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Clearing for Results Phase II (2011-2015) is a multi-donor project implemented by the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) with technical and financial support from UNDP and other donors. It builds on the successful implementation of the first phase of the project (Clearing for Results, 2006-2010) during which considerable gains were achieved in building CMAA’s capacities in the areas of quality assurance, strategic and policy formulation as well as the socio-economic management of mine clearance. The CMAA however recognized that given the task ahead, more support is required to ensure that land is being cleared from the landmine threat in an effective and cost-efficient manner.

In 2012, six operators accredited by the CMAA contribute to the demining efforts of RGC in the country.  These include the Cambodian Mine Action Center (CMAC), the Halo Trust, the Mine Advisory Group (MAG), the Cambodia Self Help Demining (CSHD), the National Center for Peacekeeping Forces and Mine/ERW Clearance (NPMEC) of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) as well as a commercial operator, BACTEC.

The first Request for Proposal (RFP) for the 2011 mine clearance and baseline survey services was launched in mid-January 2011 while the second RFP for the 2012 operations was launched early November 2011. Both bidding processes managed by the CMAA resulted in the awarding of four project contracts respectively in 2011 and 2012.  The review of the 2011-2012 bidding processes which is planned in the Annual Work Plan (AWP) 2012 is expected to inform on the achievements and shortage of these two last processes. Moreover the review will help measuring achievements against the initial objectives and inform future processes to release more land for productive use by the poor.

Scope of Work:

The objective of this review is to provide the CMAA and UNDP with an independent review of the 2011-2012 bidding processes managed by the CMAA for the procurement of demining and baseline survey services supported under the CFR phase II project (2011-2015).  In particular, the review aims to:

1. Identify the extent to which the 2011-2012 competitive procurement of demining and baseline survey services resulted in cost-efficiency gains, best value for money, fairness, transparency in the allocation of money and delivery of project deliverable;
2. Identify limitations and challenges that were faced by the bidders and prospective bidders in competing for the contracts of demining and baseline survey services awarded by the CMAA for the period under this review;
3. Assess pros and cons of cost-based and task-based approaches in the competitive bidding processes managed by the CMAA;
4. Recommend measures to improve the competitive bidding processes managed by the CMAA or alternative contracting approaches in order to release more land for productive use by ensuring cost-efficiency gains, best value for money, fairness and transparency; and
5. Draw on lessons learnt from the 2011-2012 bidding processes that may be shared by the CMAA with other programmes in the global mine action community.

Final Products or Deliverables/Outputs:

By 31 August 2012, the evaluator is responsible to deliver a high-quality and result-oriented review report of the 2011-2012 bidding processes managed by the CMAA for the procurement of demining and baseline survey services supported under the CFR phase II project (2011-2015) with action-oriented recommendations for the future procurement of demining services.

A high-quality and result-oriented review report of the 2011-2012 bidding processes managed by the CMAA for the procurement of demining and baseline survey services will be prepared according to the format and content described below:

1. Cover page, containing project identification, entity evaluated, date and author;
2. Content;
3. Executive Summary – not more than 2 or 3 pages, wherein are presented the major points of analysis, major finding (relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, gender equality, capacity development, etc), major recommendations, lessons learnt and best practices, and the principal conclusion;
4. Introduction – shall include evaluation objectives, scope, coverage, criteria and methodology, and limitation;
5. Answered questions / findings;
6. Overall assessment;
7. Conclusions and recommendations, including action item with responsible entity;
8. Lessons learnt and best practices; and
9. Annexes.

There should be a minimum of the following annexes:

• Evaluation consultant;
• Terms of Reference of the review;
• Glossary and Abbreviations;
• List of persons/organizations consulted;
• List of literature/documentation consulted;
• Evaluation work plan executed;
• Problems and adjustments table; and
• Findings synthesis table with performance rating.

Main text excluding annexes should be maximum 40 pages.

• Both a contracting and technical mine action background;
• Knowledge both from UN tendering procedures and also from a commercial perspective;
• A background in commercial contracting of demining/EOD capacity in support of development projects;
• A solid knowledge, understanding and background in tendering procedures including calls for expressions of interest, open international tenders and prequalification procedures;
• A solid knowledge, understanding and background in developing Statements of Works for demining/EOD contracts;
• A solid knowledge, understanding and background in procedures for tender evaluations including evaluation of technical as well as financial components;
• A technical background in operational use and understanding of production rates of demining machines, manual capacity and mine detection dogs;
• An understanding of accreditation procedures and quality management of demining/EOD contracts.
  

Education:   

• At least advanced university degree i.e. Master’s Degree in the field of social science and other relevant fields of study. This requirement can be waived in lieu of the required degree with a first degree combined with the relevant work experience.

Experience: 

• At least 10 years of programme / project management experience in mine action and/or related field;
• Prior projects / programmes / policies evaluation experience is a must.  In particular the expert must be fully conversant with Project Cycle Management (PCM) based evaluation work;
  
• Expertise in result-based management, gender equality, and capacity building are also important.

Language Requirements: 

• Full working knowledge of English, and excellent report writing skills.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The application shall comprise the following documents:

• Cover letter: Explaining why the candidate the most suitable for the work;
• Completed and signed UNDP Personal History Form and Personal CV;

Please refer to INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT (IC) PROCUREMENT NOTICE on UNDP Cambodia Procurement Page at http://www.un.org.kh/undp/procurement-notices/undpjobid30850 for detailed term of references, instructions to applicant, and documents to be included when submitting application.

If interested candidate requests additional information, may notify the Procurement Unit in writing to e-mail address: procurement.kh@undp.org. The Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, but any delay in providing such information will not be considered a reason for extending the submission date of your application.