Local Consultant (Lao nationality only) - Support the Revision of NIM Standard Operating Procedures

This opening expired 2 years ago. Do not try to apply for this job.

UNDP - United Nations Development Programme

Open positions at UNDP
Logo of UNDP

Application deadline 2 years ago: Sunday 26 Dec 2021 at 23:59 UTC

Open application form

Contract

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

Background

In May 2009, UNDP Laos launched a NIM project with the Department of International Cooperation (DIC) of the Ministry of Planning (MPI) called Capacity Development for National Implementation (project 00050493, output 00062428). The project ended in Dec 2012 and the key outputs were 1. to develop RBM capacities of MPI, 2. certify targeted officials to international financial management and auditing standards, 3. strengthen MPI’s procurement and human resources systems, and 4. update the 1997 NIM manual, with a revised ‘gender-responsive NEX/NIM manual for UNDP-supported projects in Lao PDR that incorporates the UNDP POPP tailored in local contexts and government procedures and processes’.

These NIM SOPs have ‘localized’ the corporate 2011 NIM Manual and have been updated over the years, until 2017. The corporate UNDP 2011 NIM Manual was part of the UNDP Programme and Operations Policies and Procedures (POPP) and provides an overview of UNDP project management process and procedures applicable to all implementation modalities, as well as specific requirements and arrangements when a Government is the implementing partner to a project (National Implementation). Although this corporate manual was never updated to align with POPP changes, it aimed at clarifying the requirements to establish, manage and close NIM projects. The corporate UNDP NIM manual builds on the understanding that national financial management systems have been pre-assessed and these are used in the implementation of NIM project, as per findings of the risk-informed capacity assessments.

The Laos local NIM SOPs, however, have gone beyond the explanation of UNDP’s project management processes and procedures, and have included internal business processes, thresholds, and requirements to be followed by the government when implementing NIM projects. Consequently, these have partially replaced government systems and generate confusion which is currently reflected in recent HACT micro-assessments and HACT assurance activities.

With the support of the UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, UNDP Laos is aiming at updating the 2017 Laos NIM SOPs to align the explanation of UNDP’s project management processes and procedures with the latest policy changes, and to clarify when the government will use their own financial management processes in implementing NIM projects (or when engaged by UNDP as Responsible Parties (RP)).

UNDP Laos will engage a national consultant to support the coordination of stakeholder consultations, the collection of background documentation, interpretation of relevant national policies and procedures. The national consultant will work with the international consultant to capture this information into a comprehensive and updated UNDP Laos NIM implementation manual/SOPs.

Duties and Responsibilities

The national consultant will be working closely with the international consultant on:

  1. Assisting in reviewing existing assessments and oversight conducted as part of the implementation of the HACT framework and ongoing follow up actions.
  2. Assisting in collecting and reviewing key relevant government regulations, acts, policies and procedures in relation to procurement, financial management and auditing, administration, project management, monitoring and evaluation, and human resources management.
  3. Summarising key points from the Lao documents.
  4. Interpreting in consultation sessions for the international consultant if required.
  5. Coordinating and scheduling consultation sessions with stakeholders to ensure that all key concerns are integrated into the SOPs or that follow up actions are proposed to address gaps or disparities identified.
  6. Assisting the lead international consultant in updating the existing NIM SOPs in line with UNDP’s policies and regulations, with the aim to clarify and simplify the procedures, and hold discussions with BRH, the CO and stakeholders for feedback on the draft.
  7. Assisting in assuring and updating the relevant templates/annexes, as needed.
  8. Assisting the finalization of the NIM implementation manual/SOPs with the feedback received.
  9. Assisting the lead international consultant in developing a slide deck (power point slides) in Lao to be used by the CO to train new partners (either IPs or RPs) on the updated NIM SOPs.
  10. Quality-checking the Lao translation of the finalised updated NIM SOP.

SCOPE OF WORK

The national consultant will be working in the same team with the lead international consultant who will be based in Bangkok. He/she will assist in reviewing the current draft of the NIM SOP, collecting information through desk review, liaising with relevant stakeholders to conduct consultation sessions and interviews, support the international consultant in incorporating the feedback into the finalized draft. Moreover, the national consultant will also prepare knowledge transfer materials of the NIM SOP in Lao version, to reflect the English version developed by the international consultant.

The revised SOPs will clarify where and when the government’s own guidelines, policies, and procedures (as assessed through the HACT framework) will apply in the course of project implementation by removing any ambiguity. If feasible, specialized areas, such as human resources management, financial resources management and procurement, should clarify the key public financial management principles that should guide the utilization of public resources entrusted to UNDP and national procedures and policies should also follow.

The revised SOPs will also clarify when and where government partner (either IP or RP) has to follow the above principles and national policies and procedures to perform those transactions in a NIM projects (in line with the findings of the implementation of the HACT framework) and when the government is engaged as RP by UNDP.

The SOPs will also aim at clarifying reporting requirements, what documents should be made available to ensure UNDP’s quality assurance of project implementation, as well as overall oversight requirement (project governance, risk management, type of audit, frequency, financial reporting standards, basis for accounting, content of financial reporting, etc.) to be applied.

The updated SOPs will also clarify the institutional linkages between UNDP and the government partner (IP or RP) in NIM projects, in UNDP supported projects and business processes and when the government is engaged as RP by UNDP.

Competencies

  • Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
  • Self-development, initiative-taking.
  • Acting as a team player and facilitating teamwork.
  • Facilitating and encouraging open communication in the team, communicating effectively.
  • Informed and transparent decision making.

Required Skills and Experience

  • A master’s degree in the field of Finance, Economics, International Relations, Management or other relevant fields.
  • At least 2 years of experience in the field of international development, public policy, national budgeting and planning;
  • Knowledge of Lao PDR’s planning cycle and processes;
  • Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous research/analytical reports on relevant topics;
  • Ability to lead consultations with senior government officials required;
  • Sound grasp of substantive policy issues in the public finance field;
  • Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic analysis, and sectoral analysis.
  • Experience working with MPI and financing for development stakeholders preferred.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS:

  • Fluency in English (written and spoken)
  • Fluency in Lao (written and spoken)

Requirements for submission of proposals

All interested and qualified National/local Consultant should apply on-line using the following links:

UNDP Lao PDR Country Office website at https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html or

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available on the link below

  1. TOR (Annex I)
  2. Contract General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II;
  3. OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III
  4. P11 Form

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

  1. Technical Proposal

    (i) Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work;

    (ii) Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable;

  2. P11 Form Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services;

  3. Financial proposal: Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III

Instructions for on-line submissions:

Step 1: Please prepare all required documents electronically;

Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above;

Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected.

Note: Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails:

surith.sengsavang@undp.org with copy to vipapone.aphayvanh@undp.org

Added 2 years ago - Updated 2 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org