Background

Cambodia has done well in terms of economic growth, per capita income, poverty reduction, and human development and with a per capita GNI of $1,020, Cambodia will soon join the ranks of Lower Middle Income Country (MIC). The Royal Government of Cambodia has even made its goal to become an Upper Middle Income Country by 2030, the end year of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), publicly known. This transition to MIC status is reflected not only in terms of GNI per capita, but also in the nature of the development challenges that Cambodia faces.

While extreme poverty levels is the key human development challenge in LDCs, for MICs like Cambodia vulnerability and inequality are key. According to the World Bank, a small income shock can double the poverty rate. In terms of multidimensional poverty, around 67.3 per cent of the population still either suffers from it or is vulnerable to slipping into poverty. There are a number of reasons by.

Dominance of vulnerable employment given dependence on low-skilled and low-value added industries

Vulnerability to climate change and environmental degradation

Cambodia must contend with the increasing the level of public spending.

The low productivity levels of the Cambodian labour force call for a raise in returns to labour if the country is to reduce vulnerability and move away from poverty. In order to achieve this important goal the government faces three main challenges: (I) to diversify the economy providing productive employment opportunities for the 270,000 youths reaching the working age population and (ii) to make agriculture more productive in order to provide higher returns to labour to young people that would remain employed in rural jobs (iii) to enhance savings to sustain the galloping ageing phenomenon.

Cambodia should go up in the agricultural value chain and depart from the production of a single crop diversifying its agricultural portfolio to the benefit of higher value added products. The country lacks of infrastructure and relatively contained populations are ingredients that should lead policy makers in focusing in more strategic production linking better with the market and other economic sectors. Ideally with the ASEAN integration at the door and facing the competing of big rice producers like Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia could focus more on livestock, fisheries and more sophisticated crops that are priced higher in the Asian but also global market. In order to do so the country should depart from subsistence agriculture and support the rural population in a livelihood shift.

In light of the above a macroeconomic simulations on integrated packages for rural jobs should be carried out to explore what asset, technology transfer and training/financial inclusion mix are needed to support young or working age people shift to higher value added products required by the markets. This would be done through a Computation of General Equilibrium exercise conducted with the latest Cambodian Input Output table. The study would take into account current studies carried out on gendered structure of employment within agricultural value chain and make sure traditional pattern of gender discrimination are not repeated.

Duties and Responsibilities

CGE models are macro-economic models that use empirical data together with a theoretical general equilibrium structure to simulate how an economy might react to changes in policy, technology or other external factors. As simulation tools, CGEMs solve numerically the new levels of supply, demand and price on domestic markets that are likely to results from a change in policy or from an external economic or financial shock.

According to the above, and in line with the policy need the essential elements the incumbent should include in the CGE model should allow a simulation of contemporary investments in Social Protection and rural economic sectors.

Expected Outputs and Deliverables:

(1) Proposed Workplan and Methodology spelling out the Model assumptions, and elements.

(2) A draft report detailing the model output tailored on specific household profiles agreed by UNDP and the supplier on the methodology phase;

(3) A power point presentation summarizing the headlines the main outcomes of the simulation to be showcased to the policy makers.

(4) A final report based on the draft and incorporating UNDP Feedback.

While the outline of the final report will be agreed along the assignment, this should indicatively follow the below structure and include

• List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Scope and Objective of the CGE Modelling exercise
• Methodology
• Data Analysis
• Findings and Conclusion
• Recommendations
• Bibliography

Competencies

Functional Competencies:

• Professionalism- In-depth understanding of economic theories, principles and application; demonstrated technical knowledge and proven research and analytical skills on issues related to regional integration, macroeconomic convergence, financial and monetary integration, social protection, sectoral policies as well as international development economics; ability to interpret and apply results of econometric techniques and modeling (including CGE) to analysis of economic prospects and policies in the context of Africa.
• Technological Awareness- Ability to use relevant computer technology
• Teamwork- Good interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Communication- Good interpersonal skills; excellent drafting ability and communication skills, ability to present complex concepts in a concise and accurate manner, ability to prepare written reports and papers that are clear, concise and meaningful.
• Planning and Organizing - ability to prioritize, plan and organize own work and ability to integrate work into the work of the unit; ability to monitor and adjust plan and priorities as necessary and to work according to deadline

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.

Required Skills and Experience

Education: 

• Advanced University Degree preferably a Doctorate in economics, development economics or social sciences with an emphasis on macroeconomics, Macroeconomic modelling, and Computation of CGE models.

Experience:

• At least 15 years’ experience in economic modelling, policy analysis in development contexts;
• Extensive experience in modelling and policy analysis using simulation tools and quantitative analysis methods in South East Asia with internationally recognized Academic Intuitions or Research Think Tanks;
• Expertise in designing, constructing and application of dynamic CGE model for contemporary investments in Agriculture, Social Transfers or a combination of the two;
• Contemporary or prospective research work conducted in the same field in other countries will be considered a plus;
• Proven publication records in CGE modelling and Macro Economic simulations.

Language Requirement:

• Fluency in English Language;
• Knowledge of Khmer is asset.

Interested offeror must read the Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice, which can be viewed at http://procurement-notices.undp.org/view_notice.cfm?notice_id=30405 for more detail information about term of references, instructions to offeror, and to download the documents to be submitted in the offer through online.

UNDP reserves right to reject any applications that is incomplete.

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

Interested Offerors are required to submit 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 document, so please make sure that you merge all your documents into a single file. Your on-line applications submission will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail 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 to upload maximum one document.

Any request for clarification/additional information on this procurement notice shall be communicated in writing to UNDP office or send to email dalis.heng@undp.org and cc procurement.kh@undp.org. While the Procurement Unit would endeavor to provide information expeditiously, only requests receiving at least 5 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 in Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice page as provided above. Therefore, all prospective Offerors are advised to visit the page regularly to make obtain update related to this Individual Consultant (IC) Procurement Notice.