UNCDF Jobs - 49838- Consultant for the Elaboration of the Local Develo

Consultant for the Elaboration of the Local Development Finance Business Plan Baseline

Advertised on behalf of

UNCDF

Location :

Home-based

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

01-Oct-14 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

60 days

Languages Required :

English French

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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

UNCDF, the UN capital investment agency for the 49 least developed countries, provides seed capital and technical assistance to test new modalities of public and private financing for local development. These investments are designed to leverage financial flows from the private sector, national governments and developments partners, for maximum impact towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals. The goal of local development is to improve the quality of life of citizens at the grassroots level. The concept goes beyond local governance and decentralized provision of services to the spatial, institutional and economic linkages required for comprehensive development. It addresses the spectrum of shelter and housing, food security, education and health, infrastructure, aesthetic, resilient environment, citizen empowerment and representation, and fulfilling and rewarding economic activity.

The Local Development Finance challenge and UNCDF’s contribution

Least developed countries include some of the world’s fastest growing economics and also include countries whose growth in real terms is limited. Not all are growing at the rate required to keep pace with population increases. The balance of LDC economies and the growing sectors is unevenly spread across their territories and inequitably distributed through their societies, often producing relative disparities and disequilibria. These structural problems present serious challenges for equitable and sustainable development.

To answer this challenge UNCDF adopted in its Business Plan (LDFP-BP2013-2017) a new approach to local development finance that recognises the growing fiscal receipts and private capital within LDCs and their changed development needs. The challenge now is not only to provide new sources of capital but also to unlock existing sources of domestic and international capital available to LDCs and to ensure that these funds are available at the local level for local development and to increase resilience to shocks. To this end UNCDF applies its seed capital and technical assistance to develop innovative solutions that leverage or mobilize, allocate, and invest resource flows to the local level. Key factors are the demonstration effect of the innovation and the additional fund flows unleashed for local development. This requires strengthening the capacity of existing public and private institutions and the procedures they use as well as providing the seed capital itself.

A mentioned, the LDFP-BP will be implemented in the next 4 years and a mid-term review is supposed to take place at the end of the period. It will be implemented through current programs and hopefully extended to additional countries. The list of current programme countries in which UNCDF plans to implement his business plan includes:

East Africa : Mozambique, Lesotho, Tanzania;
West Africa : Mali, Guinea, Niger;
Asia : Nepal, Bangladesh, Lao.

The possible additional countries are those following :

East Africa : Ethiopia, Uganda;
West Africa : Benin, Senegal, Niger, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau;
Asia : Cambodia, Timor.

Measuring UNCDF LDFP-BP

Measuring impact of local development finance is not an easy task. UNCDF has developed a result framework to assess its contribution to this issue and two specific outcomes have been identified:

the net increase in local fiscal space[1] available for local development in sub-national territorial jurisdictions supported by UNCDF;
the Gross increase in fixed capital formation[2] comprised of individual projects/investments under $20m located within sub-national territorial jurisdictions supported by UNCDF.

The related Outcomes and Output are defined into details in the attached document.

[1] Fiscal space is defined as “the sum of financial resources available for improved delivery of basic social and economic services at the local level as a result of the budget and related decisions by governments at all levels without any prejudice to the sustainability of a governments financial position”. Source: International Monetary Fund, Finance and Development, Vol. 42/2, Back to Basics – Fiscal Space: What is it and How to Get it?, Peter Heller

[2] Gross Fixed Capital Formation is defined as the in the UN System of National Accounts applied by the IMF, World Bank and United Nations institutions. UNCDF adapts this indicator to the local level. See System of National Accounts, United Nations, 2008.

Duties and Responsibilities

Under the overall direction of the Deputy Director, Local Development Finance Practice, the Consultant will provide study in the following area:

Develop a concrete and realistic methodology to calculate the baseline for UNCDF indicators;
Apply the methodology to calculate the baseline in the current 8 countries.

Develop a concrete and realistic methodology to calculate the baseline

Review Outcomes and Output of the Integrated Results and Resources Framework - IRRM (more specifically Outcome 1) and identify key source of data to calculate the baseline;
Verify the availability of data or the feasibility of gathering information with the teams. As availability of data could be problematic in LDCs countries, the Consultant will have to develop an imaginative methodology based on additional possible data collection methods: interview, focus groups, photography, etc.

Apply the methodology to calculate the baseline in at least 3 countries (1 per region)

Gather information and data in coordination with country and regional technical teams;
Fill information in a comprehensive template with sources of information;
Prepare a comprehensive baseline document including information on the 8 countries.

Deliverables:

Draft and final methodological note on data collection and calculations of Outcome indicators;
Final template with information on each country;
Draft and final note on baseline.

Competencies

Analytical and problem solving skills of a high order; including
Ability to formulate recommendations and advice;
Ability to work independently, manage time, scheduling and logistical issues;
High level planning, organizational and time management skills; including
Flexibility, attention to detail; and
Ability to work under pressure to meet changing deadlines.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Masters in M&E, statistics or any related field, with additional background in Economics, Public Finance, Business or Public Administration or related field.

Experience:

A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in local development, finance and knowledge management. The major part of this should be in a developing country and with an international financial institution;
Strong knowledge in Public Finance and related community of practice sources of measurement: PFM, sub-national PEFA, Local Public Sector, etc.
Experience of local economic development in developing countries at the local level is a must;
Successful track record in M&E;
Substantive experience in local economic development and finance;
Experience of policy advocacy, communication and knowledge management with international financial institutions in particular the World Bank in the area of local development, decentralization, local accountability and partnerships with development agencies.

Language:

Strong written and spoken English and French.

Evaluation Method:

Consultants will be evaluated based on UNCDF’s cumulative analysis method. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract shall be made to the consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable, and having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical (70%) and financial (30%) criteria specific to the solicitation.

Evaluation Criteria:

Competencies (30%);
Experience (30%);
Education (10%).

Proposal Requirements:

Proposals should contain the following information:

Technical and Financial Proposals which includes:

Offeror’s letter confirming interest and availability; form can be found here: http://uncdf.org/en/hiring-consultants
CV or Duly signed P11 Form;
Breakdown of Costs (daily fee and miscellaneous expenses including travel costs);
Brief Description of Approach to Work (if required by the TOR);
Writing Sample (if required by the TOR).

Please upload all documents as one file under "CV".