Background

One of the underlying causes of poverty in Zimbabwe is the slowdown in economic growth, which, after halving in the decade to 2008, declined from 11.9 per cent in 2011 to 1.5 per cent in 2015. Structural and infrastructural bottlenecks and limited fiscal space have resulted in low levels of domestic investment, widespread company closures, rising unemployment, and rising informalization, thus, further increasing poverty. With manufacturing capacity utilization levels down to 34% in 2015 (from 57% in 2011), the informal sector has absorbed many skilled workers, accounting for an estimated 80% + of the country’s employment. Many who have lost their jobs and failed to secure alternative employment in the urban areas, find themselves with no choice but to migrate back to their rural homes where livelihoods are primarily in the form of subsistence agriculture or informal trade. Because the informal sector is largely characterized by low productivity and under employment, poverty continues to be perpetuated by a shortage of decent jobs and sustainable livelihood options. The youth are particularly affected by the lack of formal employment opportunities as they lack the experience to compete for the few available jobs. Consistent with Africa and many other parts of the world, the youth bulge presents a persistent challenge for the country, however, the relatively high levels of education and literacy in Zimbabwe present an opportunity for national youth employment efforts.

In response to this situation, UNDP has devised a package of upstream (policy) and downstream (grassroots livelihoods development) measures to support inclusive growth and sustainable livelihoods. The upstream work will focus on technical and financial support in pro-poor development planning and implementation, and the downstream work will ensure that the policies and strategies translate into concrete measures at the community level.

The project seeks to improve the livelihood security of poor and marginalized groups in rural areas by expanding economic and employment opportunities in the four target districts of Binga, Lupane, Nkayi and Gokwe South, and supporting national level efforts to create an environment conducive for poverty reduction.  The project will also help to create employment by supporting urban youth involved in technology and innovation. To achieve this, the project will address key development challenges using 4 mutually reinforcing pillars:

• Rural livelihoods support;
• Business development support for innovative youth;
• Support for sub-national and community based organisations and structures; and
• Support for policy and national structures.

Under the Rural Livelihoods support pillar, inputs will be provided to help communities set up livelihoods projects and micro-enterprise for the purpose of income generation, with a focus on value addition. Inputs will fall under the broad categories of Training; Value Addition support; Market Access; and Micro-credit. Interventions will including the creation of (and support for existing) Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs), and the provision of a revolving fund. Local structures, committees and organisations will be engaged to help inform the situation analysis and for collaboration in the implementation of interventions.

To inform the development of interventions under this project, UNDP is seeking a Consultant to conduct a baseline assessment of local strengths, resources, economic opportunities and existing interventions within the four target districts.

Purpose and Scope of assignment

The purpose of this baseline assessment is to determine current interventions as well as local endowments and opportunities within the four districts of Binga, Lupane, Nkayi, and Gokwe South. Results will be used to inform specific interventions within each district, to ensure that local endowments are leveraged for value addition and the development of sustainable livelihood interventions. The Consultant will also be required to development instruments for collection of the baseline data.

Methodology

Applicants should explain in detail the design and methodology which they propose to use for the assessment, as well as the components to be assessed, and the potential risks and challenges of the assessment and how these will be managed.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Consultant is expected to carry out the Assignment within 30 days of contract date. The draft Report is to be submitted in soft copy within 20 days of contract signing and is to be finalized in close collaboration with UNDP and MSMECD.

The major output from the Assignment will be the Baseline Assessment Report which will be used to inform the development of livelihood interventions in the four districts of Binga, Lupane, Nkayi and Gokwe South. Annexures may include:

• Government and other infrastructure within the four districts;
• List of opportunities, by location and/ or economic sector;
• Existing interventions;
• List of stakeholders;
• Any other information deemed necessary by Consultant.

The consultant will be free to modify this list of Annexes and add others as they deem necessary.

Expected Output and Deliverables

• Inception report;
• Draft baseline report;
• Powerpoint presentation of draft findings;
• Final Baseline Assessment Report.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

• Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
• Advocates and 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.

Functional Competencies:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to interact with stakeholders at various levels, including senior officials in government and multilateral agencies.
• Capacity in monitoring and evaluating development Programmes;
• Ability to handle confidential and politically sensitive issues in a responsible and mature manner;
• Knowledgeable of UN financial, human resource, procurement, management and general operations policies is an asset and able to work in a multi-cultural and/or international environment.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Masters’ degree in Development Studies, Economics, Social Sciences or related field. A higher post graduate qualification will be a distinct advantage.  

Experience:

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in community based development projects, preferably with a focus on livelihoods and/or poverty reduction;
• Demonstrated ability to lead research in the development arena ;
• At least 5 years’ experience in the development arena in Zimbabwe and the region
• Experience in designing poverty reduction programmes.
• Experience and knowledge of UN financial, human resource, procurement, management and general operations policies is an asset;
• Experience working in a multi-cultural and/or international work environment. Wide experience of technical advisory support and overall capacity development, preferably in Africa.

Language:

• Fluency in English and Shona/ Ndebele, both oral and written.

Timeline, Reporting & Quality Control for the Assignment:

The Consultant is expected to carry out the Assignment within one month of contract date. The draft Report is to be submitted in soft copy within 20 days of contract signing and is to be finalized in close collaboration with UNDP and MSMECD.

Application procedure:

Applicants are requested to upload the following documents:

•   A copy of their latest updated P11 Form which can be downloaded from this website - http://www.sas.undp.org/Documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc.;
•  Technical Proposal;
•  CV;
• Please do not submit Financial Proposal at this stage. This will be requested at the appropriate time.

Incomplete applications will not be given consideration

Please group all your documents into one (1) single PDF attachment as the system only allows upload of one document;
Please note that only applicants who are short-listed will be contacted.

Evaluation:

The Consultant will be evaluated based on the qualifications and the years of experience, as outlined in the qualifications/requirements section of the ToR.  In addition, the Consultant will also be evaluated on the following methodology:
Technical Criteria weight: 70%.
Financial Criteria weight: 30%.

The award of the contract shall be made to the 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 Terms of Reference.

Selection Criteria:

Technical Evaluation: 70% of total evaluation (maximum 100 points):

• Criteria A: Education (maximum 10 points);
• Criteria B: Experience (maximum 50 points, divided into 40 points for substantive and technical experience in community based development projects, preferably with a focus on livelihoods and/or poverty reduction, 10 points for working in a multi-cultural and/or international work environment. Wide experience of technical advisory support and overall capacity development, preferably in Africa;
• Criteria C: Language (maximum 10 points).
• Criteria D: Adequacy of methodology and work plan (30 points)

Note:
Only the highest ranked candidate who have obtained a minimum of 49 points (70%) on the technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation.