Background
With its robust annual economic growth during the last decade, Cambodia set out an ambitious growth strategy which is to be an upper middle-income country by 2030 and high-income country by 2050. However, there are series of real economy challenges. In the meantime, evidence on Cambodia’s SDG performance is very mixed. While some evidence suggested that the country is on or above track on many SDG targets, there were considerable amount of missing data. CSDG delivery is slowly progressing by a lack of systems, data and analytical tools for decision making, the non-existence of discernable integrated national financing framework (INFF), and limited progress towards building the associated systems, despite some initiatives in specific areas (such as the regular climate change public expenditure reviews).
Achievement of the SDGs and meeting of the Government’s economic aspirations will require substantial, prioritized and predictable investments. Finding additional resources is essential to effectively finance and reach SDG targets.
The Integrated National Financing Framework (INFF) to Catalyze Blended Finance for Transformative CSDG Achievement is a UN joint programme (JP) setting out an ambitious agenda to build a high quality, demand-driven financing framework for Cambodia (in line with the INFF concept developed globally), enabling the expansion of development resources in order to accelerate achievement of the CSDGs. The expected results of this JP are delivered via three facilities: (i) establishment of an evidence base on financing sources; (ii) policy and technical advisory; and (iii) data for performance-based budgeting and CSDG resource tracking. This assignment is a part of this JP which is to review and recommend pathways to enable national policy target and CSDG-based analysis and reporting of the budget and resource flows. This can be achieved by conducting a review of the existing national Chart of Accounts (CoA) to examine the potentials for introducing additional CSDG/ policy code and adopting of an SDG -based budget tagging system.
Duties and Responsibilities
To answer the objectives of this assignment mentioned above, the consultant is expected to deliver the following within the duration of this assignment:
Reviewing international best practices of public sector budget tagging systems that specifically address SDG monitoring;
Reviewing the budgetary programme with SDG targets, aiming to group budget allocations according to the objectives of these allocations;
Developing detailed methodology and techniques for the CSDGs budget tagging compatible with the existing national economic, budgetary and public finance management system. That may include:
Linking: using national planning to match each ministry’s programmes to CSDGs;
Quantifying: identifying the programmes that contribute to each CSDG target and indicating whether it is a direct or indirect contributions;
Mapping the current budget programmes and sub-programmes to CSDGs and developing an Excel spreadsheet or similar database (with support from a national consultant);
Developing a CSDG relevance checklist to be used during budget formulation stage to support budget decision-making;
Producing a handbook illustrating a methodology for CSDGs budget tagging and CSDG relevance checklist;
Presenting the developed methodology, the handbook, and CSDG relevance checklist to MEF and other line ministries;
Providing training to core staff of MEF and line ministries on the proposed SDGs budget tagging;
Participating in discussions with MEF and line ministries on potential next steps, including the introduction of SDG tagging in the Financial Management Information System (FMIS);
Producing a final report analyzing and summarizing budget alignment to CSDGs and recommendations of the next steps.
It is anticipated that visits to Cambodia would be needed. The consultant should submit work plan indicating timebound milestone deliverables and list of required meetings and consultation to enable the work to be completed.
Competencies
Functional competencies:
Capacity to engage with senior decision/ policy makers, and to synthesize and present complex arguments in easily understood terms.
Ability to work collaboratively with team members by sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
Superior written/ oral communication skills, with the ability to convey complex development concepts and recommendations.
Demonstrating/safeguarding ethics and integrity.
Demonstrate corporate knowledge and sound judgment.
Managing conflict.
Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others. Promoting learning and knowledge management/sharing is the responsibility of each staff member.
Informed and transparent decision making.
Positive and results-oriented attitude, able to meet targets/deadline.
Corporate competencies:
Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards.
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
Treats all people fairly without favoritism.
- Fulfils all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Master’s degree in the field of Public Finance, Economics or other relevant fields
Experience:
At least 5 years of relevant work experience in conducting research on macroeconomics, public finances, monetary policy, financial markets, and debt instruments.
Research experience in the areas of public finance, budget review and public expenditure review are required.
Familiarity with the CSDGs and the 2030 Agenda
Demonstrated ability to engage in strategic analysis, and in-depth sectoral analysis.
Excellent writing skills required, as demonstrated by previous high-quality research/analytical reports on relevant topics.
Ability to lead consultations with senior government officials from ministries of economy and finance, line ministries and other key stakeholders in the field required.
A specific experience in similar assignment in similar international development contexts is an advantage.
- Previous experience of work in Cambodia or countries of similar context, especially with a development partner or government is a very strong advantage.
Language Requirement:
- Fluency in written and spoken English
Interested offeror must read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at https://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=81722 more detail information about term of references, instructions to offeror, and to download the documents to be submitted in the offer through online.
UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete.
Please be informed that we don’t accept application submitted via email.
Interested Offerors are required to submit application via UNDP jobsite system as the application screening and evaluation will be done through UNDP jobsite system. Please note that UNDP jobsite system allows only one uploading of application document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your online applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. Please combine all your documents into one (1) single PDF document as the system only allows to upload maximum one document.
Interested individual offeror must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
1. Proposal:
(i) Letter of intertest explaining why they are the most suitable for the work
(ii) A sample of writing to to prove superior communication skills, with the ability to convey complex development concepts and recommendation
2. Financial proposal (Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP)
3. Personal CV including past experience in similar projects and at least 3 references
Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email pheara.lek@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org . While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 working days prior to the submission deadline will be entertained. Any delay in providing such information will not be considered as a reason for extending the submission deadline. The UNDP's response (including an explanation of the query but without identifying the source of inquiry) will be posted in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC).