UNDP Jobs - 45910- International Consultant to Assist State Statistic

International Consultant to Assist State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan (SSC) to Carry Out Self- Assessments of National Statistics Institutions

Location :

Home-based with four missions to Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

02-Jun-2014

Application Deadline :

05-May-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

25 working days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

25 working days within June-August 2014

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

Over the years after independence, the national statistical system of Turkmenistan has undergone structural changes. To strengthen the scientific, methodological and analytical basis of state statistics, in 1997 the State Statistics Committee, Scientific Economic Research Institute under the Cabinet of Ministers and Institute of Economy of the Academy of Sciences were merged to establish the National Institute of State Statistics and Forecasting (TurkmenStatPrognoz). In 2000, TurkmenStatProgrnoz was transformed to the National Institute of State Statistics and Information (Turkmenmillihasabat Institute). The new Institute performed inter-sectoral coordination and functional regulation in the sphere of state statistics in the period when the statistical system was in transition to international standards of monitoring and statistics. In October 2007, Turkmenmillihasabat was reorganized into two separate agencies: State Committee for Statistics (SSC) and Institute of Strategic Planning and Economic Development.

The organizational structure of the SSC consists of the Head Office and statistical departments in velayats (provinces) and city of Ashgabat. The statistical departments in velayats oversee the activities of district (town) statistical offices. The Head Office has sectoral statistical units that primarily deal with coordination, provide methodological and programme support for statistical observations, collection and analysis of statistical data, and publishing.

Currently, statistical activity is regulated by the Law “On statistics” adopted in March 2012. It aims at pursuing single state policy in the area of statistics, providing the state and society with full, reliable and scientifically justified statistical information.

In 2010, the Government of Turkmenistan endorsed the State Programme of transition of statistical system of Turkmenistan to international standards for 2010-2012. The SSC developed an action plan to implement the programme. According to this plan, corresponding methodological, organizational and coordination activities were conducted throughout the statistical system.

In April 2013, the Government established an advisory body - the Interagency Council on Statistics under the SSC to further improve the national statistical system activities, determine strategic directions of the statistical system development, to coordinate statistical activities and to regulate interagency issues of statistical methodology and organization of state statistics, to discuss and agree plans of statistical activities in line ministries relating to data collection. The Council was tasked to develop recommendations for regulation of inter-sectoral issues of statistical methodology and organization of state statistics, to discuss statistical plans of ministries, prepare methodologies on interagency exchange of statistical information, to strengthen cooperation in application of single statistical classifications, to develop single data systems and to create new forms of institutional statistical reporting.

The UN agencies in Turkmenistan have long experience of cooperation with the SSC in the area of institutional capacity building and enhancing capacities for socio-economic data collection, analysis and reporting in accordance with international standards. The cooperation with the UN helped the SSC substantially increase its capacity in data collection through multiple exercises like holding national census in 2012, MICS and household income surveys supported by the UN Agencies in the country. In 2013, the UN Country Team in Turkmenistan has engaged with the State Committee of Turkmenistan for Statistics (SSC) in the process of developing the national MDG report, the first one since 2003, with the first phase of this long-term project – national data availability and data assessment – being under way. A lot of work needs to be carried out to elevate the status of the Statistics Committee as an autonomous organization in dealing with statistical work. The data dissemination policy needs to be aligned with global practices.

Duties and Responsibilities

To complement the ongoing UN efforts it was agreed by SCC that the process would begin by sharing with SCC the methodologies used to review such institutions using a process called a “self- assessment of the institution”, supported by UNDP and UNECE. International experts were engaged by UNDP and UNECE to present the methodologies for the self-assessment during the workshop held on March 25-26. The experts presented 4 methodologies founded on the United Nations Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics and the European Code of Practice. Those approaches were:

The Eurostat self-assessment Questionnaire (used in 2005/2006 by European National Statistical Institutes);
The ECE/EFTA/Eurostat Adapted Global Assessment;
The International Monetary Fund Data Quality Assessment Framework; and
The United Nations Generic National Quality Assurance Framework.

As the result of extensive work group and joint discussion the participants of the workshop unanimously recommended the selection of the ECE/EFTA/Eurostat Adapted Global Assessment.

Current TOR describes the assignment for the international expert to provide assistance to the SSC in completing the process of self-assessment and producing the recommendations, which can be used as the basis for a long-term action plan for the development of the SSC in particular and National Statistics System (NSS) in general.

Description of Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the international consultant shall be tasked to assist the State Statistics Committee of Turkmenistan to complete the process of self-assessment in accordance of the ECE/EFTA/Eurostat Adapted Global Assessment methodology.

The consultant is expected to undertake the following activities (and provide the necessary quality materials to be used in each activity) with staff of NSSC and others as identified:

Activities:

Questionnaire development and finalization:

Provide assistance in developing and conducting User Satisfaction Survey among the participants of the workshop the self-assessments methodology;
Provide assistance in development, tailoring, and adjustment to the local needs of the Self-assessment

Questionnaire that will include, but not be limited to, the following sections including:

Mandatory questions in accordance with the ECE/EFTA/Eurostat Adapted Global Assessment methodology;
Questions on the role of the SSC in the NSS;
Questions on the other national ministries and agencies (such as Ministry of Education, Health, Finance, Economy and Development, and Central Bank) that play prominent role in the national system of data collection. Primary role of this exercize is to establish what the existing situation is with regard to statistical production in those ministries and agencies;
Other questions as necessary in accordance with the local needs and recommendations of the national partners;
Provide guidance and instructions on the effective completion of the Questionnaire to the respective ministries and agencies;
Develop a step-by-step plan for the successful completion of the Questionnaire.

Legislation analysis:

Analyse the Law of Turkmenistan on Statistics and other relevant legislation to determine to what extent it supports adequate operation of the SSC. This analysis should be reflected in the Final Report as possible recommendations for revisions of the respective laws and regulations;

Completion of the Questionnaire:

Provide comprehensive guidance and assistance to the national partners during the Questionnaire completion stage;

Producing Draft Report:

Provide comprehensive guidance and assistance to the SSC and other national partners as necessary in producing a Draft Self-assessment report. Draft report shall take into account recommenations of the UNECE experts.

Finalization of the Self-assessment report:

Discuss the Draft Self-assessment report with the SSC and other national partners as necessary, in order to agree on the necessary revisions, and issues of publicity and dissemination of the results;
Based on the consultations with the national partners, UNDP, and the results of the peer-review process (UNECE) finalize the Self-Assessment report and submit it to SSC and UNDP.

Key Outputs and Deliverables Expected

In accordance with the overall scope of works of this assignment and under the supervision of the UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, the International Consultant is expected to carry out each of the activities listed above. The International Consultant is expected to deliver the following major products/outputs:

Develop and finalize the Self-assessment Questionnaire in accordance with the ECE/EFTA/Eurostat Adapted Global Assessment methodology and based on the discussions/consultations with the national partners;
Together with national partners produce filled out Self-assessment Questionnaire;
Together with national partners produce Draft Self-assessment Report;
Produce Final Self-assessment report based on consultations and agreements with the national partners and UNDP.

Deliverables and timeframe:

Questionnaire development and finalization, Field work, 5 days, June 2014;
Legislation analysis, Field work, 2 days, June 2014;
Completion of the Questionnaire, Field work, 5 days, July 2014;
Producing Draft Self-Assessment Report, Field work, 10 days, August 2014;
Finalization of the Self-Assessment Report, Home based, 3 days, August 2014.

Duration of the consultancy:

The overall duration of the consultancy is 25 days, including 22 days of the field work (missions to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan) and 3 days of home-based assignments.

Payment Conditions:

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of consultancy;
Payment will be released in two installments: 70% (deliverables 1 and 2) and 30 % (deliverable 3) – upon timely submission of respective deliverables and their acceptance by UNDP Turkmenistan.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling 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 favoritism;
Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

Good knowledge of and experience working with national statistical offices;
Expert knowledge of statistical assessment questionnaires development;
Ability to produce self-assessment reports of the statistical agencies in accordance with AGA methodology;
Excellent training, facilitation, presentation and communication skills;
Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
Good understanding and practice of capacity development;
Diplomatic skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced academic background in economics, statistics, public management, public administration or related discipline.

Experience:

At least 7 years of relevant working experience, at least 5 years of working in statistical offices, experience in conducting Institutional reviews of statistical organizations is essential;
Experience in functional review and organizational analysis work;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

Excellent written and spoken English;
Knowledge of Russian is desirable.

Submission of applications

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

Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc) please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
Offeror's letter to UNDP, which includes a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work and Financial proposal(a detailed, carefully considered and justified financial statement based on a lump sum specifying a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement and any other possible costs (including vaccinations, travel to and from the mission, dwelling, etc.). Offeror's Letter to UNDP can be downloaded from http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs/.

Evaluation Criteria

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria.
Maximum score is 100.

Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% - maximum 70 points, and for financial criteria 30% - maximum 30 points.

The technical evaluation (70%, or max 70 points) will take into account the following as per the scoring provided:

Education – 10 points;
Experience of working in statistical offices – 20 points;
The experience in an institutional review of statistical institutions – 20 points;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia – 5 points;
Fluency in English – 10 points;
Fluency in Russian – 5 points;
Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation - max 30 points.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor

Recommended contractors, if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.