Background
The Enhanced Integrated Framework for Trade Related Technical Assistance in Least Developed Countries (EIF) is a multi-donor programme which supports LDCs to be more active players in the global trading system. The programme works towards a wider goal of promoting economic growth and sustainable development and helping to lift more people out of poverty. It assists LDCs with the following objectives:
mainstream trade into national development strategies;
set up structures needed to coordinate the delivery of trade-related technical assistance;
build capacity to trade, which also includes addressing critical supply-side constraints.
The EIF had approved a Tier 1 Trade Capacity-Building and Institutional Strengthening Project in Kiribati. The main objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of institutions and stakeholders in Kiribati to formulate and implement trade policies that support poverty reduction, inclusive economic growth and equitable sustainable development. The project aims to support the operations and activities of the Ministry of Commerce, Industries and Cooperatives (MCIC) as lead agency responsible for the formulation and implementation of trade policy framework and Investment Policy, aligned to national development objectives. It will also help improve donor coordination and Aid-for-Trade (AfT) delivery in line with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and the Forum Compact.
The Republic of Kiribati, with a population of 110,136 (2015 Census), is one of the most isolated countries in the world. Situated on either side of the International Date Line, as well as North and South of the equator, it comprises of 32 coral atolls spread across 3.5 million square kilometres of ocean, an area bigger than the Caribbean Sea, and one raised atoll. More than 90 per cent of the population is concentrated in the Gilbert Islands, with over 50 per cent living in South Tarawa.
Kiribati’s long-term development path is defined by the recently launched 20 Year Vision Development plan (KV20) 2016-2036. The KV20 is motivated by a collective aspiration for a better society by the year 2036. The vision of the KV20 is for Kiribati to become a wealthy, healthy and peaceful nation. It seeks to achieve the development aspiration by maximizing the development benefits from fisheries and tourism as key productive sectors.
The KV20 recognizes the need develop an inclusive private sector driven by a sound enabling business environment with good policy and regulatory environment that supports the interest of both consumers and producers. Kiribati Development Plan 2016-2019, which is a short-term development strategy seeks to review outdated business laws in order to align such laws with the current trade and development regime, with broader objective of ensuring that trade outcomes generate equal benefits for all. Developing an inclusive and equitable private sector, with good trade outcomes, requires a good quality infrastructure with effective and efficient metrology function
While the initial phase of EIF is for three years, it is expected that further assistance will be required after the project lifespan. This evaluation is planned and to be undertaken towards the end of the initial phase. Based on the evaluation results, an extension of the EIF Tier 1 project will then be sought.
Duties and Responsibilities
Project Objectives and Outcomes:
This project supports Kiribati to benefit from trade by developing national capacities to formulate, implement, and assess trade-related strategies that are aligned with the Kiribati Development Plan. In doing so, the project is trying to address institutional capacity constraints by encompassing sustainable development and gender perspectives. The project hopes to assist Kiribati establish a development-oriented trade policy framework that encompasses the linkages between trade, human development and poverty reduction. The project is adopting a whole of government approach to mainstreaming trade, aid coordination and directly supporting the participation of trade stakeholders in the private sector and civil society in trade policy making.
- Purpose and Scope of the Evaluation:
The overall objective of this Mid-Term Evaluation is to review progress towards the project’s objectives and outcomes, assess the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of how the project has moved towards its objectives and outcomes, identify strengths and weaknesses in project design and implementation, and provide recommendations on design modifications that could have increased the likelihood of success, and on specific actions that might be taken into consideration in designing future projects of a related nature. The evaluation should also assess the project’s sustainability and recommend, as appropriate, whether the project warrants an extension.
In essence, the Consultant is expected to:
Assess the direct and indirect effects of the project on intended beneficiaries and broader socio-economic, political, SDG and gender dimensions;
Assess the appropriateness of the project design particularly as it relates to the achievement of project objectives, its linkages with the government’s national strategic plans, and problems it intends to address;
Assess the management and implementation arrangement of the project, including financial and human resource management, monitoring and oversight as well as the risks and risk management strategies in terms of their contribution to the delivery of
Identify key factors which have contributed to the program’s successes and failures;
Document the lessons learned in the design, delivery, management and monitoring of the project that will add value to similar projects in the future;
Recommend whether to extend the project, including the justification and duration of the extension;
Recommend options to improve any future designing of similar projects by the EIF and UNDP.
Detailed Terms of Reference and Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji
website (http://www.pacific.undp.org/content/pacific/en/home/procurement.html)
Competencies
A minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in designing and carrying out project evaluations in the context of Trade and/or Development.
Prior experience working in small and remote island contexts, preferably in the Pacific
Experience working in a coordination role involving a range of stakeholders
Knowledge and experience of gender dimensions relating to Trade and Economic development contexts
In-depth knowledge of Trade, and/or Development and ability to provide high level advice
Required Skills and Experience
Minimum of Master’s degree or equivalent in one of the following disciplines: economics, public administration, international relations, development studies or other relevant field
Consultancy Proposal (CV, Technical proposal & Financial proposal Template ) should be uploaded to UNDP Jobshop website (https://jobs.undp.org) no later than 26th August 2019,(Fiji Time) clearly stating the title of consultancy applied for. Any proposals received after this date/time will not be accepted. Any request for clarification must be sent in writing, or by standard electronic communication to procurement.fj@undp.org. UNDP will respond in writing or by standard electronic mail and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all consultants. Incomplete, late and joint proposals will not be considered and only offers for which there is further interest will be contacted. Failure to submit your application as stated as per the application submission guide (Procurement Notice) on the above link will be considered incomplete and therefore application will not be considered.
NOTE:
Proposals must be sent through UNDP job shop web page. Candidates need to upload their CV, Technical and financial proposal -using UNDP template
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
If the selected/successful Candidate is over 65 years of age and required to travel outside his home country; He/She will be required provide a full medical report at their expense prior to issuance to contract. Contract will only be issued when Proposed candidate is deemed medically fit to undertake the assignment.
Proposal Submission
Offerors must apply through UNDP Job shop (https://jobs.undp.org/cj_view_jobs.cfm) and upload the following mandatory documents.
i) Signed CV including names /email contacts of at least 3 professional referees.
ii) Technical proposal, including a) a brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment; and b) a methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment.
iii) Completed template for confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal
Applicants must send a financial proposal based on a 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 Individual Consultant´s duty station) and any other applicable cost to be incurred by the Individual Consultant 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.
In general, UNDP shall not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the Individual Consultant wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.
In the event of unforeseeable travel that is not anticipated in this TOR, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective UNDP business unit and the Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
Template for confirmation of interest and Submission of Financial Proposal is available under the procurement section of UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji website (www.pacific.undp.org)
Women candidates are encouraged to apply
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Interested Candidates must accept UNDP General Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants
Successful candidate will be required to complete the BSAFE course prior to undertaking any travel related to this consultancy ( online security awareness training). https://training.dss.un.org/course/category/6