UNDP Jobs - 34867- International Consultant for Costing Sierra Leone’

International Consultant for Costing Sierra Leone’s Third Generation Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP III)

Location :

Freetown, SIERRA LEONE

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

18-Jan-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

Expected Duration of Assignment :

40 working days

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. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Early this year, a Sierra Leone Conference on Development and Transformation was organised to review Sierra Leone’s past socio-economic development experiences and chart a way forward over the next 25 to 50 years. Through wide consultations among the Sierra Leonean people and with development partners, within the context of the Conference, a long term national Vision of the country was agreed upon. The Vision is that Sierra Leone will be a Middle-Income Country within the next 25 years and a net lender within 50 years. This long term Vision is to be realised by implementing transformative development strategies and policies formulated within the context of medium term development plans.

As the implementation of the Agenda for Change 2008-2012, which is the Country’s second generation Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP II), draws to an end, the Government of Sierra Leone has initiated the process of preparation of the Agenda for Prosperity 2013-2017, which is Sierra Leone’s Third Generation Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP III). This process, which begun in the fourth quarter of 2011 with Government circulating a draft outline of the structure of the proposed PRSP III, is expected to culminate in the launch of the PRSP III by end of first quarter of 2013.

The necessary consultations are ongoing and draft chapters of the eight core pillars of the PRSP III are being reviewed with a view to ensuring consistency of proposed development strategies and policies across pillars. It is expected that the draft chapters will provide proposed flagship projects and indicative implementation costs.

It cannot be overemphasised that good development strategies and policies are meaningful when successfully implemented. However, for successful implementation of development strategies, adequate financing is vital. It is in view of this then that the Government of Sierra Leone, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking the services of two individual consultants (one international and the other national) in costing the PRSP III.

Duties and Responsibilities

Objectives of the international consultant’s assignment:

The four objectives of this assignment are:

To develop a methodology for costing PRSP III programmes and projects;
To train focal points in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the use of the costing methodology;
To guide the MDA focal points through the costing exercise using the methodology; and
To provide quality assurance on the costing of the PRSP III by the MDAs.

Process and expected results:

Under the overall guidance of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED) and under the supervision of UNDP SL, the international consultant is expected to achieve the objectives of the assignment through the following process:

An analysis of budget documentation from Sierra Leone and the development of a preliminary costing methodology and tool that is compatible with the budget structures of the Government of Sierra Leone.
Training workshops attended by key officials from Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MOFED) and the PRSP III technical committee. At these workshops the costing methodology will be explained and discussed, applied and further developed.
Assessments of sample costings of PRSPIII pillar plans by key officials. These assessments will inform the finalisation of the costing methodology.
A set of training interventions which will include workshops and practical sessions with the key officials mentioned above, local government officials, consultants, non-governmental organisations. During these workshops officials will be trained on how to use the costing methodology and will also apply the methodology under the observation and guidance of the costing expert.
Writing up of the costing methodology into a set of guideline documents for the Sierra Leonean government.
Quality assurance and assessment of costings developed by Government of Sierra Leone officials and provision of feedback.

The international consultant is therefore expected to deliver:

Proposed methodology for costing the PRSP III, costing guidelines and Microsoft Excel workbooks (including instructions for the workbooks);
Training workshops;
Training materials (that MOFED will have permission to use);
A draft costing of the PRSP III within 20 days of signing contract which will be submitted to the MoFED and the UNDP SL focal points;
A presentation on costing of the PRSP III at a validation workshop that will be organised and hosted by MoFED within two days of submission of the draft costing of the PRSP III; and
A revised final costing of the PRSP III within 6 days of the validation workshop.

Time Duration:

The consultancy will involve 40 working days for the international consultant. Preferably, the consultancy period will fall within January and 18 March 2013. Office space will be identified for the consultant to facilitate achievement of the deliverables under the consultancy.

Application Process:

Please note that applications will only be considered if they have BOTH the technical/financial proposal as well as CV and cover letter.
Duly completed Personal History Form (P11), which can be downloaded from http://www.undp.org.me/file/job/index.html
Detailed achievement based CV
Letter of interest including a price quotation indicating the lump sum (in USD) requested for the work and travel envisaged in the section "Duties and Responsibilities”

Payment Modalities:

Payment to the consultant will be made in three instalments upon satisfactory completion of the following deliverables:

1st instalment - 20% upon arrival signing of contract
2nd instalment - 40% upon submission and approval of a draft costing of the PRSP III;
3rd instalment - 40% upon submission and approval of the final costing of the PRSP III.

Evaluation of Criteria and Weight:

The consultant will be evaluated on the basis of a combination of technical and financial criteria.

The technical evaluation will cover the following areas and assigned total scores.

Background and Education - 10%
Practical previous relevant experience in costing national development plans - 50%
Practical previous experience in programme/project design and management - 20%
Regional experience on national development planning - 10%
Previous experience in work with a multi-stakeholder, international environments - 10%

Competencies

Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Ability to lead strategic planning, results-based management and reporting;
Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback;
Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude;
Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills; and
Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

University Masters degree in Social Sciences, preferably in Economics, Business Management/Administration or similar fields.

Experience:

At least 3 years of relevant working experience especially in the area of national development planning or programme design and project management;
At least 2 previous completed assignments in costing national development strategy action plans or related assignments;
Excellent writing, analytical and advocacy skills, experience in working in a multi-stakeholder, international environments;
Excellent inter-personal and communication skills;
Excellent organizational and planning skills with developed attention to detail;
Regional experience on national development planning initiatives including formulation of medium term action plans and costing will be a definite advantage.

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English language, written and spoken.