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NATIONAL CONSULTANT: AID EFFECTIVENESS TO SUPPORT GOVERNANCE SECTOR WORKING GROUP

Location : Vientiane, LAO PDR
Application Deadline :16-Aug-12
Additional CategoryDemocratic Governance
Type of Contract :Individual Contract
Post Level :National Consultant
Languages Required :
 English  
Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)		03-Sep-2012
Duration of Initial Contract :60 days over four months period (3 September 2012 - 2 January 2013)
Expected Duration of Assignment :60 days over four months period (3 September 2012 - 2 January 2013)

Background
Lao PDR is one among the countries which use the Round Table Process to assist donor coordination. While the Round Table Meeting is a periodic and high level interaction between development partners and national government, it is supported by mandated Sector Working Groups (SWGs). There are currently ten Sector Working Groups that bring together representatives from Government, Development Partners and NGOs to discuss and build consensus about development priorities, and improve sectoral aid coordination and effectiveness as set out in the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan.

UNDP has played a leading role in facilitating Government and donor coordination through Governance and Public Administration Reform as well as through organization of the Sectoral Roundtable Meetings, and as co-chair of the Governance Sector Working Group (GSWG). The GPAR Programme has worked closely with the Government to develop a Programme approach for the governance sector, and a platform to establish high level coordination mechanism through strengthening the Governance Sector Working Group with ministerial leadership, and a multi-stakeholder Secretariat established. The main objective of the GSWG is to ensure convergence of development partner assistance and approaches in different areas of governance reform, and help execute the Country Action Plan of the Vientiane Declaration on Aid Effectiveness.

The GSWG has a large set of participating members, including the National Assembly, the Supreme Court, several ministries, development partners and civil society. It has two Sub-Sector Working Groups: one on public service improvement, and the other on legal and institutional oversight. In relation to the work on public financial management, no separate Sub-Sector Working Group was set up; instead, representatives of the Sector Working Group on Macro-Economic Management contribute to the GSWG periodically. The Sub Sector Working group on public service improvement also covers the governance pillar on Increased People’s Participation. The Sub Sector Working Group on public service improvement is Co-Chaired by the Vice Minister of Home Affairs, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP and representative of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The Sub Sector Working Group on legal and institutional oversight is Co-Chaired by the Vice Minister of Justice, the Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP and representative of the European Commission (EC).

The multi-stakeholder Secretariat of this Sector Working Group is hosted by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is chaired by the Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, and includes representatives from the government (Ministry of Justice, National Assembly and Ministry of Finance) and supported by development partner representatives (UNDP, SDC and EC).

Duties and Responsibilities
  • Assist in activities related to the GSWG and SSWGs in their function as information sharing and networking mechanisms on governance related matters involving line ministries and development partners.
  • Assist the Secretariat in coordinating the substantive and technical tasks including compiling proposals and information provided by the SSWGs and GSWG on emerging sector-wide priorities, harmonizing new activities, improving the utilization and mobilization of resources. 
  • Provide administrative and logistics support including organizing and preparing GSWG, SSWG and technical working group meetings, preparing agendas, presentations and speeches for meetings, and distribution of relevant supporting documents including minutes of meetings, reports and technical papers as needed.
  • Provide inputs for preparation of 2013 annual work plans for SSWGs and GSWG.
  • Assist with the monitoring and preparation of results-oriented progress reports for the SSWGs and GSWG on progress of the activity plans, including inputs for the Round Table Implementation meeting and tasks related to the Vientiane Declaration Country Action Plan (VDCAP).
  • Assist in updating the governance sector information matrix.
  • Assist in developing a simple sector monitoring framework.
  • Support tasks such as facilitate Development Cooperation Exhibition during the round table meeting.
  • Provide translation services as appropriate.
  • Carry out other duties as may be required by the Governance Unit/NGPAR Secretariat consistent with the overall objectives.

Competencies
  • Strong understanding of aid effectiveness framework in Lao PDR and requirements of effective governance sector reform
  • Solid experience in process facilitation, workshop facilitation and secretariat functions
  • Solid working knowledge of English is essential, including excellent drafting skills and strong communication generally
  • Computer literacy is essential
  • Sound judgment, flexibility and adaptability, cultural sensitivity

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  •  A relevant Master’s Degree in Development Studies, Political Sciences, Public Administration, other relevant/related fields

Experience:

  • At least five years of professional work experience at a practical and applied level in similar work or related fields

Application:

  • All interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php or http://jobs.undp.org/ UNDP Lao PDR will only accept applications submitted on-line.

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

  • Proposal: (i) Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work; (ii) Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work.
  • CV including past experience in similar project and at least 3 references.
  • Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown (international travel, consultancy fee and per diem).

Note: 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 installments 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 number of anticipated working days). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. UNDP accept travel costs not exceeding of an economy class ticket.

Instructions for on-line submissions:

  • Prepare and transmit all required documents electronically.
  • Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word formats can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the link above.
  • An automatic reply will be sent from the UNDP jobsite to confirm receipt. Please do not respond to this email.
    Evaluation of Proposals.
  • Cumulative analysis

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

  • Responsive/compliant/acceptable
  • Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
  • Technical Criteria weight; [ 0.7]
  • Financial Criteria weight; [ 0.3]

Note:

  • Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail : diyer.rasulov@undp.org. UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants.
  • The copies of the response will be also placed on our web-site at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php and linked to the current Procurement Notice.
  • All interested candidates are encouraged to visit the above web-site for updates.
  • Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
  • Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
  • For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at http://www.undplao.org
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.


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