Background

The present Country Programme Document (CPD 2012-2016) will end in December 2016, and the new CPD 2017-2021 should be developed following the new CPD template endorsed by the UNDP Executive Board Decision 2014/7 of 31 Jan 2014 (Annex 1). The new CPD should be prepared by means of a series of consultations with key development partners. It will be designed to fully align with: the strategy articulated in the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) for Thailand 2017-2021, UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017, and the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) 2017-2021. The theory of change (TOC) as well as UNDP programme quality standards will be adopted in the formulation and design of all sections of the new CPD.  In addition to data and information from UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017, UNPAF 2017-2021 (draft) and 12th NESDP 2017-2021 (draft) the CPD should also be developed based on analysis and synthesis of data collected from documents such as: 1) Post 2015 outcome documents; 2) Outcome and project evaluations of selected interventions of CPD 2012-2016, and 3) Other key documents on national capacity by World Bank, ADB, etc.

Structure of the CPD:

  • Programme Rationale (based on past performance, lessons learned, available evidence and theory of change). Content:
  • a) What are the 3-4 critical development issues;
  • b) What were the 2-3 major outcome-level results/changes to which UNDP made a significant contribution;
  • c) Taking your lead from (a) and (b), explain the opportunities open to UNDP to effect development change at scale to achieve the vision and outcome of the new SP.

Programme Priorities and Partnership:

Content

  • a) What are the 2-3 programme priorities that UNDP will focus on;
  • b) Set out briefly and clearly the key components of UNDP’s proposed programme;
  • c) How do these priorities align with, or mutually complement, regional and global efforts by UNDP to support national priorities;
  • d) What are the main partnership : SSTC; UN Agencies; Private Sector; CSO; (explain who we want to work with, on what and to what end).

Programme and Risk Management:

Content

  • a) Indicate that national execution will be the default;
  • b) How will local, national and international partners participate to ensure mutual accountability;
  • c) A short analysis of the most significant political, financial, operational, programmatic risks and how programme and project design and management will ensure these risks are avoided and /or mitigated and managed;
  • d) What early warning and risk management arrangement are in place to anticipate any significant change in circumstances (e.g. Grievance mechanism); e) steps to ensure programme and project quality, effectiveness and efficiency is improved since the last cycle.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

  • a)What globally available and/or nationally owned sources of data, analysis and evidence will be used to track UNDP contributions to national results? (measured through national M&E/Statistical system);
  • b) If there are issues with globally available or national data (availability, quality, periodicity of update, reliability), how will this be addressed? (including through national capacity development for monitoring, assurance and evaluation);
  • c) What traditional and innovative methods will be used to make monitoring and assurance more inclusive, and to obtain data at useful intervals?
  • d) How will the cost of data collection, monitoring and assurance be met?
  • E) What will be the role of SSTC in advancing UNDP’s thought and leadership?
  • ANNEX A: Result Resources Framework (RRF);
  • ANNEX B: Fully-costed Evaluation Plan;
  • Attachment 1: Resource Mobilization Target (RMT);
  • Theory of Change for CPD;
  • A compilation/summary of current program results prepared through a desk review of current program and project progress reports and evaluations.

Starting from August 2015, the CPD formulation process enters the First Step: Preparations stage, with the main objective to familiarise UNDP staff with the CPD formulation process process and methodolgy, to assign responsibilities for data collection and commence data gathering and synthesis. The second step, Diagnostic, aims to formulate a Theory of Change for selected thematic issues for new the CPD and Country Office (CO) portfolio and includes problem analsysis and outcome mapping; The third step; Implementation,  aims to drafting the CPD, and finalise its alignment with the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) for Thailand 2017-2021, UNDP Strategic Plan 2014-2017, and the 12th National Economic and Social Development Plan (NESDP) 2017-2021.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

The key tasks for which the Consultant will be responsible are as follows:

  • Participate in workshops and consultations to discuss and analyze the key thematic issues and practices for the new CPD, including sessions to conduct problem analysis and formulate Theory of Change etc.;
  • Prepare a first draft of the CPD and related annexes/attachments in line with the stipulated corporate guidance and template, ensuring alignment with the UNPAF and Corporate Strategic Plan. The draft will also draw on the outcomes of the problem analysis and the background documents gathered during the data collection and synthesis stage of the CPD preparation.

Finalize the CPD draft after consultation and validation with key stakeholders after receiving final comments from programme units and UNDP Thailand management.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables

The expected outputs from the consultation, are:

Draft CPD with the following contents:

  • Programme Rationale;
  • Programme Priorities and Partnership;
  • Programme and Risk Management;
  • Results and Resources Framework (RRF);
  • Fully-costed evaluation plan.

CPD Theory of Change Second draft including RRF (2 pages text and 4 pages RRF) and

Final draft of the CPD based on inputs from Royal Thai Government (RTG) and UNDP

Timeline:

  • Observe and participate in preparatory analytical process (problem analysis, TOC, etc.) of the new CPD (by the end of September);
  • Drafting outline of CPD based on consultations (October - November 2015);
  • Drafting CPD (Early to Mid-December);
  • Submission of first draft of CPD (Mid-December 2015);
  • Revision of CPD draft based on inputs from validation workshop in Mid-January 2016;
  • Submission of final draft of CPD in the first week February 2016.

Milestones:

  • Submission and acceptance of the draft outline of CPD : Due date – Fourth week , October,2015;
  • Submission and acceptance of the first draft outline of CPD and approval by the Deputy Resident Representative: Due date – Third week , December,2015;
  • Endorsement of the final documents by the Senior Management – First week, February, 2016.

Institutional Arrangement:

  • The IC will report directly to the Deputy Resident Representative;
  • Drafts and final CPD must be in the format outlined above under “Structure of the CPD”. The first draft must be presented at a validation workshop involving both UNDP and Royal Thai Government (RTG) partners;
  • The IC is required to consult with the Resident Representative, the Deputy Resident Representative, and unit heads. The consultant is also required attend working sessions with UNDP staff and document discussions related to developing theories of change, and to meet with relevant UNDP staff and stakeholders for consultations and presentation of findings;
  • The IC will be provided with temporary working space in the UNDP CO as and when necessary. The IC is responsible for his/her own computer, but can use UNDP CO printing facilities as well as internet access as needed, while on the UN premises.

Contract Duration:  September 2015- February 2016 (Up to 25 working days).

Duty Station: Bangkok, Thailand. No travel is required.

Competencies

  • Strong understanding of Country Programme Document;
  • Ability to organize and interpret data and present findings in both oral and written form;
  • Plans and produces quality results to meet established goals;
  • Ability to meet deadlines in a timely fashion;
  • Demonstrates strong writing skills in English. In particular, has the ability to present persuasive, coherent and well-founded arguments and make messages accessible to a broad audience;
  • Strong research and analysis abilities;
  • Strong ability to lead and facilitate complex discussions and arrive at conclusions;
  • Ability to translate strategic thinking and innovative ideas into practical operational recommendations;
  • Solid analytical and presentation skills;
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication skills;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • Advanced university degree (Master Degree or above) in social sciences,  or other relevant disciplines, with proven track record in programme development and advanced social research and analysis.

Experience:

  • At least 5-7 years of relevant professional experience and solid experience in programme development and implementation related to UNDP Thailand practice areas;
  • Prior experience drafting a UNDAF or UNDP country programme or UN Agency country programme document would be an asset;
  • Facilitation and drafting skills is a requirement, and substantive knowledge of development issues in Thailand particularly issues related to UNDP practice areas: Democratic Governance, Energy and Environment, Poverty Reduction and MDG attainment, Crisis Prevention and Recovery, and cross-cutting issues (gender mainstreaming and capacity development) will be an asset.
  • Ability to write reports, make presentation.

Language:

  • Proficient in English language, spoken and written;
  • Knowledge and understanding of Thai language is an advantage.

Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Consultant must send a financial proposal based on Lump Sum Amount.

The total amount quoted shall be all-inclusive and include all costs components required to perform the deliverables identified in the TOR, including professional fee, travel costs, living allowance (if any work is to be done outside the IC´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the IC in completing the assignment. The contract price will be fixed output-based price regardless of extension of the herein specified duration.

Payments will be done upon completion of the deliverables/outputs and as per below percentages:

  • Deliverable 1 - Submission and acceptance of the draft outline of CPD- 20% of total contract amount;
  • Deliverable 2 - Submission and acceptance of the first draft outline of CPD and approval by the Deputy Resident Representative - 40% of total contract amount;
  • Deliverable 3 - Endorsement of the final documents by the Senior Management - 40% of total contract amount.

In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

In the event of unforeseeable travel not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.

Evaluation Method and Criteria

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology:

Cumulative analysis

The award of the contract will be made to the individual 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 criteria (30%) specific to the solicitation.

Technical Criteria for Evaluation (Maximum 500 points):

  • Criteria 1 - Education - Max - 100 points;
  • Criteria 2 - Relevant professional experience and solid experience in programme development and implementation related to UNDP Thailand practice areas -  Max -150 points;
  • Criteria 3 - Facilitation and drafting skills, and substantive knowledge of development issues in Thailand particularly issues related to UNDP practice areas will be an asset - Max -200 points;
  • Criteria 4 - Availability - Max - 50 points.

Financial score shall be computed as a ratio of the proposal being evaluated and the lowest priced proposal received by UNDP for the assignment. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 350 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Documentation required

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications. Please group them into one (1) single PDF document as the application only allows to upload maximum one document.

  • Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
  • 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 applicant considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a brief methodology on how the applicant will approach and complete the assignment;
  • Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an applicant is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Applicant must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

Annexes:

For any clarification regarding this assignment please write to brh.gef.procurement@undp.org