National consultant on SDGs budget tagging in Ukraine

Consultant

Contract

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

Background

BACKGROUND

At the United Nations Sustainable Summit held in September 2015, 193 UN Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, operationalizing 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 specific targets.

The UN Joint SDG Fund is an inter-agency, pooled mechanism for strategic financing and integrated policy support. The Fund supports programmes that work across all 17 SDGs and cross-cutting areas so programme countries can accelerate progress towards attaining the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. In doing so, the Fund is committed to forge paths and partnerships that unlock public and private capital for the SDGs at scale.

Following the 2020 call of the Fund, more specifically its Component 1: Reinforce the SDGs financing architecture, UNDP Ukraine as the lead agency, together with the resident country agencies WHO and UNICEF, and the non-resident agency UNECE, have been selected to implement the initiative Promoting strategic planning and financing for sustainable development on national and regional level in Ukraine. This Joint Programme, which will be implemented over 24 months, outlines an integrated response to the need of the Ukrainian government to optimize resource allocation towards national development ambitions and their alignment with the SDGs agenda. It builds on two outcomes, which individually frame engagement and outputs at national and sub-national level:

Outcome 1: Ukraine´s national SDGs planning and financing architecture is improved.

Outcome 2: Decentralized SDGs development planning and financing architecture is improved at regional level.

The implementing agencies (UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, and UNECE) will be individually responsible for specific activities under the two respective outcomes. Taken together, the Joint Programme will result in better ways of managing existing – and potential – finance flows for strategic change to enhance alignment of available resources to long-term development priorities and achieving the SDGs in Ukraine. Promoting and supporting establishment of Integrated National Financing Frameworks (INFFs) is central to this ambition. Additional methodologies and tools that will be employed include Development Finance Assessment, RIA+, Budgeting for SDGs, PPP legal and regulatory frameworks review, systems for public strategic planning, health expenditure review, among others.

As lead Convening/lead agency for the Joint Programme, UNDP is responsible for the programme’s operational and programmatic coordination. Moreover, UNDP is responsible for preparation and consolidation of the programme’s reporting, provided by the other participating agencies, and for submission to the UN Joint SDG Fund Secretariat (through the RCO).

As implementing agency, UNDP is responsible for activities related to Development Finance Assessment, Budgeting for SDGs and activities focusing on review and strengthening of strategic planning and budgeting processes (at national and regional level). The activities have been designed in close dialogue with the UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub, which will provide technical guidance and support. The activities will entail direct and high-level engagement with line ministries and national authorities, International Financial Institutions, and development partners.

Implementation of SDGs require involvements of various stakeholders at different tiers of government and is necessary to tag the budget code for each goal and indicator at the national, oblast and local municipalities level. To tag the budget code it is necessary to prepare SDG budget tagging system to track budget allocations and actual expenditures by national policies and targets (SDG budget tagging for SDGs and SDG indicators).This will help in establishing mechanism to report and monitor the physical and financial progress on SDGs responsive planning and budgeting at all levels of the government.

In this context, UNDP is recruiting a professional with relevant experience and track record for the position of a National consultant for conducting analysis of SDGs budget tagging on three levels of Government in Ukraine. The incumbent will promote UNDP’s mandate as a gender-responsive organization with zero tolerance to any kind of discriminatory and abusive behaviour, including sexual harassment, sexual exploitation and abuse.

Duties and Responsibilities

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of this assignment is to conduct SDG based budget/program tagging compatible with the existing national economic, budgetary and public finance management system.

Specific objectives of the study are as follows:

1. To review best international practices for fiscal budget/program tagging for goal-wise allocation of fiscal budgets for SDGs sectors (at least, 3 country experiences).
2. To conduct SDGs budget tagging for SDGs and SDG indicators at three tiers of the government (National, Oblast, and Amalgamated Communities), implementations and documenting progress on status of SDGs implementation in Ukraine.
3. To discuss with key stakeholders (INFF WG, MoF, line ministries and other government agencies etc.) possible ways for establishment budget tagging system to track budget allocations and actual expenditures by national policies and targets.
4. Assess adequacy and limitations of the present practices and provide recommendations how to enhance SDGs budget tagging process based on the Analysis of the institutional environment and legal framework that governs public financing of the SDGs, Presidential decree and newly adopted statute of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.
5. Assess and develop a strategy and a workable guideline for SDG budget tagging (by each goals of SDGs) for all three tiers of the Government (National, Oblast, and Amalgamated Communities), and discuss the draft guidelines with key stakeholders in the country.
6. Develop a scorecard/matrix that will help to understand which budget/program code contributes to the achievement of which SDG, keeping in mind that certain programs would be contributing to more than one SDG and thus need a weightage base for coding/reporting purpose.

DELIVERABLES

The timeframe and deliverables of the assignment are as follows:

No.

Deliverables

Tentative Timeframe

Deliverable 1

• Develop detailed methodology and techniques for the SDGs budget tagging compatible with the existing national economic, budgetary and public finance management system

10 working days (till May 9, 2021)

Deliverable 2

• Review best international practices for fiscal budget/program tagging (at least, … county experiences, the countries will be advised by UNDP)
• conduct SDGs budget tagging for SDGs and SDG indicators at three tiers of the government (National, Oblast, and Amalgamated Communities), implementations and documenting progress on status of SDGs implementation in Ukraine
• Conduct discussion of the preliminary findings of the existing practices adopted for SDGs based tagging of budgets/programs and expenditure and understand ways for the effective and tangible improvements in the area
• Assess adequacy and limitations of the present practices on SDGs budget tagging and provide recommendations how to enhance SDGs budget tagging process, based on the Analysis of the institutional environment and legal framework that governs public financing of the SDGs, Presidential decree and newly adopted statute of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

60 working days (till August 9, 2021)

Deliverable 3

• Develop a strategy and a workable guidelines for SDG budget tagging (by each goals of SDGs) for all three tiers of the Governments (National, Oblast, and Amalgamated Communities)
• Develop a scorecard/matrix that will help to understand which budget/program code contributes to achievement of which SDG, keeping in mind that certain programs would be contributing more than one SDG and thus need a weightage base for coding/reporting purpose
• Present developed report with recommendations and SDGs budget tagging scorecard/matrix to the INFF WG

30 working days (till October 9, 2021)

PROPOSED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

UNDP will provide payments upon provision of deliverables duly certified by UNDP in accordance with the table above. UNDP will be the ultimate authority to control the quality of work results and assess the Contractor’s performance during the assignment. The satisfactory completion of each of the deliverables shall be subject to the endorsement of the UNDP Project Manager. Payments are made in three tranches as per the Schedule of payments indicated in the table above.

In particular, the payment schedule will be as follows:

Deliverable 1 10%

Deliverable 2 50%

Deliverable 3 40%

MONITORING/REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

The consultant will work under overall guidance of UNDP Project Manager of the Democratic Governance team, and in close day-to-day coordination with the other project consultants. Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with Democratic Governance Team Leader on a regular basis. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

The Consultant will duly inform UNDP of any problems, issues or delays arising in the course of implementation of assignment and take necessary steps to address them.

All reports and results are to be submitted to the UNDP in electronic form (*.docx, *.xlsx, *.pptx, and *.pdf or other formats accepted by UNDP). All reports and presentations shall be submitted in English.

Competencies

Corporate competencies

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treats all people fairly without favouritism.
• Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to work under the deadline and deliver within the schedule.
• Ability to work on complex issues under changing environment.
• Demonstrates diplomacy and tact in dealing with sensitive and complex situations.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, analysis, and planning skills.
• Knowledge of sustainable energy and environment issues.
• Strong communications skills (written and oral).

Required Skills and Experience

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Master’s / Specialist’s degree in public economics, sustainable financing, international relations and management, or related field. PhD is an asset.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of proven experience of providing services (consultancy, development, design) to public institutions at national and international levels in the sphere of finance and economics;
• At least 5 years of proven experience in elaborating strategic documents, policy papers and policy recommendations, conducting policy research;
• Extensive knowledge and experience of public financing, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis or presentations (at least 3 samples provided);
• Experience in international financing, working with international technical assistance projects or UN Agencies and advisory support would be an asset.

Language (s)

• Excellent English writing, communication and presentation skills are required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents (to be uploaded as one file):

• Personal CV or P11, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees (at least 3).
• A brief methodology (max. 1-2 pages) on how the applicant plans to approach and complete the assignment.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price supported by a breakdown of costs according to defined deliverables, as per template provided (in USD).
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
• At least 3 samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis, or draft legislation documents in related field

Note: UNDP documents templates are available at the following link:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/gl77bauo27ed0l9/AACGhkF0QmlC5dhm5HZutu2Fa?dl=0

The above documents need to be uploaded to the online application as one document. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in instalments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and a number of anticipated working days).

Travel costs

The travel is not envisaged for this assignment. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. BSAFE course must be successfully completed before the commencement of travel. Individual Consultant is responsible for ensuring he/she has vaccinations/inoculations when travelling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. A consultant is required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under https://dss.un.org/dssweb/

EVALUATION CRITERIA

Educational background

• Master’s / Specialist’s degree in public economics, sustainable financing, international relations and management, or related field. PhD is an asset (PhD degree – 7 pts; Master’s degree – 5 pts) – 7 points max.

Relevant professional experience

• At least 5 years of proven experience to provide services (consultancy, development, design) to governmental and public institutions at national and international levels in the sphere of finance and economic(more than 10 years – up to 25 pts; 7-9 years – up to 22 pts; 5-6 years – 19 pts) – 25 points max;
• At least 5 years of proven experience in elaborating strategic documents, policy papers and policy recommendations, conducting policy research (more than 10 years – up to 20 pts; 7-9 years – up to 18 pts; 5-6 years – 16 pts) – 20 points max;
• Extensive knowledge and experience of public financing, confirmed by samples of personal publications, articles, reports, analysis or presentations, at least 3 samples provided (4 and more samples – up to 8 pts; 3 samples – 6 pts) – 8 points max;
• Experience in international financing, working with international technical assistance projects or UN Agencies and advisory support would be an asset (experience available – 5 pts; no experience – 0 pts) – 5 points max.

Language Skills

• Fluency in Ukrainian and working knowledge of English are required. (Fluency in Ukrainian and working knowledge of English – 5 pts, fluency in Ukrainian – 3 pts) – 5 points max.

Maximum available technical score – 70 points.

EVALUATION METHOD

Cumulative analysis

Contract award shall be made to the incumbent whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
• having received the cumulative 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 70% from the maximum available technical score (49 points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

The maximum number of points assigned to the financial proposal is allocated to the lowest price proposal and will equal to 30. All other price proposals will be evaluated and assigned points, as per below formula:

30 points (max points available for financial part) x (lowest of all evaluated offered prices among responsive offers) / (evaluated price).

The proposal obtaining the overall cumulatively highest score after adding the score of the technical proposal and the financial proposal will be considered as the most compliant offer and will be awarded a contract.

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