UNDP Jobs - 54828- International Consultant

International Consultant - Technical Expert to provide technical inputs and policy guidance for effective implementation of UZGP

Location :

Home-based with one 10-days visit to Dhaka, BANGLADESH

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

Application Deadline :

28-Mar-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

45 working days over a period of 4 months (April-August 2015)

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

Overview of the context of the projects

Bangladesh has enjoyed sound economic growth, but this is unevenly spread, and many are not benefiting sufficiently from this process. Moreover, while some MDG targets are on track, others are not and there are significant territorial differences and local specificities in meeting them. There is a need to engage, via number of channels, with economic and social inequities. Within the governance arena, this implies a strong emphasis on localism, both in the delivery of key services but crucially also, in shaping the demand side, in terms of community representation and mobilization.

Local government’s role in relation to MDG achievement in Bangladesh operates at two levels: direct service delivery in key areas of provision; and in shaping the operating environment, including securing accountability and community leadership. These roles vary between different tiers of local government and UNDP’s intervention addresses: Union Parishads with greater delivery mandates play a more immediate role, whereas Upazilas have a more catalytic function to play, representing local demands and views.

Given the challenges to deliver services in attaining the MDGs and ensure adherence to democratic principles, UNDP within its Programmatic Framework has initiated intervention that is comprised of two distinct but complementary projects namely:

1) Union Parishad Governance Project (UPGP) supported by EU, DANIDA, UNDP & UNCDF; 2) Upazila Governance project (UZGP) supported by EU, SDC, UNDP & UNCDF. Both projects will run for five years from 2011 to 2016.

These interventions envisaged to provide a broader package of support to local government and to link support for democratic institutions and support for local development in a creative and innovative way.

Brief Project Description

The platform for local governance in rural Bangladesh is provided by the Union Parishads (UP) and Upazila Parishads (UZPs). The elected local government institutions are responsible for coordinating many aspects of local social and economic development in Bangladesh. Over the past decade (based on a pilot UNDP and UNCDF project in Sirajganj district), some UPs had become recipients of discretionary fiscal transfers, which they employ for development activities through an open process of citizen involvement. The success of this effort led to a major scale up of the good practices nationwide by the government with the initiation of Local Governance Support Project along with it Learning and Innovation Component (LIC), which have further scaled up with the initiation of three projects that include Local Government Support Project II (LGSPII), Upazila Governance Project (UZGP) and Union Parishad Governance Project (UPGP).

The UNDAF outcome and the overarching joint programme outcome for both the UZGP and UPGP projects are identical. Additionally, both the projects also share the policy related outcome (outcome c for both the projects).

The key output of UZGP focuses on (a)strengthened Upazila Parishads as more functional, democratic, transparent and accountable institutions; (b) Strengthened Planning and Budgeting system at UZP with MDGs orientation for pro-poor service delivery mechanism; and (c) Strengthened technical capacity of Local Government Division for effective policy review, monitoring, lesson learning and capacity development of LGIs for improved Local Governance.

The Upazila Governance Project (UZGP) and Union Parishad Governance Project (UPGP) are a part of the overall programmatic framework for UNDP and UNCDF support to the Government of Bangladesh in the area of Local Governance reforms, supported by the European Union, and the Governments of Switzerland (SDC) and Denmark (DANIDA). The timeframe for UZGP is from August 2011 to July 2016, while UPGP is being implemented covering the period December 2011 to November 2016.

Context and relevance of assignment to the project

The public leadership at the Upazila level, most of whom are new, needs greater experience and exposure in managing this unique organization that combines civil bureaucracy, development professionals, and other public leaders within one single institutional framework. Most of the newly elected leadership of the UZP also need greater skills to promote pro-poor public service delivery in the face of competing demands from various social and political interest groups.

The adhoc nature of planning and the absence of monitoring mechanisms are also stimulating competing self-interest and political bitterness within and across the political divide and administrative hierarchies. The UZGP project operates in a socio-political and administrative context as outlined above. Accordingly the project has been designed in a manner so that it implements a wide range of activities targeted towards improved pro-poor service delivery to be ensured by more efficient and accountable Local Government Institutions. Therefore, the effective and result-oriented implementation of the project is challenging. In order for the project to address the challenges, it requires to receive high quality technical guidance and inputs from a highly qualified international expert on local governance and decentralization that has in-depth knowledge and experience in the area of local governance, local development and fiscal decentralization. It is expected that the international expert will bring in international experience of policy reform in LG together with a solid understanding of the country context.

The context and nature of the project also require support from an internationally renowned expert that has the ability to advocate and provide policy advice on local governance and local economic development, who will also be able to provide practical direction for programme implementation with local institutions and government functionaries. Besides, there is a strong requirement of expert inputs for designing capacity building programmes, assessing training need, guiding the design of new programme and providing guidance for the development of effective curriculum for trainings in the field of local governance.

In addition, the UZGP project is mandated to undertake policy review and provide policy inputs to LGD for improved local governance. Accordingly, the expert shall also provide technical guidance and supervise action researches planned under the project. S/he will also develop policy briefs that will be the basis of debate and discussion on local government reforms in Bangladesh. Since both UZGP is coming to end in 2016, it is important to develop concept note for the next generation local governance programme for continuity of the momentum of local government focused local development created under UZGP and UPGP. It is expected that the international technical expert will share ideas and write concept note for the next generation programme keeping in account the current UNDP strategic plan (viewable at http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/corporate/Changing_with_the_World_UNDP_Strategic_Plan_2014_17.html) and changing country context.

Stakeholders of the project

The stakeholders of the UZGP include the officials of Local Government Division of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives; elected representatives of Upazila Parishad including Chairman, Vice Chair and Woman Vice Chair; Chairmen of Union Parishads from the area of the Upazila: Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and other government officials including 17 line department officials responsible for service delivery at the Upazila level. Besides, inhabitants, particularly women, poor and marginalised groups living under Upazila are beneficiaries of the project. Additionally, the project’s development partners including EU, SDC, UNCDF and UNDP; other development partners of Bangladesh that are supporting the strengthening of local governance; think-tank, CSOs, national and international NGOs and Civil Society leaders that are advocating for policy reform in the area of local governance and decentralisation are also stakeholders of the project.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The International Expert will work in consultation with Project Manager of UZGP and under the overall guidance of Assistant Country Director, Local Governance Cluster, UNDP. The Expert’s duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

Identify a set of the most important recommendations from the six policy studies carried out in 2014 and categorize them as short, medium and long term recommendations from the perspective of initiating policy advocacy to support evidence based policy formulation;
Support the projects in identifying policy issues based on the already conducted policy studies and engage in dialogue with the World Bank and other relevant international agencies to move forward policy advocacy agenda;
Prepare policy briefs that will lead to policy debate and discussion among stakeholders including policy makers on issues of policy reform; the policy briefs will also contribute to sketching out policy instrument/strategies towards decentralization, effective and accountable deconcentration and public service delivery through LGIs and civic engagement;
Prepare and present keynote papers for policy roundtables on Local governance, decentralization and local development where national and international experts, practitioners, academics and policy makers will attend;
Identify topics for action research and provide technical guidance and supervise action research as recommended by the Mid-Term Evaluation of the projects and citizen perception survey planned under the two projects including reviewing of research/survey reports.
Help the projects establish linkage with internationally renowned and top-notch experts, think-tanks and research institutes on governance and development related issues;
Identify new areas of intervention and entry points for strengthening inclusive local development/growth and civic engagement for creating socio-economic and political space for poor and marginalized; this needs to be reflected in the outline of new generation project proposals;
Provide guidance and develop strategy to ensure achievement of output 3 (as outlined on page 2) of the project; specific tasks include: i) lead the process of identifying relevant topics for policy reform through policy advocacy, ii)reviewing ToR(s) for conducting policy study/action research to provide evidence to LGD and other policy makers for reforms in the area of local governance and decentralization; iii) Engage in policy discussion with the Policy Advisory group (PAG) through virtual communication and meetings, as appropriate;
Advise, support, guide and provide inputs for the next generation of the LG projects; support in outlining project formulation of the next project/programme based on lessons learned/good practices from the projects and international good practices,
Visit fields as required for accomplishing the above tasks

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Expected outputs and deliverable of the assignment are as follows:

Compilation and categorization of recommendations from six policy studies conducted in 2014 and development of 5-10 policy briefs (Estimated duration: 7 days)
Support the achievement of output – 3 of the projects (as specified in serial no. h of SoW) (Estimated duration: 8 days)
Development of a concept note identifying new areas of intervention and entry points for strengthening inclusive local development/growth and civic engagement for creating socio-economic and political space for poor and marginalized at local level (Estimated duration: 5 days)
Identify policy topics – 10 nos.; prepare/review ToRs – 5 nos.; provide support to Policy Advisory Group (Estimated duration: 10 days)
Comprehensive concept note/proposal for next generation LG project/programme (Estimated duration: 15 days)

Institutional Arrangement / Supervision and Performance Evaluation:

Assistant Country Director will be responsible for the oversight function. He/she will link the Expert to the National project Director, Focal Person, Directors and Deputy Directors of LGD, Project Managers, Divisional, District Facilitators and relevant staff members from UZGP.
The Expert will produce three reports during the course of the assignment – (1) Inception report in the 2nd – 3rd week of the assignment; (2) Interim progress report in the 10th week of the assignment; and (3) Final report at the end (16th week) of the assignment. Additionally the Expert will submit the deliverables as outlined under Section – D.
The Expert will present policy briefs and will engage in discussions with GoB high officials (Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary and Secretary), Civil Society Leaders/Members of Think-Tanks, Development Partners and Elected Officials (MPs and local government representatives). S/he will liaise with Director Local Government (DLG), Deputy Director Local Government (DDLG), Divisional Facilitators and District Facilitators of the project.
Concerned DLG and concerned Divisional Facilitator will be the entry point to work with the concerned Upazila Parishads. Concerned DDLG and concerned District Facilitator will be the entry point to work with the concerned Union Parishads, if required. Upazila Chair, Vice-chair, UNO, UP chairs and members, other line agency officials will be the main point to work.
UNDP through its Upazila Governance Project will provide necessary support as elaborated in section d above. It will provide the Expert with key project documentation, reports on policy studies and other in-house research. It will introduce the Expert to LGD counterparts and facilitate critical meetings and field visits, as and when required.

Duration of the Work:

The estimated duration of the assignment is 45 working days spread over four (4) months.
The expected start date is April 2015 and expected completion date is August 2015.
The principal working location will be Consultant’s own place with one 10-day visit to Bangladesh in April/May 2015. While visiting Bangladesh, the Consultant will make field visits to project area as required by the scope of the assignment.

Tentative Payment Schedule:

1st Payment: 10% of total contract value will be paid after submission of inception report;
2nd Payment: 40% of total contract value will be paid after submission of interim progress report;
3rd Payment: 50% of total contract value will be paid after submission of final report.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards (human rights, peace,
understanding between peoples and nations, tolerance, integrity, respect, and impartiality;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Functional Competencies:

Demonstrates openness to change, flexibility, and ability to manage complexities;
Proven strong written, networking and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Must have a Master’s Degree in Economics, Social Science, Public Administration, Development Studies or relevant discipline; Candidates having Ph.D are encouraged to apply.

Experience:

A highly efficient and vastly experienced international expert in the area of local governance, fiscal decentralisation, functional assignment of local government institutions, policy studies in local governance and decentralisation, etc.;
Have 10 years of comprehensive working experience in policy research, reviews, evaluations and comparative analysis focusing on local governance, local government institutional development and fiscal decentralisation. Working experience in South Asia will be an asset;
Of which at least five years of demonstrated international experience in conducting research, review, evaluation of local government system focusing on administrative, legal and institutional structure of local government. A list of work should be enclosed with the bid with title of report and client’s name;
Having experience of working with government and local government representatives preferably in South Asia. Similar understanding of the local governance system & institutes in Bangladesh will be value addition. Leading a policy research team will be desirable. Details must be listed.

Language:

S/he must have excellent skills in written and spoken English and capacity to provide high quality reports in a professional and timely manner.

Application procedure:

Financial Proposal:

Financial Proposal will be prepared on lump sum basis and would include:

The Financial Proposal shall consist of a comprehensive budget. The budget will be prepared in USD and would include all fees and associated costs, i.e. professional fee, travel cost, subsistence per diems, etc.
In order to assist UNDP in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposals will include a breakdown of this amount disclosing the key assumption employed in costing the tasks.

The Budget of the successful bidder will be fixed, therefore, comprehensive and all inclusive budget should be prepared. The assignment will be time bound and no extension and/or financial addition is expected to be provided. The price should take into account all HR costs and professional fees, travel costs, DSA, subsistence and ancillary expenses.

UNDP shall effect payments, by bank transfer to the successful bidder’s bank account, upon acceptance by UNDP (in consultation with LGD) of the deliverables as specified in the ToR. Payments will be made in tranches based on the following percentages and milestones

Evaluation of the Candidates:

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

Cumulative analysis:

The award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant up on Cumulative Analysis/evaluation and determined as:

Responsive/compliant/acceptable; and
Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.

Only candidates obtaining a minimum 70% mark in technical evaluation will be considered eligible for financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation Criteria (Total 70 marks)

Overall international experience in conducting policy research/study in local governance and decentralization (30 marks);
Experience in conducting research on local governance/decentralization reform in South Asia (10 marks);
Experience of working with National Governments & local governments in Bangladesh (10 marks);
Knowledge & skills of coordination with GO, LGIs, NGOs and experience in leading high profile consultation process (10 marks);
Experience in leading technical team (10 marks).

Financial Evaluation (Total 30 marks):

All technical qualified proposals will be scored out 30 based on the formula provided below. The maximum points (30) will be assigned to the lowest financial proposal. All other proposals received points according to the following formula:

p = y (µ/z)

where:

p = points for the financial proposal being evaluated

y = maximum number of points for the financial proposal

µ = price of the lowest priced proposal

z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:

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

Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a plan on how they will approach and complete the assignment.

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.