Background

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the knowledge frontier organization for collective action to realize the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UNDP’s policy and programme work, carried out at HQ, Regional and Country Office (CO) levels, form a contiguous spectrum of deep, local knowledge to cutting-edge global perspectives and advocacy. Within this context, UNDP invests in a network of field-based and global technical expertise across a wide range of knowledge domains and in support of the signature solutions and organizational capabilities envisioned in the Strategic Plan.

The Bureau for Policy and Programme Support (BPPS’s) Finance Sector Hub (FSH) manages the UNDP Tax and TIWB Project, with resource persons embedded in the SDG Finance Teams in Amman, Bangkok, Istanbul, Panama and Pretoria.

The UNDP Tax and TIWB Project emphasizes linking tax administration and tax and fiscal policies with the broader SDGs. Building on UNDP Country Office portfolios and already existing engagements with Ministries, and other key stakeholders, UNDP will bring a stronger focus on the role of tax and fiscal policy in achieving Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. The project places a particular focus on reducing gender and social inequalities in tax and fiscal policy as well as taking forward climate action and environmental goals, and health outcomes. In addition, representing the views of developing countries in the global normative tax discussions is critical. To this effect, the UNDP Tax and TIWB Project will also work to bring evidence and perspectives from developing countries into the regional and international discussions on taxation.

Objective:

The purpose of this procurement exercise is to contract an individual consultant who can take the lead in better defining UNDP Tax and Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) Project’ Results Framework, including targets and indicators to effectively measure and report on the project’s outputs, outcomes and impacts at the country, regional and global levels

Duties and Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK, RESPONSIBILITIES AND DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED ANALYTICAL WORK

The objective of this consultancy is to better define UNDP Tax and Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) Project’ Results Framework, including targets and indicators to effectively measure and report on the project’s outputs, outcomes and impacts at the country, regional and global levels

Key tasks to be accomplished:

• Review of the UNDP Tax and TIWB Project’s Results Framework and Monitoring Plan.

• Prepare and present an as-is analysis and propose further refinements to the documents to better measure and report on the project’s outputs, outcomes and impacts at the country, regional and global levels.

• Further outline linkages of the project with the Results Framework of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 2030.

• Further outline linkages of the project with relevant results frameworks from regional bureau including regional programmes and associated projects

• Prepare the monitoring and evaluation framework, including guidelines, tools, reporting templates, monitoring data collection forms for team members, UNDP COs and beneficiaries, for credible, reliable, timely and cost-effective primary and secondary data collection and analysis to inform ongoing management decisions, strategic planning and uphold accountability.

• Ensure alignment of the project’s Results Framework with UNDP Strategic Plan and M&E policies of Donor - Finland and NORAD.

• Work with the project team and other stakeholders in the refinement of project indicators and objectives.

• Recommend IT-based knowledge and data management approaches, including the use of participatory documentation techniques to monitor the project.

• Prepare a plan for reporting and dissemination at results from the activities at the global, regional and national level to ensure that project evaluations are carried out according to schedules and that findings and recommendations are implemented and followed up.

• Develop outlines and structures for future work plans, quarterly reports and annual reports.

• Develop capacities at the global, regional, and national levels to implement the revised monitoring and evaluation plan.

Expected outputs and deliverables:

Competencies

• Awareness of 2030 Agenda and Financing for Development.
• Focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Proactive approach to work, good follow-up and follow-through
• Ability to lead implementation of new systems (monitoring and evaluation area), and affect attitudinal change
• Ability to communicate technically complex information clearly and concisely.
• Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic qualifications:

• Masters’ degree in monitoring and evaluation, economics, taxation, finance, public policy or closely related field (Required)

Experience:

• At least five years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation of complex development projects with national or international organization ( Required)
• Good understanding of tax laws, fiscal policies, tax administration processes or public finance reforms (Required)

• IT affinity and demonstrated experience of working with M&E related software for analyzing data and ensuring program design is statistically sound (Required)

• Ability to communicate technically complex information clearly and concisely.(Required)

• Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills (Required)

• Experience in evidence gathering protocols and development of Performance Monitoring Plans (PMP) and oversight of their implementations (Desired)

• Experience with UNDP monitoring and evaluation policies, procedures and practices, and/or related agencies.(Desired)

• Good understanding of the agenda 2030 and Financing for Development(Desired)

• IT affinity and demonstrated experience of working with M&E related software for analyzing data and ensuring program design is statistically sound (Desired)

• Ability to communicate technically complex information clearly and concisely(Desired)

• Excellent communication, analytical and writing skills(Desired)

Language:

• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

• Working knowledge of another UN language would be an asset

The application package containing the following (to be uploaded as one file):

• A cover letter with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment;

• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects and specifying the relevant assignment period (from/to), as well as the email and telephone contacts of at least three (3) professional references

Note: The above documents need to be scanned in one file and uploaded to the online application as one document.

Shortlisted candidates (ONLY) will be requested to submit a Financial Proposal.

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around the specific and measurable deliverables of the TOR. Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR, and deliverables accepted and certified by the technical manager.

• The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and take into account various expenses that will be incurred during the contract, including: the daily professional fee; (excluding mission travel); living allowances at the duty station; communications, utilities and consumables; life, health and any other insurance; risks and inconveniences related to work under hardship and hazardous conditions (e.g., personal security needs, etc.), when applicable; and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services under the contract.

• This consultancy is a home-based assignment, therefore, there is no envisaged travel cost to join duty station/repatriation travel.

• In the case of unforeseeable travel requested by UNDP, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between UNDP and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should 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.

• If the 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 a Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP.

The Financial Proposal is to be emailed as per the instruction in the separate email that will be sent to shortlisted candidates.

Evaluation process

Applicants are reviewed based on Required Skills and Experience stated above and based on the technical evaluation criteria outlined below. Applicants will be evaluated based on cumulative scoring. When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract will be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

• Being 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 where technical criteria weigh 70% and Financial criteria/ Proposal weighs 30%.

Technical evaluation - Total 70% (700 points):

• Criteria 1. Experience in developing monitoring and implementation tools/ systems/ processes for gathering, reporting, and analyzing performance data for monitoring of project implementation, including overall M&E frameworks for different project components.Maximum Points: 250 points
• Criteria 2. Good understanding of tax laws, fiscal policies, tax administration processes or public finance reforms.Maximum Points:100 points
• Criteria 3. IT affinity and demonstrated experience of working with M&E related software for analyzing data and ensuring program design is statistically sound.Maximum Points: 50; and
• Interview  Maximum Points: 300.

Having reviewed applications received, UNDP will invite the top four shortlisted candidates obtaining 70% (i.e., 280 out 400 points) of the desk review scores (i.e., Criteria 1- 3) for interview. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates obtaining a minimum of 70% (490 points) of the maximum obtainable points for the technical criteria (700 points) shall be considered for the financial evaluation.

Financial evaluation - Total 30% (300 points)

The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal:

• 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 priced proposal

• z = price of the proposal being evaluated

Contract Award

Candidate obtaining the highest combined scores in the combined score of Technical and Financial evaluation will be considered technically qualified and will be offered to enter into contract with UNDP.

Institutional arrangement

• The consultant will work under the guidance and direct supervision of UNDP Tax and TIWB Global Manager and will be responsible for the fulfilment of the deliverables as specified above.

• Throughout the project, collaboration and coordination with the entire UNDP Tax and TIWB team will be required, including regional SDG finance advisors and specialists.

• Work communication with all stakeholders will be via email and videoconferences.

• All communication and reports will need to be prepared in English language.

• The Consultant will be responsible for providing her/his own laptop.

Payment modality

• Payments are based upon output, i.e. upon delivery of the services specified above and deliverables accepted and upon certification of satisfactory completion by the manager. 
• The work week will be based on 35 hours, i.e. on a 7 hour working day, with core hours being between 9h00 and 18h00 daily.

Annexes (click on the hyperlink to access the documents):

Annex 1 - UNDP P-11 Form for ICs

Annex 2 - IC Contract Template

Annex 3 – IC General Terms and Conditions

Annex 4 – RLA Template

Any request for clarification must be sent by email to cpu.bids@undp.org 

The UNDP Central Procurement Unit will respond by email and will send written copies of the response, including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry, to all applicants.