Background

Project Title:

National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme (NUPRP)

Project Description:

National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme (NUPRP) is to provide support towards contributing to balanced, sustainable growth and reduction of urban poverty in Bangladesh. NUPRP will work nationwide and cover poor people living in slums and informal settlements in cities and towns in Bangladesh. Selected NUPRP cities/towns will either be City Corporations and Class A Pourashavas. NUPRP will initially focus on 12 cities/ towns in Phase 1. This programme will contribute to ensuring a sustainable improvement in the livelihoods and living conditions of poor people living in urban slums/informal settlements in the following five Outputs.

  • Strengthened municipal and national government capacity to deliver pro-poor, climate sensitive, urban development;
  • Strengthened community organization in informal settlements;
  • Improved livelihoods and well-being;
  • Piloting options to improve land tenure and developing low cost housing initiatives;
  • Climate smart rehabilitation of small scale infrastructure supported.

The ultimate intended beneficiaries of this intervention are the poor and vulnerable urban people, now and in future years. Based on evidence outlined in the previous UPPR reviews and similar types of urban interventions in Bangladesh, the NUPRP reasonably expects a wide range of benefits to result from the interventions at community, municipal and national levels. Given the ever expanding size of the urban centres and the populations that will be linked to employment opportunities, interventions targeting urban poor people should affect overall economic growth, income inequality, employment and the poverty situation.

NUPRP will commence with an Inception Phase. It will set the foundations of the launching of the National Urban Poverty Reduction Programme, particularly Phase 1 (months 9-32). The objectives of the Inception phase are represented in four key components: Output Development and Strategy, Government Relations and NUPRP Management Set-Up, Programmatic Activities and Operations Activities. NUPRP will run for 6 years from 2016-2022.

During the inception phase, five studies led by national/international consultants will collect and compile background information on the five outputs. These studies will lay the groundwork for the intervention strategies to be questioned and reinforced for the logframe to be refined and for the baseline studies to be led in this refined framework.

Each output contains multiple and varying themes, therefore, strategies for the outputs will require consultants with varying specializations. The five consultants will assess the requirements, challenges and targets of each output. Henceforth, working together, a comprehensive strategy will be created that incorporates the varying themes within each output.

The five consultants will specialize in the following fields: 1.urban policy/legislation/urban governance and planning; 2.urban sociology, behaviours change and gender; 3. urban livelihoods and financial inclusion; 4. low-cost housing and property economist; as well as 5. climate change infrastructure and urban services.

These five studies will provide deep understanding of and signal the potential challenges and opportunities emerging on three basic levels:

  • The social and cultural norms at play, as well as the economic context;
  • The current policy context and the legal context;
  • The external stakeholders and main actors and their detailed role (government, cities, communities, CSOs etc.).

Most importantly, the studies will provide a detailed assessment of both the planning and decision-making mechanisms and the state of play of the capacity in place at the national level (government) and above all at the urban -city/town and communities level.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is fundamental for adaptive programming and the effective implementation of the NUPRP. The Monitoring & Evaluation framework of the NUPRP defines the parameters and activities required to measure progress over time and evaluate the programme. The framework serves as the foundation of NUPRP’s approach to adaptive programming by providing decision makers with robust evidence for adjustments during programme implementation.

The Senior M&E Consultant (International) will provide M&E expertise to the Outputs Consultants, as well as to the overall M&E development in Inception Phase. He/she will work under the direct guidance of the International Project Manager for NUPRP and will entail the following scope of work.

  • Undertake an external evaluability assessment to identify evidence gaps in the Theory of Change, the underlying assumptions, possible baseline studies and assessing what data is and is not available;
  • Propose detailed plan and TORs for two key studies of the M&E plan required for proper monitoring and detail linkages with M&E plan;
  • Develop the evaluation plan informed by the evaluability assessment;
  • Develop a knowledge management and communication strategy;
  • Coordinate with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and other partners – particularly DFID;
  • Find out ways how the data collected can support Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in filling any data gaps in its task to monitor and report against the SDGs at the national level or by adding additional perspectives at the more disaggregated level of regions or cities.

Expected Results:

Undertake an external evaluability assessment to identify evidence gaps in the Theory of Change, the underlying assumptions, possible baseline studies and assessing what data is and is not available. As a result, the assessment will define key evaluation questions and what additional longitudinal or other studies are recommended to be undertaken by the programme. It will also include recommendations on what methods should be used for additional studies, how much they would cost, what the timeline should be, and how these studies will be coordinated.

Propose detailed plan and TORs for two key studies of the M&E plan required for proper monitoring and detail linkages with M&E plan.

  • Randomized Control Trials (RCT): RCTs are key tool for the adaptive programming of NUPRP as well as providing strong evidence of change. The programme’s RCTs will provide the decision makers in the programme with quantitative evidence of changes in behaviour and graduation from poverty of programme participants in comparison to a control group. The studies will also provide critical evidence of the success (or lack thereof) of the NUPRP by comparing pre-programme with post-programme data; this data will be important for programme evaluations, public relations and to back up arguments for a replication of the NUPRP model to other towns and cities in Bangladesh;
  • Longitudinal studies: To supplement RCTs, NUPRP will make use of observational research methods and gather data for a selected group of beneficiaries repeatedly over the period of the programme. The evaluability assessment will inform what the longitudinal studies will measure and why and how the information will be used. Longitudinal studies may include direct beneficiary feedback.

Develop the evaluation plan

An evaluation plan will be informed by the evaluability assessment and developed in consultation with partners and will include at least one evaluation which will answer in-depth a limited number of key evaluation questions. These questions will focus on assessing what has been achieved, what happened and why, and answer specific issues related to the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact or sustainability of the programme. The key questions of all evaluation products will be interconnected and will be derived from the Theory of Change. The key evaluation questions will be defined during the inception phase to ensure coherence with the monitoring system put in place. The evaluation plan will provide a strategy for ensuring that there is no duplication or contamination between the work done as part of the programme M&E and the DIME Impact Evaluations.

Develop the accountability to beneficiaries strategy and plan

The Accountability to Beneficiaries strategy and plan will be developed in conjunction with M&E framework during the inception phase. The accountability to beneficiaries’ framework will include recommendations and lesson learned from UPPR. The framework will determine minimum standards corresponding to each of the four dimensions of accountability to beneficiaries. The following minimum standards will be considered:

  • Transparency: the programme will provide beneficiaries with timely and accurate information regarding program activities that affect them.  Information will include project description, beneficiary criteria, project budget and timeline, guidance on feedback and response mechanism;
  • Participation: Beneficiaries shall be actively involved in the design, management, implementation, evaluation and assessment of the programme. Beneficiary input will feed into the overall project decision making. Participation will start at the beginning to clarify the roles, parameters and the scope of the beneficiaries’ decision making.  Field staff will be trained on effective beneficiary participation techniques;
  • Monitoring and Evaluation: the programme will seek different ways to involve beneficiaries in project monitoring and evaluation.  Tools and techniques will be adapted to ensure adequate beneficiaries participation in Monitoring and Evaluation. Evaluations will seek the views of a diverse group of beneficiaries and the results of reviews and evaluations will be shared with beneficiaries in the appropriate language, using culturally appropriate forums.  Whenever possible and relevant, projects will find ways for beneficiaries to conduct their own monitoring and include beneficiaries on evaluation team;
  • Feedback and Response Mechanisms: A proper beneficiary feedback mechanism will be established for reporting and responding to feedbacks.  Clear guidance will be provided to beneficiaries on the process for providing feedback, the types of feedback and complaints accepted and, the follow up process and mechanisms for ensuring confidentiality and non-retaliation.

Develop a knowledge management and communication strategy will be designed with two specific goals in mind:

  • Inward: corrective knowledge for adaptive programming that is derived during the programme for short-term corrective action
  • Outward: effective communication of models for urban poverty reduction to promote buy-in and replication

Note on the scope of work:

At the design stage as well as during data collection activities, the Senior M&E Consultant will closely coordinate with the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and other partners – particularly DFID – so that the data collected through NUPRP can be linked to other data sets where possible. This will allow for additional analysis and insights across multiple programmes. In addition, the Senior M&E Consultant will seek out ways how its data collection can support BBS in filling any data gaps in its task to monitor and report against the SDGs at the national level or by adding additional perspectives at the more disaggregated level of regions or cities.

All data collection will be done – where feasible and useful for further analysis - to allow for relevant disaggregation by gender, age, disability, ethnicity, wealth quintiles, etc. The level of disaggregation required will be carefully considered and described in the M&E plan and the design of studies and surveys.

All partners of NUPRP will be involved in the design and approval of the draft and final M&E framework, particularly in the Theory of Change and the results framework for the programme.

Baseline Data:

Indicators in the log frame will be informed by the data the baselines can accurately capture, planned evaluations and other key needs. The design of the baseline studies will be informed by the evaluability assessment. The baseline data will draw upon the various existing data sets produced by UPPR and the upcoming five background studies. The evaluability assessment will propose the data points, methods, gaps and strategy for addressing such gaps. The establishment of the baseline will include a series of strong engagement with various partners, including DFID, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and other external partners.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The consultant is expected to deliver the outputs, achieve project goals and complete the consultancy within the contract period with high quality and in a timely manner.

Inception Report

  • Estimated duration to complete - 5 days;
  • Target due date - 25 June 2016.

Beneficiaries Accountability Strategy and Plan and the Knowledge Management and Communications Strategy

  • Estimated duration to complete - 15 days;
  • Target due date - 15 July 2016.

Evaluability Assessment Report

  • Estimated duration to complete - 15 days;
  • Target due date - 10 August 2016.

Plan and TORs for consultants leading the two key studies of the M&E plan and the Evaluation Plan

  • Estimated duration to complete - 10 days;
  • Target due date - 31 August 2016.

Final M&E Plan that integrates all Outputs components and  the M&E plans

  • Estimated duration to complete - 10 days;
  • Target due date - 15 September 2016.

Institutional Arrangement:

The consultancy will be overseen by the International Project Manager (IPM) of NUPRP. UNDP shall provide office space and necessary logistic supports to the employed personnel.

Duration of the Work:

This assignment will take place over 3 months and require 55 working days including field visits and travel. The expected date of start of the assignment is 15 June 2016.

Tentative payment schedule:

  • 1st payment: 20% of total contract value will be paid after submission and acceptance of the inception report
  • 2nd payment: 20 % of total contract value will be paid after submission and acceptance of the Beneficiaries Accountability S evaluability assessment report.
  • 3rd  payment: 40 % of total contract value will be paid after submission and acceptance of the Evaluability Assessment Report Plan and TORs for consultants leading the two key studies of the M&E plan and the Evaluation Plan
  • 4th/final payment: 20%of total contract value will be paid after submission and acceptance of the Final M&E Plan that integrates all Outputs components and the M&E Plans.

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, analytical and communication skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Qualification:

  • Master’s Degree in Statistics, Urban Planning and other subjects under Social Sciences or relevant discipline.

Experience:

  • 10 years working experience in leading consultancies in M&E and Results-based management in the field of socio-economic development with national or international NGO, donor or development agency;
  • 10 years of proven experience and skills in developing monitoring, evaluation and research protocols and tools in developing countries. Experience in Bangladesh is a plus;
  • 10 years of experience in working on urban problematics developing city indexes, in-depth knowledge of urban poverty and best practices in poverty reduction as well as climate change and disaster reduction experience in urban settings are required;
  • 7 years’ experience in working with local communities, civil society partners, urban LGIs  and governments officials;
  • 7 years’ experience in developing tools for community based participatory monitoring.

Language:

  • 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 will be prepared on lump sum basis and would include:

The financial proposal shall specify the total lump sum amount must be all inclusive (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, medical allowances, communications costs etc.). The contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components.

Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.  If an Offeror 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 Offeror must indicate this at this point and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

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):

  • Experience in leading consultancies in M&E and Results-based management in the field of socio-economic development with national or international NGO, donor or development agency – (25 marks);
  • Proven experience and skills in developing monitoring, evaluation and research protocols and tools in developing countries. Experience in Bangladesh is a plus – (15 marks);
  • Experience in working on urban problematics developing city indexes, in-depth knowledge of urban poverty and best practices in poverty reduction as well as climate change and disaster reduction experience in urban settings – (25 marks);
  • Experience in developing tools for community based participatory monitoring – (5 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 pric%d 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. Proposers who shall not submit below mentioned documents will not be considered for further evaluation.

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