Background

The Lao PDR’s National Socio-Economic Plan (NSEDP) embodies the Government’s most important development goals and related plans for their achievement and serves as the common over-arching framework for the mobilization and coordination of resources from both national and international development partners for the achievement of the country’s development goals.
 
In March 2011, the Seventh NSEDP 2011-15 was approved by the Party Congress, and was passed through the National Assembly in June 2011 for endorsement and approval. The 7th NSEDP introduces a much stronger focus on inclusive and equitable growth, achieving the MDGs by 2015, and further advancing the country towards graduation from LDC status by 2020.
 
In order to adequately monitor progress of the 7th NSEDP and MDG achievements, development of Monitoring and Evaluation framework of the 7th NSEDP is crucial. The Department of Planning of the Ministry of Investment and Planning is playing a key role in drafting a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the 7th NSEDP with appropriate result measures and corresponding suggested indicators to effectively monitor the 7th NSEDP targets in consultation with the Ministry of Planning, Line Ministries and Development Partners. Upon finalization of Monitoring and Evaluation Framework of the 7th NSEDP and its corresponding in indicators , the common database, LaoInfo, which was adapted from DevInfo Technology by the Lao Statistics Bureau (LBS), will accommodate all the indicators and the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and be used as a tool to monitor progress of the 7th NSEDP and MDG achievements.
 
In this connection, UNDP is seeking to hire an international consultant to develop Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the 7th NSEDP with appropriate result measures (Impacts, Outcomes and Outputs) and corresponding indicators to effectively monitor the 7th NSEDP.  This framework will also be a guiding framework for line ministries and provinces to develop their own M&E framework for their sectoral and provincial plans.

Duties and Responsibilities

In carrying out the assignment, the consultant will be required to work in close consultation with the Programme Management Group at the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the planning focal points of the line ministries. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Deputy Resident Representative (Programme) and Assistant Resident Representative (ARR) / Head of Poverty Reduction Unit. The selected consultant will undertake interviews with relevant stakeholders, including MPI to develop Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the 7th NSEDP, development partners, Sector Working Groups Chairs and Co-chairs, key government sector ministries and agencies, and concerned Development Partners.
The key functions that the consultant is expected to undertake during the assignment are as follows:
  •  Lead the process of developing the M&E Framework;
  • Conduct a desk review of the M&E Framework of the national development policies of different countries prior to the assignment in the duty station;
  • Review all relevant Government documents such as the NSEDP, Annual Socio-Economic Development Plan, the MDG Progress Reports, MDG Acceleration Framework, sector strategies, and M&E assessment and reviews conducted during the 6th NSEDP etc.;
  • Conduct a series of workshops with the Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, line ministries and development partners;
  • Define Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Framework for the 7th NSEDP with appropriate result measures (Impacts, Outcomes and Outputs) and corresponding indicators to effectively monitor the 7th NSEDP;
  • Indentify key elements to be included in the M&E Framework in order to effectively monometer the 7th NSEDP and promote evidence-based planning and decision making.
  • Producer a user guidebook of the M&E framework;
  • Provide mentoring and coaching to the government team to ensure transfer of know-how and skills;
  • Present a draft M&E Framework for the 7th NSEDP and refine the document taking into accounts the comments received;
  • Finalize the complete M&E Framework for the 7th NSEDP to be submitted to the higher body of the Government for approval and endorsement, including all the necessary Annexes and supporting documents, incorporating comments from all relevant stakeholders; and
  • Any other tasks related to development of the M&E Framework.

Final Products

  1. Draft M&E Framework for the 7th NSEDP and user guidebook
  2. PowerPoint Presentation of the draft M&E Framework for the 7th NSEDP for a stakeholder consultation
  3. Final M&E Framework for the 7th NSEDP and user guidebook approved by UNDP
 
For detailed information, please refer to Annex 1 - Terms of Reference(TOR)
 
TOR and General  Terms and Conditions for Individual Consultants can be also downloaded at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php   

Competencies

  • Demonstrates integrity and fairness by modeling UN values and ethical standards;
  •  Displays cultural and gender sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Treats all people fairly and without favoritism; and
  • Shows strong corporate commitment.

Required Skills and Experience

I.  Academic Qualifications:
 
Post Graduate Degree in Economics, Social Sciences, International Development or related fields.
 
II. Years of experience:
 
A minimum of 10 years of progressive work experience in monitoring and evaluation, social research and policy advice at the national and sub-national levels.
  
Experience:
  • Extensive experience in reviewing and developing M&E framework at the national and sub-national levels. Experience in developing M&E framework for the national development policies in other countries is required;
  • Able to provide examples of successful operational M&E frameworks which he/she was previously assigned to and implemented;
  • Good mentoring and transfer of know how skills;
  • Field experience is required, preferably in countries of the transitional economies;
  • Substantive knowledge of development issues in general and UNDP’s practice area desirable;
  • Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools is required, in particularly results based management;
  • Experience in the development and implementation of quantitative and qualitative methodologies;
  • Prior experience with UNDP/UN agencies or international organizations, particularly in developing countries is an asset; and
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrates strong technical and practical leadership and knowledge in issues related to aid management, coordination and effectiveness;
  • Familiarity with UN system and role of key stakeholders in the area of aid management, coordination and effectiveness;
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills;
  • Excellent computer skills, and applications for report and project planning;
  • Excellent organizational skills and proven ability to deliver projects within assigned deadlines;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and objectivity; and
  • Experience working collaboratively in a team structure in a multicultural environment.
  • Analytical skills, communications abilities, teamwork …
Requirements for submission of applications:
All interested and qualified candidates should apply on-line through the UNDP website at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php  or http://jobs.undp.org/ UNDP Lao PDR will only accept applications submitted on-line. Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:  or Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: UNDP Lao PDR will only accept applications submitted on-line. Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:  or Documents to be included when submitting the proposals: UNDP Lao PDR will only accept applications submitted on-line. Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:  or Documents to be included when submitting the proposals:
 
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
1)     Proposal:
 
      (i)   Explaining why they are the most suitable for the work;
      (ii)  Provide a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work (if applicable);
 
2)     CV including past experience in similar project and at least 3 references;
 
3)     Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown (international travel, consultancy fee and per diem).
 
Note: The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable (qualitative and quantitative) deliverables (i.e. whether payments fall in installments or upon completion of the entire contract). Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this lump sum amount (including travel, per diems, and number of anticipated working days). All envisaged travel costs must be included in the financial proposal. UNDP accept travel costs not exceeding of an economy class ticket.
 
Instructions for on-line submissions:
Step 1: Please prepare all required documents electronically;
Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word formats can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the link above;
Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if it was received successfully.
 
Evaluation of Proposals.
 
Cumulative analysis
 
The award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:
a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and
b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation.
 
* Technical Criteria weight; [ 0.7]
* Financial Criteria weight; [ 0.3]

Criteria
Weight
Max. Point
Technical
0.7
70
Relevant academic qualifications
0.05
5
Experience in monitoring and evaluation, social research and policy advice at the national and sub-national levels
0.2
20
Proven practical and extensive experience in reviewing and developing M&E framework at the national and sub-national levels in other countries
0.2
20
Strong knowledge of monitoring and evaluation tools, particularly results based management
0.1
10
Field experience in countries of the transitional economies especially in Southeast Asia
0.1
10
Prior experience with UNDP/UN agencies or international organizations, particularly in developing countries
0.05
5
Financial (lump-sum)
0.3
30
Total Points Obtainable
1.0
100

 
Note: Any request for clarification must be sent in writing to the following e-mail [e-mail address of the officer in charge]. UNDP Lao PDR will respond in writing 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.
The copies of the response will be also placed on our web-site at http://www.undplao.org/vacancies/procurementnotice.php and linked to the current Procurement Notice. and linked to the current Procurement Notice.
All interested candidates are encouraged to visit the above web-site for updates
 
Please note that only short-listed candidates will be notified. Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

For more detailed information about UNDP Lao PDR please visit our website at http://www.undplao.org