National Consultant on Socio-Economic Analysis and Financing Equity-Oriented Policies, Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Contract

This is a Consultancy contract. More about Consultancy contracts.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, social protection.

Background:

Viet Nam is at a critical juncture in socio-economic development. In spite of COVID-19, Viet Nam’s economy is demonstrating resilience, with GDP growth rate of 1.8 percent in the first half of 2020, projected to reach 2.8 percent for the year. Meanwhile, the socio-economic context is likely to undergo dramatic change due to demographic transition, pockets of widening disparities, urbanization and employment sector. Moreover, many more children have been affected new forms of vulnerabilities, namely the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 and climate change. As such, regular update of socio-economic and poverty analysis with implications on children is crucial to inform adjustments in the course of the GoV-UNICEF cooperation in an evidence-based manner.

In parallel, investment and allocation of budget in equity-oriented policies and ultimately identifying options for expanding them to address new forms of vulnerabilities are urgent. Among the priority policies is the social protection / social assistance reform. Under the One UN Strategic Plan and with the financial support from SDG Fund for Social Protection, UNICEF has been working closely with the UN agencies in social protection reform in Viet Nam over the past years. The Master Plan on Social Assistance Reform and Development in the period 2017-2025 with vision to 2030” (MPSARD) approved by the Government in April 2017 is a key outcome of the joint advocacy and technical support. A key aspect of the reform now is to enhance social spending and expand cash assistance to more children with a vision to achieve universal child benefit. Expanding child benefit has increasingly become an important focus of the Government, IFIs and other development partners given the potentially deepening poverty and vulnerabilities due to intensifying climate change-related natural disasters and COVID-19 coupled with economic crisis. In such context, UNICEF plays a crucial role in providing financing options for social assistance and other equity-oriented policies in light of the changing nature of poverty and vulnerabilities.

Purpose and objective:

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical support to update socio-economic analysis and social assistance-related work supported by UNICEF Viet Nam, particularly to strengthen evidence and policy design to inform policy decisions around budget allocation. This assignment requires specialized expertise and close working relationship with the relevant GoV partners as well as the UN agencies.

Scope, methodology and technical approach:

This assignment involves technical review and input to assessments and studies (including formulation of research methodology and design, review and edit of reports, and development of policy briefs), development of TORs, proposals, preparation of programme and background documents, and technical contribution to relevant consultation meetings. A workplan with monthly deliverables will be developed upon onboarding of the incumbent.

Tasks, deliverables and workplan: please see full TOR. TOR national consultant Social protection.docx

Duration: The timeframe for this consultancy is 81 days, between 22 Feb to 22 Dec 2021.

Performance indicators for evaluation

• Quality of deliverables meet the standards set by UNICEF and specifications outlined in the contract.
• Deliverables are submitted in a timely manner as indicated in the contract.
• Technical assistance delivered in a contextualized and tactful manner, drawing on the inputs from UNICEF and partners.
• Performance evaluation will be completed at the end of the assignment.

Assessment criteria

A two-stage procedure shall be utilized in evaluating proposals, with evaluation of the technical proposal being completed prior to any price proposal being compared.

For evaluation and selection method, the Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment:

a) Technical Qualification (max. 100 points) weight 70 %

1. Degree Education in economics, public policy or social science-related (20 points)
2. Knowledge of socio-economic analysis and social policies especially social protection policies. (30 points)
3. Experience in socio-economic and policy research with good understanding of methodology and use of key findings for policy change and advocacy (30 points)
4. Quality of past work (e.g. understanding, methodology) (20 points)

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30 %

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price.

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview if needed.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to the assigned requisition in UNICEF Vacancies: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

1. Letter of interest and confirmation of availability;
2. Technical proposal which clearly explains the outline on how to deliver the tasks and deliverables (preferably less than 3 pages);
3. Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available);
4. Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including consultancy fee, travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.
5. CV/P11 form (UN Personal History Form) P 11 form.doc

How can you make a difference?

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

• Post-graduate degree in economics, public policy or social science-related field.
• At least 8 years of experience in managing and implementing socio-economic analysis and social policies especially social protection policies.
• Experience and track record of delivery of technical advice to governments on social protection policies.
• Experience in socio-economic and policy research with good understanding of methodology and use of key findings for policy change and advocacy.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills in both English and Vietnamese.
• Previous work experience with the UN is an asset.
• Skills in synthesizing complex evidence into succinct, strategic and reader-friendly policy briefs.
• Excellent team work and communication skills.

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

To view our competency framework, please visit here.

Click here to learn more about UNICEF’s values and competencies.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Individuals engaged under a consultancy or individual contract will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures, and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants and Individual Contractors. Consultants and individual contractors are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.