The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) commissioned a Multi-Stakeholder Taskforce on 25th May 2020 to advise on recalibrations in national planning due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Taskforce developed background papers entailing recommendations for changes to mitigate the consequences of COVID-19. These recommendations were taken forward and reflected in the finalisation of 9th NSEDP, which was approved by the National Assembly on 26th March 2021.

In summer 2021, the pandemic and its socio-economic consequences still posed a threat to the achievement of major development goals. In many ways the prolonged impact has led to concerns becoming even more pressing over time. For this reason, MPI reactivated the Multi-Stakeholder Taskforce – this time with a focus on priority setting and practical recommendations that can build the basis for Lao PDR’s COVID-19 Recovery Framework.

The Multi-Stakeholder Taskforce updated the background papers and added recommendations of immediate actions with immediate returns as well as investments needed to secure a resilient and sustainable recovery in the medium term, setting the country back on track for the implementation of the 9th NSEDP and beyond. A technical and a high-level consultation on 27th October and 15th November, respectively, ensured that the measures align with the priorities of a wide range of stakeholders. This set of recommendations was presented by H.E. Manothong Vongsay, then Deputy Minister of MPI, at the 13th High Level Roundtable Meeting on 17th November 2021.

Due to the transboundary nature of COVID-19 pandemic, it is important to consider regional developments. The national COVID-19 recovery actions need to be aligned with and in support of regional strategies such the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework (ACRF) and its Implementation Plan, which were adopted at the 37th ASEAN Summit on 12 November 2020.

The proposed national Framework should be built on the previous work of the Multistakeholder-Taskforce and be broadly consolidated. The concept note further specifies the process and objectives of the COVID-19 Recovery Framework.

OBJECTIVES:

The objective is to develop a broadly consulted prioritisation and consolidation of short to medium-term actions to sustainably recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and its socio-economic impacts. More specifically, the COVID-19 Recovery Framework should consider the following criteria:

•           Supporting the 9th NSEDP including its financing strategy and sector plans as well as the National Agenda and other existing documents addressing urgent national priorities

•           Aligning with other key documents including ASEAN Comprehensive COVID-19 Recovery Framework and its Implementation Plan, Smooth Transition Strategy for LDC Graduation (under development)

•           Focusing on short to medium-term actions (period from now to ~2024)

•           Focusing on actions with leverage and comparatively low implementation costs as well as already existing programmes and projects, which need to be strengthened

•           Broadly consulted with ministries, UN agencies, private sector, CSOs, NGOs

•           Taking into considerations the lessons learned from other countries

In this context, the consultant will work directly with the Development Research Institute (DRI), the Department of Planning (DOP), Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) in Lao PDR.

Specifically, the consultant will:

1. Be the penholder for the first draft of the COVID-19 Recovery Framework in close collaboration with DRI, DOP and UNRCO and integrate inputs form a wide range of stakeholders. The consultant is expected to closely follow the criteria listed under ‘objectives’.

2. Support and facilitate two consultations on the COVID-19 Recovery Framework in summer 2022.

1. Liaise and mobilize relevant stakeholders before the events;
2. Provide background material, presentation slides, handouts as required;
3. Moderate certain slots during the events (TBD) or taking minutes.

3. Revise the COVID-19 Recovery Framework based on the outcomes of the consultations and make follow-up enquires with stakeholders if necessary.

The consultant will report to the Development Research Institute (DRI). the Department of Planning (DOP), Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), and the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO). The UNRCO, supported by the consultant, will ensure the inclusion of the UN country team in the process

• Demonstrated interest and/or experience and motivation in coordination of development cooperation, international relations or related field is required;
• Experience with supporting or leading inclusive multi-stakeholder processes/consultations;
• Strong writing skills and experience of managing and coordinating inputs;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive, constructive attitude.

• Advanced University degree in development cooperation, sustainable development, public administration, public policy, international relations, social sciences or related field.
• At least 5 years documented experience in development cooperation and planning, supporting multi-stakeholder processes or public policy;
• Strong writing skills and experience of managing and coordinating inputs;
• Experience with supporting or leading inclusive multi-stakeholder processes/consultations;
• Strong analytical skills;

LANGUAGE :  Excellent written and spoken English is a must and knowledge of Lao is an asset

In order to make your submission, please read the relevant documents available at the links below 

1. TOR  (Annex I)
2. IC General Terms and Conditions _ Annex II; 

Interested Individual Consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications: 

1. Technical Proposal 

            (i)  Explaining why you are the most suitable for the work; 

            (ii)  Providing a brief methodology on how you will approach and conduct the work including the work 

                  schedule for the delivery of outputs/deliverable; 

1. P11 Form  Education and work experience, including past experience in similar projects and contact references of at least 3 references for whom you have rendered preferably the similar services; 
2. Financial proposal:  Detailed financial proposal: Lump sum offer with clear cost breakdown against each deliverable. Please use this template OFFEROR’S LETTER TO UNDP CONFIRMING INTEREST AND AVAILABILITY _ Annex III.

Instructions for online submissions: 

• Step 1:  Please prepare all required documents electronically; 
• Step 2: Combine all documents in ONE SINGLE FILE (preferably in PDF however Word format can be also accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs using the links above; 
• Step 3: After that you will receive an auto reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully. 

Incomplete proposals or proposals received after the deadline will be rejected. 

Note:  Any request for clarification must be sent in writing before the submission deadline to the following emails: surith.sengsavang@undp.org