UNDP Jobs - 38622- International Consultant on Development of the Act

International Consultant on Development of the Action Plan on improvement of labour relations and employment services for population

Location :

Ashgabat, TURKMENISTAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

15-Aug-2013

Application Deadline :

15-Aug-13 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

22 working days

Languages Required :

English Russian

Expected Duration of Assignment :

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.

Background

After independence, Turkmenistan has continued operating a social protection system inherited from the Soviet period. Eventually, subsequent economic and demographic changes in the country have demanded reconsideration of the social protection system. As a result, in 1998, the Parliament passed a new set of legislation designed to implement Turkmenistan's plan to introduce pension reforms.

This legislation has introduced new measures reducing the number of occupations benefiting from early retirement provisions and increasing the minimum retirement age of male and female to 62 and 57, respectively. Since 1998, two types of pension insurance have been used in Turkmenistan: state social insurance (defined benefit scheme or pay as you go system – around 20%) and voluntary pension insurance (not less than 2%).

The Social Security Code, adopted in March 2007 and enacted in July 2007, replaced a series of legislative documents and streamlines the concepts previously used in different laws. In 2012 the new Notional Defined Contribution (NDC) pension system was introduced and the Pension Fund of Turkmenistan was established, whose objective is to accumulate all pension payments and be in charge of administration of the NDC pension system.

The new law on State Pension Insurance was adopted by Parliament in April 2012. This law provides more detailed information on responsibilities of each subject of the pension insurance system as well as clear percentages of pension contributions from different groups of citizens (public servants, informal sector etc) as well as for citizens having different wage categories. The law came into starting from 1 January 2013.

In April 2011, the Ministry of Social Welfare of Turkmenistan was reorganized into the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population. There has been no Ministry or Agency at the national level responsible for labour and employment for more than ten years. Until the late 1990s, the State Labour Committee existed at the national level, and had representations at the regional and district level (employment offices). The newly formed Ministry was tasked with functions of implementation of state policies in the areas of labour relations, employment of population, labour protection, improvement of conditions of work and safety at workplace, industrial safety and other labour related issue.

The UNDP has supported the Government of Turkmenistan in implementation of its pension reforms since mid-2000s. The previous Ministry of Social Welfare has closely worked with UNDP throughout the process. UNDP has particularly provided support in raising the knowledge and expertise of the staff of the Ministry, exposure to best practices and international experience, raising awareness among general population on social protection issues and policy advice support.

In 2012, the Ministry has approached UNDP Turkmenistan with a request to provide expert/advisory support in development of a medium-term action plan on improvement of labour relations and employment services for population. UNDP would like to support the development of above-mentioned action plan based on priorities and interests of the Ministry in the area of labour relations and employment. The international consultant is expected to work extensively on a daily basis with national partners.

Duties and Responsibilities

Overall objective of the consultancy is to develop a medium-term action plan on improvement of labour relations and employment services for population. Based on consultations with specialists of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, as well as other ministries and state agencies, the International Consultant will analyze current context and develop a 3 year plan of action focusing on:

Improvement of the legal framework in the areas of labour relations, labour protection, improvement of conditions of work and safety at workplace, industrial safety and other labour related issue;
Provision of employment services to the population.

Scope of Work

Under the overall guidance of the senior management of UNDP Turkmenistan, and the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of Population, the international consultant will be tasked to develop a project document of support to the government with a detailed 3 year plan of action focusing on the following two components:

Improvement of the legal framework in the areas of labour relations, labour protection, improvement of conditions of work and safety at workplace, industrial safety and other labour related issue.

Review relevant documents (national development programmes and strategies, action plans, legal framework and other documentation) related to labour relations and employment in Turkmenistan and identify discrepancies between existing laws and international standards;
Hold a workshop/meetings with key national stakeholders to discuss key findings and define which discrepancies will be included in the legal framework going forward;
Based on agreed actions by stakeholders, prepare a plan of action accordingly to address all stages of the legal process.

Provision of employment services to the population:

Review relevant documents (national development programmes and strategies, action plans, and other documentation) related to employment in Turkmenistan;
Review the mandate, (including the structure and staff) of the ministry in relation to the provision of employment services and identify how this can be strengthened in keeping with international standards;
Together with the senior management of the ministry identify the priorities over the coming 3 years;
Based on agreed priorities develop a 3 year action plan, that includes assisting the ministry to strengthen its systems and procedures and the knowledge of its staff in this area, both at national and sub- national levels: a) Include activities to demonstrate the ministry’s ownership of the project of support; b) Sustainability of the action plan, including identification of main risks and associated response measures and follow-up activities; c) Prepare a project document using the UNDP format.

Deliverables

In accordance with the tasks listed above, the international consultant is expected to deliver following two major products:

A Draft outline of the proposed action plan for the above 2 components at the end of the in-country mission)
A high quality Project Document with a 3 year Action Plan.

Payment and Schedule of the assignment

The total duration of the assignment will be 22 working days with 12 working days in country, starting in the middle of August 2013 and concluding 13 September 2013. The consultant will receive two equal payments in accordance with the following milestones:

A Draft outline of the proposed action plan for the above 2 components at the end of the in-country mission – 30%;
A final project document including a 3 year action plans that has incorporated the feedback received from national stakeholders and UNDP – 70%.

Competencies

Proven ability to design and develop project proposals and action plans;
Results driven, ability to work under pressure and to meet required deadlines;
Cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Highest standards of integrity, discretion and loyalty;
Demonstrates commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values;
Excellent reporting and writing skills;
Diplomatic skills.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

Advanced university degree in economics, governance, public administration or other related fields.

Experience:

At least 10 years of relevant work experience in policy and programme development in the areas of of labour relations, employment of population, labour protection, improvement of conditions of work and safety at workplace, industrial safety and other labour related issue;
Demonstrated experience in capacity development initiatives;
Working experiences in countries with transition economies, particularly related to development of action plans on improvement of labour relations, population employment and other labour areas;
Knowledge and experience of work in the CIS or Central Asia is an advantage.
Excellent analytical skills;

Languages:

Excellent writing and presentation skills in English are essential;
Knowledge of Russian highly desirable but not an eliminating criteria.

Evaluation criteria

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. The maximum score is 100. Out of the maximum score, the score for technical criteria equals 70% (maximum 70 points), and for financial criteria 30% (maximum 30 points).

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals

Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:

Cover letter explaining why they are the most suitable candidate for the assignment;
Methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work.
Financial proposal.

Only the highest ranked candidates who would be found qualified for the job will be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

Additional requirements for recommended contractor:

Recommended contractors, if the travel is required, shall undergo a full medical examination including x-ray, and obtain medical clearance from the UN-approved doctor prior to taking up their assignment. The medical examination is to be cleared by the UN physicians, and shall be paid by the consultant.

FC: 04000