Background
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for every-one. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. There is growing evidence that partnership between African countries and between Africa and rapidly industrializing countries such as Brazil, China, South Korea and Turkey brings mutual benefit through development cooperation, trade and investment. UNDP has been instrumental in supporting collaboration between Africa and China through the 2010 agreement which identified 5 priority areas for action: Bilateral and Trilateral cooperation; Global and regional issues; Private sector engagement and South-south cooperation and; South-South dialogue. In this regard, UNDP is working with the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China to share experiences and lessons learned on Special Economic Zones through two Seminars and Training Workshops with participants from African countries and field visits to Chinese entrepreneurs. Ongoing projects through China’s Ministry of Science and Technology include the China-Ethiopia project on agricultural transformation, and the China-Ghana/Zambia project on renewable energy.
There is a wealth of information from ongoing exchanges between African countries and between African countries and emerging partners such as China aimed at enhancing structural transformation and industrialisation. However, there is a gap in linking discrete interaction through study tours, technical workshops and training to broader policy and programmatic action at national, regional and international levels. This paper intends to provide intellectually independent, empirically grounded analysis of development issues, trends, progress and policies related to accelerating industrial development in Africa in order to help advance economic and social transformation. Exploring innovations in Industrial development in Africa is expected to engage a multiplicity of stakeholder from policy makers to financial experts and small scale entrepreneurs and has the potential to lead to more inclusive development, inequality reduction and enhance employment by women and youth.
A key lesson learned from the Evaluation of UNDP’s Contribution to South-South and Triangular Cooperation (2008-2011) is the need for systematic capturing of innovation and good practice and using knowledge platforms to effectively share lessons learned at national, regional and global levels. As such, this paper is expected to contribute to South-South knowledge exchange, building on national and regional priorities to identify key knowledge, technology, and investment opportunities. It will address the current gap in effective knowledge sharing on lessons learned and innovation by African countries in the area of industrial development. The paper will be discussed at the annual Africa-China dialogue in November 2014 that aims to provide researchers, practitioners and decision makers with knowledge, tools and strategies for addressing immediate development concerns.
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for every-one. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations. There is growing evidence that partnership between African countries and between Africa and rapidly industrializing countries such as Brazil, China, South Korea and Turkey brings mutual benefit through development cooperation, trade and investment. UNDP has been instrumental in supporting collaboration between Africa and China through the 2010 agreement which identified 5 priority areas for action: Bilateral and Trilateral cooperation; Global and regional issues; Private sector engagement and South-south cooperation and; South-South dialogue. In this regard, UNDP is working with the International Poverty Reduction Centre in China to share experiences and lessons learned on Special Economic Zones through two Seminars and Training Workshops with participants from African countries and field visits to Chinese entrepreneurs. Ongoing projects through China’s Ministry of Science and Technology include the China-Ethiopia project on agricultural transformation, and the China-Ghana/Zambia project on renewable energy.
The selected individual consultant is expected to prepare a background paper and contribute to the discussion at the upcoming Africa-China dialogue on Industrial Policy in November 2014.
Objectives
- To establish the empirical links between industrial development, inclusive growth, equitable and sustainable human development in Africa;
- To use existing and newly generated research, to provide evidence, identify innovations and showcase lessons learned from success and failure in the African context;
- To examine the impact of industrial policy failures and success on the poor and marginalized groups;
- To explore political, social and structural constraints to regionally and nationally identified goal and targets for industrial development; and
- To provide policy recommendations that would lead to fundamental changes in policies, institutions, incentives, ideas and social processes to achieve Africa’s transformative vision.
Partnership
The Report will be prepared over a period of two months working in close collaboration with a team of UNDP in-house experts led by UNDP Africa working in close collaboration with the Policy Bureau, the Regional Service Centre and selected country offices.
Timeline of the research project
The duration of the assignment is between September 2014 and November 2014. During this period, the consultant will be home based with regular in depth consultations with UNDP Staff. The consultant may be required to travel to Addis Ababa to attend the Africa-China dialogue in November.
The individual consultant/contractor will work closely with the Senior Strategic Advisor and the Strategic Advisor of RBA. The consultant will be responsible for carrying out stipulated research in the area assigned according to the timelines required. The consultant is expected to provide intellectual leadership and finalize the paper following the standards and deadlines set by UNDP.
- Prepare a draft paper outline within one week of commencing the assignment that provides the general orientation and framing of the paper;
- Undertake conceptual research and carry out case studies on empirical links between industrial development, inclusive growth, equitable and sustainable human development in Africa
- Produce an initial draft paper that discusses evidence, identifies innovations and showcases lessons learned from success and failure with industrial policy in the African context;
- Carry out political economic analysis of industrial policy development and its implementation in Africa that explore political, social and structural constraints to regionally and nationally identified goal and targets for industrial development; and
- Synthesize information and research that highlights the impact of industrial policy failures and success on the poor and marginalized groups in selected African countries;
- Review the effectiveness of previous or current national and regional policies on industrial development in Africa and provide recommendations that would lead to fundamental changes in policies, institutions, incentives, ideas and social processes to achieve Africa’s transformative vision.
- Work with staff of UNDP to turn the research/analysis into UNDP-RBA working papers and other significant publications.
Duties and Responsibilities
The individual consultant/contractor will work closely with the Senior Strategic Advisor and the Strategic Advisor of RBA. The consultant will be responsible for carrying out stipulated research in the area assigned according to the timelines required. The consultant is expected to provide intellectual leadership and finalize the paper following the standards and deadlines set by UNDP.
- Prepare a draft paper outline within one week of commencing the assignment that provides the general orientation and framing of the paper;
- Undertake conceptual research and carry out case studies on empirical links between industrial development, inclusive growth, equitable and sustainable human development in Africa
- Produce an initial draft paper that discusses evidence, identifies innovations and showcases lessons learned from success and failure with industrial policy in the African context;
- Carry out political economic analysis of industrial policy development and its implementation in Africa that explore political, social and structural constraints to regionally and nationally identified goal and targets for industrial development; and
- Synthesize information and research that highlights the impact of industrial policy failures and success on the poor and marginalized groups in selected African countries;
- Review the effectiveness of previous or current national and regional policies on industrial development in Africa and provide recommendations that would lead to fundamental changes in policies, institutions, incentives, ideas and social processes to achieve Africa’s transformative vision.
- Work with staff of UNDP to turn the research/analysis into UNDP-RBA working papers and other significant publications.
Deliverables
- Paper Outline: (September 8, 2014);
- First Draft: (September 29, 2014);
- Final Draft : (October 20, 2014).
Competencies
Corporate Competencies
- Demonstrated commitment to UNDP’s mission, vision and values including working in a culturally diverse environment;
- Demonstrates ability to function in a team environment and shares knowledge and experience.
Functional Competencies
- Excellent verbal and writing skills with strong academic and policy experience;
- Cognate experience in research and analysis related to sustainable human development, gender equality ;and women’s empowerment with particular focus on Africa and developing economies;
- Outstanding analytical and negotiations skills. Ability to present coherent and convincing positions both in writing and orally.
- Strong ability to take initiative to move complex processes forward to achieve articulated results;
- Work at varying levels and on different initiatives simultaneously (personal organization; and
- Ability for multi-tasking;
- The consultant must also possess ability to work under pressure and to accommodate change.
Required Skills and Experience
Required Skills and Experience:
Education
- Advanced University degree in development and applied economics, macroeconomics, quantitative economics, or equivalent qualifications. A PhD in any of these areas would be an added advantage.
Experience:
- Minimum of ten years of work experience in development related activities in the African context;
- Substantial experience in development research and policy analysis related to political economy; and
- Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated capacity to perform outstanding original research including statistical analysis and data mining.
IT Skills:
- Fully literate in terms of software and e-networking.
Language:
- Excellent written and oral English communications skills. Fluency in any of other UN Languages spoken in Africa would be an added advantage.
Documents to be included when submitting the proposal:
Interested individual consultants must submit the following documents/information to demonstrate their qualifications:
Technical proposal
A short paper – maximum of 500 words that brings out (a) emerging issues; (b) research methodology; (c) proposed approach to deliver on the tasks enumerated; and (d) possible risks associated to achieving the objectives of this study and how to address the identified risks. This should be a maximum of 500 words
Filled the P11 form including past experience in similar projects and contact details of referees (Blank form can be downloaded from here). Evidence of previous assignments undertaken could be attached to the document;
A financial proposal
The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, and payment terms around specific and measurable deliverables as indicated below:
- The assignments will be delivered within 43.5 days (2 calendar months). All individual consultants must follow this schedule when submitting their financial proposal. All financial proposals should be submitted separately to this rba.procurement@undp.org no later than 15 August 2014. The template for the Financial Proposal can be downloaded from here. Please Note: The total working days per month are estimated to be 21.75 days. The cost of travel air tickets, living allowance, visa for staying in New York for any consultations during this assignment will be borne by UNDP (and should not be part of this financial proposal). The financial proposal must be all-inclusive and shall take into account various expenses incurred by the consultant/contractor during the contract period (e.g. professional fee, and any other relevant expenses related to the performance of services)
Payment Modality:
- 20% of Contract sum upon satisfactory completion of the paper outline;
- 40% of Contract sum upon satisfactory submission of a draft paper; and
- 40% of Contract sum upon satisfactory completion of the final paper
Travel:
The successful consultant may be required to travel to participate in the Africa-China dialogue in Addis Ababa. If such a request comes, the organization shall bear the cost of travel including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses based on extant policies and rules.
Should the Individual Consultant (IC) wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources. In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed.
Evaluation Criteria:
Technical Evaluation (70%):
- A short paper – maximum of 500 words that brings out (a) emerging issues; (b) research methodology; (c) proposed approach to deliver on the tasks enumerated; and (d) possible risks associated to achieving the objectives of this study and how to address the identified risks. ( 50 points )
- Evaluation of the P11 including educational attainment, relevance of past working experiences, sound knowledge on Africa's development issues relating to the subject matter;(50 points)
Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 per cent of the total technical scores will be considered for the Financial Evaluation; and
Financial Evaluation (30%):
If the professional fee should be based on the understanding that there are 21.75 working days in a month. The fee should be quoted in US dollar only.
If the professional fee should be based on the understanding that there are 21.75 working days in a month. The fee should be quoted in US dollar only.
The following formula will be used to evaluate financial proposal: p = y (μ/z),
- 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
The final evaluation method will be based on a cumulative analysis of both the technical and financial proposals.
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:
- 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.
- Technical Criteria weight: 70 per cent
Financial Criteria weight: 30 per cent
General Terms and Conditions of Contract for the Services of an Individual Contractor can be downloaded from this link
Others:
Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials. Payments will be made only upon confirmation by UNDP on delivering on the contract obligations in a satisfactory manner.
Individual Consultants are responsible for ensuring they have vaccinations/inoculations when traveling to certain countries, as designated by the UN Medical Director. Consultants are also required to comply with the UN security directives set forth under dss.un.org.
Qualified women and members of minorities are encouraged to apply.
Due to large number of applications we receive, we are able to inform only the successful candidates about the outcome or status of the selection process.