National Consultant- SDG Budgeting & Costing Expert, Integrated National Financing Framework: 2 positions

Consultant

Contract

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

Background

UNDP Global Mission Statement:

UNDP is the UN’s global development network, an organization advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. We are on the ground in 166 countries, working with national counterparts on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

Organizational context:

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2030 Agenda) presents an ambitious, complex and interconnected vision that countries around the world have committed to working towards. Realizing this vision will require mobilizing a diverse range of public and private resources to contribute to sustainable development outcomes. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda, which outlines a framework for financing the 2030 Agenda, calls for integrated approaches to finance that are driven at the national level. An Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) is the system of policies and institutional structures that government uses to mobilise the investments necessary to achieve the national sustainable development strategy.

Operationalising the concept of an INFF and bringing its building blocks together can help governments to strengthen vertical integration between national development aspirations and SDGs and the policies governing each individual area of public and private finance. More specifically, integration of SDGs into national budgeting provides mechanisms for deepening the vertical alignment between a country’s long-term sustainable development aspirations and the resources over which government has most direct control, i.e. the budget. This is critical because

of the importance and scale of public finance. Enhancing the integration of the budget with the SDGs is therefore a key part of the objectives of an INFF.

Budgeting for SDGs reform paths and solutions vary in their nature and can be applied in isolation or need an orchestrated effort throughout the whole Agenda-2030 timeframe. The modelling of Budgeting for SDGs (B4SDG) choice can vary from a base model aimed at enabling governments in understanding better the alignment of its budget resources with SDGs to a “best practice model” where country systems produce SDG related information, including the priorities, targets, progress in achievement of the goals and, most importantly, a wide range of stakeholders, primarily the legislature and CSOs play an active role in SDG-related policy and budget formulation, monitoring, reporting and accountability. Understanding the cost of achieving the SDGs should not be viewed as a periodic or once-off exercise, but as a fundamental part of the planning and financing policy cycle. There is a need for tailored approaches that can be built into national planning and financing processes considering government’s capacity, policy processes and the availability of data.

Within the current context, where COVID-19 is significantly altering the short- and medium-term outlook for sustainable development in many countries, as well as their ability to mobilise public and private financing, Budgeting and Costing for SDGs solutions are being used to address budget related challenges and help governments in the transition from the response to recovery.

Objective of Assignment:

The Public Finance Management Team will work under the guidance of the INFF Oversight committee, and supervised by the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative and Senior Development Economist. National experts will assist in setting the programmatic workplan, conducting initial processes of research and accessing data or policy information, drafting substantive aspects of the analysis and helping to facilitate consultations and dialogue with government and other stakeholders.

Based on the project objectives below, the team is responsible for delivering high quality, comprehensive analysis and facilitating capacity building with stakeholders throughout the process. Substantive inputs to the work of the technical team, as well as quality assurance in support of the UNDP country office will be provided the UNDP’s Finance Sector Hub through the regional bureau.

The overall objective of the Project is to strengthen the governance of public finance for national sustainable development and effective responses to and recovery from unforeseen disruptions like COVID-19 that are undermining the SDG-aligned development progress in the country. This is done through Budgeting for SDGs and SDG Costing activities, for which guidelines for analysis and implementation will be provided by UNDP.

I. Budgeting for SDGs (B4SDG)

Specific objectives of the Project throughout the following B4SDG reform areas / various phases of the process are to:

B4SDG Reform Area A: Integrating SDGs into medium term and/or annual budget policies

• Establish and accelerate common methodologies for integrating SDGs into medium-term and/or annual budget policies (supporting the supply side for B4SDG reform in the country).

B4SDG Reform Area B: Strengthening SDG budget expenditure monitoring and reporting systems

• Strengthen SDG budget expenditure monitoring, reporting and evaluation systems (supporting the supply side for B4SDG reform in the country).

B4SDG Reform Area C: Strengthening accountability for SDG-aligned budgets

• Strengthen Parliamentary and civil society capacity to perform oversight function on SDG Budgeting – building on existing governance programming (supporting the demand side for B4SDG reform in the country).
• Ensure sustainable nature of SDG framework being effectively used in budget formulation, approval, monitoring and evaluation stages of the budget cycle.

B4SDG Reform Area D: Analyses of impact of budgets on SDG targets

• Perform impact assessment exercises to help increase the government’s capacity and accountability on SDGs (by engaging in partnership with government, parliament, civil society, research and academic institutions).

II. SDG Costing

The objectives of the Project throughout the various phases / areas of the process include the following:

Defining the scope for costing, including level of ambition for results, strategies and actions

• Set the scope of the costing need, including the level of the SDG costing exercise including national or sub-national level for the SDG-aligned development plan or a subset of priority initiatives, goal-by-goal or sectoral/thematic.

Desktop review of programmes, historical costs and consideration of new areas of assessment of the availability of data to define approach and budgeting for the costing

• Undertake research, assessment of data and consultations on the state of play to identify new interventions, historical trends in terms of costs and efficacy of programme interventions (this should be done with sector experts and line ministry representatives).

Review of appropriate methodologies and production of preliminary cost estimates and refinement based on expert inputs

• Review and define appropriate methodologies and approaches considering country context, priorities, availability of data, expertise of the people involved in the costing exercise and time and financing allocated for the costing exercise.
• Produce preliminary cost estimates based on selected methodologies and building on the necessary cross-sectoral and cross-ministerial institutional framework of technical and substantive coordination, such as, e.g. INFF governance structures (INFF/DFA oversight committee, secretariat, technical team) to maximise the impact of the costing exercise (this should be done within a specialized cross-disciplinary team comprising of economists and sector experts, researchers, data analysts and statistical staff etc.).
• In the context of scenario-based sustainable development planning to facilitate risk-informed responses, the costing exercise will include estimation of costs of potential mitigation measures and SDG policy adjustments considering impacts of various risks factored in the development plan (climate, health pandemics, narrow supply chains, etc.) and affecting the progress towards the SDGs.

Analysis of costing results to identify synergies, overlaps and scope for joined up actions and to inform modelling

• Undertake review and consultations with experts and stakeholders to refine costing estimates and identify synergies and trade-offs.

Integration of SDG costed interventions in national planning and financing: advocacy on costed programmes, preparation of estimates in appropriate formats; coordination across policy, planning and financing

• Integrate SDG costing within national planning and financing/budgetary processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the UNDP Malaysia Deputy Resident Representative and with close collaboration and overall guidance from Senior Development Economist, the nationall consultant will assist in driving the process under the guidance of the related main government counterparts on the Project and UNDP Country Office including but not limited to the following activities throughout the various B4SDG reform areas / phases of the process:

• Function as a member of the technical working group, giving sound technical inputs for the development of the deliverables;
• Support in athe coordination and knowledge management for all UNDP’s involvement in the COVID-19 Socio-economic Response Plan (SERP) and UNDP’s Country Programme Document (CPD) Outputs;
• Facilitate in activities e.g. meetings, consultations, focus group discussions, at project and organizational levels with the participating UN Agencies and key stakeholders from government agencies, local financial institutions and private sectors;
• Compile and manage data and policy literature to build an understanding of the development finance policy and institutional landscape, following SDG Budgeting and Costing guidelines of UN;
• Assist in developing scenarios to analyse potential future trajectories of development, considering implications for short- and medium-term policy;
• Work closely with the country office and in tandem with the international consultant in data collection, analysis and engagement with national stakeholders;
• Prepare the relevant draft document (guidelines, policy notes, analysis) for deliberations and acceptance by stakeholders
• Any other tasks as requested by supervisor and UNDP Malaysia’s Management Team.

Expected Deliverables:

1. Output-based deliverables as agreed with UNDP Malaysia Deputy Resident Representative and Senior Development Economist. (Please refer to Schedule of payments for details).
2. Monthly report of activities

Working Arrangements:

The consultant will work under the direct supervision of UNDP Malaysia Deputy Resident Representative with the overall guidance from UNDP Malaysia Senior Development Economist.

Duration of the Work and Duty Station

• The assignment is foreseen for a maximum period of 10 months with a maximum of 120 working days.
• This consultant will work from a remote location, but will be attending meetings, workshops and other engagements at UNDP office in Putrajaya, and other locations as needed.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

The financial proposal shall specify a daily rate and the financial proposal should include a breakdown of this amount (including all related costs such as travel costs within Klang Valley, per diem, etc.). The number of working days for which the daily fee shall be payable under the contract of maximum 120 working days.

The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables and at the end of assignment.

Payments are subject to reports/deliverables duly approved by the Deputy Resident Representative with advice from Senior Development Economist. UNDP reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs is incomplete, not delivered or for failure to meet deadlines.

The national consultant may be required to travel to Putrajaya for project activities or attend the events relevant to the project. All travels (envisaged or unforeseeable) need to be planned with and authorized by UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. Travel expenses (flight tickets, daily subsistence allowance (DSA) and terminal expenses) shall be arranged and paid according to UNDP travel policy.

Schedule of payment

Deliverables

Payment Tranche

Deliverable #1 –

Upon Satisfactory Submission and Acceptance of the workplan and inception report

20%

Deliverable #2 –

Upon Satisfactory Submission and Acceptance of agreed deliverables for SDG Budgeting and Costing

40%

Deliverable #3 –

Upon Satisfactory Submission and Acceptance of agreed deliverables for SDG Budgeting and Costing

40%

Competencies

The consultant should demonstrate the following competencies:

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace, understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, results orientation (UNDP core ethics) impartiality;
• 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 favoritism.

Functional Competencies:

• Professionalism: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic resources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
• Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Management and Leadership

• Proven leadership skills as a team leader;
• Ability to undertake multiple tasks;
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, focuses on impact and result and responds positively to feedback, timely responses to queries;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
• Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrates openness to change/comments/suggestions and ability to manage complexities.

Required Skills and Experience

The consultant should ideally have the following expertise and experience:

Academic Qualification:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Economics, Finance, Investment, Public Finance, Public Policy, Accounting or other Social Sciences fields

Working Experience:

• At least 5 years of experience in the field of public finance management reform at country level, in particular, on integrating SDGs in budgeting processes, results- or program-based budgeting, performance monitoring & evaluation and reporting of budgeting.
• Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic analysis, and in-depth sectoral analysis.
• Excellent knowledge of data collection, analysis and statistics tool are essential.
• Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous high-quality research/analytical reports on relevant topics.
• Ability to conduct consultations with senior government officials from ministries of finance, line ministries and supreme audit institutions required.
• Previous experience of work in Malaysia or countries of similar context, especially with a development partner or government is a very strong advantage.
• Proven experience/satisfactory implementation of similar assignment in the past
• Demonstrate negotiation skills and experience of engaging with strategic partners (national and subnational government, parliament, public finance institutions, UN Agencies, IFIs, bilateral and multilateral donors, the private sector, civil society, media).
• Ability to make impactful presentations, design and deliver audience-focused trainings, etc.

Language Requirement:

• Proficient in English and Bahasa Malaysia, and an ability to summarise and present information.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

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

1. Document 1 : Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability at http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Letter%20of%20Interest%20_Annex%201.docx?download;
2. Document 2: Technical Proposal: A cover page (maximum 2 pages) how candidate’s qualification and experience in rapid evaluation makes them suitable for the work and can lead towards the successful deliverable of this consultancy within the required timeframe; and
3. Document 3: Financial Proposal at https://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Financial Proposal Template (USD$ Daily Fee) .doc .All inclusive and takes into account various expenses the candidate expects to incur during the contract, including:
   • The daily professional fee;
   • The cost of travel from the home base to the duty station (UNDP Office, Putrajaya) and vice versa;
   • Communications, utilities and consumables; and
   • Life, health and any other insurance.
4. Document 4: Personal CV or P11 including areas of expertise and past experiences in similar projects and at least three (3) references at http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/P11%20for%20SC%20&%20IC.doc?download
5. Please submit this information in one file as Document 1, 2, 3, and 4.The system will only accept one attachment, please merge all documents and submit as one file.
6. Applicants must reply to the mandatory questions asked by the system when submitting the application.
7. Candidates who fail to submit all the information requested above will be disqualified.

How to Apply:

• Kindly download the Letter of Confirmation of interest and availability, Financial Proposal Template?and General Terms & Conditions mentioned below;
• Read and agree to the General Terms & Conditions (refer to below link);
• Click the ‘apply’ icon and complete what is required;
• Scan all documents into 1 pdf file and then upload;
• For clarification question, please email to [email protected]. The clarification question deadline is three (3) days before the closing. When emailing for clarification questions, please put "MyIC/2020/057"as the subject matter.

General terms & conditions to be downloaded:

• The General Terms & Conditions?for Individual contract is available at: http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/General%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20for%20IC.pdf?download

Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA): A legal instrument between UNDP and a Company/institution, according to which, the latter makes available the services of an individual delivering time-bound and quantifiable outputs that are directly linked to payments

• The General Terms & Conditions for Reimbursement Loan Agreement is available at:http://www.my.undp.org/content/dam/malaysia/docs/Procurement/Reimbursable%20Loan%20Agreement%20_%20Terms%20&%20Conditions.pdf?download?

Incomplete proposals may not be considered. Only short-listed candidates may be contacted, and successful candidates will be notified.

Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

Evaluation Method and Criteria

The award of the contract shall be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

1. Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
2. Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

* Technical Criteria weight 50%

* Interview 20%

* Financial Criteria weight 30%

Technical Evaluation (50%)

Qualification, Experience and Technical Proposal (50 marks):

1. General Qualification (15 marks);
2. Relevance of qualification and experience make him/her suitable for the work; (35 marks);

Interview (20%):

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview (physical/virtual) to ascertain suitability and and competency.

Financial Evaluation (30%):

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

p = y (µ/z), where

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

The application receiving the Highest Combined Score will be awarded the contract.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, aboriginal groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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