SDG Finance expert

Consultant

Contract

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

Background

NOTE: Signed Offeror’s Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability - https://www.ba.undp.org/content/dam/bosnia_and_herzegovina/docs/Operations/Jobs/Offerors%20Letter%20to%20UNDP%20Confirming%20Interest%20and%20Availability.docx - Letter to UNDP Confirming Interest and Availability.docx - to be sent to e-mail ba.shared.hr@undp.org with Subject: Job ID 95354.

With its ambition of being transformational, Agenda 2030 will present significant challenges for governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). This concerns the traditional government-centred approach to development and financial planning that will require urgent transformative changes and actions to strengthen SDG financing through more optimised public government funding, more active involvement of private sector and other interested parties in SDG investments, including through broadening the traditional financing landscape through introduction of new and innovative financing instruments successfully applied throughout the world. As this will demand significant shifts in the way existing resources are planned, prioritized and used and increases in capacities for SDG-based financing, with support of the Joint UN Fund, the UN agencies in BIH are launching a Joint Programme (JP) to support governments in BIH (state, entity and Brcko District BIH) in creating the architecture for systemic SDG financing. The JP will include support to instigating a country wide dialogue on informed and targeted investment of public funds and mobilisation of additional financing for sustainable development, particularly from the private sector. More specifically, the JP will support the BIH governments to: (a) conduct a development finance assessment (DFA) across different government levels for a disaggregated perspective; (b) undertake a rapid SDG-related gender responsive public expenditure reviews to assess current and planned allocations for SDG implementation from government sources; (c) make a rapid estimation of costs necessary for implementation of the SDG Framework in BIH with more detailed costing of implementation in the priority sectors, with a review of financing instruments currently in place; and (d) support inclusive elaboration of an SDG financing framework that will provide long term strategic direction to national partners for integrated sustainable development financing. The envisaged activities will be implemented through the SDG finance working structure (hereinafter: “the working structure”), which will consist of the current SDG working group plus expanded with representatives of ministries of finance). The working structure will be expanded when required with the thematic working group(s) consisted of representatives of institutional partners relevant for specific SDG financing themes/policies. The first step in launching the JP will be to develop general methodological approach and set-up the formal working structure along with equipping it with the required understanding of the envisaged process. For this purpose and under this ToR, methodological approach guidelines (hereinafter: “the Guidelines”) will be prepared, serving as principle guidance tool through all envisaged processes. Based on the Guidelines, an orientation training for the working structure will be organised with the aim to demystify the SDG financing approach, increase understanding among the institutional partners of the purpose, scope, benefits, process and milestones and motivate them to pursue the envisaged activities. For the preparation of the Guidelines and the orientation training program, the JP team will engage two consultants. The first consultant engaged under this ToR (hereinafter: “the Lead Consultant”) will be responsible for conceptualisation and drafting of the Guidelines and the design of the orientation training program. The second consultant engaged under a separate ToR, will be responsible to support the Lead Consultant in collecting, reviewing /analysing documents relevant for SDG financing, and the preparation and delivery of orientation training program. Furthermore, for all products envisaged to be developed under this ToR, the second consultant will provide a peer review with elaboration of new inputs or changes proposed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Lead Consultant is expected to design the brief Guidelines and orientation training for the working structure that will be involved in the inception phase of the preparation of SDG financing framework in BIH (based on the general approach envisaged by the JP). The Guidelines will be prepared in a consultative manner and agreed with the working structure as the principal guiding tool for the preparation of SDG financing framework. Moreover, the Guidelines will be utilised for the preparation and delivery of the orientation training for the working structure and key institutional partners that will be involved in the preparation of SDG financing framework in BIH.

More specifically, the Lead Consultant will be expected to perform the following tasks: Task 1 – Conduct preparatory review of SDG financing related regulatory and methodological requirements, prepare the Guidelines for the SDG financing framework preparation in BIH and contribute to a kick off event. Prior to initiating this task, the Lead Consultant will undertake several preparatory steps. Firstly, the Lead Consultant will familiarise him/herself with the SDG Framework in BIH and the development planning and management system in BIH (state, entities and Brcko District BIH) . Furthermore, the Lead Consultant will familiarise him/herself with the standardised methodologies for the SDG financing that are recommended by the UN SDG Joint Task Force (e.g. Integrated National Financing Frameworks for Sustainable Development ; Integrated National Financing Frameworks: Inception Phase ; Development Finance Assessment Guidebook ; UNDP Guidance Note on Budgeting for SDGs , and other methodologies relevant for SDGs financing in the BIH socio-economic context ). Secondly, the Lead Consultant will familiarise him/herself with the socio-economic context in BIH and the current financing landscape relevant for SDG financing through a review of the publicly available information (from BIH governments and domestic institutions as well as from international development and financial organisations that operate in BIH). As part of the preparatory work the Lead Consultant will also review the publicly available analytical offerings required for the envisaged assessment and diagnostic to identify those that would need to be additionally collected from stakeholders’ channels. Based on these efforts, the Lead Consultant will develop a brief conceptual outline of the Guidelines for preparation of SDG financing framework in BIH (reflecting main building blocks, milestones, timelines, existing analytical offerings and those that need to be collected through stakeholders’ channels, etc.), in line with entry parameters stipulated below, that will be submitted to JP team for validation. The Guidelines will cover public, private and international/other financing options, as well as critical aspects of integration of the SDG financing framework into existing governance and financing mechanisms, e.g. medium-term and annual budgeting, etc. Conceptual entry parameters for the Guidelines The Guidelines will serve as a main methodological tool to institutional partners, the JP team and experts to be engaged for preparation of the SDF financing framework. As such, the Guidelines will be based on the approach defined within the JP and aligned to existing UN methodologies and observed best practices successfully piloted in countries similar to BIH. The introductory part of the Guidelines will provide brief general rationale and scope for the SDG financing framework preparation from the perspective of its purpose within the wider emerging eco-system for SDG financing in BIH. In addition, the introductory part will provide a brief overview of the country economic/financial situation, including a snapshot pager of major finance landscape, flows and instruments utilised for SDG and development financing. The snapshot should include a reflection of usual SDG and development financing instruments already applied in BIH and those that may be additionally introduced in the coming years. Furthermore, the introductory part will provide a brief overview of the development planning system(s) specifics in BIH, through which the majority of SDG framework priorities will be streamlined (incorporated into subnational development strategies and operationalised through subnational government institutional work plans and corresponding policies and programmes). In the core content, the Guidelines will inform how the process of the preparation of SDG financing framework will be conducted reflecting main phases, major activities and working modalities/structure. It will also describe (i) purpose, process of setting-up and coordination of the participating institutional and other actors (public, private, others.); (ii) sequencing of the envisaged activities and milestones, with the proposed timelines, type and level of efforts for their realisation. A particular section will be devoted to appropriate linking and sequencing of the process of preparation of SDG financing framework with the processes of corresponding assessments and diagnostic (i.e. a basic DFA, a rapid public expenditure review (PER), and other envisaged assessments). The Guidelines will also present the required institutional/functional farmework and related processes on integrating the SDG Financing Farmework into the budgeting processes, including strategic and medium-term budget decision making. Annexes to the Guidelines will include inputs for ToRs (e.g. ToR of the working structure as well as ToRs for major international/domestic experts that are proposed to be engaged along the envisaged SDG financing framework preparation processes). In addition, this section will include a comprehensive list of analytical (data/reports/literature) offerings available within the relevant government institutions and other actors in BIH and those that should be additionally collected as required for the envisaged assessments. Considering that different target groups will use the Guidelines, they should be prepared in a concise, user-friendly, and easily understandable manner, with minimal use of complex technical language. The maximum number of pages of the Guidelines should not exceed 25 pages (not including annexes). Drafting of the Guidelines will be organised in the two steps. Firstly, the Lead Consultant will organise a consultative online meeting with the JP team and the core members of SDG working group to present the concept outline, obtain feedback and discuss additional information, literature and documents needed for preparing the Guidelines. Secondly, after the initial draft of the Guidelines is prepared, the Lead Consultant will share it with the JP team and the regional advisor(s) from UNDP Istanbul regional hub (IRH) who would contribute with specific advice/suggestions, if required. During the preparation of the guidelines, the Lead Consultant will closely cooperate with domestic expert(s) to be engaged under a separate ToR to provide support for the preparation of the Guidelines (i.e. in terms of liaising with stakeholders, conducting preparatory collection of additionally required materials, conducting initial review/analyses of the relevant documents for SDG finances, as well as providing peer review of the Guidelines). The final draft of the Guidelines will be submitted to the SDG JP team for approval. Within this task, the Lead Consultant will also prepare and deliver a brief presentation during the kick-off event for the JP that will be organised electronically for country wide participants. The presentation will aim to inform participants on the general purpose and scope of the envisaged activities, benefits, timelines and roles of the institutional partners and other actors. The Lead Consultant will in advance share the draft presentation for validation by the JP team. Task 1 is expected to be completed by mid of December 2020 with estimated level of effort of 15 days.

Task 2 – Design and delivery of orientation training on SDG financing in BIH Within this task the Lead Consultant is expected to design a tailored orientation training program, based on the methodological approach guidelines elaborated under Task 1 and considering the aspects elaborated below. Orientation training programme conceptual entry parameters The purpose of the training is to orientate the key institutional partners and working structure towards the purpose, benefits, and process of preparation of SDG financing framework in BIH. The training should be short and motivational, with the duration of 1 day. The entry point of the training should be a brief introduction of the SDG Framework and its links to domestic planning instruments. The core elements of the training should ensure general understanding of the importance of SDG financing framework for SDG achievements in BIH (e.g. to elaborate purpose and benefits that more focused efforts to SDG financing can bring to BIH through more active role/involvement of private sector, institutional investors, and other interested parties, or through introduction of new and innovative financing approaches and instruments applicable to BIH, etc.). Furthermore, the training should explain key phases of the forthcoming SDG financing framework preparation to allow participants to understand the general approach and their specific roles along this process. As such, the training should provide illustrative and eye-opener examples from countries similar to BIH for awareness raising purpose that an adequate approach to long-term SDG financing may bring to BIH. The training will include a guest speaker (e.g. from government, private sector or other international/domestic institution) who would provide his/her brief reflection/experience on SDG finance. The training package will include (but not limited to): Training module agenda; PowerPoint presentation, Hand-outs for participants and/or reading material; Training evaluation form. The training design and delivery will be led by the Lead Consultant, while support will be provided by the second expert to be engaged under a separate ToR. The training will be organised for two groups of participants (approx. 15-20 participants in each group), where the first group will include the members of the working structure and JP team. The second group will include participants from selected government institutions and partners who would be later involved in the thematic working groups in further consultative process of the SDG financing framework design. The training delivery logistic, in terms of venues, invitation and printing of the training material will be organized by the JP team. Task 2 is expected to be completed by end of December 2020 with estimated level of effort of 7 days.

Task 3 – Present and facilitate endorsement of the Guidelines as a principle guiding tool for consultative process of preparation of SDG financing framework in BIH Within this task, the Lead Consultant is expected to present the Guidelines (prepared under Task 1) to the established working structure, make necessary adjustments, if required, and facilitate endorsement of the Guidelines as a principle methodological guiding tool for the SDG financing framework preparation. For this purpose, the Lead Consultant will conduct a short mission to BIH to facilitate the workshop when the Guidelines will be presented, adjusted, and endorsed. Before the Guidelines are presented/discussed through a workshop, they will be shared with the target group to obtain critical reflections/questions that should be responded throughout the workshop. This task will be conducted by the Lead Consultant with the support of the other domestic expert that will be engaged under a separate ToR. The Lead Consultant will be responsible for his/her travel arrangements, while the JP team will be responsible for overall logistics of workshop/meetings/events. Task 3 is to be completed by mid of January 2021, with estimated level of effort of 3 days. In case of imposed strict travel limitations due to COVID'19, the envisaged activities in all tasks that require travel will be organised through electronic means of communications. The entire service will be delivered in English language.

Deliverables/outputs

#

Deliverables / Outputs

# of Days per Task

Due Date

Percentage

1. Task 1 – Conduct preparatory review of SDG financing related regulatory and methodological requirements, prepare the Guidelines for the SDG financing framework preparation in BIH and contribute to kick off event.

Guidelines for the SDG financing framework prepared as described, submitted and approved by the JP team.

15 work days

15th

December 2020

60 %

2.

Task 2 –Design and delivery of orientation training on SDG financing in BIH

The orientation training designed and delivered, as described.

7 work days

31st

December 2020

28 %

3.

Task 3 – Present and facilitate endorsement of the Guidelines as a principle guiding tool for consultative process of preparation of SDG financing framework in BIH

The Guidelines presented and endorsed by the relevant domestic working structure.

3 work days

15th

January

2021

12 %

Competencies

Core values 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

Functional competencies:

• Strong interpersonal skills, communication and diplomatic skills, ability to work in a team
• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback
• Ability to work under pressure and stressful situations
• Strong analytical, reporting and writing abilities
• Excellent public speaking and presentation skills

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualifications/Education

• Relevant degree or equivalent advanced degree in economics, public finance, or other relevant area.

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in the field of finance, public finance management, private sector development or budgeting and planning. Previous experience with a development partner or government is a very strong advantage.
• Previous research experience in the area of public or private financing policies for sustainable development is required, including good knowledge of data collection and analysis that is essential.
• Previous experience in training design and/or delivery of training related to sustainable development financing.
• Previous experience in technical support to government and other relevant actors in the area of sustainable development financing, in Bosnia and Hercegovina and/or Western Balkan region and/or new EU member state countries.
• Previous experience in technical support to government and other relevant actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and/or Western Balkan region and/or new EU member state countries in the area of enhancing government systems and processes, particularly in relation to budget, private finance policies, planning processes and their integration.

Languages Requirements

• Fluency in English language; knowledge of BHS languages is desirable.

Longlisting/Shortlisting Criteria

Qualifications as stated in the ToR

Criteria:

Points

Relevant Education

max 10 points 5 points allocated for BA/BSc degree + 3 points for MSc/MA + up to 2 points for PhD

Relevant professional experience

max 15 points

Knowledge of English

max 5 points - will be assessed as: 5 points for fluency and the points decrease as per the level mentioned in the CV: good - 4 points; fair/upper intermediate – 3 points; intermediate - 2 points; beginner - 1 point.

Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria:

Points

Rating based on Qualifications

30

Previous research experience in the area of public or private financing policies for sustainable development is required, including good knowledge of data collection and analysis that is essential.

20

Previous experience in training design and/or delivery of training related to sustainable development financing.

20

Previous experience in technical support to government and other relevant actors in the area of sustainable development financing, in Bosnia and Hercegovina and/or Western Balkan region and/or new EU member state countries.

15

Previous experience in technical support to government and other relevant actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina and/or Western Balkan region and/or new EU member state countries in the area of enhancing government systems and processes, particularly in relation to budget, private finance policies, planning processes and their integration.

15

Evaluation

Individual will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the candidate whose offer has been evaluated and determined as: a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and b) Having received the 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%

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

• Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
• Personal CV,including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references.

Please scan all above mentioned documents and upload as one attachment only online through this website.

Note:

• For an assignment requiring travel, consultants of 65 years or more require full medical examination and statement of fitness to work to engage in the consultancy.
• Due to large number of potential applicants, only competitively selected candidates will be contacted for remaining steps of the service procurement process.

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