International Consultant to Value the Output of the Housing Services to Support 2008 SNA implementation in Turkmenistan

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TM Home-based; Travel; Ashgabat (Turkmenistan)

Application deadline 3 years ago: Thursday 13 Aug 2020 at 23:59 UTC

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Contract

This is a International Consultant contract. More about International Consultant contracts.

Background

In 2018, UNDP and the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan engaged into the joint project “Strengthening institutional and statistical capacity on national accounts” that aims at strengthening the national statistical and institutional capacity for implementation the conceptual transition from 1993 version of the System of National Accounts (SNA) to 2008 version and expanding the scope, degree of detailed elaboration and quality of national accounts and complementary data of macroeconomic statistics.

The project components include the following: 1) national program for the 2008 SNA implementation and establishment of institutional mechanisms for coordination of national statistical system; 2) preparation of proposals for improving the system of statistical classifications; 3) adaptation to SNA 2008 requirements on business registers; 4) strengthening methodological, information and personnel potential in the area of national accounts of Turkmenistan in accordance with the requirements of the SNA 2008; and 5) strengthening ITC capacity to support the system of national accounts in Turkmenistan.

Within the framework of the fourth component of the project, it is planned to develop a methodology for calculating the output of housing services produced by homeowners for their own consumption in accordance with the 2008 SNA. The production of the housing services for their own final consumption by owner occupiers (hereinafter referred to as residential rent) has always been included within the production boundary in national accounts. The ratio of owner – occupied to rented dwellings can vary significantly between countries, between regions of a country and even over short periods of time within a single country or region, so both international and inter-temporal comparisons of the production and consumption of housing services could be distorted if no imputation were made for the value of own account housing services.

In this regard, UNDP Turkmenistan is seeking International Expert/Consultant to support the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan (Turkmenstat) in implementation of the SNA 2008 by providing consultations and expertise to value the output of the housing services.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the National Project Coordinator and the Head of the Department on National Accounts of the State Statistics Committee, as well as under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the International Consultant will be responsible to carry out the following tasks:

1.1.With the support of a national consultant, conduct a review of existing documents related to the implementation of the System of National Accounts 2008, including a World Bank report, materials prepared by UNDP international and national consultants, and provide an overview of international standards and best practices for assessing residential rents in accordance with the SNA 2008. Providing recommendations on the calculation of housing services in Turkmenistan in accordance with the SNA 2008. Prepare and present power point presentation, which includes the overview and recommendations (in case of need, online) and conduct a series of consultations with Turkmenstat and other relevant departments and organizations of Turkmenistan via Skype or other types of communications tools in order to collect proposals (feedback) from these agencies on the adoption of the SNA 2008 modifications (to bring in line with the SNA 2008) regarding the calculation of housing services.

1.2. Based on the above, prepare comprehensive report on the existing situation to value the output of the housing services in Turkmenistan, including recommendations on calculation of GDP taking into account the output of the housing services.

Task Deliverable 1: Desk review report on current situation on the existing situation to value the output of the housing services in Turkmenistan, including recommendations on calculation the GDP, taking into account the output of the housing services. (Estimated Time Input: 5 working days);

2. Develop and present a final report and a methodology aligned with SNA 2008 to value the output of the housing services to calculate GDP, including relevant indicators and statistical forms. Support Turkmenstat in applying a new methodology and conducting experimental calculation of GDP, taking into account the output of the housing services through provision of several (5-7) online consultations (round tables) with national consultant and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies. Review and provide recommendations on improvement calculation. Revise it in case of need upon receiving the feedback from relevant agencies and ministries during consultations.

Task Deliverable 2: Methodology aligned with SNA 2008 to value the output of the housing services to calculate GDP, including relevant indicators and statistical forms developed and presented. Support to Turkmenstat in applying a new methodology and conducting experimental calculation of GDP, taking into account the output of the housing services in accordance with SNA 2008 provided through provision of several (5-7) online consultations (round tables) with national consultant and representatives of relevant ministries and agencies . Round table discussions with participation of the relevant stakeholders (Turkmenstat and other relevant ministries and agencies) to present a new methodology and experimental results is held; Final consultancy report on results with recommendations should be submitted to the Project Manager and the National Coordinator for further improvement of national statistics.

(Estimated Time Input: 15 working days, including 5 days mission to Turkmenistan or/and online consultations);

Deliverables and timeframe:

The following deliverables and indicative schedule are expected from the consultancy contract. The international consultant should deliver a monthly report at the end of each month to the Project Manager, indicating which of the key deliverables have been carried out or partially carried out together with an invoice for the number of days worked that month (minimum 5 days, maximum 10 days):

Payment schedule:

  • Desk review report, the end of September 2020 - 40%;
  • Final report and draft methodology to value the output of the housing services, November 2020 - 60%;

The average number of days to be worked each month shall be in the range of 5-10 working days. The calendar duration of the contract is estimated within 5 months. The total number of working days is 20 calendar days with two five days missions to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, if needed. The final schedule of both field missions and deliverables may be discussed and agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy assignment. It is expected that the international consultant carried out the above-mentioned tasks and visit Turkmenistan (if needed) to hold round table in October 2020 and in November 2020.

Payment conditions:

This is a deliverables-based contract and shall also include the costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables and travel costs of two mission. The final schedule of payments will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy, but in general payment is expected on a monthly basis following submission of the monthly report together with associated deliverables. The calendar of deliverables and schedule and number of associated payments is subject to changes and revisions based on the consultant’s proposed plan to implement the assignment and the assignment action plan to be agreed and cleared by UNDP provided that the overall number of working days do not exceed 20 working days and the number and general nature of deliverables described above not reduced.

Competencies

  • Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities;
  • Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team;
  • Ability to plan and organize his/her work, efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Ability to receive/integrate feedback;
  • Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations;
  • Knowledge of 2008 SNA standards.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in Economics/Statistics; Higher academic degree is an asset.

Experience:

  • At least 10 years of international experience in statistical system, preferably in national accounts;
  • Proven record of international consultancy experience focused on SNA 2008 implementation, including calculation of the output of the housing services. Excellent knowledge of SNA 2008 and other international standards in the area of statistics, particularly in calculation of the output of the housing services and developing relevant methodologies for calculating GDP;
  • Experience of working with UN is a strong asset;

Languages:

  • Fluency in English, including excellent writing skills. Knowledge of Russian is an advantage.

Submission of applications:

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

All experts applying for this position are required to provide:

  • Cover Letter which contains a brief description of approach to work/technical proposal of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a proposed methodology on how they will approach and complete the assignment; (maximum 1 page);
  • A summary of experience in similar assignments;
  • Financial Proposal with the references to (1) the daily rate for the assignment and within the timing scale indicated in the present TOR, and (2) any other expenses (including transportation costs, accommodation costs, the possibility of vaccination and etc.). Template of the form named "Offeror's Letter to UNDP confirming interest and availability" can be found at: http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/procurement.html. The UNDP will enter into an Individual Contract based on deliverables tied amounts. The financial proposal shall represent a detailed, justified and “all inclusive” amount. In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal shall include a breakdown of the amount, including: a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement, travel (to and from the missions), per diems, any other possible costs (including vaccinations, dwelling, communication etc.);
  • Personal CV form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees.

The candidate with the highest total score shall undertake a validation interview with the panel.

Evaluation of proposals:

Individual Consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring methodology. When using this method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

  • Responsive/compliant and having received the highest score – out of 100 points

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70%, and for financial criteria 30%.

The technical evaluation will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

  • Education in area of Statistics – 15 points;
  • International experience in similar assignments – 15 points;
  • Experience and good knowledge of statistics with the focus on SNA 2008 implementation, including assessment of GDP – 20 points;
  • Superior writing, analytical and communication skills – 10 points;
  • Fluency in English. Knowledge of Russian is an asset – 10 points;
  • Methodology – 20 points;
  • Interview – 10 points;

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors aged 65 and older, and if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org