architect to develop a concept design and update existing specifications of the One UN House. This will inform negotiations with the final bidder. 2. Scope of work Regarding the concept design the architect will be required to meet the following characteristics: a) Innovative creativity, to ensure the achievement of optimum use of space, circulation patterns and efficient interrelation of usable and service oriented areas to inform an economical design.
b) Use of innovative technologies in construction that are suitable to the requirements of the project and to Rwanda. c) Use of local material focusing on utilizing the local lateritic stones as building blocks as well as cladding material. This will help reduce the cost of construction and at the same time lend a natural organic feel to an otherwise modern structure, in the Rwandan context. d) Ensuring sustainable and ecologically responsible approach to design keeping in mind the need to be responsible to our environment. The concept will ensure natural climate control mechanisms, efficient waste management on site, energy efficient sun shading devices and openings within the façade etc to deliver a built environment that will adhere to all the parameters of sustainable and responsible design and construction. For the building specifications, the architect will meet representatives of all UN agencies in the country in order to update the existing specifications assessment. The update will include current rentals rates for each UN agency, staff requirements, data on the current market rates for hiring an office space, and key ownership modalities the UN must consider in negotiating the final MoU. 3. Expected Outputs and Deliverables The selected architect will follow a methodology to achieve the delivery of the best design solution and updated specifications of this project at the optimum cost in the shortest time frame possible. This will include working with the Client The UN Resident Coordinator Office to understand the needs and functions of the project. The detail deliverables are set below:
Deliverables/ Outputs Stage 1 Preliminary design concept: Duration to Complete Target Due Dates 2 weeks TBC RCO Review and Approvals Required a) The architect will present the client with design ideas and schematics and freeze with the approval of the Client, the basis of the design. All area requirements of the program, circulation, and landscaping, sustainability will be considered in this concept design. b) The architect will meet all agency representatives ibn order to update detailed agency needs, he will undertake a market survey of current rental prices and also advise on key ownership modalities the UN must consider in negotiating the final MoU Stage 2 Based on the consultations, needs assessment and initial concept design the architect, RCO will review and provide comments to the architect on the draft concept design and the updated specifications One week TBC RCO Stage 3 Submission of final concept design and updated specifications One week TBC
4. Institutional arrangement The UN Resident Coordinator Office will supervise the architect to ensure that the final product is consistent with the agreed scope of works and delivered within the timeframe. The contract will be issued by UNDP. 5. Duty Station The architect will be based in Kigali and meet with key officials of the UN (all based in Kigali) on regular basis to during the assignment. He will visit the building site in Kagugu in Central Kigali. There is no DSA involved. 6. Qualifications of the Successful Individual Architect The UN is looking for highly qualified and experienced architect with at least 10 years working experience in Rwanda or in the region. The architect must possess a degree in architecture, and a Master s qualifications in building design and project management or related fields from a reputable institution. The individual must demonstrate experience in modern architectural design including landscaping, site supervision, and preparation of project reports, tender, evaluation and procurement of materials. Also they must have experience of designing eco system and environmentally friendly building designs. The architect must be proficient in MS Windows, CAD (AutoCAD), Project Management and Construction project Management. Finally they must speak English language and demonstrate familiarity with working with the national / government organizations. Scores and markings: The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria (combined scoring method). Maximum score is 100% out of which technical criteria equals 70% and financial criteria equals 30%. The technical evaluation will include the following: Key Area score Education The architect must possess a degree in architecture, and a Master s qualifications in building design and project management or related 20% fields from a reputable institution. Relevance of experience 60%
Previous experience (at least 10 years) in undertaking client needs assessment in building industry, market survey, and developing concept design for a building complex for the UN or major multilateral organizations. The individual must demonstrate experience in modern architectural design including landscaping, site supervision, and preparation of project reports, tender, evaluation and procurement of materials. Also they must have experience of designing eco system and environmentally friendly building designs. The architect must be proficient in MS Windows, CAD (AutoCAD), Project Management and Construction project Management. High degree of professionalism and able to adhere to agreed timelines and deliverables whilst maintaining quality products. Language Architect must speak English language and demonstrate familiarity 20% with working with the internationational and government organizations TOTAL 100% 7. Submission instructions and Schedule of Payments The Architect must submit technical and financial offers before the 1 st of October 2015 to UNDP. The successful Architect will receive 40% of the fee after submitting a draft concept design and draft specifications for review, with the final fee (60%) to be issued after success delivery of final concept design and the updated specifications. For each stage, the products will be approved by the UNCT members. 8. Time Frame The UN is expecting the delivery of the detailed concept design within a month. The selection of the architect will be based on UNDP procurement rules and regulations. This is a flagship programme for the government of Rwanda and strong symbol of One UN in Rwanda. Therefore the delivery date is critical to avoid further delays to the planning process, potential loss of land.
9. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Qualified and interested individual candidates are hereby requested to apply. The application should contain the following: Personal CV or P11, indicating education background/professional qualifications, all past experience, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate 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 they 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.