Background

UNDP and the State of Kuwait, represented by the General Secretariat of the Supreme Council of Planning and Development (GSSCPD), strive to enhance institutional capacities at various government agencies by providing them with necessary technical support to strengthen their capacities and skills to perform their expected duties.

Under the framework of the Institutional and Technical support for the establishment of Kuwait Public Policy Centre (KPPC) project, UNDP will collaborate closely with GSSCPD to support the establishment of a pioneer KPPC to address policy making gaps and mainstream policy research, analysis and studies in the policy making process.

The KPPC seeks to be a reliable resource that will influence national policies and strategies. The project builds on UNDP's mandate and strategic vision and aims to promote efficient governance and institutional management. This project will provide a framework of how UNDP will accompany the GSSCPD in its ambition to improve the quality of policy making in Kuwait and in particular on how the KPPC can contribute to that, while operating under the umbrella of GSSCPD.

Within this context, the KPPC is seeking to recruit Policy Analyst/ Advisor in Human Capital to support the GSSCPD through the Kuwait Public Policy Center (KPPC) in reviewing, analyzing and preparing relevant research documents and studies related to Human Capital pillar in the KNDP. The policy objectives are to:

• Education quality program
• High education capacity increase program
• Labor market unbalance reform program
• Traffic safety program
• Handicapped welfare and integration program
• Elderly care services standard enhancement program
• Social cohesions enhancement program
• Youth welfare and enablement program

Institutional Arrangement

1. The consultant will work under the supervision of the Secretary General of the GSSCPD and in will coordinate his/her work directly with the KPPC Project Coordinator.
2. The GSSCPD is responsible for provision of available information and access to any related information that is essential to complete the assignment.
3. The consultant will submit draft reports on the analysis, research performed, policy documents on the human capital sector with highlights on the assignment results as per above to be certified by and approved by the GSSCPD and UNDP Authorized Officer. These interim and final reports and documents will serve as a justification for payment.

Duration of Work:

The overall duration of this consultancy will be 12 months.

Duty Station

The consultant will be required to be present in the State of Kuwait during the assignment period or as agreed with the beneficiary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Scope of Work:

Under the direct supervision of the Secretary General at GSSCPD and with close coordination the KPPC Project Coordinator and the policy advisors, the Policy Analyst/Advisor in Human Capital will undertake the following tasks:

1. Review Existing Policies related to Human Capital

• Analyze existing policies related to improving quality of education programs, addressing labor market imbalances, and increasing the capacity of higher education in the KNDP and identify gaps and opportunities for improvement;
• Conduct thorough analysis on human capital policies through a priori-assessment and a posteriori evaluation where policy gaps will be identified and recommendations will be raised;
• Develop clear and rigorous analysis of other countries’ experiences and research in relation to improving the policies related to education programs, labor market imbalances and other areas related to human development;
• Meet and consulate with related national entity such as the ministry of education, ministry of labor and other relevant stakeholders as part of the review process to get a better understanding of the status, challenges and bottlenecks;
• Conduct a review of the global best practices in working on human capital strategies, with relevance to the challenges encountered.

1. Analysis and draft of policy documents and white papers related to human capital policies in the KNDP

• Review, assess and improve green papers presented to the GSSCPD by national entities;
• Adopt evidence based approach to feed into the production of white papers, policy documents and reports;
• Conceptualize policy options in participation with other public institutions, private sector, CSOs and academics;
• Develop research agenda for the human capital pillar focusing on KNDP strategic priorities based on conducted research, analysis of identified trends, legislations and policies related to human capital and human development;
• Develop a clear plan on the main research gaps with detailed action plan on engagement/ collaboration with relevant institutions for the implementation of the policy research;
• Draft of a conceptualized structure of a white paper based on priority research area;
• The final report on analysis should promote synergies between different policies related to this pillar, exercise quality assurance for policy services and foster policy innovation to enhance performance of this pillar in the KNDP.

1. Communication and Outreach

• Present the developed white papers to GSSCPD government officials and solicit their feedback and comments, address them by taking the corrective measures and validate the findings;
• Present research conclusions as well as the white paper findings in at least one conference/ seminar to national stakeholders and relevant government officials;
• Participate in thematic discussions related to human capital and development pillar;

Coordinate and liaise with different national public entities, academic institutions working on this development policy area.

The duration and timeline of the deliverables is indicated in the below table:

Competencies

Core Competencies

• Reliably delivers on promises and honours commitments, holding himself/herself accountable for actions taken. ?
• Gains cooperation from others through understanding of the political and organizational culture.
• Works collaboratively with team members sharing information openly and displaying cultural awareness and sensitivity.
• Synthesizes multiple/complex messages, identifies appropriate key points for different audiences and communicates concepts in a manner that influences the perceptions/behaviours of others. ?
• Expresses own point of view in a neutral manner rather than in an argumentative tone, avoiding unproductive conflict.

Functional Competencies

Job Knowledge/Technical Expertise

• Understands more advanced aspects of social development as well as the fundamental concepts of related disciplines. ?
• Continues to seek new and improved methods and systems for social planning.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in area of public policy development and international organisations and seeks to develop him/herself professionally.

Scope of Price Proposal and Schedule of Payments

Lump Sum Amount

1. the lump sum amount must be “all-inclusive
2. state that the contract price is fixed regardless of changes in the cost components;

EVALUATION

Selection process:

Cumulative analysis

When using this weighted scoring method, the award of the contract should be made to the individual consultant whose offer has been evaluated and determined as:

a) responsive/compliant/acceptable, and

b) Having received the highest score out of a pre-determined set of weighted technical and financial criteria specific to the solicitation:

Total score=Technical Score + Financial Score.

Technical Criteria weight - 70%, 700 scores maximum 

Financial Criteria weight - 30%. 300 scores maximum

Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 from 700 point in the Technical part of evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation

The lowest technically qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion according to the formula:

P=Y*(L/Z), where

P=points for the financial proposal being evaluated

Y=maximum number of points for the financial proposal

L= price of the lowest price proposal

Z=price of the proposal being evaluated

The selection of candidates will be done in 3 stages:

1st stage: Prior to detailed evaluation, all applications will be thoroughly screened against eligibility criteria (minimum qualification requirements) as set in the TOR in order to determine whether they are compliant/non-compliant.

2nd  stage: Evaluation of technical proposals

Short-listed candidates will be evaluated based on the following criteria. Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 490 points (70%) at the Technical Evaluation would be considered for the Financial Evaluation.

3rd stage: Financial evaluation

Cumulative analysis will be used based on the following methodology: All the offers of individual consultants who scored 490 (70% from 700) and more points during the desk review are acceptable for financial evaluation. The lowest financial qualified proposal receives 300 points and all the other technically qualified proposals receive points in inverse proportion according to the formula:

The candidate achieving the highest cumulative score for both Technical and Financial evaluations will be recommended by the Evaluation Committee for contracting.

Required Skills and Experience

Academic Degree:

• Minimum Masters in Economics, Socio-Economics, Education, Public Administration, or any related field.

Years of experience:

• Minimum 7 years of experience in applied policy research and analysis in human capital;
• Proven ability to draft policy papers and policy documents, reports and publications on development policies;
• Experience in working on national plans implementation in different countries would be an asset;
• Excellent communication, drafting, presentation and reporting skills;
• Proven oral and written communication skills;
• Fluency in English is a must;

Following documents should be submitted:

Documents to be included when submitting the proposals.

1. Duly accomplished and signed Offeror’s letter/filled-in template to UNDP confirming interest and Breakdown of Costs Supporting the Final All-Inclusive Price as per Template. If an Offeror is employed by an organization/company/institution, and he/she expects his/her employer to charge a management fee in the process of releasing him/her to UNDP under Reimbursable Loan Agreement (RLA), the Offeror must indicate at this point, and ensure that all such costs are duly incorporated in the financial proposal submitted to UNDP;
2. Complete and signed P11 form, indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate;
3. At least three (3) professional references;
4. Brief description of why the individual considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and description of Approach to Work (Methodology); 
5. Copy of diploma/s
6. Copy of ID card (passport)

Links for the documents to be submitted:

• P11:  http://www.kw.undp.org/content/dam/kuwait/documents/Procurmenet/P11%20modified%20for%20SCs%20and%20ICs.doc
• Template for Confirmation of Interest and Submission of Financial Proposal: http://www.kw.undp.org/content/dam/kuwait/documents/Procurmenet/Template%20for%20Confirmation%20of%20Interest%20and%20Submission%20of%20Financial%20Proposal.docx