National consultant Lao PDR LDC Graduation Smooth Transition Strategy (Lao nationality only)

Contract

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

Background

The Government of Lao PDR is committed to pursuing a sustainable, high-quality graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, as has been set out in successive national plans, including the 9th National Socio-Economic Development Plan. Following the 2021 Triennial Review by the UN Committee for Development Policy, in light of considerable progress across the key criteria reviewed, Lao PDR was recommended for graduation from LDC status. This recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the UN General Assembly in November 2021. However, recognizing the additional challenges and uncertainty facing the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Assembly granted an exceptional 5-year preparatory period, meaning graduation is expected to take place in 2026.1 In Lao PDR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Department of International Organizations, leads the National Steering Committee on the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action for LDCs. This Committee is responsible for leading the development of the Smooth Transition Strategy (STS) for LDC Graduation, in line with global recommendations but tailored to the national context. In November 2021, the Government and UN in Lao PDR formally agreed the new Lao PDR-UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework 2022-2026, which sets the priorities for the UN’s development support over the five years that correspond to the graduation preparatory period. The Cooperation Framework includes a dedicated joint output area on Smooth Transition Beyond LDC Graduation, through which the UN will support the development and implementation of the STS. During the 13th High-Level Roundtable Meeting, on 17th November 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Government’s commitment to preparations for a sustainable and high quality graduation, and set out the planned approach for the development of the STS. This emphasized the following key principles:

- A whole-of-government approach;

- A country-led and owned process;

- Country-demand driven, timely and high-quality international community support; and

- Using existing country systems to the extent possible.

Bangladesh and Nepal were also recommended for graduation at the same time as Lao PDR, and with the same preparatory period. Reflecting this, the three countries are preparing a joint side event for the global LDC V Conference (date TBC), to jointly articulate the approached and challenges of LDC graduation in the context of COVID-19, and what international support could be needed. A subcommittee with membership of the three countries has been established to take forward technical preparations and share experiences.

Duties and Responsibilities

OBJECTIVES OF ASSIGNMENT

This consultancy will provide supplementary technical and drafting support to the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for specific research, consultation, and drafting of the STS for Lao PDR. The consultancy will be supported remotely by an international consultant for guidance on international best practice and quality assurance of deliverables.

The consultancy aims to support the development of an STS that is thoroughly consulted with all key stakeholders, draws in lessons from other countries, and is practical and fully aligned to the context of Lao PDR. The STS should position Lao PDR to seize the opportunities that come with graduation, and adequately mitigate challenges by clearly defining appropriate policies, responsible parties, and monitoring and coordination mechanisms.

In this context, the national consultant would work directly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the development of the STS, liaising closely with the international consultant that will provide additional remote support, and with the UN joint output group on Smooth Transition Beyond LDC Graduation.

Specifically, the consultant will:

1. Review existing national and sector plans, and consolidate LDC graduation-related elements;

2. Support the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in inter-ministerial coordination through the National Steering Committee on the Implementation of the UN Programme of Action for LDCs;

3. Draft the STS document with support of the international consultant and other partners;

4. Support technical presentations of the STS technical guidance and approach, and successive drafts of the STS during development

The national consultant will report to Director-General of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with technical guidance provided by the UN joint output group on Smooth Transition Beyond LDC Graduation (coordinated by the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office).

Competencies

Other competencies and attitude:

• Excellent communication and consultation skills to liaise with a range of stakeholders.

• Ability to lead and work with teams to achieve quality outputs under tight timelines.

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience and motivation in coordination of international relations, and development cooperation efforts, or related field is required;

• Writing skills and experience of information management and coordination of inputs;

• Thorough knowledge about the Lao PDR’s development context and related challenges as well as familiarity with national development strategies; • Strong analytical skills;

• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;

• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude

Required Skills and Experience

Education: Hold a masters degree or higher related to public administration, information management, statistics, sustainable development, social sciences or related field.

Experience: At least 7-years working experience in development planning, economics, sustainable development or a related field.

IT skills: Strong experience with use of Microsoft Office tools;

Language skills: Lao (fluent) and English (fluent), is required.

Requirements for submission of application:

All interested and qualified International or National Individual Consultants should apply online using the following links:

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

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below

1. TOR (Annex I)
2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II;

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 online 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 to the following e-mail: surith.sengsavang@undp.org

UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified.

Qualified female candidates and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at

https://www.la.undp.org/content/lao_pdr/en/home/jobs.html