Background

UNCDF, the UN capital investment agency for the 48 least developed countries, provides technical assistance and seed capital to test new modalities and instruments of public and private financing for local development in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). These interventions are designed to leverage innovative financial flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the objectives of the post-2015 agenda. UNCDF discreetly operates two inter-connecting practice areas of; (1) inclusive finance, and (2) local development finance (LDFP). The goals of UNCDFs local development finance practice is to assist municipal authorities develop productive infrastructures and provide inclusive access to sustainable services that contribute towards improving the quality of life of citizens.  This concept extends beyond local governance and decentralized provision of services to the spatial, institutional and economic linkages required for comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable local development.  Additionally, LDFP addresses the spectrum of climate change adaptation, food security, education and health, infrastructure, resilient environments, citizen empowerment and representation, and fulfilling and rewarding inclusive economic activity.

The UNCDF strategic plan (2014-2017) sets two long term objectives for LDFP these being; (1) Increasing financing for basic services and inclusive growth/local economic development, and (2) establishing effective financing mechanisms to increase resilience to economic and environmental shocks.  It is within this frame that the LoOKING diagnostic has been conceptualized and designed .

The overall impacts of UNCDFs work in local development finance foresees an expansion of local fiscal space and an increase fixed capital formation that is either triggered or leveraged by UNCDFs investment and interventions. The underlying concept is to free up domestic financial resources to encourage sustainable local development through effective partnerships.

LoOKING in Papua New Guinea

UNDF historically have designed and implemented local development initiatives in a majority of pacific countries at both national and sub-national levels. In particular, being in alignment to its mandate, UNCDF has managed its extensive long-term Pacific engagement via operations in Fiji, PNG, Timor Leste, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

UNCDF is currently developing a new initiative to innovate local finance development in Papua New Guinea (PNG) in partnership with Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The initiative will introduce a new local government diagnostic that is designed to provide a three-dimensional assessment of local government institutions in the context of political, fiscal and administrative de-centralization.

The diagnostic called ‘LoOKING’ has already began its journey in PNG with a team of international and national staff in place, who was guided by the Regional Technical Adviser and supported by staff from the Regional Office in Bangkok. A recently concluded mission by the Regional Technical Adviser was able to develop some preliminary findings for LoOKING consolidating various inputs since 2016.

Presently LoOKING is entering into its final pilot stage whereby the previous years’ work completed needs to be consolidated and brought to a reporting standard for issue to the beneficiaries. It is anticipated that, based on final reporting sequences, the diagnostic will be scaled out to other areas of the country and islands.

Objective of the assignment    

The objective of this assignment is primarily to carry out detailed research related to sub national statistics with an overall aim of developing three economic territorial scans of the pilot LoOKING areas namely; (i) Rigo District, (ii) Buka, Bougainville, and (iii) Arawa – Keita, Bougainville. It is anticipated that the research and reporting will be Port Moresby based. However, if required and deemed necessary for data collection and interview, the incumbent will be supported with travel arrangements to Bougainville.

Reference to the concepts of  economic territory to be applied for the mission can be found at the following links;
https://stats.oecd.org/glossary/detail.asp?ID=727
https://www.imf.org/external/np/sta/bop/pdf/chap4.pdf
http://www.stat.fi/til/altp/index_en.html

Economic Territorial Scans

Three economic territorial scans are required to be developed and submitted covering the following administrative districts; (i) Rigo District, (ii) Buka, Bougainville, and (iii) Arawa – Keita, Bougainville. For the purpose of this assignment the following key data with respect to each territory needs be highlighted. Note that the economic territory scans required for the LoOKING diagnostic differ from the approach provide by the SNA methodologies;

Key data to be collected and presented for each territory; - reference to national and international data sets (IMF / World Bank / ADB) recommended – data should be extracted form published data sets, even if not current (ie PNG census can be used but apply general growth rates to predict current (2017) population

National Level Regression Analysis

Geographic (Min of Planning)

  • Location and size of territory
  • Main geographic features
  • Climate  
  • Main land uses

Population Data (National Statistics Office – census will require revision based on average growth rates)

  • General population as % of national population – gender disaggregated
  • Estimated labor force (16 to 64) gender disaggregated

Economic Data (Treasury / Min of Finance)

  • GDP and GNI
  • Household Disposal Income

Financial Data (Treasury /  Min of Finance)

  • Intergovernmental Transfers – Recurrent
  • Intergovernmental Transfers – Capital Investment
  • ODA – Major Projects
  • FDI – Major Projects such as mining or extractive industries

Natural Resources (Min of Planning)

  • What minerals are available – what is being and has been extracted
  • Forestry – any products being sold i.e. logs / forest produce
  • Other key features – land type / revers for hydro power

Reporting Format
The reporting format will require that for each territory the following need be provided

  • 2 page narrative – using the above mentioned areas
  • 1 page infographic – use MS excel charts – see reference sample of presentation to generate below

http://unctadstat.unctad.org/CountryProfile/GeneralProfile/en-GB/598/index.html

 

Duties and Responsibilities

Working under the direct supervision of the UNCDF LDFP Programme Specialist in PNG and need-based guidance from the LDFP Regional Technical Advisor for Asia based in Bangkok, the consultant will undertake the desk analysis of public and government data sets to develop three separate papers, each being 3 pages (2 narrative and 1 data presentation (graphs, charts and information boxes, the latter referencing the sample provided by the UNCTAD link) for the three mentioned pilot districts. The three reports will necessary present data as tabulated above). Where such data is not available from national statistics, the consultant will reference other sources, it is unknown is disaggregated GDP data exists or if GNI is calculated. In this case the nearest level of disaggregated data should be used (i.e. regional). References may also be gained from the following source; http://islands.unep.ch/IHD.htm#859

The consultant will work closely with the Ministry of Planning and National Statistics Office to collect data and policy related to the associated work. Referencing of the national statistic should be prioritized. Discussions with government institutions lead agencies (ADB and World Bank) can be arranged by UNCDF through the UN country office upon request from the consultant.

The key parameter for this ToR is for the consultant to gain access to and use wherever possible national data sources from National Statistics Office, The Ministry of Planning and The Treasury.

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following: -

  • Time bound work plan at the end of the first week
  • Regression analysis national GDP growth and GDP value vs commodity exports (10-year time series)
  • Draft economic territorial scans to be submitted to UNCDF LDFP Programme Specialist in PNG at the end of 5th week
  • Final reporting – 3 territorial scans taking into account feedback received from UNCDF.

All reports will be prepared in MS Word Format and necessary data / chart files (MS Excel) will be attached to the report in additon a brief powerpoint presnetion ilustraining the findings each territorial scan (3 slides per terriotory) need be developed for dissimination purposes  The consultant will send Soft copies of reports to UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor, Bangkok  via email. The language of communication and reporting will be English

Duration of Assignment, Duty Station and Expected Places of Travel

Duty Station and possible places of travel: PNG and two regions within the PNG (indicative regions being Buka, Bougainville and PNG Central Region – Port Moresby). Any travel* will be agreed upon with the consultant according to the agreement of the proposed work plan.

Note: *This will be an all-inclusive contract . The consultant will make his/her travel arrangement and other logistics as required for carrying out this assignment with UNCDF providing air tickets and DSA if a mission to Bougainville is required. The consultant is expected to use his/her own equipment during and after the assignment.

Provision of Monitoring and Progress Control

The consultant, during the entire period of the assignment, will work in close consultation with the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor Bangkok. The primary responsibility for monitoring progress of the mission will be vested in the UNCDF Regional Technical Advisor Bangkok.

Terms of Payment

The following terms of payment based upon the above-mentioned deliverables will be applicable for this Terms of Reference and associated mission. Payments will be based upon a percentile of the contracted lump sum for each area as tabulated. The payment will only be made up on satisfactory completion and submission of the assignment and deliverables.

Payments will be made in tranches based on the following percentages and milestones.

  • 1st Payment: 40% % of total contract value will be paid after submission of time bound work plan for the assignment and regression analysis of GDP growth and GDP value vs commodity exports (10-year time series);
  • 2nd Payment: 40%of total contract value will be paid after submission of the draft narratives and MS Excel analysis tables and a file note indicating sample size by gender and location of the implemented survey;
  • 3rd Payment: 20 % of total contract value will be paid after submission of final report.

Competencies

  • Owns a good knowledge of PNG in terms of economic development;
  • Able to follow instructions and collect data from diversified sources;
  • Able to effectively communicate with government, private sector, and citizens in the broader context of work, culture, values, etc.;
  • Ability to manage workload with minimum supervision and collaborate with a wide range of colleagues and partners;
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to work with a wide range of actors in a multi-cultural context;
  • Good writing skills;
  • Good communication skills; gender sensitivity and willingness/flexibility to respond to client’s needs.

Required Skills and Experience

Education

  • Master’s degree in Development Policies

Experience

  • 2 years research experience in PNG associated with demonstrated use of statistics and economic data;
  • Minimum of 1 publication (contribution / co-authoring) with focus on PNG economic based research;
  • Ability to undertake research studies, complete regression analysis and desk review of data;
  • Proven academic based research knowledge.

Language

  • Full fluency in English is required.

Evaluation Method

Individual consultants will be evaluated based on the combined scoring method.

The formula for the rating of the Proposals will be as follows:

Rating the Technical Proposal (TP): 70%
TP Rating = (Total Score Obtained by the Offer / Max. Obtainable Score for TP) x 100

Rating the Financial Proposal (FP): 30%
FP Rating = (Lowest Priced Offer / Price of the Offer Being Reviewed) x 100

Total Combined Score:
(TP Rating) x (Weight of TP, e.g. 70%)+ (FP Rating) x (Weight of FP, e.g., 30%)

Total Combined and Final Rating of the Proposal

Technical Criteria weight 70% includes:

  • 25% Professional experience;
  • 25% Academic qualification;
  • 20% Geographical working experience (proven).

Total maximum obtainable score for Technical proposal = 100 points. Only candidates obtaining a minimum score of 70 points under Technical evaluation will be considered for the financial evaluation

Application Guidelines

Interested candidate should submit the following information as part of the application package:

  • When applying for this consultancy position, please apply with your official name as shown in the government issued identification document (e.g. passport and/or driver license). Contract award is subject to this verification;
  • Detailed updated CV including past experience in similar projects or P11 link: http://sas.undp.org/documents/P11_Personal_history_form.doc;
  • One page of cover letter describing why the candidate is the most suitable for the assignment;
  • Confirmation of availability to take up assignments for the whole period;
  • Name and contact details of 3 references.

Should the applicant is shortlisted, the Technical Proposal will be requested. The Technical proposal shall consist of

  • Proposed Methodology and Timeline