Background

Saudi Arabia, under the prudent leadership of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Ibn Abdulaziz, has launched the Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve a diversified, prosperous economy. In achieving this vision, it is expected that all ministries and Government bodies would strive for organizational excellence, improving their services and qualified personnel, and building high-performing manpower.

The electricity sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a major transformation with a number of ongoing initiatives which aims to increase efficiency of the sector and the added value, at the time which the energy mix is being diversified in the country. According to the general policies of the Ministry of Energy (MoE) and the tasks entrusted to it, the Deputyship of Electricity Affairs (DoEA) seeks to provide a comprehensive and efficient electrical service -not less than the best global practices-, achieve sustainability, participate in preparation of policies and supervision of their implementation to raise the quality of electrical service, provide the necessary electrical safety conditions within the electrical system in the Kingdom, propose policies and strategies for achieving the sustainability of electric energy and follow up their implementation in coordination with the relevant entities. Therefore, the ministry needs to obtain the technical and administrative support in order to contribute to the implementation of national priority initiatives and programs to achieve the vision and objectives of Ministry within the vision of KS 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, with the aim of upgrading electrical services and obtaining high reliability.

The KSA overall ‘umbrella’ project, which is supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), aims to provide technical and advisory support to Deputyship to improve its efficiency in implementing its tasks, initiatives, and plans, and overseeing achievement of its future strategic objectives. Moreover, "As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, one objective of UNDP is increasing energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts, it aims to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people."

The project will achieve this goal through a six-pronged strategy: (1) prepare and develop policies, strategies, and plans related to electricity sector, and support their implementation after the adoption, (2) prepare and conduct the technical studies and consultations related to the electricity sector, (3) provide advisory services to support the implementation of awareness campaigns on the Deputyship's functions, (4) provide the administrative and technical support to the Deputyship's departments, (5) support the cooperation with national and international entities and authorities, (6) strengthen the capacity of the Deputyship.

The six outputs are interlinked and will synergize each other. Overall, the project will complement and accelerate efforts of Saudi Arabia to achieve its goals in Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement on climate change.

The Strategy Implementation and Organizational Development TA component (‘sub-project’) of UNDP’s programme of work with the Ministry will support the MOE in five areas to:

1. Implemented the Technology and Innovation Strategy (developed by the firm Strategy&)
2. Develop an internal benchmarking capability within the Deputyship and benchmark the Deputyship against “best-in-class” comparator countries
3. Mainstream the relevant SDGs within the Deputyship’s activities
4. Develop a training and capacity building capability and deliver training

   Saudi Arabia, under the prudent leadership of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman Ibn Abdulaziz, has launched the Saudi Vision 2030, which seeks to achieve a diversified, prosperous economy. In achieving this vision, it is expected that all ministries and Government bodies would strive for organizational excellence, improving their services and qualified personnel, and building high-performing manpower.

   The electricity sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is witnessing a major transformation with a number of ongoing initiatives which aims to increase efficiency of the sector and the added value, at the time which the energy mix is being diversified in the country. According to the general policies of the Ministry of Energy (MoE) and the tasks entrusted to it, the Deputyship of Electricity Affairs (DoEA) seeks to provide a comprehensive and efficient electrical service -not less than the best global practices-, achieve sustainability, participate in preparation of policies and supervision of their implementation to raise the quality of electrical service, provide the necessary electrical safety conditions within the electrical system in the Kingdom, propose policies and strategies for achieving the sustainability of electric energy and follow up their implementation in coordination with the relevant entities. Therefore, the ministry needs to obtain the technical and administrative support in order to contribute to the implementation of national priority initiatives and programs to achieve the vision and objectives of Ministry within the vision of KS 2030 and the National Transformation Program 2020, with the aim of upgrading electrical services and obtaining high reliability.

   The KSA overall ‘umbrella’ project, which is supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), aims to provide technical and advisory support to Deputyship to improve its efficiency in implementing its tasks, initiatives, and plans, and overseeing achievement of its future strategic objectives. Moreover, "As per UNDP’s new Strategic Plan 2022-2025, one objective of UNDP is increasing energy access for those furthest behind. By speeding up investment in distributed renewable energy solutions, especially for those hardest to reach and in crisis contexts, it aims to increase access to clean and affordable energy for 500 million people."

   The project will achieve this goal through a six-pronged strategy: (1) prepare and develop policies, strategies, and plans related to electricity sector, and support their implementation after the adoption, (2) prepare and conduct the technical studies and consultations related to the electricity sector, (3) provide advisory services to support the implementation of awareness campaigns on the Deputyship's functions, (4) provide the administrative and technical support to the Deputyship's departments, (5) support the cooperation with national and international entities and authorities, (6) strengthen the capacity of the Deputyship.

   The six outputs are interlinked and will synergize each other. Overall, the project will complement and accelerate efforts of Saudi Arabia to achieve its goals in Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Paris Agreement on climate change.

   The Strategy Implementation and Organizational Development TA component (‘sub-project’) of UNDP’s programme of work with the Ministry will support the MOE in five areas to:

5. Implemented the Technology and Innovation Strategy (developed by the firm Strategy&)
6. Develop an internal benchmarking capability within the Deputyship and benchmark the Deputyship against “best-in-class” comparator countries
7. Mainstream the relevant SDGs within the Deputyship’s activities
8. Develop a training and capacity building capability and deliver training

Duties and Responsibilities

This TOR will work towards addressing area B (see above)

The overall core objectives of the intervention and consultancy are to:

1. Lead client engagement with MoE’s benchmarking stakeholders
2. Design and develop an internal benchmarking capability
3. Perform the initial benchmarking exercise with comparator countries (TBD)

In addition, and depending on available resources, the consultancy will support the Deputyship to:

1. Assist the MoE to design and implement the recommendations of the benchmarking exercise
2. Advise on the development of relevant training and capacity building initiatives
3. Advise on the development of an approach to SDGs and help mainstream them into the MoE

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

Institutional Arrangement

The Senior Advisor will work under the supervision of the UNDP National Project Manager, work directly with the managers and staff of the MoE DoEA and work closely with the Strategy Implementation and Organizational Development Advisors, and a research assistant, as required.

Duration of the Work

• The expected duration of work is 6 Months, with the possibility of an extension.
• The anticipated starting date of the assignment is 15th of February 2023. And the expected date of full completion of all tasks under this assignment is 15th of August of 2023.

Duty Station

• The assignment will be in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  He/ She will be embedded within the Deputyship for Electricity Affairs, Ministry of Energy.
•  However, due to the nature of the role, extensive travel may be required. In the event of a major negative event, e.g. another pandemic, remote working arrangements will be put in place for the duration of the event.  If unforeseen travel outside the consultant’s home-based city is requested by UNDP and not required by the Terms of References (ToR), such travel shall be covered by UNDP in line with applicable rules and regulations and upon prior written agreement. In such cases, the consultant shall receive living allowances not exceeding the United Nations (UN) Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) rate for such other location(s).

Note: A written approval from UNDP and relevant authorities will be required to facilitate the consultant's travel to any locations than stated on this TOR on official missions where necessary.

Working Arrangements:

• All mission travels must be approved in advance and in writing by the Supervisor.
• United Nations Development of Safe and Security – BSAFE course must be successfully completed prior to the commencement of travel.
• The Consultant is responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director.
• The consultant is also required to comply with the UN security directives.
• The consultant is responsible for obtaining any visas needed in connection with travel with the necessary support from UNDP.
• The consultant will be responsible for submitting his/her own mission travel arrangements in line with UNDP travel policies.
• The consultant is responsible for required health and life insurance related to work or travel.
• The consultant is expected to have his/her own Laptop/Computer.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modelling the UN’s values and ethical standards
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, and nationality sensitivity and adaptability

Functional Competencies:

• Ability to handle effectively multiple tasks without compromising quality, team spirit, and positive, working relationships
• Highly savvy in program design and implementation with strong knowledge- base in the Urban field or National transformation processes.
• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop and oversee complex program implementation.

Management and leadership

• Excellent communication, organizational and management skills
• Focuses on the impact and results of the client
• Demonstrate conflict resolution skills
• Consistently approaches work with energy and a positive-constructive attitude
• Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors
• Effectively manages teams and creates an enabling work environment
• Effective coacher and mediator

Required Skills and Experience

Education

• Master’s Degree from a recognized university in Public Sector Governance and Management or International Law, or International Economy or International Relations, Political Sciences or other related fields.

Years of experience

• At least 15 year’s experience consulting to the public sector, preferably with additional experience working with academic or research institutions.

Relevant professional Experience

• The candidate should have proven experience in conducting public sector benchmarking exercises or similar analysis such as organizational analysis, comparative research and/or organizational improvement activities.
• The candidate should also have proven experience in advising public sector leaders on national and sectoral development plans, as well as experience working with Minister-level clients to translate these high-level plans into organizational strategies and reform/change initiatives.
• Relevant working and practical experience in industry or government agencies in the MENA and/or GCC region is required.
• Knowledge of Saudi Arabia’s environment is an advantage.
• Experience consulting with or working with the United Nations or similar international entities is an advantage.

Language Requirements:

• Language proficiency in both written and oral English is required.
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Scope of Costs and Schedule of Payments

* Payment is also dependent on any programme reporting and project board meetings.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

For purposes of generating Offers whose contents are uniformly presented and to facilitate their comparative analysis, it is best to recommend the preferred contents and presentation of the Offer to be submitted, as well as the format/sequencing of their presentation. The following documents may be requested:

• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP;
• Personal CV or P11, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references;
• Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per the template provided. The terms “all-inclusive” implies that all costs (professional fees, travel costs, living allowances, communications, consumables, etc.) that could possibly be incurred are already factored into the final amounts submitted in the Proposal. If an 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 the 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. 

•  

   

  Criteria for Selection of the Best Offer

   Applicants are shortlisted based on the Required Skills and Experience stated in the TOR.

   

  The selection of the best offer from the shortlisted candidates will be based on a Combined Scoring method – where the qualifications and methodology will be weighted a max. of 70% and combined with the price offer, which will be weighted a max of 30%.

   

  Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodologies:

  Step I: Screening and desk review/(Interview optional):

  Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the following methodology.

  Technical Criteria (CV review and Desk Review/Interview optional) – maximum 70 points. Only candidates who obtained at least 70% of points from the CV desk review (who will score at least 49 points) will be considered for the next evaluation stage, i.e., financial evaluation.

  Applications will be first screened, and only candidates meeting the following minimum criteria will progress to the pool for shortlisting:

  Requirements	Criteria	Weighting
  Education	Research Degree from a recognized university (PhD level preferred) in Public Sector Governance and Management or International Law or International Economy or International Relations or Political Sciences or other related fields.	15
  Years of experience	At least 15 years of relevant experience working in consulting to the public sector, preferably with additional experience working with academic or research institutions.	25
  Relevant professional Experience	Proven experience in conducting public sector benchmarking exercises or similar analysis such as organizational analysis, comparative research and/or organizational improvement activities.	30
  	Proven experience in advising public sector leaders on national and sectoral development plans, as well as experience working with Minister-level clients to translate these high-level plans into organizational strategies and reform/change initiatives;
  	Relevant working and practical experience in industry or government agencies in the MENA and/or GCC region is required.

   

  Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 49 points (70% of the total technical points) would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.   Weight Per Technical Competence 5 (outstanding): 96% - 100% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated an OUTSTANDING capacity for the analyzed competence. 4 (Very good): 86% - 95% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a VERY GOOD capacity for the analyzed competence. 3 (Good): 76% - 85% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a GOOD capacity for the analyzed competence. 2 (Satisfactory): 70% - 75% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a SATISFACTORY capacity for the analyzed competence. 1 (Weak): Below 70% The individual consultant/contractor has demonstrated a WEAK capacity for the analyzed competence.   Step II: Financial Assessment: Financial Proposal – Maximum 30 points Duly accomplished Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal Template using the template provided by UNDP (Annex II) PRICE PROPOSAL AND SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS   The contractor shall submit a price proposal as below: The total professional fee shall be converted into a lump-sum contract and payments under the contract shall be made on submission and acceptance of deliverables under the contract in accordance with the schedule of payment linked with deliverables. The financial Proposal should include all relevant costs (consultancy fees, all envisaged travel costs, living allowances, etc.).

   

  UNDP applies the “Best value    for money approach” – the final selection will be based on the combination of the applicants’ qualifications and financial proposal

   

  Financial evaluation - Total 30% (30 points)

  The following formula will be used to evaluate the 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

   

   

  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 also be accepted) and upload to the UNDP Jobs links

  Step 3: After that, you will receive an auto-reply from the UNDP jobs if your offer is received successfully.

   

  Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described. 

  Given the volume of applications that UNDP receives, only shortlisted offerors will be notified.

  UNDP reserves the right to reject any incomplete applications.

  Please be informed that we don’t accept applications submitted via email.

  Interested Offerors are required to submit an 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 documents, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your online application 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 you to upload a maximum of one document.

  Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email mohammed.abbas@undp.org  with a copy to huda.alsaud@undp.org the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 3 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 on the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain updates related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice.

  UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

  UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

   

  Interested applicants are advised to carefully review this advertisement and ensure that they meet the requirements and qualifications described. 

   

  The 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=97464  for more detailed information about terms of references, instructions for the offeror, and to download the documents to be submitted in the offer online.

  UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

   

  Annexes to the TOR

  N/A

  Approval

  This TOR is approved by:

   

  Signature                                                                                              

  Name and Designation                                                                      

  Date of Signing