Antecedentes

The Government of Turkmenistan passed a resolution to establish an Institute for the Study of Turkmen national turnover in March 2014. The main task of the new Institute will be to carry out research work aimed at increasing the export potential of Turkmenistan, the efficiency of export policy, the development of modern methods of marketing and sales of domestic products in foreign markets , and the development of trade relations.

The Economy of Turkmenistan:

Turkmenistan’s economic development in 2012 and 2013 was highly depended on the hydrocarbon-led export and investments, mostly in the construction sphere. According to the World Bank classification, Turkmenistan has been given the status of an upper middle income country1. The IMF statement of 11 November 20132 rated Turkmenistan’s economic growth as strong “on the back of high growth of non-hydrocarbon economy supported by strong public investment. Economic growth was 10.2 percent in 2013 and is expected to reach 10.7 percent in 2014. 

The Government’s economic priorities focus on reaching high GDP growth, improving the banking and financial sectors, creating favorable environment for private business and investment. Since Turkmenistan’s banking system is not integrated with the global financial system, nor there are close trade links with major developed economies, the country has not as yet been affected by the recent global economic crisis. However, Turkmenistan has the Stabilization Fund with the objective to safeguard the national economy from the potential negative consequences of the crisis and to contribute to stable economic development of the country.

The Government is committed to further diversification of its economy to decrease the reliance on the hydrocarbon sector (which currently represents major share of national economy). In addition, the President also stresses the importance of developing the private sector, where they expect the output should constitute 75% of the GDP, in order to create healthy competition environment in the domestic market. In August 2009, Turkmenistan adopted a new framework Law on State Support to Small and Medium Entrepreneurship.

Accelerating the country’s economic diversification, and a transition to a market economy, is central to reducing the hydrocarbon reliance and achieving sustainable, inclusive growth in the longer term. A need exists to further enhance the investment climate to facilitate the creation of new small and medium enterprises, as well as to stimulate the growth of existing firms.

Improving the efficiency of foreign and domestic trade also is of particular importance in enhancing the economic environment, with a particular need to increase and facilitate Turkmenistan’s access to global supply chains. The share of imports in the Turkmenistan retail market has been consistently high, emphasizing the low competitiveness of several domestic sub-sectors that produce consumer goods, particularly in light industry and the food industry. However, expansion of the country’s export base should make it possible to create large numbers of new jobs, benefiting human development. Promising directions exist in the chemicals industry and finished textile products, among others.

 It is within this context that the new institute was established to provide the mechanisms to ensure analysis of world market conditions , its business segments , and provide science-based approach to the formation of a flexible and efficient export policy to protect national economic interests. According to the resolution, the Institute of National Products Turnover has been established with the view of enhancing competitiveness of Turkmenistan's exports, developing scientific methods to promote exports, analyzing the conditions and development trends in foreign trade, expanding the range of export products of Turkmenistan. By another resolution of the President of Turkmenistan, Tuvakgylych Berdigylydzhov has been appointed Director of the Institute of National Products Turnover and staff have been recruited.  

Deberes y responsabilidades

The overall objective of consultancy is to assist the Institute of National Products Turnover ( INPT) to develop a detailed plan of action for the institute for the coming three years.
 
 Activities:

The following outlines some of the key activities to be carried out together with the senior staff of the INPT as part of developing its 3 year plan of action:

• Review the current vision, mandate, and current organizational structure of the INPT;
• Review the focus of each departments;
• Based on this review steps develop a 3 year action plan with timelines.

• A clear detailed focus of the work of each department for the next 3 years;
• Any actions regarding strengthening the INPT mandate, structure and human resources requirements;
• The knowledge that staff will have to acquire to do this work laying out the necessary staff training. Providing a range of options of how to strengthen the knowledge of the staff;
• Clarity on what data to be analyzed, research studies to be undertaken , and reports to be written;
• Clarity on how the work of the institution will support policy making by government;
• Opportunities for twinning with similar institutions regional or globally;
• Linkages with similar work been carried out with other intuitions within Turkmenistan and institutions who have relevant data;
• Provisions for ensuring quality control of the work being done; 
• The ICT and software requirements;
• Identify how staff are regularly updated on global thinking on trade related developments issues;
• Identify how the Institute will publish key part of their research.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

The outputs expected are outlined in the below:

•  In country mission to develop together with INPT senior staff a 3 year plan, 10 day in country mission and 6 days in home country, total 16 day contract;
• Debriefing meetings on mission’s results to UNDP RR and DRR with an outline the a 3 year plan for INPT on the last day of the in – country mission, Last day of in country mission;
• Final draft report, final draft report to be written within 10 working days of completing the country visit; 
• Final Report, Final Report will be submitted 5 working days after receiving the feedback from INPT and UNDP.

Institutional Arrangement :

The consultant is expected to work on a daily basis with the Director and senior staff INPT of the Institute and under the overall guidance of the UNDP Resident Representative . She/he shall report and update the UN Resident Coordinator on the progress of implementation of the assignment. All organizational support and necessary meetings for the expert will be facilitated by the UNDP Resident Representative’s office.

Duration of the Work:

The timeframe from signature of contract till submission of final documents is 10 weeks. The total working days is 16 working days; 10 in home country and 6 as in-country mission. The consultant is expected to start the work in summer-autumn 2014.

Payment Conditions:

This is a lump sum contract that should include costs of consultancy and other costs required to produce the above deliverables. The final schedule will be agreed upon in the beginning of the consultancy.

Payment will be done in two installments:

1st installment - 60% of the total contract value to be paid upon delivery of the draft detailed plan.
2nd installment - 40% of the total contract value to be paid upon submission of final detailed plan.

Competencias

Corporate Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
• Fulfills all obligations to gender sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Functional Competencies:

• Proven track record in policy and research analysis in the area of trade;
• Proven ability to engage in and contribute to high-level policy dialogues issues involving high level government counterparts and other stake-holders on trade relate;
• Extensive experience in working with government, development partners or UN previously is an asset;
  

Habilidades y experiencia requeridas

Education: 

• Masters Degree or higher in economics or trade or other relevant academic fields.

Experience:

• At least seven (15 ) years of professional experience in trade related issues;
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of the global debate trade and experience in multilateral debates and dialogues and processes in the area of trade;
• Knowledge of central Asia context and effects of trade on Turkmenistan is an asset;
• Previous experience in the context of Central Asia and/or particularly Turkmenistan is also an asset.

Language::

• Excellent writing and editing skills in English;
• Knowledge of Russian is a strong asset.

Technical evaluation:

The consultant will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria. Maximum score is 100 points. Out of this score maximum 70 points could be received for technical criteria and maximum 30 points could be received for financial criteria.

• Masters Degree or higher in economics or trade or other relevant academic fields – 20 points;
• At least seven years of professional experience in trade related issues – 20 points;
• Experience in implementation of the similar assignment with the applied research institutions in the area of trade and economy – 10 points;
• Understanding of the country’s context and previous experience of implementation of the projects in Central Asia – 10 points;
• Knowledge of Russian is a strong asset – 10 points.

Financial proposal – 30% of total evaluation - max 30 pts

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

Submission of applications:
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;
• Filled P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (blank form can be downloaded from http://europeandcis.undp.org/files/hrforms/P11_modified_for_SCs_and_ICs.doc)
  please upload the P11 instead of your CV;
  Offeror's letter to UNDP, which includes a brief methodology on how they will approach and conduct the work and Financial proposal(a detailed, carefully considered and justified financial statement based on a lump sum specifying a daily fee for the tasks and an estimated duration as specified in this announcement and any other possible costs (including vaccinations, travel to and from the mission, dwelling, etc.). Offeror's Letter to UNDP can be downloaded from http://www.tm.undp.org/content/turkmenistan/en/home/operations/jobs/.

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.